Della Santina's

Della Santina’s feels like coming home. The food was exceptional, as always, but what made the evening truly special was the warmth. The owner pulled up a chair and we had the loveliest chat about life in Marin and Sonoma - like old friends catching up. My waiter Oscar was thoughtful and spot-on with his wine and food recommendations. With family photos on the wall and kindness all around, it felt like I was a guest at their table, not just a customer. Really the most charming place!

25 years ago had the best gnocchi that I have ever had. Just had it AGAIN! Della Santina is unbelievable. Whether you’re in Napa or Sonoma, YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS QUAINT RESTAURANT. This is a Italian gem in the heart of Sonoma. Every detail from environment, to service, to perfectly served dishes….including a table side visit with the owner who is so genuinely thankful that you cane to visit. It is like eating in your best friend home. Come on down driveway and enter thru the side door. You won’t want to leave.

My pesto sauce gnocchi was bland for my taste, but everyone else had great food! Wine selection was great. Unique food options (duck) in addition to standard pastas, salads and soups. Very authentic Italian. The bread basket bread is to die for. Homemade balsamic was good (more like a glaze, I should have bought some to take home!). Wonderful service! We had a very minor inconvenience early on and they went above and beyond, without our asking, to rectify. Beautiful patio! The prices felt very fair.

Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, lovely people! The owner stopped by our table several times to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. The balsamic vinegar is to die for, and I bought some to take home with me. On a wine tour, so had limited time to spend here, but will definitely return. Highly recommend!

Best vongole pasta I’ve had in a while that came with perfectly al dente pasta. The bread was lovely as well as the balsamic vinegar that is home made by Della Santina. We sat in the back, a secret garden space that was comfortable and warm in the cold weather. Met the owner briefly and he was welcoming and made sure to chat with all the guests present. Thank you for a lovely experience!

Solid 4/5 Best gnocchi I have tasted. Highly recommended. Amazingly light and fluffy texture with melt in your mouth potatoes. Great tomato based sauce The warm bread + fresh tasting olive oil + vinegar. delicious combination. The branzino was just ok. The fish was a little overcooked leading to it tasting dry and tough. Heirloom tomato salad was average. Tiramisu was not bad. They had sweetened/preserved cherry on top. The heavy cherry sauce was very strong and detracted from the dessert.

I would give them a 10 if I could. We loved it! Food was very good with an authentic taste. Ambience was amazing - cozy yet had an airy feel, great covered patio with a fountain & lots of live plants. Felt like walking into a lovely bistro in Italy. And the service was perfect - attentive but not over bearing. Our server (Vidal) was delightful - very friendly. I suspect the others are great also, but I would request Vidal again if we get a chance to visit Sonoma again.

Loved the outdoor setup. Drinks were good but food was a little meh. Seating is a tight squeeze outside.

This restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem. I go here whenever I am in Sonoma. It's a beautiful outdoor restaurant. I love their pasta, some is made fresh on site. They also have an excellent wine list. The service is excellent and we were very happy with our service. It was a pleasure being there on a sunny fall afternoon. I had family in town and I wanted them to experience this place. We all had the spaghetti with a simple margarita sauce. So delicious. The salads were a big portion and delicious. We shared a tiramisu for dessert. Very happy to share this experience and to be a guest here again!

Della Santina is a lovely Italian restaurant in Sonoma only steps from the plaza square. The atmosphere is relaxing and fairly quiet even with a packed house. The covered courtyard is lush with foliage and pretty flowers. The food was great. Very fresh and beautifully seasoned. Servers are attentive and work as a team to service each table. Definitely recommend. Will return.

I wish I could give this place more stars! We went to Sonoma wine tasting and one of the wineries recommended this place for dinner. We made a reservation and went that evening for a later dinner. We sat on the back patio which was super cute. Our server was nice, attentive, and gave great recommendations. We ordered the duck pasta and the pesto pasta. We could taste the freshness. We both finished our dishes. The homemade bread they serve the table is also incredible. If you are looking for an authentic, fresh Italian meal, this is THE PLACE.

