Oh, hummus. We have done you so wrong.
The staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, made from humble chickpeas, olive oil and tahini, never deserved to become “brownie batter” flavor. But the many ways hummus has entered our everyday lives have also brought us closer to the flavors of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Iran and beyond.
Once all but impossible to find in Sonoma County — or really anywhere outside large cities and pockets of immigrant communities — spices such as saffron, sumac, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric are increasingly common in local cooking. Tzatziki sits next to onion dip at Trader Joe’s. Pitas are as likely to be filled with peanut butter and jelly as falafel.
With several new Middle Eastern restaurants joining the local dining scene, it seemed time to revisit some of our favorite spots for hummus and the many other dishes that make up this vast culinary landscape. And while lumping the rich cuisines of dozens of regions and countries under a single banner is about as silly as saying American food consists only of hamburgers, hot dogs and apple pie, it helps to start with a common thread.
So we’ll plant our flag with hummus and go from there, because everyone loves good hummus. Along with some best bets, each restaurant gets a hummus score from 1 (not great) to 10 (awesome).
And we promise: No brownie batter hummus.
Best bets
Alesta
The recently opened Sebastopol restaurant serves Turkish, Greek, Lebanese and Eastern European flavors filtered through French technique. Don’t miss the flaming saganaki, the crisp branzino or manti, meat-stuffed dumplings with brown butter and yogurt. The mezze platter is outstanding, with small bowls of atom — whipped labneh with brown butter and Turkish peppers — sweet potato hummus, and smoky baba ganoush, served with warm pita, fried olives and pickled vegetables.
Hummus: 100/10
7233 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-329-6533, alestasoco.com
JuJu’s
Michelin-trained chef Jason Pringle has created a Moroccan-style pop-up in Healdsburg that draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean. His Mezze Trio includes three vividly flavored dips — familiar in form, but distinct in execution. The hummus is enriched with roasted garlic and preserved lemon, and finished with a touch of harissa. Baba ganoush carries a subtle smokiness, balanced by caramelized onions, while the muhammara blends roasted red peppers with pomegranate syrup, walnuts and cumin. Served with warm, pillowy fresh pita. Lamb shank tagine is a standout, along with roasted chicken, grilled Caesar salad and branzino with saffron rice. Open 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; reservations recommended.
Hummus 1000/10
124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, jujushealdsburg.com
Mazza Kitchen
In a nondescript Petaluma industrial park, tucked behind pots of mint, oregano and basil, Mazza Kitchen is chef Kristina Daya’s love letter to Levantine cooking. Surrounded by breweries, medical offices and contractors, her catering business and newly opened grab-and-go cafe are rooted in warm spices, good olive oil and recipes shaped by family tradition. You’re here for the outstanding roast chicken in Levantine spices and toum, a powerful garlic emulsion with a texture similar to mayonnaise but far more intense. Made from garlic, citric acid, ice and slowly incorporated olive oil, it requires precision. You will never look at dips the same way again.
Hummus: 9
1000 Clegg Court, Petaluma. 707-953-3359, instagram.com/kitchen_mazza
Kalimera Bar & Grill
In 2025, Grill Santa Rosa was notified that it had to leave Santa Rosa Plaza, where it had been serving well-crafted Mediterranean fare since 2021. With support from family and the community, chef-owner Ilyas Kara revived the restaurant at the Brickyard Center, with the same menu but a new name: Kalimera Bar & Grill. Go for the cold mezze plate, a generous sampler of hummus, baba ganoush (roasted eggplant dip), tabbouleh, tzatziki, dolmas, grilled pita and crisp falafel. It’s easily big enough to share.
Hummus: 8
458 B St., Santa Rosa, 707-308-4928, kalimerabarandgrill.com
Spread Kitchen
Opened in 2022 in the former Sonoma Eats location in Boyes Hot Springs, this Lebanese-inspired restaurant from chef-owner Cristina Topham has developed a devoted following. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options alongside traditional favorites such as lamb kofta and turmeric chicken in a lavash wrap. The best way to explore is with an assortment of mezzes: quinoa tabbouleh, falafel with green tahini sauce and za’atar fries with toum, an irresistible whipped garlic sauce.
