Redwood Cafe
Redwood Cafe is a Cotati institution – it has been around for more than 20 years. Since I came to Sonoma County it’s been one of the places I feel most at home in. It has timber floors, timber chairs and tables, a fire place and its walls positively groan under the weight of local art pieces. The restaurant isn’t fussy or pretentious, it just feels like home and the staff are friendly – you’re as likely as not to be served your meal by one of the owners – and, because lots of locals eat there, there’s often a lot of bantering between staff and customers.
Redwood Cafe is currently reinventing itself as a place for entertainment, local art, great food and local beers. The menu is extensive and includes everything from weekend breakfasts (try the Eggs Blackstone) to salads, wraps and more substantial meals.
Vegetarians will enjoy an extensive range of vegetarian options and elsewhere the menu features tofu, fish and chicken with limited beef options – the overall emphasis being on healthier dishes. There is a large range of local tap and bottled beer available and local wines too.
Redwood Cafe has plenty of specials to save you cash too. If you eat meatless on a Monday, you’ll enjoy a 10% discount on your meal, students with ID get a 10% discount and there are happy hour specials as well as burger and beer specials throughout the week.
In Winter the fireplace warms the main restaurant area and the free wifi makes it a good place to sit and study or check emails. The owner is happy for you to study there too – something not all small restaurants embrace. After dark expect to enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment which may include belly dancing, open mic, comedy, karaoke or a local band.
Along one side of the building is an outdoor beer garden which is great in warmer weather and there is some eating on the street. If there is one negative about Redwood Cafe it is that there is no table service so wherever you choose to sit, you’ll order and pay at the main counter and your food will then be delivered to your table. Serve yourself water is at the end of the counter so grab a glass before you head to your table.
Try: Sat/Sun Eggs Blackstone, Mango Snapper Wrap
Hours Daily 7:30 am-10 pm (till 12 am Fri & Sat) kitchen closes 1 hr earlier
Redwood Cafe, Cotati
8240 Old Redwood Highway
Cotati, CA 94931
707-795-7868
Cotati, CA 94931