The structure inside and outside of the restaurant was one of a kind, it's gorgeous! We ordered some appetizers - fresh tomatoes salad and buratta then they gave us prosciutto with fresh fruits as a complement since there were items we are looking for wasn't available! They were great - all 3 appetizers. I'd get it again. Our entree wasn't that good - I had Cannelloni $28.95 - it's a no for me. I don't recommend, it's a waste of money. My other friend had Lasagna- it was recommended by the waiter. I tried it too! It wasn't good either. My other friend has Rav Funghi - just okay. I think the only good thing there was the plain spaghetti with tomato sauce that my other friend had. The sangria was a mix of sprite and colored mix liquid, she didn't care for it, money wasted . It's a no! When venturing new places you'll never know what you will get.

Unassuming and authentic - loved how owner walked and talked with patrons, providing recommendations. Food and service the best we had all week! Planning to return for dinner, celebrations, and no reason at all.

Imagine being so excited to dine here for the first time especially after reading about the restaurant's almost 50-year history in Sonoma, only to be completely deflated upon arrival by their unwelcoming host (possibly also the manager) whose first words to us was, "We need your table by 6pm for another reservation." I had made an early 4:30pm reservation via OpenTable, and called the restaurant to let them know that our ETA was about 4:40pm that day. Barely anyone was even in the restaurant yet (as you can see in my photo of the empty patio dining area) so it's not like they were overwhelmed and busy. Regardless, my husband and I have never been treated so poorly by a restaurant host. How about a lesson in "Restaurant Hospitality 101?" Even a teenager working at fast food chain knows to greet their customers with a nice welcome! I just laughed it off and said, "We'll be quick." We literally were finished with our dinner by 5:45pm. We also overheard the same man yelling (and cussing) at one of the servers in the walkway between the entrance and the back patio. A couple of the other guests at another table looked at each other the same way my hubby and I did (in shock). Quite unprofessional. On to the positive notes: Luis, our server, was great! He was friendly, attentive and efficient, and made sure we were having a good experience. We already knew what we were going to order before we arrived too: * Spaghettini Al Pomodoro e Basilico (made with imported pasta and chunks of pear tomato, fresh basil & garlic) * Linguini Al Pesto (house-made spinach pasta with a light, yet flavorful pesto sauce) The house Ciabatta was nice and warm, and we really enjoyed having it with their own brand of olive oil and barrel-aged balsamic vinegar. My husband is full Italian and an excellent chef himself so we naturally have high expectations when it comes to dining out at an Italian restaurant. Although the food here was good, and the outdoor patio beautiful, the host/manager unfortunately left a lasting negative impression.

Great ambiance with a welcoming indoor courtyard. I had the duck ragu, which I give 6/10. I didn't care for the sauce as I thought the duck was too shredded, which made the texture strange. This dish could use more seasoning or be mixed with a pasta sauce for added flavor.

Great Trattoria in downtown Sonoma. Wife had the linguini w/mussels, my son the lasagna bolognese, and I enjoyed the Pappardelle Al Sugo Toscana. All very fresh and delicious! We will definitely be visiting this place again!

Amazing tacos Take out style ordering from window. Good wine by the glass place across the street to sit down and eat

I remember coming to this place back in 2018 and was blown away by its gnocchi. At that time, I was greeted by this sweet grand father that was very passionate about the food and welcomed us to his restaurant with open arms. I didn't see him when I went this time around. I really was looking forward to seeing him again. The gnocchi is exactly how I remembered it. They opened up the space in the back and decorated it nicely. I was really happy that I got to celebrate my anniversary here. The minestrone soup was also cooked to perfection. Perfect for fall/winter time. And of course, the tiramisu was amazing! Will definitely be making a stop here when I am in Napa again.

Entering the establishment we were gleaming with positivity about what was to come, such a great vibe here very cozy decor. we had a couple glasses of wine with our meal, the bread was so soft and warm so flavorful. For Dinner we had the Penne Contadina and the Spaghettini al Pomodoro e Basilico. They were fantastic! The Penne Contadina had the best sausage that I've ever eaten. The sauce was zesty and the pasta cooked to perfection. Best Italian dish I've ever eaten. My partner had the Spaghettini and she enjoyed it immensely. Very flavorful meal. definitely recommend this restaurant!

