Scrambled eggs and toast won’t get me out of bed, but flash a sticky bun and some hollandaise my way, and I’m racing to the table.

In Sonoma County, the breakfast scene runs the gamut, from simple plates of pancakes to fancy caviar-blinged Benedicts to crackly croissants. And while better-known haunts get plenty of love, you might be surprised by some unexpected breakfast favorites from Petaluma to Cloverdale and everywhere in between.

Santa Rosa

Grossman’s Noshery & Bar: Of course, you’ll find great bagels and schmears at this Jewish-style deli, but insiders know to order the lox and latke Benedict with schmaltz hollandaise – because who needs English muffins when you have latkes? Add caviar if you’re feeling fancy. 308 Wilson St., 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com

Marla Bakery: Only you can make the decision between the maple sugar and sea salt-dusted crebble (a croissant muffin) or the finger-licking sticky bun. Go for broke and get both — and since you’re there, add a fudgy dark chocolate brownie for later. 208 Davis St., 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com

Dierk’s Parkside Cafe: This humble café has reached icon status in Santa Rosa for its chef-driven menu and twist on breakfast standards. The Country Benedict on a crispy baguette with roasted tomatoes will always be my favorite, but the hash and cinnamon-dusted pull-a-parts are a close second. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

J&M’s Midtown Cafe: Former Ramen Gaijin chef Joel Shaw’s weekly specials (like Hot Cross Bun sliders that sell out in minutes) are always a treat, but for traditionalists, the French toast is a winner — fresh ciabatta baguette dipped in egg, milk and cinnamon batter, leaving the inside soft and custard-like and the exterior crisp. 1422 Fourth St., 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com

Tia Maria: At this neighborhood bakery and cafe, a sweet concha roll stuffed with scrambled egg, melty cheese and thick strips of bacon is pressed in a sandwich grill for a sweet, salty, creamy handheld breakfast sando like no other. Grab a Mexican hot chocolate for the road. 44 Sebastopol Ave., 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world

Brother’s Café: Most folks whiz by this setback cafe, located between a motel and a Mountain Mike’s on a nothing-burger stretch of Cleveland Avenue. Seek it out for the sticky-crunchy Dutch baby German pancake with caramelized apples. Also excellent are the biscuits with mushroom gravy. 3135 Cleveland Ave., 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com

Hank’s Creekside Cafe: Expect to sit around reading the paper on Saturday and Sunday mornings waiting for a table at this quirky Santa Rosa breakfast institution. Fluffy pancakes as big as your head, sausage, eggs and huevos rancheros, all served with a side of local cred and a homemade touch. Biscuits are made from scratch, eggs are fresh and the cottage fries are “Oh, my God” good. 2800 Fourth St., 707-575-8839, hanks-creekside.com

Jeffrey’s Hillside Café: Former John Ash & Co. chef brings Wine Country dining to breakfast. Don’t miss their chilaquiles, Southern-inspired biscuits and gravy, sticky bun French toast and cheese blintzes with lemon curd. Lines can get long on weekends, so put on your patient hat — it’s sooooo worth the wait. 2901 Fourth St., 707-546-6317, jeffreyshillsidecafe.com 

Criminal Baking Co: You can smell the buttery goodness even before you head inside. Sinful Sandos are a must, as is the Fun Guy, with mushrooms, bacon, spinach, goat cheese, basil and arugula pesto, lemon curd and a baked egg. Plus, burritos, granola, quiche and daily pastries. Owner Dawn Zaft and her team also make plenty of gluten-free bagels and vegan pastries. 808 Donahue St., 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com

Americana: Farm-to-table breakfasts from the owners of Estero Cafe in Valley Ford — all day! Top-notch dishes include fried chicken with country gravy, omelets, a lovely breakfast sandwich with Estero Gold cheese on a fresh ciabatta, yogurt parfait and pancakes with tasty fresh strawberry mimosas. Find them in Sebastopol (162 N. Main St.) as well. 205 Fifth St., 707-755-1548, americanasonomacounty.com

Rohnert Park

Chila-Killer Café: The name riffs on the restaurant’s signature dish, chilaquiles, a hearty breakfast (or hangover helper) of fried corn tortillas soaked in red or green salsa and topped with eggs, cheese, crema and pork carnitas. Killer portions will either break you or fuel you. 5979 Commerce Blvd., 707-595-1779, instagram.com/chila.killer.cafe

