Coaxing someone out to West Sonoma County doesn’t require much convincing. The journey through the little clumps of river towns, farms, and vineyards is reason enough.
Considering how small it is, Forestville, the gateway to the Russian River Valley, is surprisingly abundant. You could be trapped here for days without having to repeat a meal—so it makes perfect sense that the large welcome sign on the way in says, Forestville—The Good Life.
Discover the best spots to eat, drink, and play with this modern guide to the town.
Where to Stay in Forestville
A cottage petite suite at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville
(Adam Potts Photography)
Farmhouse Inn is the place to stay in Forestville—and really, it should be on your list even if Forestville isn’t your only destination. Just seven minutes from the River Road exit off 101, this boutique hotel has deep Sonoma County ties and is a joy to relax into. Helmed by local, fifth-generation siblings Catherine and Joe Bartolomei, the Foley Entertainment Group acquired a majority stake two years ago. But the Bartolomeis are still overseeing things and doing a great job, infusing the guest experience there with the kind of insight and hospitality that their deep ties to the community evoke.
Select some local soap from the bath bar and say hello to the property cat at check-in, then head to one of 25 luxurious farm-chic rooms. There are two historic farmhouse rooms above the restaurant, one-bedroom suites in the barn, and, since April 2022, 550-square-foot “cottage petite” suites.
The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn means you don’t really need to ever leave the property. Having had a Michelin star for many years, although recent chef changes have led to evolution of the menu and format, it never disappoints and is a lovely place to linger before heading back to your cozy room.
// 7871 River Rd., farmhouseinn.com
Where to Eat & Drink in Forestville
Nightingale Breads in Forestville
(Courtesy of @nightingalebreads)
Bizarre Sonoma, called “BaSo” by locals, opened just over a year ago by chef Sean Quan (formerly of Healdsburg’s SingleThread and other Michelin-starred restaurants) and Jenny Phan. Serving authentic and playful modern Chinese dishes in an equally playful space, BaSo quickly became a can’t-miss place to eat in Forestville. Unfortunately, the restaurant was hit by a fire in September, but pop-ups and the BaSo Annex just one block away from the original space have a dinner menu with items like spicy Zhong dumplings, Taiwan beef noodle soup, and tofu pudding with five-spice caramel and brown butter granola. Definitely pick up a jar of their housemade chili crunch to bring home. // 6536 Front St., bazaar-sonoma.com
Nightingale Breads is a landmark in Forestville, having established itself as a pioneering organic brick-oven artisan bakery before there was much else here. The operation revolves around the wood-fired oven in the center of the space, resulting in unmatched handmade sourdough batards, focaccia, and babka. Cinnamon rolls are a Saturday special, which you won’t want to forget if you’re someone who plans travel around bakery visits (like me). // 6665 Front St., nightingalebreads.com
Angela’s Organic Ice Cream pretty much explains itself. Organic. Ice cream. A certified B Corp business that’s added six Bay Area locations since 2009, Angela’s serves some really yummy stuff and is always adding new flavors. Try the Deep South, with bourbon and caramelized pecans, or fall favorite Oh My Gourd, with spiced pumpkin and swirls of cream cheese frosting. It’s also hard to say no to an ice cream browniewich. // 6671 Front St., angelasicecream.com
Opened in 2022, Sonoma Pizza Co. is another newer Forestville eatery that rapidly became a favorite. Husband-and-wife team Chris Smith and Eda Atasoy bring their hospitality and graphic design backgrounds to this new venture, creating a gathering place that is at once delicious and aesthetically appealing in all the right ways. The menu features 72-hour, cold-fermented organic sourdough pizzas, seasonal salads, and lasagna specials on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as a nicely curated beverage selection, including a little wine shop inside. Smith trained under Tony Gemignani, and has been practicing pizza-making ever since. Sonoma Pizza Co. is the culmination of his efforts. The outdoor dining space is vast and multi-leveled—a great spot to hang after wine tasting nearby or linger over an extended weekend meal. // 6615 Front St., sonomapizzaco.com
Canneti Roadhouse Italiana was opened in 2013 by chef-owner Francesco Torre. It was a dream to have his own restaurant after an extensive culinary career that began in his native Tuscany. Canneti, named after the street Torre walked every day to elementary school, is a heartfelt place to enjoy authentic food. Dedication to local sourcing and high-quality ingredients is central to the menu, and the space is cozy. Weekend brunch is great, and you can also try The Creative Menu, Torre’s expression of a tasting-menu-by-whim. It is a wonderful neighborhood spot. // 6675 Front St., cannetiroadhouse.com
What to Do in Forestville
Ryme Cellars in Forestville
(Courtesy of @ryme_cellars)
Approaching Ryan and Megan Glaab’s barn-turned-winery, Ryme Cellars, feels like a discovery—down a side street from the downtown Forestville strip and then around a dirt driveway. Ryme is a lauded name in natural wine, begun in 2007 with one ton of Aglianico, then branching out to work with many other eclectic varieties, including their very popular His and Hers Vermentino variations. It’s truly an example of a destination spot, here before many other places came to town. // 6450 1st St., rymecellars.com
A very exciting addition to the Ryme property is the brand-spanking new Ruth Lewandowski Wines location, run by great friends of the Glaabs in a freshly renovated tasting room space around the corner from Ryme. Another excellent natural wine label, Ruth Lewandowski was launched by winemaker Evan Lewandowski in 2012 and has conducted tastings in a shared space with Idlewild off the Healdsburg Square for the past five years. The move is a welcome change for Lewandowski, who lives down the way in Guerneville and loves to call this part of the Russian River Valley home. The new space—a former storage area in the Ryme barn—opened for tastings overlooking Forestville Park by appointment late last month. // 6450 1st St., Suite J, ruthlewandowskiwines.com
Just outside of downtown Forestville is the quirky tasting room Purple Pachyderm. You can’t miss it if you are cruising down Gravenstein Highway: a fun stop, full of kitschy décor, and certainly informative. Spend some time here learning the story of how owner Les Claypool (yes, of Primus) came to have a wine label and, more specifically, a deep appreciation of pinot noir. Also try an upscale hot dog from the Weiner Wagon on the back patio. // 5425 Gravenstein Hwy N., purplepachyderm.com
This area is a great place for outdoor adventures, particularly biking. The West County Regional Trail starts at the downtown Forestville park, which is part of the Sonoma County Regional Park system and also happens to be a nice picnic area. You can get all the way to Santa Rosa if you want via this trailhead—11 miles to be exact. The Russian River Cycling Service, a locally owned bike rental and service shop, is conveniently located right nearby. If you didn’t bring your own bike, get one from them, plus some expert route advice. Plan a visit on a Friday when the weekly social bike ride happens. // 6559 Front St., russianrivercycles.com
