When exploring where to eat in Healdsburg, you’ll find everything from unpretentious local haunts to sleek fine dining establishments.
Few towns in Sonoma County have seen the transformation that Healdsburg has experienced over the last decade, becoming the “it” spot for moneyed vacationers with an explosion of Michelin restaurants and hip tasting rooms to match.
But through it all, Healdsburg has also still managed to retain the charming small-town Americana vibe that makes it so alluring to both old-timers and new arrivals alike.
This guide explores both sides of Healdsburg, highlighting the best breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots for every budget. Outside of Healdsburg proper, we’ve also included local favorites in Geyserville, Forestville, Sebastopol, and other neighboring towns.
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Where to Eat in Healdsburg: Coffee Shops
Healdsburg is home to multiple locally-owned coffee shops, all of which serve the standard fare of handcrafted drinks and various takeaway bites (be forewarned, with artisan prices to match).
You really can’t go wrong with any coffee shop in town. But for what it’s worth, we’ve itemized what sets each one apart, below.
Flying Goat Coffee (Healdsburg)
Flying Goat was the original “artisan” coffee shop to move into town. They have two locations within a few blocks of each other, including one on Healdsburg Plaza.
The espresso drinks are certainly well-crafted, while food options are more limited to sweet pastries and baked goods.
There aren’t as many tables here, so it’s better as a grab-and-go option. Website.
Black Oak Coffee Roasters (Healdsburg)
Just off the plaza on Center Street, this airy space invites you to sit for awhile. You’ll find all the standard drink options, along with a rotating menu of seasonal specialities.
The food menu is also fairly expansive, going beyond just pastries to include bagels, breakfast burritos and sandwiches. Website.
Plank Coffee (Healdsburg)
Plank is off the tourist circuit, so you’ll get much more of a “local” feel at this charming shop a mile north of downtown. They have arguably the biggest breakfast menu of any local coffee shop, with a whole page of bagels, toasts, burritos, bowls, and more.
Plank is located on Dry Creek Road, and makes a great pit stop on your way to wine tasting, if you’re headed out that way. Website.
Where to Eat in Healdsburg: Breakfast and Lunch Cafes
Serving up fresh California cuisine, these quaint local spots offer seasonal breakfast bites, sandwiches, soups, salads, coffees, and more.
Acorn Cafe (Healdsburg)
This cafe recently replaced the long-standing and much-beloved Oakville Grocery. Situated just off Healdsburg Plaza, it’s a perfect spot to start your day, with a cozy interior and breezy patio that offers both sit-down tables and a grab-and-go counter.
The menu includes classic breakfast favorites, along with healthy options and rotating salads and sandwiches for more lunchtime fare. Website.
Quail and Condor (Healdsburg)
This delectable bakery and cafe serves up artisan pastries, breads, and other breakfast goods, along with coffee and tea. For an elevated take-away treat, grab a buttery croissant and coffee to go. Website.
Wild Flour Bread (Freestone)
Nestled away in Freestone Valley, this organic brick oven French bakery regularly rotates over 10 different types of loaves, with scones, cookies, and specialty coffees to boot. Website.
Willow Wood Market Café (Graton)
Housed in an old building in tiny Graton, Willow Wood is charm personified. Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, you can grab fresh comfort food, any meal of the day. Website.
Nightingale Breads (Forestville)
The perpetual line out the door of this bakery speaks for itself. Beyond the endless varieties of organic artisan loaves, you can also pick up local cheeses, olive oil, salumi, honey, jams, and sweet treats – plenty to create your own picnic lunch. Website.
Where to Eat in Healdsburg: Lunch
With flavorful dishes that won’t break the bank, these are some local favorites for a lunch out.
Diavola Pizzeria (Geyserville)
Diavola has frequently made the list of best pizza in the state of California, and neither we (nor the Michelin Guide, who’s featured them) would disagree. It’s one of the best casual meals around: authentic Neapolitan pizza, along with delicious salads, pasta, and more, all in a relaxed setting.
The outdoor patio, under whimsical hanging laundry, makes for a perfect summer afternoon. Website.
Handline (Sebastopol)
Housed in a repurposed Foster’s Freeze, Handline offers burgers and more, but the soul of the menu is the fresh seafood. The fish tacos are our personal favorite, but the grilled oysters are popular too.
With an expansive outdoor space, including a wooden deck under strung lights, the setting is perfect to post up for an extended, leisurely lunch.
For a nod to the building’s origins, be sure to top off your meal with a soft serve, made on-site with organic Straus Family Creamery ice cream. Website.
Marshall Store (Tomales Bay)
This simple spot right on the water is quintessential northern California. Famous for their oysters, they also serve up local seafood, cheeses, breads, and desserts.
Grab a table on the deck and listen to the gulls as you tuck into some of the freshest seafood around. Website.
Little Saint (Healdsburg)
Little Saint is one of the trendiest newer spots in town, and has firmly established itself among the “in” crowd. Along with an outside patio, the multi-use interior also has a restaurant, coffee bar, and wine lounge.
All food and drinks are plant-based, but subtly, so the omnivores don’t feel they’re missing out. Website.
The Burrow (Healdsburg)
The Burrow satisfies with an elevated take on downhome comfort food like smashburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.
Dishes can be paired with their extensive list of local wines and independent breweries. The Burrow is open for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch. Website.
Dry Creek General Store (Healdsburg)
Dating back to the 1880s, the General Store offers hot breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, deli platters, and boxed lunches.
It’s a great spot to pick up a picnic spread, on your way to one of the many wineries along Dry Creek Road. Website.
Café Aquatica (Jenner)
Jenner constitutes a day trip from Healdsburg, being 45 minutes away on the coast. However, we always love this humble little spot on the Russian River, and it’s worth a mention.
