Sonoma County has long been known for its food, from farm-driven California cooking to international specialties and comfort classics. Vegetarian and vegan diners, however, haven’t always had the same range of choices as those who eat meat. That is beginning to change.
Over the past several years, plant-based products have become increasingly common in grocery stores and restaurants nationwide. Sonoma County has followed the trend. Some restaurants have added substantial vegetarian and vegan selections to their menus; others have built their businesses around plant-based cooking.
For those seeking to eat less meat, or simply try something different, here are restaurants across Sonoma County worth visiting on World Vegan Day, Nov. 1, and throughout the year.
Santa Rosa
The Branch Line
Kim Bourdet, who previously owned and operated organic cafe and catering business The Pharmacy, opened this plant-based eatery and mercantile in the former Flying Goat Coffee space in Old Railroad Square in early 2022. Start your day with a seasonal latte, paired with fluffy focaccia, fresh muffins and other pastries. Or go for the bagels with avocado or vegan cream cheese. For lunch on the go, there are salads, sandwiches and grain bowls. Locally made goods to take home include syrups, jams, sauces and dry pasta. 10 Fourth St., Suite 1, Santa Rosa, 707-595-1941, instagram.com/thebranchline_sonomacounty
East West Cafe
A Mediterranean staple for more than 30 years, East West Cafe has a dedicated vegetarian section on its menu. The Mediterranean Platter is a meatless sampler of hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush. The Macro Plate is a more substantial vegan option, with braised tofu or a vegetable patty, steamed vegetables, hummus, brown rice, oil-free black beans and blue corn tortillas. The Thai Tofu Salad combines marinated tofu with mixed greens, red cabbage, onion, avocado, beets, carrots, toasted almonds and mandarin orange slices, finished with housemade citrus dressing. 557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, eastwestcafesantarosa.com
The Spinster Sisters
Named the best farm-to-table restaurant in Sonoma County in The Press Democrat’s 2025 Readers’ Choice awards, The Spinster Sisters builds its menu around seasonal produce and farm-fresh ingredients, which can be paired with natural wines in a casual setting. The menu changes regularly, but recent offerings have included Rancho Gordo bean tostadas at weekend brunch, crookneck squash soup with herb pesto and ricotta gnocchi with heirloom cherry tomatoes at dinner. For dessert, a nectarine-brown sugar bread pudding has been among the standouts. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com
Cotati
Lady Blume Microbakery + Coffee
Opened in spring 2024, Lady Blume specializes in gluten- and dairy-free baking. Its plant-based offerings include walnut banana bread, chocolate pound cake, chocolate doughnuts, cornmeal berry muffins and walnut chocolate chip cookies. Dairy-free doughnuts rotate through different flavors, so it’s worth checking the pastry case regularly. 8059 La Plaza, Cotati, ladyblume.com
Petaluma
Aqus Café
This cafe at Foundry Wharf offers several vegan alternatives alongside its traditional menu. Breakfast options include the Veganrito, a burrito filled with rice, potatoes, avocado, cilantro, black beans, red peppers and plant-based mozzarella. At lunch and dinner, the selection expands to vegan and vegetarian wraps, paninis and sandwiches. The Veggie Friday panini combines roasted asparagus, eggplant, sweet peppers, and portobello mushrooms with goat cheese or plant-based mozzarella and sun-dried tomato spread. Other choices include a tempeh Reuben, garden burgers, vegetarian lasagna, and a teriyaki tempeh bowl with brown rice and vegetables. 189 H St., Petaluma, 707-778-6060, aquscafe.com
Luma Bar and Eatery
The menu at Luma blends Mediterranean and California influences, with several options for plant-based diners. Tempura green beans come with scallion-sesame dressing, while a farro bowl pairs feta with garden greens, fig balsamic and Sherry vinaigrette. Larger dishes include a quinoa and chickpea veggie burger, agnolotti with lemon ricotta and peas, and a Margherita flatbread with the option of cashew cheese. The coconut creme brulee, served with Meyer lemon and pineapple sorbet, is a dessert worth saving room for. The drinks list includes local beer and wine, cocktails, and low- and no-alcohol options. 50 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-772-5037, lumaeatery.com
