Despite ongoing challenges for the restaurant industry — rising food costs, staffing shortages, slower foot traffic and diners pushing back on creeping prices — many restaurateurs are still hanging on.
While Sonoma County saw a significant number of closures this year, more than in 2024, there was also encouraging movement in the other direction. Several restaurants reopened under new ownership, and others quickly found new tenants poised to take their place in 2026.
Restaurant ownership remains a tough game, even for the hardiest souls, but in 2025 openings ultimately outpaced closures. Rosso returned just months after closing, as did Bazaar Sonoma and Downtown BBQ. There were also big, successful swings, including Charlie Palmer’s Folia at Appellation Healdsburg and Waterhawk Lake Club in Rohnert Park, alongside smaller wins from pop-up standouts like Bob Costarella of Red Eye Barbecue…