Besides a robust menu of quality organic coffees, teas, and specialty drinks, Café Aquatica also rotates a breakfast and lunch menu of seasonal specialties – the local crab roll on brioche is always our go-to.
With live music on weekends, sipping your coffee on a picnic table overlooking the mouth of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean is heavenly. Website.
Where to Eat in Healdsburg: Happy Hour and Casual Dinner
With fun cocktails and delicious bites, each of these spots make a great 5 p.m. happy hour or casual dinner.
Lo & Behold (Healdsburg)
A trendy cocktail bar just off the main plaza, with a rotating menu of elaborate drinks as well as the standby classics. The food menu offers everything from sharable snacks to dinner portions. Website.
Spirit Bar at the Hotel Healdsburg (Healdsburg)
Hotel guests and locals mingle easily at the Fireside Lounge, with a solid happy hour menu of small bites (the French fries are excellent).
In the summer, Friday and Saturday evenings add live music to the upscale vibe. Website.
Guiso (Healdsburg)
Officially deemed “Latin Fusion”, this family-owned spot serves primarily El Salvadorean and Caribbean fare that is out of this world. Everything is sourced from local farmer’s markets, and the quality shows.
Tip: you’ll want to order the paella. What started as a chef brainstorm during the pandemic, of what could hold up well for take-away, is now arguably their signature dish. Website.
Gun Club (Geyserville)
Hip cocktail bar meets Old West, with the Gun Club situated along the main drag of small town Geyserville.
The bartenders mix up stiff, quality drinks and the expansive food menu has everything from street tacos to ramen and lumpia. Website.
Roof 106 at The Matheson (Healdsburg)
The Matheson is one of Healdsburg’s hottest new restaurants, but we prefer to skip the swanky downstairs (and pricier dinners) in favor of the more laid-back rooftop deck.
The artisan flatbreads, salads, and other nibbles are genuinely good, and the specialty cocktail + outdoor fire pit pairing always elevates the whole experience. Don’t leave before trying the clarified Modern Margarita. Website.
Ramen Gaijin (Sebastopol)
Ramen Gaijin threads the needle perfectly, of a quality meal with reasonable pricing. It’s savory enough to have received a Michelin Bib Gourmand mention, but you can still get a steaming bowl of hearty ramen for just over $20.
You’ll find plenty of standard Japanese sides here (gyoza, bao, and more), along with a stylish yet unpretentious atmosphere. Website.
Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville)
When you need a break from the trendy scene in town, head over to this casual local spot tucked among the redwoods along the Russian River.
The brew list leans in favor of pale ales and IPAs, pairing well with their classic bar fare (burgers and fries, pulled pork sandwiches, etc.)
After a pint, mosey down to the riverbanks from their elevated deck. Website.
A Taste of Tea (Healdsburg)
We’re adding this one, in case you’re in the mood for ramen but don’t want to go all the way to Sebastopol for Gaijin (above).
A Taste of Tea may not be the most memorable dinner you’ll ever have, but in a town where inexpensive eats are becoming increasingly uncommon, you can enjoy a very satisfying meal here for a fair price.
Tea lovers will swoon over the accompanying tea menu, which is as expansive as any wine list in town. Website.
Where to Eat in Healdsburg: Fine Dining
Madrona Inn (Healdsburg)
This elegant hotel has been welcoming vacationers since the 1800s, and it still exudes all the charm of a refined Victorian getaway, along with hip modern touches.
Dinner on the covered patio is excellent, but we recommend coming early to grab a drink and bite at the on-site Hannah’s Bar beforehand.
You can take your libations out to the expansive wraparound front porch, and savor the genteel setting overlooking the rolling hills of Sonoma County. Website.
Single Thread (Healdsburg)
This three-star Michelin restaurant is so exclusive, there’s not even a sign out front. But those desiring a first-rate experience will find it here.
Single Thread has its own organic farm that produces the vast majority of its Japanese and New American-inspired menu. It goes without saying that advance reservations are needed. Website.
Dry Creek Kitchen (Healdsburg)
The brain child of chef Charlie Palmer (a well-established name in town), Dry Creek Kitchen is attached to the Hotel Healdsburg, overlooking the town plaza.
The California menu rotates with the seasons, always powered by fresh local Sonoma produce. You can choose between a three-course sit down experience, or order à la carte at the bar. Website.
Valette (Healdsburg)
Having just celebrated 10 years on the Healdsburg scene, Valette was established by two brothers who grew up just down the road.
The menu exudes their hometown pride, sourcing seasonal favorites from local farms along with choice Sonoma wines. Their artful take on California cuisine has even earned notice by the Michelin Guide. Website.
Farmhouse Inn (Forestville)
The Farmhouse Inn is one of the region’s original luxury resorts, and you can still soak up the refined surroundings at The Restaurant, even if you aren’t lucky enough to be staying on-site.
You can choose either an à la carte dinner or a more structured multi-course menu, but everything is guaranteed to be exceptionally fresh and exquisitely presented. Website.
Barndiva (Healdsburg)
For a true epicurean treat, foodies and wannabes will love this elevated “farm-to-fork” European-style spot just off the main plaza. It’s pricey, but definitely a top-notch experience.
Note: dinner is prix fixe on Wednesdays – Sundays. Website.
Walter Hansel Bistro (Santa Rosa)
Tucked away in the farmland off Guerneville Road, Walter Hansel excels in serving gourmet California-French cuisine that still feels like a homey locals-only spot.
No pretensions, just satisfying meats, seafood, and more. Website.
Have more time to explore Sonoma County? Check out our guides to natural wineries, where to paddle board, and more.