We were in the area last month and decide to stop by Della Santinas Trattoria restaurant for lunch. It was highly recommended to us and it didn't disappoint us. Located in downtown Napa with a family feel and a beautiful outdoor Courtyard. Service was excellent and server very attentive. The atmosphere is great. We really enjoyed the food, it was amazing! It was a wonderful experience. Can't wait to go back. Until next time. Chao!

A fixture of the Sonoma dining scene since 1990, Della Santina's Trattoria offers a pleasant dining experience on the outdoor patio. In the past, dishes have been very good; unfortunately on this visit, the food and service could have been improved. A generous handful of fresh, crisp lettuces accompanied by balls of fresh mozzarella and topped with a light vinaigrette dressing, the insalta mixta ($14.95), was a good way to start the meal. The ravioli fungi ($32.95) was replete with mushrooms, but the sauce was heavy and not as flavorful as expected. With unremarkable, quail egg-shaped pieces of Italian sausage and a tomato sauce that lacked flavor, the penne contadina ($32.95) fell flat. While affable, the server was clearly more interested in things other than serving our table: he served the wrong salad, only brought bread after promising to do it twice and was quite slow in presenting the check when it was requested. When asked for a wine recommendation, he clearly had no idea of the meaning of "earthy" or "fruit forward" -- a sin in a Wine Country restaurant that is associated with an enoteca. While inflation has been an issue since the pandemic, prices at Della Santina's Trattoria are nevertheless high for the quality of the experience and food. Della Santina's Trattoria is a charming, local gem that needs to up its game to regain its lost polish.

Second night in Sonoma and we went to Della Santina on the recommendation from a local. It's a nice restaurant that has a homey, with festive holiday decor and a comfortable vibe. It was very busy with many diners and we were thankful that we had reservations. We ordered the highly-touted gnocchi with their meat sauce (4/5), I had the petrale sole (4.5/5), though the roasted potatoes were dry and tough, and my hubby got the lasagna (3.5/5). Our server Benny was attentive and very nice. And the busgals were spot on with the water refills and anything else we needed. No greeting or much interaction from the poorly-attired host. Definitely not a great way to make your guest diners feel welcome. Overall it would be a 3.8 in my opinion, not quite 4 stars.

Loved this place. This little gem looks like Europe with real vines and grapes hanging over our heads as we ate homemade gnocchi to die for. The owner Rob Della Santina who visited our table several times to share his pomodoro sauce recipe, jokingly teased my husband for drinking coke instead of wine and to tell us I can come anytime and there no need to bring him ha ha ha. He insisted on Delish panna cotta for our anniversary (which was worth the calories)

Nice little local restaurant, good service, nice atmosphere, good food. The lasagna was good but a more delicate version with béchamel, the gnocchi with meat sauce was very good, my wife's petrale sole was excellent but the accompanying potatoes were dry and disappointing. We couldn't understand why the host for this nice little restaurant was wearing a hoodie instead of a suit - kinda set the wrong tone from the start. But the place is just off the charming town square, which is a great place to walk off the very nice affogato.

Tommy and I arrived in Sonoma around 4:30 PM today. We asked friends who live nearby, and Katelynn at the front desk of the Inn at Sonoma where we are staying, for recommendations for dinner. All mentioned Della Santina. Fortunately , Della Santina's had early openings for dinner at 6 PM, since we had traveled all day and didn't want a late night. It is just one block off Sonoma Plaza. From the moment we arrived , until we left, the evening was magical. The food, and service, were impeccable. The restaurant is down an open air alleyway-ish, then duck your head, and you're in a clear covered courtyard. One of the family members who own the restaurant took us to our table. Georgio waited on us, and he was awesome. We both had salads. Tommy had a salmon on risotto dish, and I had the gnocchi. Both were delicious, and for Italian, we will go again next time we are in town.

