Food Chronicles

Downtown Healdsburg: Definitive Food Guide

Downtown Healdsburg:Small town, big eats

Downtown Healdsburg is the perfect getaway.  The small town reminds you how to enjoy life – through food and wine.

The tastes and sips reflect the locals’ passion and pride for Healdsburg.  The town’s charm and personality will undoubtedly win over your satisfied stomach and wine buzz.

 

SHED

Sonoma County’s modern-day general store with a grange halls meets market meets home & gardening store setup.  SHED is the proud winner of 2014’s James Beard Award for restaurant design because of its beauty and functionality.

The 10,000 square foot space consists of SHED Café, Coffee Bar, Fermentation Bar, the market, and a community events hall.  Each designation reflects the local farming culture which brings the diverse food industry together under one roof.  “Good farming, good cooking, and good eating”

James Beard Award winner for restaurant design.  The glass structure immediately welcomes you into their doors.
  1. The market for everything locally produced – from fresh flowers to produce…
  2. …To artisan products that make for perfect gourmet gifts
  3. Coffee Bar for a mid-day break
  4. SHED Café to enjoy a sit-down meal or for take away
  5. Fermentation Bar for shrub tasting. Shrub is fruity, flavored vinegar mixed with sparkling water to produce this refreshing drink. (Photo courtesy of Maryanne Viegelmann)

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of SHED

SHED
25 North Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-431-7433
8am to 9pm
Closed Tuesdays

 

El Farolito

For a quick bite or a relaxed meal in town, El Farolito has been offering a taste of Oaxaca for over 40 years.  While it may not be the cheapest place for Mexican food, it is the locals’ favorite for the atmosphere and quality – and for their extensive tequila bar.

Mexican beers on tap and chips to start of the afternoon snack
  1. Carnitas taco made from fresh, quality ingredients

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of El Farolito

El Farolito
128 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-433-2807
Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 9:30pm
Friday to Saturday, 10am to 10:30pm

 

Banshee

Banshee was created in 2009 by three young bachelors who bonded over their passion for wine.  Leasing vineyard plots instead of owning the land, the grape varietals, particularly for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are picked from all parts of the Sonoma County.

The tasting room embodies today’s San Francisco with the ease of Healdsburg.  Vinyl records on an old gramophone and the whole décor ooze comfortably cool.

  1. Bansee tasting room with the feel of a laidback lounge
  2. This place gets crowded, so it is best to make an appointment for your tasting
  3. The tasting set up begins
  4. The tasting leaders are so passionate about educating their customers they even whip out cool maps of the area to visualize the vineyards and geography

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of Banshee

Banshee
325 Center Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-395-0915
11am to 7pm

 

La Crema Tasting Room

A well-known California label for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Here at their contemporary tasting lounge in downtown Healdsburg, you can sip limited-production releases from their friendly and knowledgeable staff.  There are two tasting rooms in the front and back, depending on the desired tasting flight.

  1. Tasting Chardonnays in The Lounge for Vineyard Select Wines
  2. Followed by glasses of Pinot Noir tasting

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of La Crema Tasting Room

La Crema Tasting Room
235 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg (right below Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites)
+1-707-431-9400
Sunday to Saturday, 10:30am to 5:30pm

 

Café Lucia

New Portuguese cuisine with al fresco dining in their courtyard.  The tasca tasting plate and wine flights transport you directly to Portugal.  This is a great afternoon stop, especially during happy hour for $1 oysters.

  1. White Wine Flight of Portuguese wines
  2. Tasca Tasting with Morcela (blood sausage), Fried Spicy Pig’s Ear, Port Braised Pork Belly, Boquerones (white anchovies), Roasted Almonds, Queijo de Sao Jorge Cheese, Foie Gras Terrine, and Fried Laura Chenel Goat Cheese
  3. Freshly Shucked Oysters. Raw with Fennel-Meyer Lemon Mignonette

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of Cafe Lucia

Café Lucia
235 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg (also right below Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites)
+1-707-431-1113
Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 10om
Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm
Happy Hour 5pm to 6pm

 

More Recommendations

Downtown Healdsburg has so much to offer.  You will find something tasty with almost every step.

Barndiva
Modern country cuisine in a stylish barn
231 Center Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-431-0100
10am to 6pm

Bravas Bar de Tapas
Traditional Spanish and modern tapas-style dining
420 Center Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-433-7700
Sunday to Thursday, 11:30am to 9pm
Friday to Saturday, 11:30am to 10pm

Bergamot Alley
Late night wine & beer bar
328 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
+1-707-433-8720
12pm to 1am

Campo Fina
Italian and Mediterranean small plates, with two bars and a bocce ball court
330 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
+1-707-395-4640
11:30am to 10pm

Chalkboard
American small plates
29 North Street, Healdsburg
+1-707-473-8030
Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 9pm
Friday, 5pm to 10pm
Saturday, 11:30am to 10pm
Sunday, 11:30am to 9pm

Dry Creek Kitchen
California cuisine by Charlie Palmer
Hotel Healdsburg, 317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
+1-707-431-0330
Sunday to Thursday, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Friday to Saturday, 5:30pm to 10pm

 


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Angela

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