Petaluma

Sarmentine: Brunch with a French accent includes salmon-laden croissants with hollandaise, a side of gratin potatoes that put home fries to shame and bread pudding in a pool of crème anglaise. You’ll also want to leave with a fresh baguette and croissants for dinner. 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com

Sax’s Joint: Giant cinnamon rolls and pancakes the size of a small hubcap are the signatures of this 1950s-style café. Run by sassy sisters, it’s raucous fun but can be hectic on weekends. 317 Petaluma Ave., 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

Stellina Pronto: Trying to order a pastry or two at this Italian bakery is futile. You will leave with thousands of calories more than you planned, and that’s absolutely OK. They are that good. Kouign-amann (caramelized, laminated pastries filled with fruit curd) and weekend cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting are top picks, but grab at least one cream puff, a Nutella cornetto and a slice of frittata. 23 Kentucky St., 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com

Sonoma

Baker and Cook: Fresh buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy are legendary at this Boyes Hot Springs café. Originating in 19th-century lumberjack camps, this gut-stuffing breakfast warms the heart and fills the belly for a long day of timbering — or couch rotting. A side salad makes the whole thing almost healthy. 18812 Highway 12, 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com

Sebastopol

Wild Poppy: The rambling outdoor patio of this family-owned Sebastopol restaurant is the place to be on sunny summer days. The Cosmic Queso with vegan cheese is a favorite, and vegetarians will find plenty of options here. A mix of housemade pastries, including scones, focaccia and Anya’s chocolate chip cookies are ideal companions for a day at the beach or an afternoon snack. 9890 Bodega Highway, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com

Monte Rio

Lightwave Coffee & Kitchen: Follow the signs to the Monte Rio skate park, where you’ll find a curious walk-up café. You’ll want to order the warming breakfast shakshuka with tomato-y eggs and whatever pie is on the menu. 9725 Main St., 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site

Valley Ford

Estero Café: The “classic American farm-to-table” menu has made it a popular stop for diners headed to the coast. Serving locally sourced breakfast and lunch daily, dishes like chicken-fried Stemple Creek Ranch steak with country gravy and greens, Dungeness crab roll and King trumpet mushroom melt with Estero Gold cheese are local favorites. 14450 Highway 1, 707-876-3333, esterocafe.com

Healdsburg

Acorn Cafe: This cute-as-a-bug morning stop is staking a syrup-soaked claim on Healdsburg’s breakfast void with its over-the-top menu. Best bets are tiramisu French toast, a brown butter hollandaise Benedict and quite possibly the world’s most inspired fried chicken sandwich. A tasty low and no-alcohol and cocktail menu and wine list create a Sunday brunch feel even on weekday mornings. 124 Matheson St., 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com

Quail and Condor: Noted by The New York Times and the James Beard Foundation, this outstanding bakery is a must-try. Crisp, flaky croissants that are second-to-none with seasonal flavors include chocolate pumpkin, along with ongoing classics like almond, chocolate and plain. 149 Healdsburg Ave., 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com

Parish Café: Best known for its Louisiana-style shrimp and grits, beignets and po’boys, Parish has a Southern-style breakfast with its standards (yes, you can eat shrimp and grits for breakfast) as well as bananas Foster French toast and a Benedict with fried Gulf shrimp and Tasso ham. Chicory coffee is a staple. 60A Mill St., 707-431-8474, theparishcafe.com

Cloverdale

Rockin’ A Adventure Café: You won’t find much food, but the thrill of choosing your drink adventure at this oddball coffee drive-thru is a lot more fun. Start with a base of coffee, matcha, chai tea or Red Bull, then add one of 40 different syrups. Clearly, they’re not breaking any new beverage ground, but the wacky shack and endless choices make it a great stop on your commute. 313 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Facebook.com/RockinAadventureCafe

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

The post Hidden Gem Breakfasts in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

You know that one place that sells doughnuts and pho? Or that sandwich place with Tibetan dumplings on Monday your friend keeps talking about? Like most serious eaters, we love finding the weirdly wonderful strip mall joints and hidden culinary gems that might otherwise escape notice.

