Breakfast room/Main dining room
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El Dorado Kitchen

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Upscale California-Mediterranean fare in a historic Sonoma hotel, featuring locally sourced ingredients and charming patio dining.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Breakfast room/Main dining room

El Dorado Kitchen

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Upscale California-Mediterranean fare in a historic Sonoma hotel, featuring locally sourced ingredients and charming patio dining.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The seafood paella is the best I've had outside of Spain!"

TIP

Reservations are Key

Book in advance, especially for groups or special occasions, to secure your spot.

Secret Menu Item

Ask about off-menu fried paella balls; they're a local favorite not to be missed.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

California-Mediterranean

Price

$$$

Phone

(707) 996-3030

Address

405 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Seafood Paella Perfection

Seafood Paella Perfection

Hailed as the best outside of Spain, this paella boasts incredibly fresh seafood and a rich, savory rice.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma - SonomaGoogle Review+1
Charming Patio Dining

Charming Patio Dining

Dine al fresco under a fig tree on the romantic back patio or by a cozy fireplace indoors.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma, CaliforniaThe 16 Best Restaurants In Sonoma, California9 Best Restaurants in Sonoma, CA | Blog
Off-Menu Fried Paella Balls

Off-Menu Fried Paella Balls

Seek out these crispy, flavorful delights that locals rave about but aren't always on the official menu.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

El Dorado in Sonoma, California 💌 #foodtok #foodie #burrata #bestfoodincali #goodeatsinsonoma
@dj.rivera
30 likes • 474 views

Reservations are Key

Book in advance, especially for groups or special occasions, to secure your spot.

Secret Menu Item

Ask about off-menu fried paella balls; they're a local favorite not to be missed.

El Dorado cart Menu🔆♥️🔥#eldoradoeventvenue #eldorado #mru🇲🇺 #foryoupage #TastyTreats #GourmetExperience
@el.dorado.restaur
85 likes • 7K views
Bonjour la famille..🔥💪 Restaurant Eldorado kuman zot koner nou ouvert apartir 11:30 -15:00 pour lunch.. menu lazourner Nous pou ena Aigre doux Poule, Crevette Sauce Rouge, Cari la Viande Pomme De Terre,Bouillon Crabe, du riz et Grain Sec.... pour le soir apres zot deza kner pou ouvert pareille même l'heur 17:30- 02hr du matin.. pas hesiter pour vini ou même call nou lor nu num 57251217/ 57508208 ...
@el.dorado.restaur
578 likes • 30.4K views

Lunch vs. Dinner

Visit for lunch for a casual vibe or dinner for a more intimate, sophisticated experience.

Don't Forget Dessert

While dessert portions can be small, they are decadent and worth the indulgence.

¡Celebra tus momentos especiales con nosotros en El Dorado Bistro✨ y recibe un regalo espectacular! 🍾🎁
@eldoradobistro
548 likes • 13.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations are Key

Book in advance, especially for groups or special occasions, to secure your spot.

Secret Menu Item

Ask about off-menu fried paella balls; they're a local favorite not to be missed.

Lunch vs. Dinner

Visit for lunch for a casual vibe or dinner for a more intimate, sophisticated experience.

Don't Forget Dessert

While dessert portions can be small, they are decadent and worth the indulgence.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

El Dorado Kitchen is widely praised for its sophisticated ambiance and commitment to locally sourced, California-Mediterranean cuisine. Diners rave about signature dishes like the seafood paella and off-menu fried paella balls, and find the patio dining experience particularly charming. However, some guests have found the service to be overly rushed, and a few have noted that certain dishes felt incomplete without accompaniments.

"We had a very late lunch and arrived just before the kitchen was about to close in preparation for dinner service. It couldn’t have been better. We ordered shrimp ceviche, a chopped salad, mussels, steak and frites, and crispy shrimp tacos. It was a lot of food, and everything tasted delicious.

The mussels were definitely my favorite; they had a rich broth and were perfectly cooked. The service was very attentive, which we greatly appreciated."

Isabel McGraw

"This place was recommended to me, and now I highly recommend it as well!

The mushroom salad was good with the earthy taste of the mushrooms shining through.

The standout dish was undoubtedly the seafood paella – hands down the best I've had outside of Spain!

The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the rice was infused with a rich, savory flavor that left me wanting more.

Just had to dessert. The chocolate tart was delicious – decadent, rich, and perfectly balanced with some pecan nuts, and caramelized citrus fruit on top. Not too sweet, just pure chocolate bliss!

The service was top-notch, attentive, and knowledgeable. Our server made excellent recommendations"

Kwong Chee Choo

"Celebrated my wife's birthday on the patio. We had a wonderful time. Food was exceptional; I had the paella which was so good. Everyone enjoyed their meals and most ranked it as best dinner. Wonderful service , great wine selection. Delicious desserts. Highly recommend"

Kristopher Cumbermack

What People Like

Exceptional seafood paella
Charming patio ambiance
Locally sourced ingredients

What People Dislike

Rushed service
Some entrees lack sides
Dessert portions small

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, El Dorado Kitchen offers a comprehensive brunch menu with both breakfast and lunch items, and it's a popular choice for weekend dining.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma - SonomaGoogle Review

Yes, it's recommended to ask about off-menu items like the popular fried paella balls.

Google Review

The restaurant offers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere with options for dining indoors by a fireplace or outdoors on a charming patio.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma, CaliforniaThe 16 Best Restaurants In Sonoma, California

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for group bookings or during busy periods.

Google Review

Standout dishes include the seafood paella, fettuccine carbonara, and crispy Brussels sprouts. The off-menu fried paella balls are also a must-try.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma - SonomaGoogle Review

Yes, there is a charming back patio with fig tree seating available for dining.

The Best Restaurants In Sonoma, CaliforniaThe 16 Best Restaurants In Sonoma, California

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This spacious, elegant restaurant feels like the set of a Nancy Meyers movie starring Stanley Tucci—buzzy but not loud, and stylish but comfortable. The seafood paella is the perfect blend of spicy and briny, and the fettuccine carbonara, topped with an oozing poached egg, is the definition of decadence. And if wine tasting got the best of you the night before, brunch is also strong —don’t miss the huevos rancheros or the smoked salmon benedict.

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El Dorado Kitchen has all of the swank of big city dining: a dimly lit dining room, top-notch servers, craft cocktails, and dishes that reach your table that look like they’ve been pulled out of Town & Country Magazine. The difference, of course, that you’re not only in downtown Sonoma, but in one of its most historic buildings. And the food is quintessentially Sonoman with its emphasis on mouthwatering vegetables and ranch-raised meats; and service so warm-hearted and informed, you’ll think that this is what all dining experiences should be.

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Situated in the historic El Dorado Hotel, El Dorado Kitchen presents a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience. Focusing on contemporary American cuisine infused with Mediterranean influences, their menu showcases inventive dishes crafted from the finest ingredients sourced from Sonoma County farms. Whether enjoying brunch on the picturesque outdoor patio or savoring a memorable dinner in the elegant dining room, El Dorado Kitchen promises culinary excellence in every bite.

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While better known for its sit-down service restaurant, the El Dorado Hotel also boasts a small bar where you can take advantage of the excellent drinks program. On the bottle list, direct your attention to the sections for “interesting” reds and whites, where you’ll find Viognier, Roero Arneis, and Nebbiolo di Barbaresco. The cocktails are equally worthy of investigation, so don’t leave without exploring the entire menu, and then maybe stick around for dinner, too.

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