THIS is the kind of dinner you want to eat after spending the day wine tasting. You won't find a more authentic Italian spot. The table starts off with fresh bread paired with olive oil and balsamic. We shared 3 pasta dishes - the pappardelle of the night, Ravioli con Funghi, and the Pesto Linguine. You can just taste the freshness of the homemade pasta and it makes all the difference. This also might be some of the best pesto I've ever had. The service was beyond friendly and the ambiance makes you feel like you've transported to Italy. Would highly recommend this spot if you're looking for amazing Italian food.

I stopped by around 4:15 p.m. for an early dinner on a Monday afternoon and unsurprisingly, the place was completely empty. My wife and I were sat in the back area by the fountain. We shared our two entrees, the pappardelle and the tortellini. Both dishes were large and filling but could've used a bit more salt. Both pastas were also cooked to my preferred doneness - al dente. I enjoyed the complementary bread served with self-serve olive oil and balsamic vinegar while we waited for our entree. If you pay with credit card, there is a credit card fee that you'll end up having to pay. Cash price is slightly cheaper. Located in the heart of downtown Sonoma, I can definitely see this place getting busy on Fridays and weekends. Since they take reservations, you should plan accordingly.

Back again at Dellla - as good if not better than in past. Holy cow , their gnocchi is still awesome

Service was amazing! Our waiter brought us complimentary dessert. Food was delicious. I had lasagna, it was well made, but sauce could've used a bit more seasoning.

The sidewalk entrance doesn't begin to show the surprise inside where you dine in an outdoor atmosphere but a comfortable, indoor climate. Just terrific. Homemade pasta was first rate. Prices are fair. Service is excellent. During our dinner, the founder (semi-retired owner) circulated among the tables and was charming. Strongly recommended.

Della Santina Trattoria is the pearl of Itslian Food in Sonoma. Just Off the Sonoma Town Square it is rather unassuming and tucked away off the beaten path. That doesn't mean, that it's a best kept secret... Sonomans have frequented this place for 30 years. It's been sanctified for a long time. We always make it a point to time our lunch hour to Bella Trattoria! We had the Gamut of Delicious Italian fair. The star of the show, In My humble opinion, is the Cannelloni! Hands down the best in California, YES, I SAID ...The entire state of California!!! Bar None! The secret is not the chicken or pork. It's VEAL!! That's the secret, and they prefect this experience to the hilt! In my humble Opinion, it's the best Italian authentic restaurant serving fresh and home cooked Italian Fare. If you find yourself in Sonoma and have a break in your Wine tasting excursion, Check out Trattoria! You won't regret it?

Best restaurant in town maybe the Bay area.. I'm from out of town and the service was awesome the food was just about to die for. Great job guys keep it up.

The service was friendly and responsive, cute Italian decor. The food was not good. The expensive sea bass was unacceptable...dry, tasteless, hard to cut with a fork, smothered with capers. My partner had pesto linguini that was plain and bitter. The salad was more like dandelion with very little Italian dressing. Hard to believe this restaurant is in Sonoma. Clean restrooms. I do not recommend this restaurant.

A great spot after a day of wineries in Sonoma! The service was great. Dishes are a bit pricey (~25 for a plate of pasta) but the ambience made it worth. We went on a rainy day and they had a beautiful covered and heated patio!

My friend, Janine, introduced me to Della Santina's--I'll be forever grateful! Lovely setting, wonderful staff and (the real reason we go to restaurants) great food. From the moment you're greeted at the door until you say your goodbyes it a fabulous experience. It's one of those places where everyone feels comfortable. I've seen marriage proposals, girls nights, families with children, and people in casual clothes as well as elegantly dressed. No one feels out of place. Can't wait to go back.

Had to write an updated review here. Have been here a few more times since my previous review and Della Santina's has become a staple in the short list of restaurants I trust in. Quality of food is always there, everything I try never disappoints - and if you are lucky enough you will have an opportunity to meet the owner. What a sweet man. Absolutely love this place.

