Sonoma County’s Best Outdoor Restaurants for Winter

In an ever-changing pandemic landscape, outdoor dining remains a constant. From Cloverdale to Petaluma, restaurants have created havens for al fresco dining, some with artistic tents or parklets. Most have fitted their terraces and outdoor dining areas with heaters but, whatever the season, be sure to dress appropriately. During winter months and chilly nights, savvy diners know to bring a seat warmer (an old coat will do) and wear cozy socks. Yes, it’s California, but we’re not Palm Springs. Here are 35 favorite patios with heaters and a cozy ambiance for alfresco winter dining. Click through the gallery above to take a look at the patios.

To note: Some restaurants are closed for the winter break over the next few weeks, so be sure to check the hours before you go.

Sainte-Rose

The Bird & The Bottle: You’re central to the bustling Fourth Street below, but enjoy second-floor views from the terrace of this happy hour hotspot. 1055 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com

Brew coffee and beer house: A large patio and new take-out window for a lovely afternoon outdoors with a hot coffee, cold brew, avocado toast or breakfast sandwich. 555 Healdsburg Ave, 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com

Dierk Park: It’s not fancy and the heaters don’t seem to beat on chilly mornings, but you’ll find us happy to eat pancakes and Benedicts with a glass of hot coffee frequently warming our fingers. 404 Santa Rosa Ave, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

East-West Coffee: If you’re craving the best meze plate in town, East West Cafe is a family-friendly place just across from Howarth Park with plenty of plant-based options. 557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, facebook.com/eastwestcafesantarosa

The new patio of the John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)

John Ash & Co.: Vineyard views and cozy tents with lots of warmth. 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7350, vintnersresort.com

The train station : Traditional French cuisine under the twinkling lights of this longtime Railroad Square destination. 208 Wilson Street, Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com

La Rosa Tequileria & Grille: A huge tequila bar and the best chips and guac in Santa Rosa. 500 4th St., 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com

Rohnert Park

Japanese Hanna: Stay warm while eating your sushi at this spot in Rohnert Park. 101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com

Makimono luxury sushi platter at Japanese restaurant Hana in Rohnert Park. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Chicken Jidori Teriyaki with Japanese-style potato salad and fried Brussels sprouts served with miso soup and rice at Japanese restaurant Hana in Rohnert Park. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)

Petaluma

Brewster’s Beer Garden: Large picnic tables for family gatherings (or social pods) to stay safe and drink. 229 Water St. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

Kitchen Paradiso: Delicious Italian meal along the Petaluma River. 114, boul. Petaluma N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com

Risibisi: Another excellent Italian restaurant by the Petaluma River. 154, boul. Petaluma N., 707-766-7600, risibisirestaurant.com

Stove : Large stoves, bistro tables and excellent steaks by the river. Dress for the occasion as the evenings can be chilly. 170 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997, petalumaseared.com

Brewsters beer garden in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)

Windsor

KC’s American Kitchen: Sit down and warm up at this charming outdoor dining space serving breakfast classics as well as 1950s restaurant-style burgers, sandwiches and entrees. 9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor, 707-838 -7800, kcsamericankitchen.com

Close: A lovely parklet for grabbing a family bite or a casual lunch. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com

Healdsburg

Bravas Tapas Bar: “Jamon In” points a neon arrow to the patio where Healdsburgers flock year-round. Sangrias, paella and tasty tapas are what you will find at this popular watering hole and restaurant. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com

Camp Fina: For now, you’ll have to enter through the back alley (indoor dining is closed), but this hidden outdoor patio is where to find some of the best pizza in the county. Authentic Italian with a California twist also includes OMG burgers, gourmet paninis, calzones and meatballs. 330 Healdsburg Ave, 707-395-4640, campofina.com

Healdsburg Bar & Grill: Known to locals as HBG, this bustling cafe serves comforting classics like macaroni and cheese, seared tuna burgers and their classic HBG’s Burger, recently voted one of the 25 best in the United States by Food and Drink magazine. Wine 245 Healdsburg Ave., 707-433-3333, healdsburgbarandgrill.com

