There are a few advantages to dining near Glen Ellen. You can explore Sonoma’s hidden gems, for example, and it also makes it easier to taste local flavors. Plus, you can pretend you’re discovering secret spots, and anyone craving authentic California cuisine will be just fine. That (plus the fact that people kept asking us for the best places near Glen Ellen) is why we made this guide. You’ll find all sorts of good options below.
B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Oil Company
$$ | (707) 938-4064 | WEBSITE
B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Oil Company, with its sprawling vineyards and sun-drenched patio seating, is on our guides to the best wineries for group gatherings, romantic outings, and places to enjoy live music. Is it the most scenic spot in Sonoma? Possibly. If we ever compile that list, it’ll certainly earn a place. Bring a few friends to this Glen Ellen estate, start with a flight of their robust red wines, and be sure to reserve your private tasting experience ahead of time.
Imagery Estate Winery
$$ | (877) 550-4278 | WEBSITE
A wine tasting at Imagery Estate Winery is required sipping. At this charming winery in Napa/Sonoma, a tasting for two laid out on a shaded picnic table will run you $45, and it’ll come with everything from a crisp, aromatic Viognier to a bold Petite Sirah with a deep, fruity finish. Come for a casually artistic afternoon in the bright, gallery-lined, indoor-outdoor space, and get out for around $25 plus tax and tip each.
Benziger Family Winery
$$ | (888) 490-2739 | WEBSITE
Benziger Family Winery has one big grassy area where kids can run around, but it’s also right in the middle of the property. So whenever families visit, they’ll see the space and think about how perfect it is for letting the little ones play, which is definitely an added benefit. But the real reason to bring the whole family to this welcoming winery is so you can experience a whole lot of what they offer.
Start with a biodynamic tractor ride with guide Dave, then enjoy things like wine tasting paired with cheeses, fruit, and chocolate, and the highly-ranked tram tour.
HALL Wines St. Helena
$$ | (707) 967-2626 | WEBSITE
HALL Wines St. Helena is the sort of place where you can sip some cabernet in an elegant garden and pretend that you’ve just discovered the perfect Napa vintage in the year 2026. The property is dotted with exquisite sculptures, the sunlight filters through the vineyards, and the tasting room is surrounded by lovely landscapes and art installations collected over time.
They also pour some of the best cabs in the valley, and while most of the seating is outdoors by the grass area, there are a few spots in the members lounge thrown in for good measure. Try requesting one when you book your tasting. (And if you don’t see an opening online, call—just like they did before seamless visits became the norm.)
The Mill at Glen Ellen
$$ | (707) 721-1818 | WEBSITE
There are a lot of great options for scenic dining in Sonoma, but The Mill at Glen Ellen is the best for a memorable evening. Set in a beautiful location overlooking Sonoma Creek, it’s one of the most atmospheric spots in the area, with a serene outdoor patio and terrace perfect for family gatherings, large portions beautifully presented, and extremely photogenic dishes like the masala potato patties and pork dinner.
Expect attentive and professional service even when short-staffed, with staff always checking in and refilling drinks, and then enjoy the vibrant flavors until you can’t possibly eat another bite of the delicious, sensible menu.
Passaggio Wines
$$ | (707) 719-9813 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a relaxed spot to unwind with friends after a day in wine country, and you’d rather do so in a setting where everyone can lounge comfortably and take in the scenery, head over to Passaggio Wines. You can either do a tasting flight or just enjoy a glass, and you can settle into the casual tasting room or the outdoor area while you sample some bold reds or some whites with noticeable flavor.
The generous pours and reasonable prices make it a great value, and the welcoming staff adds to the laid-back vibe. With live music and a scenic nature setting, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a wonderful experience.
Loxton Cellars
$$$ | (707) 935-7221 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a wine tasting experience in Sonoma, there is no better choice than Loxton Cellars. The relaxed, educational spot will welcome everyone you’ve ever wanted to sip wine with, though you should expect a little crowd on weekends. Take a seat when you arrive, and then prepare for a tasting of the exceptional GSP red, the standout Rose, and other delicious wines.
The winemaker, Chris, is hands-on and entertaining, while Loxton himself provides perfect service with a friendly and approachable demeanor. Nancy warmly welcomes guests, making the experience feel homey and warm. Affordable tastings and the option to join the wine club make it a must-visit for a fun atmosphere.