Honestly it's hard to believe in all the years we have visited Sonoma, we never ate at this wonderful restaurant! Delicious food, the pork chop is amazing, tortellini excellent, really good cannelloni. Service is excellent and I highly recommend Della Santina's. We will be back, it's worth the drive from Sac!!

Absolutely delicious! From the minestrone to the gnocchi to the salmon with risotto, none of the dishes disappointed.

Delicious food attentive service no complaints. Nice to see Mr. Della Santini. He is a darling host and welcomes everyone.

I was in town visiting a few wineries, and my group stopped in Sonoma's cute downtown for lunch. We selected Della Santina's Trattoria because we were all in the mood for Italian, and the restaurant was highly recommended by our tour guide. Upon being seated in a quaint and tranquil courtyard, we ordered the Burrata Con Speck to share as an appetizer. This dish itself was five stars and hit the spot. Light and refreshing, the fresh and creamy burrata paired excellently with the crisp and tangy radicchio salad. The dish was dressed with a light vinaigrette and topped with salty prosciutto, which balanced the sweet and creamy burrata. For my main course, I ordered the Ravioli alla Lucchese, a hearty dish that was tasty but not exceptional. The large and flat spinach ravioli were blanketed in a rich, meaty sauce with small pieces of veal, chicken, and porcini mushrooms. I would have preferred thicker ravioli with more stuffing rather than thin ravioli with such a large quantity of sauce, but I enjoyed the unique twist of the spinach pasta. Our server was friendly and checked in with our table frequently, and overall, we had a pleasant, leisurely lunch experience that was much-needed on our busy day in Sonoma and Napa.

We had a terrible experience at Della Santina last night. The food was good-not great. I've been going there for many years-as much for the ambience as the food. We've always been welcomed and treated well. Not last night. I tried to reserve a table online but my iPhone said no connection. So, I tried calling, reached someone and they said I could reserve over the phone, which I did, including asking for patio seating. I was told all fine. When we arrived the "host," John, was hostile and rude. He said there was no reservation and that they only did reservations online. I explained that I'd called. He effectively called me a liar and treated us as if we were trying to manipulate our way into the place. John is a big man (not in hospitality but in stature) and he seemed to be trying to intimidate us. When I explained my experience of calling and seeming to have made a reservation, he just kept saying there is no reservation. Apparently there was a problem with his staff but he acted as if I was just a scammer. We almost just left. Oh yes, when I said I'd asked for the patio, John said it was only for people who'd made a reservation. Our server was really nice and helpful and the food was good. My friend's cannalloni was gloppy with too much sauce but tasted OK. My fish was nice. John's rudeness left a bad taste. I note rudeness by host has been an issue in a number of recent reviews. I hope he gets some hospitality training soon.

Excellent food and ambiance! Even though 95° 5pm on Sunday, dining in the courtyard was great! The misters were perfection! Then antipasto plate with fruit and prosciutto was so refreshing. The main course I had the pesto, gnocchi, homemade, and he had the Bolognese lasagna, also homemade and Fantastico! We told the waiter it was our 25th anniversary and although he was excited for us, that was the end of the conversation! Lol Usually when you tell a Restaurant is your significant anniversary they treat you to a slice of dessert or something. That would've made the place one of our favorites! Will definitely return when in the area.

Came here for dinner on a Friday night. Was able to get a reservation with a few hours notice. Wasn't the biggest fan of the food. It was pretty much all quite bland. I ordered the duck pasta. Even though the pasta itself had a nice texture, the duck was flavorless. The prices were ok.

We had a wonderful this evening. Wine, draft beer and the best bread with olive oil & vinegar. Would love to see some anchovies on the Caesar salad. The spinach linguini with fresh basil was delicious. Topped off with strawberry shortcake, it was a perfect meal. The service was excellent, and the patio was lovely.