Roof 106: The casual upstairs section of the new Matheson Restaurant (no reservations necessary) features indoor-outdoor dining and seating by a cozy fire pit, if you arrive early. 106 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, thematheson.com

Valletta: The luxurious off-site restaurant in Healsburg has created a lively and warm tent area for diners. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com

Ten-tier lasagna at Catelli in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Ultimate Burger at Catelli in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)

Geyserville

At Catelli: With private heated cabanas and the best lasagna in Sonoma County, this outdoor dining spot is just about perfect. 21047 Geyserville Ave, 707-857-3471, moncatellis.com

Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria: Opens Thursday January 28. This may be our favorite outdoor space. Walk past the hanging laundry (part of the charm) and enter the covered, arched outdoor space sheltered by greenery. Lots of heat and plenty of plates to impress. 21021 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, 707-814-0111, www.diavolapizzeria.com

Cloverdale

Milagro: Authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch, with a large patio in the historic Owl Building, which dates back to 1929. 485 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6334, elmilagrocloverdale.com

Sevastopol, Western County

Barlow: This outdoor market has plenty of outdoor seating where you can stretch out with a meal from one of the restaurants – from sandwiches and pizza to sushi and upscale casual dining. 6770 McKinley Street, Sevastopol, thebarlow.net

At Dinucci: Opens Thursday January 28. It’s mild inside these tents, despite the coastal chill, for your favorite pastas and cocktails. 14485 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-876-3260, dinuccisrestaurant.com

Fern Bar: An expanded covered patio has opened up dining options for this cocktail-friendly spot at the Barlow. 6780 Depot St. Suite 120, Sevastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

Fork Roadhouse and Restoration: The large outdoor patio behind this little truck stop is a ton of fun. Chef/owner Sarah Piccolo is a strong advocate for small local farmers, and her food is perfect every time. 9890 Bodega Highway, forkrestaurant.com

Handline, Sevastopol: “Our upper terrace is now a large heated parasol! All asmr rain without any humidity. We’ve got you covered…literally,” the owners say. Who can argue with that? 935 Gravenstein Ave. S., Sevastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

HopMonk Taverns, Sebastopol and Sonoma; Twin Oaks, Penngrove: Heated beer gardens and tents with a pub atmosphere. 230 Petaluma Avenue, Sevastopol; 691 Broadway, Sonoma; 5745 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove, hopmonk.com

Union Hotel: A special parklet for outdoor dining with plenty of space to spread out in this western classic. 3731 Main St., Western, 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com

Sonoma Valley

Della Santina: This cute little heated parklet is ready to serve up a delicious grilled dinner. 133 E Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-0576

El Dorado Kitchen: Away from the bustling Plaza, this cozy tree-lined back patio is an intimate place to eat year-round. 405 1st St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

Folk table: Destination-worthy dining from celebrity chef Casey Thompson and his team. Part of Cornerstone Gardens and Market, you can dine anywhere on the property. 23584 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-356-3567, folktable.com

Girl & The Fig: This popular French cafe has a cozy enclosed patio that’s the perfect place for a date. Save room for a plate of artisan cheese and a glass of wine from the restaurant’s incredible Rhones collection. 110 Spain Street West, Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Laila: The Mediterranean cuisine of MacArthur Place’s upscale restaurant will have you dreaming of warm summer afternoons, even if it’s chilly outside. 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com

Palooza Brewery and Gastro Pub: Meals on the terrace with burgers, wood-fired pizzas and more. The outdoor area has massive heaters and a large blanket to keep you warm on chilly evenings. 8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com

Sunflower Coffee: This cafe is located in historic building #501, which once housed Captain Salvador Vallejo, the brother of Sonoma founder Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. You can dine alfresco on the street side terrace and in the shaded garden. 421 1st St. W., Sonoma, sonomasunflower.com

Road tips: A large bustling outdoor patio with live music and home cooking. Tip, the tri-tip is kind of their thing, with high comfort classics with a Southern twang. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-509-0078, tipsroadside.com

Spirit and Wisdom: An enclosed patio and snug heaters keep chef Michael Mina’s American Restaurant on our list of favorite al fresco eateries. 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-931-3405, witandwisdomsonoma.com

Comments are closed.