El Dorado Kitchen

El Dorado Kitchen was the absolute highlight of my wine tasting tour! We stopped in for lunch to take a breather between tastings, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. From the moment we sat down, the customer service was top-tier—attentive, friendly, and perfectly paced. Since it was my birthday, they surprised me with a delicious complimentary dessert, which was such a thoughtful and classy touch. The Highlights: • The Salmon: Perfectly cooked and incredibly fresh. Easily one of the best meals I've had in Sonoma. • Espresso Martini: My drink of choice for the day, and they nailed it. It was balanced, bold, and exactly the "pick-me-up" I needed. • The Bread: Even the simple things were standout; the bread was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere is beautiful, the food is stellar, and the staff truly knows how to make a guest feel special. If you're looking for a refined yet welcoming spot to refuel while exploring wine country, this is it!

Absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Everything was great — the food, the service, and the atmosphere. What truly impressed me was how even the simplest dishes were elevated to something memorable. The beet salad, which sounds very simple on the menu, was incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced, and full of flavor. The squash soup was just incredible — rich, comforting, and beautifully executed. The service was attentive and warm without being intrusive, and the ambiance made the entire experience feel relaxed yet special. Highly recommend — we will definitely be back.

So close to a 5 star… service was lacking a bit and the Chicken was dry. The Mushroom Risotto with prawns, amazing!! Great wine, beer and liquor selections. Oysters were legit and great atmosphere. Open kitchen concept is always great to watch. Y’all should check this place out.

Chef Navarro had an amazing Thanksgiving menu. The wagu beef carpaccio was amazing and the Turkey meal was awesome. Such tasty gravy. And we loved the pumpkin pie. Really delightfully surprised. Lily our server was so nice and thoughtful as well as all the servers and bussers. Very attentive, making sure our glasses were never empty and plates were taken at the right times.

My wife booked this and my only question was, what is Californian restaurant mean? Well the answer to that question was answered by the food, it doesn’t matter. We were seated promptly and even greated with a nice little card to start off as it was our anniversary. We started off with some prosecco and got starters you have to get the burrata with that huckleberry marmalade and hit of garlic cloves. Still dreaming about it. We had that with their mixed green salad that was set off by the wonderful hit of goat cheese. For main course my wife had what had to be the best scallops we ever cream sauce. I went in on the paella that came with shrimp, calamari, mussels and chorizo and the rice that was all perfectly seasoned and portioned. To top it all we finished off with a crème brûlée and the entire course with a fabulous County Lin Pinot noir. Man all the food came out on time in order and to please. The staff just as equally great and pleasant as the food. Mario was our waiter and the star of the night, even pairing perfectly our desert to the wine we were drinking.

Dining at El Dorado Kitchen on Sonoma Plaza feels like a delicious stroll through history - literally. The building itself dates back to around the 1840s, originally built by Salvador Vallejo, brother of Sonoma Valley founder General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, as part of the early pueblo’s core structures. It has worn many hats over nearly two centuries - from a residence and winery to various community uses - and today it stands proudly as a vibrant culinary destination in the largest historic plaza in California.  Led by Executive Chef Armando Navarro, the food here is a joyful celebration of California cuisine with a Sonoma sensibility. On my visit, the short ribs were rich and tender, melting into a deep, savory hug with every bite. Melting in my mouth it gave such a rich and delightful feeling of loving family dinner. The mushroom tart was earthy and elegant, crisp enough to make you pause and smile. And don’t even get me started on the chocolate lava cake - molten, indulgent, and utterly irresistible. What I really love about El Dorado Kitchen is that it feels connected - to the history around it, to the seasons in Sonoma County, and to guests who wander in seeking a meal that’s both delicious and meaningful. Seating on the patio lets you watch life unfold on the plaza while savoring thoughtfully prepared dishes, local ingredients, and a menu that makes you want to stay just a little longer. If a dinner could make you grin with pure satisfaction and say, “That was awesome,” El Dorado Kitchen will absolutely deliver. You will crave to get back again and again

Had lunch here recently and had a great experience! All the dishes were wonderful. Ordered a toasted squash with tofu and lentil dish that was fantastic!!(peppers on the side please). Had a salad, that I split with my partner and they kindly divided it up between us. Also had the shrimp tacos that were also really good. The drinks from the bar were very good too. They have some nice patio dining but we didn’t have reservations so sat inside. I will definitely be back. It also has a nice interior.

Came here for my birthday dinner and immediately loved the decor, ambience, and overall vibe. We were greeted warmly by both the host and our waiters, and they even had a cute happy birthday sign waiting for us, which was a really thoughtful touch. That said, I was a little disappointed there wasn’t a complimentary dessert, which would have been such a nice way to end a birthday dinner. I ordered the Shanghai Sour cocktail with five spice seasoning and it was good for what it was, interesting and different, though not something I’d rush to order again. The real highlight of the night was the appetizer. We ordered the hamachi crudo and it was beautifully prepared, well seasoned, and visually stunning. I just wish they gave more than four slices because it was honestly delicious. For entrées, we ordered the highly recommended seafood paella, which definitely lived up to the hype, and the lobster risotto. The risotto was good overall, but a bit watery for my liking. Overall, it was a lovely birthday dinner with great atmosphere, friendly service, and good food.