While Sonoma County is not want for great restaurants (it’s easy to frequent the busy squares of towns like Healdsburg and Sonoma), for those who venture out, the pay-off is discovery of a diverse and passionate dining culture. In Guerneville, restaurants that cater to locals offer relaxed atmospheres and menus that tantalize the senses. While the emphasis is on fine-dining and locally sourced ingredients, the opportunity to discover a new favorite go-to wine country restaurant is entirely possible. After a long day of wine tasting, immerse yourself a bit deeper into the heart and soul of what Sonoma County is all about, and make Guerneville your dining destination. These are some of our favorites to try on your next trip to wine country.

Restaurants / Guerneville

Taqueria La Tapatia

Consistently delicious Mexican taqueria food with a friendly and efficient staff serving it to you. Some of the best salsa that you will find at a taqueria. Try the chicken quesadillas or the Nachos Grande with smoked pork. Delish!

For mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, it’s hard to find a place in Guerneville better suited than Taqueria La Tapatia. A spacious and casual cantina atmosphere plays host to homey takes on south of the border fare, like slow-grilled chicken and smoky carne asada served in a number of authentic styles.

Insider Tip

Make sure to come with a big appetite—their portions are huge. You can easily split one of their Mission-style burritos. Just ask for a fork and knife.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Stumptown Brewery

A big open deck overlooking the Russian River welcomes you to have a cold one and a meal. Bring the dogs, for there is a fenced area for them! Tons of house brews make this place more special than the usual beer bar. Try some grilled oysters or a burger.

If you need to switch it up after a string of Sonoma tastings, Stumptown Brewery is the place. This microbrewery makes four different beers, with several other regional staples on tap. The atmosphere is casual and makes for a chill place to satiate pub-fare cravings, with mainstays like garlic fries, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, and burgers—vegetarians, you have options too.

Insider Tip

Stumptown Brewery makes their own house-style ginger ale, which is delicious, and provides good inspiration if you’ve been thinking of joining the make-your-own-soda-at-home craze. Order one to see where the bar’s been set.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

River Inn Grill

Reasonably priced breakfast and brunch with local specials and a friendly staff.

Drawing from a variety of comfort cuisines, River Inn Grill is a local favorite. It has a wide-ranging menu, serving French toast, pulled-pork sandwiches, and Mission burritos, to name just a few. For a family with diverging cravings, River Inn Grill may just be the solution.

Insider Tip

River Inn Grill offers mimosas and bloody Marys by the carafe, for a thirst-quenching group brunch outing.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Betty Spaghetti

Located in Guerneville’s R3 Hotel, you will enjoy Italian comfort food in a homey environment. Savor the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, the house made ruby red beet ravioli, and of course the Focaccia bread. You won’t leave hungry.

Betty Spaghetti combines the best of Italian comfort food with fresh California ingredients. From the marinara sauce to the spicy sausages, most of the menu’s offerings are made in house. Enjoy this casual, family-friendly Italian eatery for a low key night on the town.

Insider Tip

Make sure to save room for their sweet arancini. More commonly found in their savory form, Betty Spaghetti serves these fried risotto balls stuffed with apples as a dessert.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Main Street Station Ristorante-Caberet

Oh my! Live music includes jazz, Reggae, Latin fusion, karaoke and more. Add totally delicious Italian food to the mix and you’ve got yourself a heavenly date night, (but the kids are always welcome)! Full bar, extensive wine list and late night menu.

One of the liveliest spots in downtown Guerneville, Main Street Station Ristorante-Caberet transforms into a piano bar and cabaret at night. Beyond the live music, they offer a selection of oysters as well as over a dozen artisanal pizzas, with the option to compose your own.

Insider Tip

While the restaurant makes for a great date night, it’s also a wonderful place for families, featuring a full kids menu. Music starts between 6 and 7 p.m., so arrive beforehand if you want a quieter meal with the family.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

The Juicy Pig

The Juicy Pig offers a variety of fresh dishes daily, from surf & turf, to delicious salads, fresh chips and so much more. Their hand crafted drinks will please your palate.

One of the hottest barbeque joints in Guerneville, The Juicy Pig sources all of its ingredients locally from small farms. The pork chops are tender and juicy, and the brisket packs a meaty chew, but salads and lighter fare are on the menu as well, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Insider Tip

Don’t leave without trying the ribs. A staple of any BBQ joint, The Juicy Pig’s has put the restaurant on the map.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Boon Eat + Drink

Dine on creative dishes of New American fare at this trendy restaurant. Be sure to try the Brussels sprouts, and save room for dessert.

The restaurant component to the luxurious boutique hotel and spa of the same name, boon eat+drink features the best farm-to-table cooking in downtown Guerneville. Considering themselves a “modern California bistro,” this high-end restaurant prides itself in featuring only the freshest local ingredients. This philosophy extends to the beverage program, only listing wines from the Russian River Valley and craft beer exclusively from Sonoma and Mendocino.

Insider Tip

Order the flash-fried Brussels sprouts. If you still haven’t hopped on the Brussels sprout bandwagon, these guys may very well make you a convert.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Chef Patrick’s

California-French cuisine on the Russian River. Out of this world menu items like duck confit or artichoke heart with crab meat in butter sauce. The knowledgeable staff will assist you in selecting the best offering to satisfy your own taste buds.

Chef Patrick Wong focuses his attention on expertly prepared California-French fusion cuisine at the restaurant bearing his name. Featuring classic dishes like coq au vin and pork champignon, Chef Patrick’s offers a fine-dining experience with excellent service, but without a shred of pretension.

Insider Tip

Prepared in a Merlot reduction with mashed potatoes and peeled asparagus tips, the filet mignon showcases what Patrick does best: hearty and elegant French fare.

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Restaurants / Guerneville

Dick Blomster’s Korean Diner

Dick Blomster's Korean Diner is such an unlikely and magical combination of amazing Korean food and unique Russian River flavor.

For a while, Guerneville was absent of any Asian dining options, but Dick Blomster’s came in and fixed that. Along with a selection of Japanese saké, Dick Blomster’s cooks up a menu of authentic Korean cuisine. Occupying the space formerly held by diner Pat’s, Dick Blomster’s also fuses their Korean cooking with American classics, with dishes like kimchi pancakes and hot dogs with pickled daikon.