Hummus: 10
18375 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com
Falafel Hut
This longtime San Rafael favorite opened in downtown Santa Rosa, in the former Gerard’s Paella space, in 2021. The falafel is off-the-charts good, and we loved the kibbie — ground lamb and bulgur wheat with a gentle hint of cinnamon. The chicken shawarma was only so-so when the restaurant first opened, with minimal seasoning. These days, it’s excellent, bursting with flavor.
Hummus: 8
701 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-237-7010, falafelhut2.com
Gold standards
Levant
Levant dives deep into the traditional, family-style meals of the Middle East, such as kufta, a ground beef and lamb dish with sliced potatoes, onions and spices, topped with tahini or tomato sauce; lahme, lamb simmered with potatoes; and mansaf, a classic Jordanian dish made with lamb, spiced saffron rice and jameed (fermented yogurt). Cold mezze are a standout, with hummus, creamy labneh, muhammara and more.
Hummus: 9
140 Second St., Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-658-8017, levantpetaluma.co
King Falafel
This hidden gem may be the best falafel spot in Sonoma County. It’s exactly the kind of no-frills eatery that knows what it does best and sticks to it: falafel. Try the King Falafel, with your choice of toppings, including pickles, eggplant, tahini, red shatta, tzatziki and tabbouleh.
Hummus: 7
100 Brown St., Suite 150, Sebastopol, 707-824-4800
Sam’s Mediterranean
You won’t stumble upon this out-of-the-way deli unless you spend a lot of time cruising quiet office parks in search of hole-in-the-wall lunch spots. Thankfully, I do. This charming little place is a Middle Eastern treasure. The panini-style chicken shawarma wraps are a delicious entry point, with gently spiced meat and melted cheese, plus garlic, hot sauces and a Greek salad.
Hummus: 9
613 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 707-584-0220, samsmeddeli.com
Real Doner
Here’s another stunner that has stood the test of time. We’re especially fond of the doner wraps — long rolls of lavash filled with sliced meat or kebab. We also love the Pink Sultan, a roasted beet and yogurt dip that is as striking in color as it is in flavor.
Hummus: 10
307 F St., Petaluma, 707-765-9555, realdoner.net
More than Middle Eastern
Fourth Street Delicatessen
This local sandwich shop makes a mean tabbouleh, and it’s the only place I’ve found for mujadara, an addictive combination of lentils and caramelized onions.
Hummus: 8
300 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-9832, fourthstreetdeli.com
East West Cafe
The falafel is exceptionally crisp, the beet hummus is ridiculously good, and the chicken shawarma is a go-to
Beet Hummus: 10
557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, eastwestcafesantarosa.com
Elevated
Stockhome
The Swedish cuisine here incorporates influences from the Middle Eastern street food common in Sweden. One section of the menu sets aside meatballs and lingonberries for kebabs, pita-wrapped falafel, fattoush salad and saffron rice. The eggplant dip is out of this world, and the grilled halloumi pita is equally impressive.
Hummus: 9
220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomepetaluma.com
Pearl
This chef-run restaurant draws on Middle Eastern flavors to create memorable meals. The menu changes, but the picnic plate with tabbouleh, hummus, labneh and fresh pita is essential. We also love the Persian meatball tagine with herbed yogurt, the lamb burger and the shakshuka, a brunch-friendly dish of spiced tomato stew and eggs. Finish with the Moroccan rice pudding, a perfectly perfumed ending.
Hummus: 10
500 First St., Petaluma, 707-559-5187, pearlpetaluma.com
Grossman’s
This Jewish-style deli offers a wide-ranging menu, from latkes to zhug. We love the nuanced falafel, which doesn’t hit your stomach like a bomb; baby artichokes with labneh and sumac; and quinoa tabbouleh. And yes, I’m going to say it again because I eat it so often: the sabich platter, with fried eggplant, falafel, tahini and amba, a sauce made with pickled mangoes.
Hummus: 9
308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
Ready to explore Sonoma County’s Middle Eastern food scene? From creamy hummus and flavorful mezze to falafel, shawarma, and other regional favorites, there are plenty of local spots worth discovering. Explore these restaurants, find a new favorite, and make your next Sonoma County food adventure one to remember.
