I like dining alone, talking to strangers and making new friends. No plans necessary when you venture out on your own. For those of you that enjoy this as well, I have compiled a list of places that are conducive to a pleasant solo experience–at the counter!
Like my Marin County list, these are arranged geographically from South to North County. We will start in West Sonoma County and zig zag to the East. (I’ll update this as I find more places I enjoy.)
PETALUMA:
Hank’s, located at 151 Petaluma Boulevard South, near D Street, has a surprisingly reasonably priced Happy Hour menu, with very generous portions. Hank’s website says that they are open for lunch 7 days per week, Dinner Sunday – Thursday, and Happy Hour “everyday” from 3-5pm. Not sure if “everyday” is every day that they are open for dinner. Or if “everyday” is 7 days per week.
Ayawaska is located downtown at 101 2nd St #190, right on the Petaluma River, with a delightful outdoor patio and a large bar with counter seating, all year round.
Seared, located at 170 Petaluma Boulevard North, is also good for solo diners. They have a great Happy Hour Tuesday – Sunday from 3:30-6:00pm but their bar area with counter seating only seats 10-12 people so be prepared to jockey for position–if that’s your thing.
Easy Rider is located at the corner of Washington and Kentucky. So parking might be a block or two away… If you want to sit at the counter (why aren’t counters for parties of one?) you had better arrive by 4:30pm sharp because Happy Hour gets packed and the dinner hours are even busier.
Brewster’s Beer Garden has a festive outdoor atmosphere, ordinary pub food and, often, live music and Bingo on Mondays. While an enjoyable experience for solo diners, there are indeed lots of children. Apparently, Monday through Friday from 3-5pm they now have $5 Happy Hour.
SONOMA:
Hop Monk, located at the North end of Broadway, just South of The Plaza, is a casual environment–and menu–with indoor counter seating, a large outdoor dining patio, and live music throughout the year.
Oso is a small establishment, with a small counter dining area, and a small kitchen, with a small menu of small plates. But the food is very good and the staff are friendly. Located right on the Sonoma Plaza, just East of Broadway.
Enoteca Della Santina is a smaller venue with almost exclusively counter seating, located next to dreamy and always delicious (and the best place for a date!) Della Santina’s just East of The Plaza on East Napa Street. At Enoteca you can order the full menu at Della Santina’s but enjoy it in a more solo-friendly setting.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille is located on the North Eastern corner of The Sonoma Plaza. They have burlwood counter seating with sports on the televisions. Their happy hour, however, is strictly liquid. Food is available during Happy Hour at regular menu prices.
Sonoma Grille, is just West of The Plaza at 165 West Napa Street. They have a comfortable counter seating area, and serve Lunch and Dinner daily, Sunday Brunch and Happy Hour every day from 3-5pm.
Los Molcajetes *JUST* opened their 3rd location at 19101 Sonoma Highway in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center in May 2024. They are open 7 days per week from 8am until 9pm, serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every single day!
La Hacienda is up the road a bit at 17960 Sonoma Highway, with plenty of parking, counter seating and a large covered outdoor patio with ceiling fans, as well as traditional indoor dining. In addition to their extensive menu, they offer Happy Hour Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) 11am – 5pm.
COTATI:
Galvan’s located at 500 East Cotati Avenue is, in my opinion, the best place for solo dining in Cotati. They have outdoor counter (as well as tables) seating, at a few different counters, outdoor heaters, fire pits, corn hole… just go check ’em out.
KENWOOD:
Salt and Stone has a very nice counter seating area (and high top table and chairs) and the people that work there are all very nice as well. Their outdoor patio (both covered and uncovered around the pond) is beautiful but might be better enjoyed with others. Happy Hour at Salt and Stone is 11am until 5pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
SANTA ROSA:
Flamingo Hotel has good solo dining options, as well as many other activities.
Let’s face it, The Starks know how to do it right. Whether it’s Monti’s, Willi’s, Bird and The Bottle, Augie’s, Stark’s or Bravas (actually Bravas is in Healdsburg, not Santa Rosa, but still Stark’s), you can’t go wrong if you’re a solo diner! I think they all have Happy Hour every day from 3-5pm as well. You should check though, if that’s important to you.
Jackson’s Bar and Oven has a good counter seating option and the food is always excellent. I’ve never had a bad meal here. They too are offering Happy Hour Monday through Friday, at the bar, from 3-5pm.
HEALDSBURG:
The Matheson has beautiful counter seating, located right on the Healdsburg Plaza.
Again, Bravas located just North of Healdsburg Plaza, at 420 Center Street. They have counter seating indoors and outdoors. I love this place!
There are a few places I want to try, but have not yet, so I don’t feel I can actually recommend them until I try them:
- Twin Oaks Roadhouse in Penngrove
- The Front Room at Vintner’s Resort in Santa Rosa
- Grata in Windsor
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