We showed up late, thinking we were on time for our reservation. The host muttered to his coworker about us being 15 minutes late. Not a great start but we were hopeful based on reviews. Food was mediocre. Considering the prices, expectations were higher. Barely evident bechamel in lasagna. It was all edible but nothing to write home about and certainly not the Tuscan cuisine we were promised. Other than the bread was quite tasty. Our waiter was wonderful. The host/manager were not. We ordered a bottle of Chianti Classico and were instead served regular Chianti. We didn't notice until much later. When we asked the server and manager about it, we were told we were served what we asked for and that the manager knew the vintner and it wasn't "cheap shit". I said I wasn't questioning whether it tasted good, I was questioning whether it was Chianti Classico as there was no black rooster on the label, a very specific requirement. He said it was a typo on the menu. If that is the case then the year and type were wrong. It's really unfortunate in wine country that a local restaurant would try to pull one over on its customers. Should be a sin in Sonoma! We paid our bill and left. I've noticed a number of other negative reviews recently, could be a sign of something that was once great but poor management will be the downfall of lost places. Here is hoping they turn it around!

Wonderful place! excellent food, excellent service and very warm, festive atmosphere. Had a delicious meal. And I will definitely go back again.

The freshest farm to table Italian food in Sonoma. Perfect place to take your date for dinner.

Literally so good. Everything about this restaurant was wonderful! A great place for families or to go with friends. Wonderful heated patio with great ambiance. The food was delicious! I got the Tortellini alla Panna which was wonderful. The bread was delicious as well. Good service and just a wonderful experience all around !

Excellent service, delicious food, great ambience in the patio. The owner stopped by each table to greet the guests, and regaled us with stories of his hometown in Italy

Top 10 Italian food restaurants in Sonoma County. The food is wonderful. The service is great and setting outback makes you feel like you're in Italy.. I have been there At least 100 times over the last 30 years and never had a bad meal.

Awesome food and ambience! Loved it n will go back! Service is average but they have recreated Italy here

What a great atmosphere. As if I was in Italy. The tastes were on point and to the traditions of Italy. Service was incredible. We sat in the covered back and the temperature of the room was perfect. Highly recommend Della Santina's while in Sonoma.

Wonderful ambiance. Delightful. Staff friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Food great. I had lasagna.loved it.

If you are looking for delicious Italian food, look no further than Della Santina! They are located just a block off the downtown square in Sonoma. While their menu isn't expansive, they have options for everyone as well as a menu with daily specials.  I ordered the Linguine Al Pesto and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. They grated fresh parmesan cheese and cracked pepper over the pasta at the table. The pasta and sauce tasted very fresh. They also provide bread for the table as well as olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  At the end of our visit, they brought out a complimentary taste of sparkling, which was so nice!  They also have a beautiful patio seating, which is tented during the wintertime. The patio feels like you are being transplanted to Italy. What a wonderful place to dine and enjoy a delicious meal!

This restaurant is Oh so cute!! The outdoor patio is so romantic and beautiful! We came for a bachelorette party and We loved the ambience! We ordered an amazing bottle of wine to start with called Conundrum! They brought amazing bread with oil and vinegar! It was soo good we finished it all. The lasagna was delicious as well and very juicy. The best part about dinner was the owner coming by and talking about the restaurant and the inspiration behind it! Loved this service. The desserts were delicious but the affogato was the icing on the cake!! MUST get the affogato! It was so good we came back the next day for it!

Made reservations for two. When we arrived the restaurant was slow and many tables available. Our overall customer experience at this business was not acceptable and we walked out. First, we asked for a table that we liked and were told it was a table for three people. My thoughts were just remove a chair and since it was super slow, what was the big deal. We had to settle for a table with two chairs that we did not really care for. Secondly, we were sitting for five minutes and no one came to ask for our drinks. We felt ignored. We decided - let's go some where else who will attend to us properly. And we did!

The ambiance was super cute and service was friendly and fast. They have a little covered outdoor seating area with a small running water fountain and trees/plants everywhere. I really enjoyed the location. Everything tasted really fresh down to the homemade lemonade. The only reason this is getting a 4 star is because although the food seemed like it was freshly made it was missing unfortunately a lot of flavor. It was super plain as if no salt or spices were added to the food. My son got full off the bread instead of eating the lasagna.