It's long been the lament in Wine Country that the sidewalks roll up by nine o'clock every night. What’s a hungry soul to do, go to Denny’s? We think very not. Here are five delicious alternatives.
Speakeasy, Petaluma
5pm–2am daily
Just across from the Petaluma River, in an old saloon setting at the intersection of American Alley and Putnam Plaza, sits an unlikely discovery: global tapas. There’s Spanish, in Niman Ranch empanadas; California, in truffled asparagus with shaved Broncha cow-goat milk cheese and fried farm egg; Asian, with sweet & spicy pork belly over brown rice cake with pickled shallots; Mediterranean with spicy lamb meatballs in sun dried tomato sauce; and French, in escargot with cremini mushrooms in puff pastry with garlic parsley butter and bourbon deglaze.
Adel’s, Santa Rosa
6am–12am daily
It’s no coincidence that this diner is just a half-mile from Santa Rosa Junior College. The joint specializes in big portions at cheap prices—and the food is good, too. You can go basic with the Western cheeseburger—flame broiled Angus beef smothered in crisp bacon, cheddar and jack cheeses, grilled onions and homemade BBQ sauce—or you can up your game with the chicken Marsala, bringing a double chicken breast sautéed with fresh mushrooms, garlic butter, and Marsala wine. Each is served with a variety of sides: veggies, fries, garlic bread, green salads, or the soup of the day. You won’t go home hungry.
Morimoto, Napa
5pm–12am Sunday-Thursday; 5pm–1am Friday & Saturday
Sushi at midnight? Indeed, the lounge of this luxe restaurant serves a full bar menu into the wee hours, catering to a stylish crowd that sucks up $14 cocktails while nibbling on otoro sashimi and topneck clam rolls dusted with caviar. The bites list is extensive including duck meatball-mountain potato soup; a Mori Cristo sandwich of yellowtail, avocado and egg; Wagyu flatbread; and hamachi tacos.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, Sonoma
11am–11pm Sunday-Thursday; 11am–12am Friday & Saturday
Yes, it’s the real deal, from live music to plenty of beers on tap including Guinness and Smithwick’s—plus whiskies galore. After you've thrown back a few pints (or shots), you can nosh on Frickles of Guinness (battered fried pickles) dunked in “sri-rancha” sauce, a corned beef Reuben, or bangers and mash in onion gravy.
Taps Restaurant & Tasting Room, Petaluma
4pm–12am Tuesday; 11:30am–12am Wednesday-Sunday
What a delicious recipe for those midnight hunger pangs: a chilled Stone Brewing Company smoked Porter beer spiked with chipotle peppers, plus snacks like feta bruschetta or fiery spicy chicken wings.