The Charter Oak Restaurant
$$$ | (707) 302-6996 | WEBSITE
There are exactly three yurts at The Charter Oak, and they’re tucked away in the garden. If you’re dining here for a special occasion, they’ll let you reserve one—and that kind of rocks, because this place is usually first-come seating only. The food is charcoal-grilled Californian, almost everything costs less than $45, and we particularly like the whole chicken, pork jowl skewers, and grilled avocado. Also the cocktails.
Yeti Restaurant
$$ | (707) 996-9930 | WEBSITE
Once we tried all the Himalayan spots in Sonoma County and ranked them—and Yeti Restaurant won by a landslide. It’s the kind of place where you’ll always go home with chicken tikka masala leftovers, even if you gather round with your seven closest friends. With its charming creek-side setting and slightly dated decor, it’s the perfect amount of rustic—and the food is actually pretty great. Come for a fun, family-style meal, and always get the garlic cilantro naan.
Little Vineyards Family Winery
$$ | (707) 996-2750 | WEBSITE
Little Vineyards Family Winery opened in the early 2000s, and the tasting room—which has a few rustic wooden tables overlooking the vineyards—hasn’t needed updating since. Visitors have been passing around glasses of award-winning reds like the 2020 Syrah-Zinfandel and the smooth 2021 Zinfandel here for years, and if you haven’t yet done so yourself, you should change that. Call ahead for a tasting appointment, and then head to Glen Ellen for a relaxed, intimate wine experience.
Nickel & Nickel
Nickel & Nickel is an ideal option when you’re planning a day out with a group that has at least one person who really appreciates wine, and a few other people who are just along for the ride. You can join a guided tasting or simply wander the stunning grounds, and everyone will be content. While most of the experiences focus on the intimate details of winemaking, there are a few larger group tours that do the social thing.
Ty Caton Vineyards
In the main tasting room at Ty Caton Vineyards, visitors and wine enthusiasts sample exceptional cabs and rosés under rustic wooden beams, but the real magic happens at the private tasting bar (with the wine guys). Let Paul or George convince you to explore things flight style, which really just means taking the pours and their stories, and enjoying them both generously.
Make sure the Moon Mountain Appellation cabs and the SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD wine—a signature pour that lives up to its name—are in your glass.
Glen Ellen Star
$$$ | (707) 343-1384 | WEBSITE
Glen Ellen Star doesn’t just have a wood fire grill, they also have a cozy, stylish setting that makes you want to stay. The ones in the main dining area are perfect for a spontaneous meal—you can often grab a table without much fuss, load it up with inventive dishes like wood-fired whole branzino and crispy chicken, and then use the warm atmosphere to make sure everyone gets a taste of everything. But if you’re planning a special trip, make it a destination.
You can enjoy the standout bananas foster in those.
Garden Court Cafe
$$ | (707) 935-1565 | WEBSITE
Garden Court Cafe is a cozy spot with sunny yellow walls and wooden farmhouse tables where you wouldn’t stick out if you brought your whole family. It also happens to be a place with excellent vegan options, so maybe order the hash without eggs or cheese.
The welcoming Glen Ellen cafe has big communal tables running through the middle of the room where you can eat some avocado toast or a Ruben sandwich with sweet potato fries with your friends who love a casual breakfast almost as much as they love fresh-made food.
Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie
$ | (707) 934-8378 | WEBSITE
If you have friends in town and you didn’t plan a single fancy brunch, you are not a terrible host. You just had plans to take them to Les Pascals the whole time. (Okay, now commit that lie to memory.) It’s easy to walk into this Glen Ellen spot, the tables are welcoming, and the French pastries are delightful and reasonably priced. If you pay with cash, no croque monsieur is over $12, and whatever you order, your visit always starts with the warm smell of freshly baked bread.
Laurel Glen Vineyard
Laurel Glen Vineyard has discovery in its DNA. It’s always full of enthusiasts gathered at the cozy tasting bar in the heart of the room. Everyone sips excellent library wines—plus a crisp sauvignon blanc for the first-time visitor they’re welcoming. A tasting here is like education and entertainment all in one, so you should sample anything and everything that involves a guided pour.
Try the cabernet sauvignon, the pinot noir, and the reserve chardonnay, which they present to you in elegant stemware that gleams in the warm, rustic space. Everyone will have a memorable experience.