Lunchette
Salads and grain bowls are the focus at Lunchette, which also serves soup and pizza by the slice. Seasonal offerings have included a green vegetable soup and fall polenta with roasted mushrooms and delicata squash. For a more substantial vegan lunch, the tahini grain bowl combines organic brown rice, spinach, cucumber, spiced chickpeas, pickled cauliflower, rainbow carrots and roasted sweet potato. Date molasses, za’atar and tahini dressing bring the ingredients together. The bakery case includes plant-based chocolate brownies, tahini miso cookies and gluten-free carrot cake muffins. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com
Wild Goat Bistro
This European-style bistro inside the historic Great Petaluma Mill serves California-American cuisine and wood-fired pizzas, with a range of vegan and gluten-free choices. The vegan quinoa-sweet potato cakes offer an alternative to traditional crab cakes. They’re served with a Brussels sprouts slaw, lemon tahini, roasted red pepper sauce and cashew cream. The vegan shepherd’s pie combines roasted Italian fennel sausage with peas, carrots and mushrooms, topped with mashed potatoes. For pizza, The Pearl comes with plant-based mozzarella, basil, pepperoncini, beech mushrooms, caramelized pearl onions and savory vegan fennel sausage. 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com
The Local
This Petaluma sandwich shop was once easy to overlook inside the Active Wellness Center at 1201 Redwood Way. It has since expanded with a second location in the Plaza North Shopping Center. The menu is relatively small, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and carefully assembled sandwiches. The vegan Helen Putnam layers artichoke hearts, carrots, avocado, pickles, red onion, pickled ginger, roasted beet hummus and local greens on housemade focaccia. Other choices include a seasonal banh mi and the Russian River, with grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper, arugula, goat cheese, chimichurri and lemon aioli. Salads, rice bowls and smoothies round out the menu. 229 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-981-7100, thelocalpetaluma.com
Pho Sonoma
This restaurant’s vegan menu includes several dishes that draw on traditional Vietnamese flavors. The vegan lemongrass noodle soup is a good choice for anyone craving pho. It comes with mixed vegetables, rice noodles and soft fried tofu in a spicy lemongrass broth. Vegan spring rolls, filled with tofu, lettuce, bean sprouts, vermicelli and mint, are served with peanut sauce. Other options include curry tofu with mixed vegetables and simmer-fried eggplant and green beans with Thai basil in vegan oyster sauce, rich in garlic and umami. 140 Second St., Suite 120, Petaluma, 707-762-6888, phosonoma.com
Healdsburg
Little Saint
This upscale, farm-to-table restaurant takes a creative approach to plant-based cooking. Its menu includes a seitan- and beet-based burger and hearth-oven potatoes with rosemary-garlic aioli. Brunch offerings have included seasonal quiche and breakfast tacos with scrambled tofu and Fresno chile cashew crema. Dinner is geared toward sharing — start with housemade focaccia and a trio of dips: smoked carrot, beet hummus and cultured cashew. Seasonal lasagna layers vegetables such as leeks, squash and Bodega Red potatoes with herbed ricotta and bay-infused béchamel. Fruit tarts and housemade ice cream provide a changing selection of desserts. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-8207, littlesainthealdsburg.com
Plank Coffee
Plank Coffee offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, including plant-based sandwiches and several milk alternatives for coffee drinks. You can order breakfast sandwiches on croissants, housemade biscuits or bagels, with egg, dairy or vegan cheese, plus either smoky tempeh bacon or a Beyond Meat sausage patty. The mushroom sandwich is a particularly savory option, with braised greens, melted provolone or a vegan alternative, and cremini mushrooms sautéed with garlic, onion, tamari, thyme, and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. It comes on toasted ciabatta. The pastry selection includes a vegan apricot-pecan bran muffin and an orange cake with a citrus glaze. 175 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-0572, and 227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187, plankcoffee.com
The Taste of Tea
