
Mamma Tanino's Ristorante
A charming Italian trattoria helmed by a Sicilian-born chef, serving authentic family recipes with white-tablecloth service.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Mamma Tanino's Ristorante

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming Italian trattoria helmed by a Sicilian-born chef, serving authentic family recipes with white-tablecloth service.
"Experience the authentic flavors of Italy and feel like family at Mamma Tanino's Ristorante."
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure your table at this popular spot.
Early Bird Special
Enjoy a bargain with the early-bird dinner offer from 5-5:30 PM, Tuesday-Saturday.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Sicilian Flavors
Savor genuine Italian cuisine crafted by a Sicilian-born chef, bringing generations of family recipes to life.

Signature Pasta Dishes
Indulge in beloved pasta creations like Pappardelle Bolognese Ragu and perfectly cooked Carbonara.

Cozy Atmosphere & Outdoor Seating
Enjoy a warm, intimate dining experience with charming white-tablecloth service and seasonal outdoor seating.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure your table at this popular spot.
Early Bird Special
Enjoy a bargain with the early-bird dinner offer from 5-5:30 PM, Tuesday-Saturday.
Dine-in Availability
Enjoy dine-in on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; plan your visit accordingly.
Quiet Seating
Request a table away from the kitchen for a potentially quieter dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure your table at this popular spot.
Early Bird Special
Enjoy a bargain with the early-bird dinner offer from 5-5:30 PM, Tuesday-Saturday.
Dine-in Availability
Enjoy dine-in on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; plan your visit accordingly.
Quiet Seating
Request a table away from the kitchen for a potentially quieter dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Mamma Tanino's Ristorante is celebrated for its authentic Sicilian and Italian flavors, with many highlighting the chef's skill and family recipes. Diners rave about signature dishes like the Carbonara and Veal Scallopini. While the cozy atmosphere and attentive service, particularly from owners Kim and Gaetano, are frequently praised, some reviewers have noted occasional slow service during peak times, and one mentioned issues with excessive saltiness in a pasta dish.
"We just went here on a whim having never heard of this place before (we’re just weekend visitors), and wow… everything was so good! There isn’t a dish we didn’t love! The fried mozzarella was fantastic - just as others have described in other reviews. The rest of our dishes were specials - all amazing. We’ll definitely be back again and recommending this restaurant to others!"
Violet Daisy
"Have been to Mama's a few times and in the past the service was a bit slow. This most recent visit - our server was attentive and bustling. Myself and my dinning companion ordered the VERY well dressed Pear Salad and shared it. She dined on the Pappardelle Bolongnese Ragu which had a nice bit is sweetness to the meat sauce. We also shared the Pasta Carbonara - yes simply prepared (pancetta, garlic, eggs, salt, pepper, and some parsley) and it was lovely and perfectdly cooked al dente.
I enjoyed one of their specialities; their Veal Scallopini in a creamed mushroom sauce. Super Tasty and the potatoes and vegetables which accmpanied it were steamed wonderfully.
Decor is simple but accomodating. In the spring summer months there have outside dinning as well.
The experienced Chef has cooking chops and it shows in their food, its flavor profiles and taste. Nice quaint place OFF the Sonoma Plaza (which is more $$ and touristry) Mangia con Gusto! (eat up and enjoy)"
Michael Morrongiello
"It's been a while since I've come from a restaurant with such a bad experience I've talked about it for days after.
TLDR if you like eating salt with a side of pasta and you like being nickel-and-dimed for everything you may like this place.
My wife and I were visiting Sonoma, and we decided to get Mamma's for our Friday night dinner.
The restaurant's interior looks like it hasn't been change since the 60s. We were seated with a reservation with only one other party in the restaurant.
Our server was pleasant for this kind of restaurant, the reason why the service gets 2 stars.
My wife and I both ordered the carbonara. Bread and olive oil was served to us (later found out it was an extra $2 for this), and the bread was alright. It was warm and soft on the inside but too crunchy on the outside, as if it was reheated quickly and was slightly rebaked.
The carbonara was served, and we were asked if we wanted pepper. They had a small bowl of pre-grated parmesan style cheese, which I sprinkled on my pasta. The sauce looked thick at first, but ended up being fairly runny. The flavor was that of just eating salt and some very al-dente pasta. There was not much flavor other than that. My wife and I took a few bites but couldn't eat any more.
The served came to ask how things were, and both my wife and I said the pasta was far too salty (we rarely send things back at restaurants). The server however just took one of our pastas to be remade. There was some loud complaining in the kitchen by the chef, but 5 minutes later a new carbona came out - to just me.
There was a noticeable less amount of the sauce on it, and the server told me not to put cheese or pepper on it until I tried it first (I can only assume to not waste a sprinkling of pepper or cheese). The pasta was still too salty but I chose not to complain, and both my wife and I left hungry.
Perhaps it was a bad one-off experience, and I don't typically rate restaurants until I've been there a few times, but we won't be back."
Nolan Blew
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the restaurant is noted as being kid-friendly, and they even offer a family-style menu.
Yes, reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant can get busy.
The restaurant is typically open for dine-in on Tuesdays through Saturdays, often from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Yes, Mamma Tanino's offers an early-bird dinner special from 5:00 to 5:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
Yes, outdoor seating is available during the warmer months, offering a pleasant dining experience.
Diners highly recommend the fried mozzarella, Pappardelle Bolognese Ragu, Pasta Carbonara, and Veal Scallopini.
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Good old spaghetti and meatballs from Gaetano and Kim Patrinostro await in an unlikely location, Mamma Tanino’s Ristorante in the Valley Mart Shopping Center in Sonoma. Chef Gaetano brings his Sicilian flavors to the strip mall, presented in a simple, cozy trattoria with a straightforward menu of classics such as chicken Marsala and linguine in clam sauce. The cheerful spot oozes charm and honest good flavors, and the $15 dinner offered from 5 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, is an early-bird’s dream bargain.
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It’s a must for any great Italian restaurant: a chef who was born in Italy. So it is with chef Gaetano Patrinostro, who sources Sonoma County products plus imports from his homeland to prepare authentic Italian cuisine in this cozy trattoria just west of Sonoma Plaza. White tablecloths and dark wood lend an old-world charm in the no-fuss, casual dining room, where servers are quick to keep everyone’s wine glasses filled.
Best Restaurants in Sonoma | Blog
From the first step into Mamma Tanino's Ristorante, it feels like coming home – if home were a quaint Italian village filled with the mouthwatering aroma of traditional dishes. Here, family recipes passed down through generations come alive on your plate, each bite bursting with the rich flavors of Italy. Hours:Tuesday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMClosed Sunday–Monday
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Mamma Tanino's is an authentic Italian restaurant located in the heart of town. This charming and quaint spot is a local favorite and has a very tight-knit vibe. It is only open for dine-in on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so making a reservation is encouraged.
Kid-Friendly Wineries and Activities
A restaurant called Mamma's would almost by definition have to be kid friendly. And the family-style menu assures it. They've even got a "take and bake" menu featuring Mac & Cheese Cavatappi.
40 Best Restaurants in Sonoma, CA for 2025 (Top Eats!)
Mamma Tanino’s Ristorante, found within Valley Mart Shopping Center, is run by a Sicilian-born chef who specializes in Italian cuisine presented in a traditional white-tablecloth setting.

Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit