With all the fun there is to have in Sonoma Valley, sometimes a quick bite to eat is all the time you’ll have before bouncing off to the next wine tasting, nature trail or boutique. Best of all, speed won’t come at the expense of quality. Sonoma Valley’s farm-to-table legacy makes us an epicenter of delicious produce and fresh meats. Check out this list of great places to eat when you’re on-the-go!
Delis & Markets
Whether you want to picnic or eat on site, Sonoma Valley’s extensive markets and delis make it easy to grab yummy sandwiches, salads, and cheese and cracker samplers. Of course, if you want to go right to the source, there’s always the Friday morning farmer’s market at Depot Park or the Tuesday night farmer’s market on the Sonoma Plaza—great places to appreciate your surroundings while eating mouthwatering fruits and delicious baked goods.
Sonoma Market and Glen Ellen Village Market have amazing pre-prepared foods, delis, quick snack packs and cheese samplers (perfect for pairing with wines), awesome local wine selections, and even supplies like cutting boards and plastic wine glasses. Sonoma Market has indoor seating when you want to escape the heat, and Glen Ellen Village Market has a beautiful outdoor patio with picnic tables and umbrellas.
Sonoma Cheese Factory and Sonoma's Best Modern Mercantile are sister properties featuring awesome deli and coffee selections. The Butcherman at Sonoma Cheese Factory features house-smoked meats, offering mouthwatering sandwiches and barbecue plates. Sonoma's Best Coffee & Deli offers pre-made salads and a great selection of made-to-order sandwiches. Pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy at Sonoma's Best Bottle Shop and enjoy it in the garden out back.
Take-Out
Every restaurant in Sonoma Valley offers wonderful take-out options, so sky’s the limit. But if you’re looking for a quick in-and-out experience, you won’t want to miss the take-out opportunities at these restaurants...
The Red Grape offers delicious thin-crust pizzas, pastas, salads, and more. Try their gluten-free crust for maximum enjoyment. Best yet, their take-out involves pulling up to their curbside parking spots and waiting for your order. You won't be disappointed if you want to stay. They have a gorgeous outdoor patio with a fountain to keep you serene at all times of the year.
If you have a taste for something utterly delicious but you need to be healthy, look no further than Spread Kitchen on Highway 12. Their mouthwatering and delicately seasoned proteins (chicken, beef, or homemade black-bean falafel) match up with your choice of salads, bowls, wraps and/or dirty fries! Seeing their sun-dappled patio may even tempt you to stay in to enjoy.
If you’re really, really on-the-go, there’s nothing like Mary’s Pizza Shack. This longtime locals’ favorite makes quick eats fun and affordable. Grab a slice and a drink or opt for the family meal and feed the whole tribe.
Bakeries & Cafés
Diverse and high-quality bakeries abound in Sonoma Valley, with something for everyone to enjoy, whether you eat on site or take your lunch to-go.
In downtown Sonoma, look to the Basque Boulangerie & Café for simple coffee, pastries, soups and salads, just across from the Old Carnegie Library. If you’re looking to be in the center of Plaza life, you'll want to head to Sonoma's Best Coffee Shop at the Cheese Factory, where a plethora of incredible pastries, real-deal coffee, and hot and savory breakfast options await. Their sister restaurant, Sonoma's Best Coffee & Deli, just off 8th Street East, is a gem and a favorite of locals for the same reasons--with the added attraction of a sun-dappled garden to sit and drink in perfect tranquility.
In the Springs, go to the Little Maya Bakery for traditional Cuban tortas, Mexican tamales and Latin American pastries and breads. Farther up Highway 12, make sure to stop by Baker & Cook—the ultimate in farm-to-table luncheons with unforgettable savory dishes for every diet, exceptional pastries, including an impressive selection of gluten-free treats. Their back patio offers both sunny and shady spots to stretch out and relax.
In Glen Ellen, take your French game to the next level with quiches, baguette sandwiches and melt-in-your-mouth croissants at Les Pascals Patisserie & Boulangerie. Their cute and cozy patio is the perfect spot to escape the summer heat!
Restaurants
Restaurants in Sonoma are typically dedicated to a full-service experience, which may or may not work for a "quick" lunch, depending on your time frame.
One of our favorite quick lunch experiences is Sunflower Caffe, tucked right on Sonoma's historic plaza. Known for its incredible marriage of healthy and decadent sandwiches, omelettes, salads and more, the Sunflower boasts one of the prettiest patios on the plaza. Even though it's a nice, sit-down experience, the service is some of the fastest in the valley, and you'd be hard pressed to spend more than an hour there, even when lines out front are long. The same could be said for Tasca Tasca, a Portuguese tapas restaurant on West Napa Street, where the food is delicious and wine-friendly, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and you can eat to your hunger level---all in a charming, European-bistro-style setting.
If you’re short on time, but big on hunger and want a dine-in experience, check out Sonoma Eats’ sweet patio on Highway 12. Known for their Oaxacan fusion dishes, you’ll revel in memorable home cooking and filling dishes that are sure to safely pave the tummy for an afternoon of wine tasting.
Farther up Highway 12, El Molino Central is a local favorite. Specializing in mole enchiladas, seafood cocktail, and homemade tortillas, take in exquisite Mexican cuisine without any of the pretense. Order a glass of French rose or a cold beer to pair with your meal and enjoy it out on one of their beautiful picnic tables—complete with heat lamps to keep you warm in the winter.
On Arnold Drive, in between Sonoma and Glen Ellen, don't miss Valley Swim Club--a great place for crab sandwiches and salads with an expansive, shaded patio to rest and recuperate before your afternoon activities! With covered outdoor seating, you'll enjoy expansive views of Sonoma Mountain while eating memorable dishes.
Also on Arnold Drive, you'll find the beloved Picazo Café--a sure bet to attract Guy Fieri's attention and a hotbed of Latin-inspired cuisine, from burgers and salads, to bowls and burritos. Did we mention their housemade mezcal? The cocktails are delicious, too. Catch them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Something for Everyone
Regardless of what you choose—quick meal on site or a delectable picnic to-go—you can’t go wrong in Sonoma Valley when it comes to lunch! Save time without sacrificing all of the foodie goodness that the valley is known for. Best of all, there’s something for every palate and time table.