This family-owned tea room serves Japanese tea and comfort food, including several satisfying vegetarian dishes. Its miso ramen is a signature dish, especially welcome on a chilly autumn day. The vegan version features a ginger-seasoned miso kombu broth with soft tofu, shredded nori, bamboo shoots, green onions and sprouts. For something other than soup, try the nameshi onigiri, rice balls wrapped in nori, or the hijiki don, a bowl of white rice topped with hijiki seaweed salad and half a shoyu-marinated egg. Dessert options include matcha ice cream and yuzu sorbet. The tea list includes more than 80 varieties, prepared by the restaurant’s tea docents. 109 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com
Carmella
This plant-based juice shop, in the former Nectary space on Center Street, specializes in cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, toasts, parfaits and specialty lattes. Its Big Red juice combines beet, lemon, pineapple, coconut water, hibiscus tea, green apple and chia seeds. The Midnight Maca smoothie gets its deep blue color from spirulina and combines maca, dates, banana, almond butter and cashew milk. Salads change with the seasons: One popular option, the Cool Beans, pairs lentils, housemade hummus, sprouted mung beans, pickled red onions, crisp root vegetables and fermented cucumbers with greens, herbed yogurt dressing and quinoa crisps. Housemade pickles, whipped hummus, toast and herbed almond cheese are also available. 312 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-385-4657, carmellacarmella.com
Sebastopol
Cozy Plum Bistro
Burgers, burritos, nachos and macaroni and cheese are among the familiar comfort foods on the menu at this all-plant-based restaurant. Its planned closure this month, after more than six years in business, makes a visit especially timely.
The carne asada burrito combines soy-based carne asada with black beans, Spanish rice, crispy fried onions, avocado, salsa roja and chipotle aioli. The Philly cheesesteak, a plant-based take on the East Coast classic, uses gluten-based steak strips, bell peppers, onions and smoky cheddar sauce on a toasted French roll. The burgers feature a house blend of soy, pea and rice proteins, topped with Cozy sauce, pickles, tomato, onion and lettuce on a potato bun. 6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-823-3333, cozyplum.com
Fern Bar
This chic Sebastopol restaurant serves a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes, along with gluten-free and celiac-safe choices. The falafel plate is made for sharing, with dukkah-seasoned patties, cherry tomatoes, and Nardello peppertahina. The Umami Bomb, a vegan and celiac-safe dish, combines crispy rice with broccoli, mushrooms, shiitake cream, balsamic and nutritional yeast. For dessert, the warm churros are vegetarian and come coated in cinnamon sugar with apple butter. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
La Bodega Kitchen
This entirely meat-free restaurant combines casual, rustic surroundings with a more elaborate approach to plant-based cooking. The saffron and rose petal arancini are a highlight: three fried Carnaroli rice balls made with Miyoko’s mozzarella and Forager Project Parmesan, served in marinara sauce. The lasagna Bolognese replaces traditional meat sauce with mushroom ragu, Beyond Meat Italian sausage and Impossible beef, topped with grated local cheese. Desserts include hazelnut tiramisu and chocolate ganache nut torte, both of which demonstrate how well plant-based ingredients can work in classic sweets. 2295 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-1832, sonomawineshop.com
Muir’s Tea Room
This English- and Scottish-style tea house has one of the county’s largest selections of vegan baked goods. Its tea service menus also include fully plant-based plates. The baking case features seasonal and year-round pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, muffins, scones, brownies and cupcakes. Even the double chocolate brownie and lemon cream pie are vegan. Savory choices include finger sandwiches, mushroom tarts, plant-based sausage rolls and seasonal pasties. 330 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com
The Wild Poppy Cafe
