Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Wine Country

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Wine Country? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1945)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Santa Rosa

About the restaurant

We are located just 6 minutes from Coddingtown Mall and 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Rosa surrounded by beautiful vineyards with an onsite garden for fresh, farm-to-table vegetables and herbs.

"An impressive new Santa Rosa restaurant that's instantly one of our best"
Jeff Cox, renowned Wine Country food critic.

If you are unable to find the reservation you want, please call us directly at (707) 546-6462. Thank you.

Top review

AmeVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Such a wonderful place to dine with a cozy ambiance. Always love the halibut and the cordon bleu…had the seasonal beef bourguignon and it was delicious!

Goldfinch

4.7

4.7 (412)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sebastopol

About the restaurant

Goldfinch, a modern American bistro located in Sonoma county, celebrates the riches of nature and the rewards of kindness and hard work. Collaboration and community are at the heart of our local and seasonally driven menu, all centered around an open-wood fire. Come eat and drink with us!

Top review

MichelVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Great salad, Tuna and amazing steak cooked to perfection! also delicious pumpkin cheese cake dessert.

Gatehouse Restaurant at The Culinary Institute of America

4.8

4.8 (1125)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

St. Helena

About the restaurant

Join us for a unique dining experience that is unmatched in the Napa Valley. Set on the historic campus of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, Gatehouse Restaurant showcases the talents of CIA students who have completed two years of rigorous study, under the supervision of our world-class faculty. Enjoy a meal inspired by local produce from the college’s own farms and gardens, and other high-quality ingredients. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Top review

StevenVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Had the four-item chef's menu, along with the recommended wine pairings, and everything was excellent. the Duck Ragu was especially awesome.

Valette

4.7

4.7 (3775)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Healdsburg

About the restaurant

Contemporary American: Portraying what Sonoma County has to offer with refined elegance and simplicity.

We will showcase what the region has to offer by focusing on the amazing network of farmers and artisan producers in the area. The relationships we have formed with our purveyors have given us the opportunity to work with what is available while providing the flexibility of changing our menu weekly.

We are determined to provide warm and personable service by dedicated professionals who love what they do. Every guest will feel as if we were inviting them into our own homes.

The wine program is inspired by the incredible history and diversity of the region that surrounds us. Here you can explore classic varieties made by the pioneers whose dedication has made Northern California one of the most exciting wine growing regions in the world.

Top review

JodieVIP

Dined today

Ordered the “Trust Us menu and everything was delicious. A cute little place.

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Popular dish

Day Boat Scallops en Croute

Popular dish

Coriander Crusted Duck Breast

Popular dish

Prime New York Strip Loin

Torc

4.6

4.6 (3098)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Napa

About the restaurant

Walk into TORC and you might notice the music. It's rock & roll, blues, or soul, and it's undeniably on. You might notice the energy — it's high. And you'll definitely notice our bar. It's busy serving well-made cocktails and pouring rare wines we're proud to say you probably won't find anywhere else by the glass. There are no white tablecloths. No dabbing the corners of your mouth. No pomp, but lots of circumstance. And perhaps the only reason you noticed the aforementioned is because you haven't tasted our food. That's when the music fades into the background. Join us.

Top review

Debbie

Dined today

Eating on the balcony was a wonderful and more private experience. Service was impeccable. We will definitely be back!

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Popular dish

Périgord Trufe Grilled Cheese

Popular dish

Farm Fresh Deviled Eggs

Popular dish

Season's First Tempura Squash Blossoms

Wit & Wisdom

4.5

4.5 (467)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sonoma

About the restaurant

Wit & Wisdom Sonoma is Chef Michael Mina's first venture into wine country dining, and delivers Mina's signature flair with a highly curated culinary experience perfect for any time of day. This charming wine country tavern offers American comfort food and a robust wine list nestled in the heart of Sonoma. The restaurant features regional California cuisine cooked on a hearth oven, buoyed by a magnificent wine program as only MINA delivers. Whether enjoying the bocce ball court, the happy hour experience, or a celebratory dinner with friends, Wit & Wisdom is the ideal dining experience for visitors and locals who are looking for a different type of tasting room in wine country.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

We had an awesome experience at Wit & Wisdom. We were in town for a Christmas party & had some extra time to eat the day before. We had the best server named Theresa. The meals were delicious. If we are ever back in the area we will definitely return. Thank you.

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Popular dish

LIBERTY FARM DUCK WINGS

Experience

Christmas Day 2024 at Wit & Wisdom

Experience

New Year’s Eve 2024 at Wit & Wisdom

Kitchen Door Napa

4.7

4.7 (179)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Napa

About the restaurant

Kitchen Door, the Napa destination established in 2011, reopened in the First Street Napa development in 2022. Experience an all-new bar and private patio, along with handmade, globally inspired seasonal fare from Chef Todd Humphries. A favorite for locals and visitors, and always family friendly.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Been to Kitchen Door many times as a local here, usually for lunch, and it has always been wonderful. A very diverse menu, the food is good and the service is outstanding. Prices are also reasonable for Napa standards. It truly is a great restaurant and a superb dining experience. Cheers, Dave Clark!

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Experience

Wing Wednesday's

KIN

4.6

4.6 (266)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Windsor

About the restaurant

Kin is an American comfort style restaurant in the heart of downtown Windsor. Established in 2011, Kin has become one of Sonoma County's best family, friendly restaurants for all ages. From grilled burgers and steaks to our Woodstone pizzas, salads and sandwiches, Kin's seasonal menu is always a favorite. Our full bar, Craft beer selection, and local wine list will complete your dining experience along with our friendly service team and comfortable restaurant design. Banquet room and patio available.

Top review

Phil

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Excellent service and great food. Attentive service but not excessive.

Harvest Table

4.5

4.5 (1395)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St. Helena

About the restaurant

Welcome to Harvest Table, a rustic Californian wine country kitchen featuring menus that highlight locally sourced ingredients and the best of the Napa Valley. An airy space flanked by alfresco dining terraces, Harvest Table offers a welcoming atmosphere for relaxed Wine Country dining. A 12-seat U-shaped bar fronts the 80-seat restaurant, where smooth wood finishes are offset by the classic brickwork of an oversized fireplace under the glow of abundant natural light. Taking inspiration from its juxtaposition of organic and man-made landscaping, Harvest Table is an honest and refined restaurant, ideal for St. Helena gatherings.

Top review

christineVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Great experience dinner at Harvest Table... nice dining area, festive ambiance with Christmas tree, great service, food was wonderful

The Matheson

4.7

4.7 (1014)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Healdsburg

About the restaurant

The Matheson in Healdsburg exudes a vibrant and welcoming vibe, where modern elegance meets a relaxed, California-casual atmosphere. The moment you step in, you’re warmly greeted and invited in to an effortless blend of sophistication with a sense of ease. The ambiance is thoughtfully curated, with natural light flooding the room by day and soft, intimate lighting setting the perfect tone by night.

Dining at The Matheson is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that lingers long after you’ve left. The combination of exceptional food, stellar service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere makes it a standout destination in Healdsburg, where every detail is designed to create an unforgettable experience.

Special Monday Menu:
Join us every Monday evening for a special Prime Dinner featuring Chef Nate Davis at the helm as he serves up a traditional prime rib dinner for guests to enjoy as part of a pre-fixe dining experience.

Top review

Danise

Dined 4 days ago

From the initial booking to the picture taking at the end of our night… 11/10 hand down! Food and drinks were superb, service was perfect and the ambiance set the birthday celebration tone we needed. Cheers to The Matheson letting us HAVE it!!! Fabulous

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