top 10 cheeseburgers in sonoma county
Sequoia Burger | Sebastopol, CA
Burgers are my love language. More specifically cheeseburgers. Honestly I don’t even know why anyone would order a burger without cheese but that debate is for another day. Today, we’re chatting the best cheeseburger in Sonoma County and I’m going to refer to them as burgers from here on because I’m lazy. Thanks for sticking with me.
It always goes without asking — if there’s a burger on the menu, you know that’s what I’m ordering. So it’s safe to say I’ve had a few burgers in my day, especially in Sonoma County. They are just so dang good. Plus, I’ll take any excuse to eat fries. Sorry, not sorry.
Now, I’ll be honest, there’s a few places on this list that I haven’t been. Yet. But when I asked over on Instagram, they were all mentioned multiple times as your favorite burger in Sonoma County. And I trust you. Plus, now I have a few more places to visit along with you!
This list is by no means in order. I didn’t have it in me to rank them — each place is great for it’s own reason so I almost felt like it was unfair to compare. If you want an old fashion, stop on the side of the road kind of burger, then I’d recommend Sequoia Burger. If you’re going for more of a sit down, appetizer style mini burger, definitely go to Bird and the Bottle. Is it super nice out and you want a place to sit outside while you enjoy your delicious burger? You gotta go to Healdsburg Bar & Grill. See what I mean? So instead of ranking them 1-10, I’m giving you a reason to go visit them all. Besides, all of Sonoma County restaurants needs the love right now.
So here goes — I give you a list of the best burger in Sonoma County. Plus a few honorable mentions at the end.
sequoia burger | sebastopol, ca
This place made it on to the Best Places to Eat in Sonoma County list as well. It’s a little hole in the wall off Highway 116 that has the most delicious burgers. If you live in the area, you’ve probably passed it a million times. It’s super small but does have a section in the back to eat (picnic table style). We live in Santa Rosa and will make the trek out to Sebastopol, no questions or complaints, just to get a burger from Sequoia Burger. It’s that good.
starks steak & seafood | santa rosa, ca
Sometimes I feel like Stark’s restaurants don’t even need an explanation. They are always so freaking good. However, most people go to the steakhouse, for well, steak. So I’m here to tell you about the burger at Stark’s Steak & Seafood. If you can get yourself to skip the steak, it’s seriously worth it. They toast the bun for a little added crunch; it’s perfection. My best tip — go for happy hour and order the not so mini burger. It’s the same as the dinner menu, just slightly smaller (but only $6) and one of the many reasons I named it the best happy hour in Sonoma County.
healdsburg bar and grill | healdsburg, ca
If I’m in the mood to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful day in Healdsburg, I go to Healdsburg Bar and Grill. They have a full bar with delicious cocktails, but more importantly, the best burger. Plus it’s served on a locally sourced bun from Costeaux Bakery. And if you don’t believe me, Food & Wine also named it on the list of Best Burgers in the United States!
ozzie’s grill | santa rosa, ca
An oldie but a goodie. This place has been in Rincon Valley for a while and it’s consistently amazing. It always reminds me of my mom because she loves to walk here for lunch on Saturdays. And you know if she goes once a week, it has to be worth it.
underwood bar & bistro | graton, ca
This is one of the places that made it to the list, but I haven’t been yet. However, any burger that is served with gruyere cheese is a winner in my book. Plus it’s a Steakhouse so you know they know meat. Definitely adding this one to the must visit list; I imagine it’s going to be worth the trip to Graton.
butcher crown roadhouse | petaluma, ca
When you guys suggested this place I had to look it up because I didn’t even know it existed! And man am I so excited now — a new restaurant to try, and a burger that looks bomb dot com. This place (as the name says) is a roadhouse so it has all kinda of barbecue. It reminds me a little of Sauced Bbq & Spirits, which also would have made the list if there was one still open in Sonoma County.
the bird | santa rosa, ca
I have a few things to say about this place. It was formerly known as Willibird’s when it was formerly located on Santa Rosa Avenue. It has moved locations, changed owners, and renamed itself — can we even call it the same restaurant?! Evidently so, but honestly it’s nothing like it used to be and I am here for it. The owner, Joe Castro, revamped the atmosphere and the menu, including the burger. This 1/2 pound (yes, you read that right) kobe beef burger is a hunch over, fall apart in your hands, mound of deliciousness. Go there hungry.
acme | cotati, ca
I have two words for the burger at Acme: quality beef. They use locally raised, hormone & antibiotic free Sonoma Mountain Beef and you can taste the difference, trust me. The key to a good burger is good beef and they nailed it here. I actually love that they focus on locally sourced; everything from the beef to the beer is from Sonoma County. We’ve only done take-out so far, but their location has a cute set setup with picnic tables both inside and out.
bird and the bottle | santa rosa, ca
A Starks restaurant. Isn’t that all you need? Okay okay, the mini burgers deserve all the praise. They come as a set of two, and you’ll want to order five. Kidding, but honestly, not really. They are that good. They are double patty, double cheese, topped with grilled onion and secret sauce. Simple yet scrumptious.
carr’s drive in | forestville, ca
I got Jamie’s stamp of approval on this one. It’s somewhere I haven’t been, but every time we drive by he points it out. “That place has the best burger” he says. Well, okay, let’s go there! It’s another side of the road, been there forever place that is a must do if you are in Forestville for lunch. Apparently it will not disappoint and I believe him.
