Though Napa still dominates the conversation around hotel debuts, Sonoma has seen a more compelling wave of new restaurants. In recent months, these openings have raised the bar for dining in the region. They range from an informal spot popular with locals to a newcomer that earned two Michelin stars within its first year. Here are our three favorite discoveries.

Bijou
» A modern French bistro with serious cocktails

Over the years, this downtown Petaluma spot has evolved from a trendy cocktail lounge to a casual Southern-fare restaurant, and since June 2025, it’s been a French bistro. This incarnation deserves to last, as much for its excellent cuisine, by chef Stéphane Saint Louis (the powerhouse behind the enduringly popular Table Culture Provisions eatery nearby), as for its outstanding cocktail program. The ambience is tranquil and inviting, with a minimalist décor and double-height windows that flood the room with light. We started with the Pomme d’Or, a combination of vodka, gin, calvados, apple, citrus, ginger and verjus that was neither too boozy nor too sweet, and the signature version of a Bijou, a mix of tequila, mezcal, Green Chartreuse and vermouth, which dazzled with its smoky, herbal complexity. Both drinks paired beautifully with flavorful squash rings served alongside an allium dip. For our main course, we shared the branzino for two. The fish came charred to perfection, and the accompaniments included rich potato gratin, toothsome grilled root vegetables and fluffy house rolls. We concluded the meal with almond-caramel choux over vanilla cream, paired with a decadent Sauternes, already plotting our return visit.

Bijou
190 Kentucky Street, Petaluma. Tel. (707) 753-9155

Bistro Lagniappe
» Wood-fired fare in a convivial neighborhood hot spot

This little-known gem stands just steps from Healdsburg Plaza, but its narrow entrance is easy to miss. When we stepped into the main room, we appeared to be the only patrons. But guests trickled in, exchanging warm greetings with the staff and heading straight to the back. Curious, I followed, only to discover a large outdoor patio buzzing with animated conversation. This wasn’t a private soirée; it was just a regular Thursday night. We headed outside to join the fun, soon getting to know some regulars, who recommended their favorite menu items. Wood-fired dishes are the specialty here: Our fire-roasted buckwheat crêpe filled with mushroom, corn and goat gouda was exceptional, as was the succulent sliced rib chop accompanied by roast cabbage and quince. Bistro Lagniappe is a true neighborhood hot spot, memorable for both its convivial energy and its first-rate cuisine.

Bistro Lagniappe
330 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg. Tel. (707) 473-8181

Enclos
» Ambitious fine dining in a Victorian cottage

SingleThread Restaurant, in the heart of Healdsburg, was Sonoma’s sole Michelin-starred establishment until June 2025. That’s when Enclos earned two stars, within seven months of opening. Associated with Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery, this new gastronomic hideaway is discreetly tucked inside a  Victorian cottage just off Sonoma Plaza. The wood-paneled dining room feels homey, with cozy banquettes, soft lighting and low shelves lined with books and objets d’art. The state-of-the-art open kitchen, with copper pots and herbs hanging overhead and chefs busy at work, provides a striking contrast to the room’s calm, understated elegance. Some dishes we tried featured Instagram-ready flourishes — the tiny venison tartare tartlets balanced on a real antler, the hulking slab of 60-day-aged tuna belly prepared tableside — but the flavors lived up to the visual drama. We feasted on a dazzling array of preparations: locally sourced tomatoes smoked, fermented, confited and roasted; raw spot prawn nestled beneath sliced radishes in shiso oil; and quail breast paired with an artichoke heart wrapped in rose petals. The staff was charismatic and moved with impeccable timing, traits that are too often missing in even the most expensive restaurants.

Enclos
139 East Napa Street, Sonoma. Tel. (707) 387-1724