Here are some of the best spots that might just become one of your own secret restaurant finds. We’ll let you take all the credit.

West county and Sonoma Coast

Nightingale Bread: You’ll likely find a line before this teensy bakery opens on Saturday and Sunday mornings because the bread is so darn good and the cinnamon rolls so craveable. We are obsessed with the baklava-inspired cinnamon rolls (Saturday only) that upgrade the classic with pistachios, cardamom, rosewater and orange zest. Order ahead online for the best selection. 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com

Koala’s Fine Food: Sushi restaurants aren’t exactly a dime a dozen in far west Sonoma County, but then again, neither are cheesesteaks. This casual family-run eatery brings together fish and chips, Korean bulgogi, Chinese won ton soup, Japanese ramen, cheesesteak, nigiri and Hawaiian poke for a true something-for-everyone experience. 16380 Mill St., Suite A, Guerneville, 707-869-3300, koalasfinefood.com

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen: Located by the Creekside Skatepark, this curious little cafe is a mix of smoothies, bagels, pies and Middle Eastern cuisine. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site

Wild Flour Bread: Make the pilgrimage to this funky Freestone bakery that’s become a must-stop for the bicyclists and the beach-bound. Follow your nose to where weekenders congregate around a communal table with steaming plates of sticky buns and fruit-studded scones or chase children through the garden. Don’t leave without tucking away a dense, seeded boule and a fougasse stuffed with savory cheese and veggies straight from the brick oven. 140 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, 707-874-2938, wildflourbread.com

Casino Bar and Grill: This is a place to discover accidentally and then love unconditionally. A lineup of pop-up chefs steal the show and change frequently. A recent remodel keeps the hole-in-the-wall vibe with a little less grit. 17000 Bodega Highway, Bodega, 707-876-3185, facebook.com/thecasinobarandgrill

Cafe Aquatica: We always, always stop here on trips up the coast for coffee, soup and whatever else sounds delish. 10439 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2251, cafeaquatica.com

Sebastopol

A&M BBQ: Pitmasters Kris Austin (of Austin’s BBQ) and Marvin McKinzy (of Marvin’s BBQ) joined forces to create A&M, which is not named for the Texas university, but for their first initials. But you’d be forgiven for the mistake because their wood-smoked barbecued meats are Lone Star-inspired, with a seasoned dry rub instead of slathered with sauce, and sell out fast on the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays that A&M is open (from 11:30 a.m.). 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-799-2892. You can skip the line by ordering online at ambbqllc.com

Psychic Pie: This pint-sized pizzeria tucked away in a Sebastopol strip mall is the little pandemic pop-up that could. Initially sold only through social media and delivered in colorfully drawn pink bakery boxes to porches around Sonoma County, the pizzas became a post-COVID zeitgeist. The Roman-style pizzas are cut to order, and topped with cheeses and fresh produce from Sonoma County. 980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com

The Hole in the Wall: You know it’s good when being hard to find is in the name. Omelets, pancakes and Benedicts are great, but don’t miss the biscuits and mushroom gravy or Dutch baby German pancake with caramelized apples. 972 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, 707-827-6040, holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com

Healdsburg

Acorn Cafe: Acorn is the breakfast and brunch spot that Healdsburg has needed, with joyful takes on morning standards like sunny lemon ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, whipped ricotta and lavender ice cream or a riff on green eggs and ham with herby yogurt, poached eggs and grilled ham seasoned with Dukkah. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com

Rohnert Park

Don Julio’s: This Salvadoran pupusería is loved by locals who rave about the handmade pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with savory filling and paired with spicy coleslaw). There are plenty of other options, too, including burritos, taco salads, tortas and enchiladas. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com

Vinoma: Amazing empanadas at a gas station? You’ve found Vinoma. The Argentinian-style empanadas are flaky, delicious pockets of dough filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit. Our favorites include beef Carne Suave with scallions, red onions, olives, chopped eggs and spices; the steak and cheese empanada; the al pastor with caramelized pineapple; and the less traditional plum and bacon empanada. Don’t miss the apple crisp for dessert along with alfajores, shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche. 5085 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-536-9215, vinoma.net

Santa Rosa

Abyssinia: This family-style Ethiopian restaurant offers a world of flavor, including the vegetarian combo, served with a house salad and injera bread. 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com