What began as a small roadside cafe has grown into a west county fixture, with a second cafe and marketplace recently opening in The Barlow. The new location carries familiar dishes, including beans and greens served with housemade focaccia and vegan Cosmic Nachos topped with black bean puree, cashew crema, pepita chimichurri and cosmic queso. Other options include a vegan kale Caesar, tofu tacos and huevos rancheros with cornmeal-fried tofu. All menu items can be made gluten-free. 9890 Bodega Highway and 6780 McKinley St., Suite 160, Sebastopol, thewildpoppycafe.com
Viva Mexicana
While vegetable burritos are common at taquerias, Viva Mexicana devotes an entire menu page to vegan dishes. The Very Vegan Burrito is filled with Spanish rice, black beans, organic tofu, salsa verde and mango salsa, all wrapped in a Roma tomato tortilla. Another standout is the butternut squash enchilada: two corn tortillas filled with squash and served with roasted tomato-chipotle salsa, lettuce, avocado, cilantro, Spanish rice and refried beans. The menu also includes vegan nachos, tacos, soups, tamales, quesadillas and desserts. Bonus: From 4-8 p.m. daily, the restaurant adds another dimension to its menu with Persian Nights, featuring plant-basedIranian dishes inspired by the cooking owner Sima Mohamadian grew up with. 841 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com
Sonoma
Spread Kitchen
This Lebanese-inspired restaurant in Boyes Hot Springs serves an assortment of richly seasoned plant-based dishes. Start with the cold mezze plate, with hummus, muhammara, baba ghanoush or labneh, plus pita, crudités, and housemade pickles. Other vegan options include roasted beet fattoush, falafel and cauliflower lavash wraps, and saffron rice bowls with vegetables, hummus and quinoa tabbouleh. The restaurant’s popular dirty fries are also available vegan. They’re seasoned with za’atar and topped with green tahini, toum garlic sauce, pickled onion and herbs. For dessert, the tahini brownie is both vegan and gluten-free. 18375 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com
Sunflower Caffe
Nearly half the menu at Sunflower Caffé is vegetarian-friendly, with meatless versions of brunch staples and several vegan options. The avocado toast is a standout, topped with watermelon radish, snap peas, a soft-boiled egg and feta on multigrain bread. For a sweeter breakfast, there’s vegan coconut chia pudding with granola, raspberries, toasted coconut and passion fruit sauce. The spiced chickpea and yam wrap combines sunflower-spiced chickpeas, herb-roasted yam, red onion, cucumber and tomato with coconut yogurt tzatziki. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Valley
This Sonoma restaurant focuses on seasonal California cooking, with plant-based dishes appearing throughout the day. Weekend brunch includes the Valley mezze, served with flatbread, baba ghanoush, a soft-cooked egg, feta and vegetables. Lunch choices include a Hippie salad, fried green tomato sandwich and cold sesame noodles with tofu and chile oil. At dinner, cabbage with chile butter and lime and crispy rice with scallion-ginger sauce are among the options. 487 First W., Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com
Guerneville
Boon Eat + Drink
Featured in local and national publications, chef Crista Luedtke’s modern bistro is a fixture of the Russian River dining scene. Its vegetarian polenta lasagna is one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, layered with sautéed vegetables and ricotta, then served with spicy marinara and tender rainbow chard. The salads and shared plates also offer several meatless options. Burrata comes topped with roasted delicata squash, spiced nuts and Aleppo honey; a tri-colored beet salad pairs the beets with goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette. For vegan diners, a bowl of Italian butter beans with sautéed greens, seasonal vegetables and herbed pesto provides a more substantial choice. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com
Sonoma County is a place where great food, vibrant communities, and beautiful Wine Country living come together. Whether you're exploring local plant-based restaurants, discovering charming neighborhoods, or looking for a place to call home, there's so much to love about this region. Thinking about making Sonoma County your home? Excellerate Real Estate is here to help you find the perfect property to match your lifestyle. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a growing family, or a real estate investor, our team is committed to providing personalized guidance every step of the way. Learn more at Excellerate Real Estate and start your journey toward finding your place in Wine Country.
