When making your itinerary for a trip to sunny Petaluma, food should always be considered. The area is home to dozens of unique spots known for exceptional meals. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Petaluma, skip the chains and check out a few of these restaurants for an unforgettable dining experience.

Restaurants / Petaluma

Tea Room Cafe

The motto of this darling café is: “A Pot of Tea, A Place to Eat, Art to See, a Place to Meet.” A favorite of the locals for over 15 years, it is bound to become a favorite of yours as well. Enjoy sweet and savory treats along with delectable teas.

Tea Room Cafe serves breakfast that is both delicious and healthy at the same time, with fresh and local cuisine that keeps visitors and residents coming back on a regular basis. The quaint decor (which includes a life-size metal teapot and cow peering down from atop the cabinets) charms in a simplistic yet rustic fashion. Vegetarians can enjoy a few meatless meals, like the vegan tofu scramble.

Insider Tip

Leave the credit card at home: this restaurant is cash only.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Hallie's

Amazing cornmeal pancakes, Cajun sausage and corned beef hash are just a few of the offerings at this traditional American breakfast and lunch diner. Friendly, fast service and equally friendly locals. You will have a great time.

This old-fashioned, diner-style eatery offers standard breakfast fare along with some interesting menu items, like the rum and plantain soufflé. The classic look of the diner takes you back in time, creating a nostalgic feel with shiny vinyl booths and checkered tile floors. It can get busy however, and you may have to wait for a table on the weekends, but your patience will be rewarded.

Insider Tip

Try the infamous cornmeal pancakes.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Topsy’s Kitchen

Topsy's Kitchen is a family-friendly table service restaurant.Don't leave without trying their famous biscuits with honey butter!

Topsy’s Kitchen serves California farmhouse cuisine using only local, seasonal ingredients.The calm, yet inviting environment of the restaurant provides a warmth that brings visitors back again and again. With some of the best fried chicken in Petaluma, Topsy’s Kitchen should be at the top of your list of lunch spots.

Insider Tip

Don’t have time to eat at the restaurant? The full menu is available for takeout.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Water Street Bistro

Gaze out at the Petaluma River as you enjoy the finest of French cuisine. Indoor or outdoor seating available. Great variety for a small café. Treat for lunch so that your friends may enjoy this fabulous little bistro with the most delectable food.

This Parisian-style restaurant in Petaluma makes you feel as if you were dining along the Seine instead of the Petaluma River. Their flawless French food includes fluffy quiches and bright salads that are light and refreshing. If the weather is nice, take a seat outside on the patio for a great view of the river.

Insider Tip

Save room and try one of Water Street Bistro’s signature homemade desserts.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Central Market

Upscale farm-to-table restaurant and wine bar serving Californian-Mediterranean fare.

With high ceilings and a charming brick storefront, Central Market welcomes visitors with a warm and inviting dining area. For an unforgettable lunch, start your meal with the warm olives and finish with the raved-about butterscotch pot o’ cream. The restaurant is a top choice for vino fans, as they always stock a great selection of local wines.

Insider Tip

Ask about the specials: Central Market prepares a new rabbit dish every day.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Seared Ristorante

Strikingly executed menu full of the freshest seafood, steak, and poultry. The presentation and service are superb. For a deeply pleasurable dining experience venture into this quaint gem. The herbed butter and bread alone make it a worthwhile visit.

High ceilings and exposed brick walls lit with sparkling chandeliers greet hungry patrons at Seared. Known for their excellent steaks, the restaurant’s impeccable menu boasts an impressive selection of appetizers (the deviled eggs and duck wings stand out). The staff pride themselves on beautiful presentation that is only beaten by the taste of the food itself.

Insider Tip

If you like bourbon-based drinks, order one of the signature cocktails.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Graffiti Restaurant

Experience spectacular views with upscale yet casual dining. Featuring an outdoor patio overlooking the Petaluma River, plus indoor elegance and a bar with live music. Outstanding New American cuisine including seafood and yummy desserts. A must-visit.

If you are looking for a posh place to eat while in Petaluma, Graffiti is the place to go. With live jazz on Fridays during the summer, Graffiti caters to a more upscale crowd. While it is on the more expensive side, a unpretentious staff and never-stuffy vibe belie the price tag. The restaurant is well worth it when it comes to food and atmosphere, with gorgeous views of the Petaluma River available to diners sitting outdoors. For shellfish fans, the oysters are a must.

Insider Tip

Plan to arrive early for reservations, as parking in the area can be difficult.

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Restaurants / Petaluma

Wild Goat Bistro - Petaluma

Located in historical downtown Petaluma, The Wild Goat Bistro offers up a menu of honest food that uses local fresh ingredients in a variety of culinary traditions.

Another restaurant that sits on the Petaluma River, Wild Goat Bistro’s atmosphere is rustic and inviting. Although small, the restaurant maintains intimacy without ever feeling cramped. Almost everything on the menu is gluten-free, and the show-stopper at Wild Goat Bistro is the selection of gourmet, gluten-free pizzas.