Banh Mi at Thuan Phat: Still one of the best Vietnamese banh mi and, at $7.50, still a steal of a deal. 3020 Santa Rosa Ave., Suite H, Santa Rosa, 707-889-3966

Brother’s Café: The owners of Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol run a breakfast-all-day diner with many of the same proven dishes. 3135 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com

Canevari’s Delicatessen & Catering: This no-frills Italian American deli is the kind of spot Tony Soprano and his buddies would like if they lived in Santa Rosa, ordering sandwiches for lunch, like the Meatball Sub, BBQ Tri Tip and Spicy Pulled Pork, or housemade ravioli and cannoli for dessert. You might leave with slightly less healthy arteries but it’s totally worth it: this hidden gem is one of the best delis in Sonoma County. 695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com

Las Palmas: This Mexican eatery tucked into a rather, er, colorful strip of Santa Rosa Avenue, is not the sort of place you stumble upon, but definitely a spot worth seeking out. What brings local foodies and more than a few off-duty chefs to this modest family restaurant is simple Mexican fare made by hand. Don’t miss the Camarones a la Diabla. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3091

Pupusería Salvadoreña: If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the swap, swap, swap of the kitchen ladies smacking out pupusas — corn cakes filled with cheese, vegetables or meat — and griddled to perfection. The pupusería also serves up tamales, yuca frita and empanadas, but hey, you’re here for the pupusas. 1403 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3141

Savor Vietnamese: A former doughnut shop transformed into charming Vietnamese eatery Corner Park Cafe, which then changed name to Savor Vietnamese. Go for the pho, barbecue pork banh mi, fresh rolls and noodle bowls. Save some room for mango shaved ice, a specialty, and boba tea. 4275 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-539-2416, savorvietnamesecuisine.com

Tambayan: If you’re jonesing for some lumpia, halo-halo or adobo chicken, this Larkfield restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Philippines. Tambayan means “hang out” in Tagalog (the native language of the Philippines). 600 Larkfield Center, Larkfield-Wikiup, 707-843-3824, tambayaneatery.com

Taqueria Molcajetes: Molcajete typically refers to a large volcanic stone bowl that is heated to approximately the temperature of the sun. Meats, fresh cheese, cactus paddles, green onions and seafood are mixed with a spicy chile stew and the whole sizzling, furious thing is brought to your table. It will remain steaming, molten and bubbling for nearly half an hour as you are enveloped by a refreshing meat and vegetable-scented steam. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280

Viethai Cuisine: The food here is the real deal. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the menu includes Southeast Asian street food like Nam Khao Tod (a crispy rice salad), corn fritters and satay along with spicy red curry, pad thai, Khao soi (coconut curry soup) and larger entrees. Pho is fragrant and nourishing, especially if you’re under the weather. Appetizers, like the crispy rice salad with bits of perfumed lemongrass and lime, are a must-try. 320 W. Third St., Suite G, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2292, viethaisr.com

Wooden Petal Bakeshop: Adorable knotted pretzels are the mainstay of baker Clare Hulme, but her Santa Rosa bakeshop offers tasty sandwiches (on pretzel buns, naturally) and soups to go. Though she often sells out, grab (or better yet, preorder) some sweet and savory pretzels for later. 4894 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-695-1880, woodenpetal.com

Petaluma

Roy’s Chicago Dogs at the Yard: This tiny, sit-at-the-counter joint offers variations of Vienna Beef franks for meat aficionados. Consider the traditional all-beef wiener, a half-pound “Home Wrecker,” a spicy fire dog or a Polish dog. Then load up with the 50 topping options, such as housemade pineapple mustard, Hell Fire sauce, onion rings and blue cheese. Also worth howling about: housemade pies and deep-fried Oreos. 84 Corona Road, Petaluma, 707-774-1574

What a Chicken: Choose from mixed grill plates as well as tacos and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw and Spanish rice. We recommend going for the freshly made corn tortillas. 706 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-971-7549

The post 25 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants to Try in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Even in tourist destinations like Sonoma Wine Country, there are plenty of off-the-map eateries where locals congregate. Chances are you won’t hear about them in the guidebooks, but locals know where to find the tasty stuff. Click through the above gallery for some of our favorites.

The post 18 Sonoma County Restaurants Only Locals Know About appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.