About 90 minutes north of San Francisco, Healdsburg has become a popular jumping off point for visitors to Sonoma County's Wine Country. In addition to boutiques, tasting rooms and upscale shopping, this bustling town has some of the area's most unique restaurants.

Surrounded on nearly all sides by vineyards, the small town of Healdsburg has quickly become the unofficial heart of much of Sonoma's Wine Country. With the Dry Creek Valley to the west, Russian River Valley to the South, and the Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill to the east, it's a hub for vintners, winery staff and locals who work in the industry—as well as Wine Country visitors. With so much wine flowing in the hills and valleys, it's hardly surprising that good food and excellent restaurants are easy to find in this small northern California town.

And though couture fashion boutiques, expensive cars and modern luxury hotels have replaced much of the older agricultural of life here, there are still many locals who sit and eat lunch around the plaza, stop in for a drink at the local bars and congregate at the local post office and coffee houses to chat.

Restaurants follow suit—with a number of luxurious, high-end dining experiences; mid-priced casual eateries that feature fresh, local foods and even inexpensive nosheries that are perfect for a quick bite. Here are some favorites:

Extreme elegance
Cyrus Restaurant, located in the newly built Mars Hotel near downtown, is arguably Sonoma County’s most opulent eatery. Offering caviar by the ounce, an impressive cheese cart, stellar wine selection and five-star service, along with refined French/California dining, Cyrus is the best choice for intimate dinners and exacting palates. Cyrus, 29 North St., Healdsburg, 707.433.3311.

Country charm
Nestled amidst the vineyards just outside of town, Madrona Manor is a Victorian Inn that’s a favorite of wedding parties and romantic couples. Though you’ll find plenty of locals, as well, the restaurant at Madrona Manor is the kind of place best enjoyed while on vacation: cares slip away, elegant plates are brought forth, the food is simple, yet well-crafted, the environment plush, and best of all, after sipping and eating your way through the menu, you can simply go upstairs to a fluffy, quilted bed and revel in the experience. Madrona Manor, 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707.433.4231.

Sonoma-centric
At the other end of the design spectrum, Dry Creek Kitchen, in the similarly stark Healdsburg Hotel, is a minimal and cleanly executed space that features regional foods and cooking. From Pt. Reyes’ Cowgirl Creamery to Liberty Ducks and local produce, the menu is careful to point out its local sources, so diners really understand the sense of place they’re eating in. After some time away, Palmer has recently returned to the kitchen’s helm. The menu changes frequently, so don’t get too attached to a meal you had last week—chances are it will soon be replaced. Dry Creek Kitchen, 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.431.0330.

Lunch with the locals
Tiny, narrow and always packed, Bistro Ralph is where you’ll often find local winemakers opening a bottle or two of their latest vintage with friends. The bar is a great place to see the action, nibble on tasty rolls, and wait for a plate of chicken livers or a Hangar steak with fries. Zin restaurant is another favorite local lunch spot. Bistro Ralph, 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707.433.1380. Zin Restaurant, 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707.473.0946.

Picnic provisions
A cross between gourmet grocery store and gourmet deli, the Oakville Grocery store has make-it-yourself provisions like cheese, bread, lunchmeat and upscale pre-made deli items including polenta and crabcakes along with some of the tastiest sandwiches in town. If you’re willing to wait 20 minutes or so, the Club Mezaluna is a crispy pizza crust filled with chicken, bacon, tomatoes and Caesar salad. Budget a little tight? Big John’s Market, north of town is where locals go for inexpensive sub sandwiches, soup and other gourmet goodies.
Oakville Grocery, 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.433.3200. Big John's Market , 1345 Healdsburg Ave., 707.433.7151.

Best brunch
The Ravenette, located just off the square next to the Raven theater, is a cozy spot for Sunday brunch. With a mostly local clientele, it’s also open for dinner Thursday through Sunday. Ravenette,117 North Street 707.431.1770.

Perfect pizza
The recently-opened Plaza Farms market hosts several local wineries, Bellwether Farms cheeses and Bovolo, an Italian deli (California-style) offering gourmet pizza, salads made with locally sourced greens, beans and whole grains and house-made gelato. Plaza Farms, 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.433.2345.

Something fishy
You don’t need your own chopsticks (though many locals have a set on hand) at Sake’O, one of the best sushi restaurants in the North Bay. The restaurant is tiny, and there are only a few seats at the sushi bar, so it’s best to come early. Closer to the center of town, Willi’s Seafood is a hip restaurant with great outdoor seating, a nice by-the-glass winelist and a full bar. And for fish tacos, there's no shortage of Mexican restaurants, like El Farolito, located just behind the Gallo tasting room on Center St. Sake'O, 505 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.433.2669. Willi's Seafood, 403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.433.9191. El Farolito, 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707.433.2807.

Something other than, er, wine?
It seems a little bit odd to smell hops and barley along the streets of Healdsburg, but on a warm day, the waft of brewing beer will guide you right to the Bear Republic Brewing Company, 345 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.431.7258, for salads, burgers and casual dining.