Restaurant in Sonoma, United States
Hotel dining that earns its own reservation.
Layla at MacArthur Place is the standout restaurant from a full reimagining of Sonoma's MacArthur Place Hotel, led by a chef with stints at Acacia House and The Bazaar by José Andrés. The menu runs from a strong breakfast and brunch program through Mediterranean-inflected dinners, with patio seating and a 4.5 Google rating across 386 reviews. Easy to book, and worth it for a wine-country weekend anchor meal.
If you're choosing between Layla at MacArthur Place and a standalone Sonoma Square restaurant for a weekend morning, Layla wins on atmosphere and range, but you'll need to factor in whether you're staying at the property or dining as a walk-in. The brunch and breakfast menu here does more than most hotel dining rooms attempt: Parker House rolls warm from the oven, Dutch Baby with whipped maple syrup, and a Croque-Madamsel with country ham and Taleggio cheese sit alongside Mediterranean-influenced plates that carry through from lunch to dinner. For a food-focused traveler who wants one meal to anchor a Sonoma weekend, this is a credible choice. For the leading value in the area, El Molino Central is harder to beat at its price point. For serious wine-country fine dining, Enclos sets a higher bar.
Layla sits at the center of a full reimagining of the MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa on 29 East MacArthur Street, a seven-acre property with 64 rooms in Sonoma. The restaurant is the headline concept of a trio of culinary offerings introduced with the hotel's redesign, and it shows in the physical space: an airy dining room opens onto a new deck and patio with greenery and a water feature for alfresco seating, while the adjacent Bar at MacArthur Place adds jewel-toned settees and banquettes for pre-dinner cocktails. The scent of bread from the kitchen, specifically those Parker House rolls arriving warm and salt-dusted, is the kind of sensory cue that sets the tone before you've looked at a menu.
Executive chef Cole Dickinson brings a resume that spans Napa Valley fine dining territory: he came to Layla from Acacia House in Napa Valley after time at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, Michael Voltaggio's Hemisphere, and The Bazaar by José Andrés in Beverly Hills. That background is visible in how the menu is structured: technically grounded but approachable, ranging from California staples to Mediterranean-inflected dishes without feeling unfocused.
For breakfast and brunch, the menu covers real ground. Sweet options include a Dutch Baby with whipped maple syrup and preserves. Savory options run from the Croque-Madamsel (country ham, Taleggio, sunny-side egg) to avocado toast. The English pea falafel on za'atar flatbread with pickled onions and tahini is worth ordering if you want something with more complexity. Four preparations of french fries at lunch (salt and pepper, garlic and Parmesan, truffle and Parmesan, Greek style) are a small signal that the kitchen takes snacking seriously, which matters when you're ordering across a long weekend afternoon. The dinner menu shifts toward shared starters like yellowtail crudo, octopus in lemon-parsley vinaigrette, and oysters with fermented hot sauce, followed by mains such as halibut shakshuka with pickled peppers and Castelvetrano olives, lamb tagine with crispy sunchokes, and Israeli couscous with Maine lobster. Creekstone Farms prime cuts, grilled over open flame, cover the carnivore end of the table.
Fish dishes are prepared whole and presented in two ways depending on the cut: sole is finished in the kitchen, sea bass is presented tableside. If you're ordering for the table and want a moment, this is the call. Google reviewers rate Layla at 4.5 across 386 reviews, a consistent signal that the room delivers reliably rather than occasionally. Compared to Cafe La Haye, which operates at a similar California-focused register, Layla has the advantage of the hotel setting and patio dining but Cafe La Haye has sharper local credibility as a standalone destination. For those exploring the broader Sonoma food and wine scene, see our full Sonoma restaurants guide, our Sonoma wineries guide, and our Sonoma hotels guide.
Reservations: Booking is easy; no multi-week lead time required in most seasons, though weekend mornings and dinner on Saturday move faster. Book a few days ahead to be safe. Address: 29 East MacArthur Street, Sonoma, California 95476. In-Room Dining: Available for hotel guests. Seating Options: Dining room, terrace, deck, patio, and Bar at MacArthur Place for pre-dinner drinks. Booking Difficulty: Easy.
See the comparison section below for how Layla stacks up against Hazel Hill, Cafe La Haye, Poppy, and others in Sonoma. Also worth considering for broader wine-country context: Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg if you want a destination-level tasting menu experience in the region, or Lazy Bear in San Francisco if you're building a Bay Area itinerary. For global reference points on what serious California-adjacent cooking can achieve, Le Bernardin in New York City, Alinea in Chicago, and Atomix in New York City each represent different ends of that spectrum. Layla is not competing at that level, nor does it need to: its role is a well-executed hotel restaurant with genuine culinary ambition in a wine-country setting. For full context on what else Sonoma offers, browse our Sonoma bars guide and our Sonoma experiences guide.
Booking is easy relative to most well-regarded wine-country restaurants. A few days ahead is sufficient for weekday visits. For Saturday dinner or Sunday brunch, book four to seven days out to avoid losing your preferred time. Walk-in availability is possible, especially at the bar, but not guaranteed on weekends.
At breakfast, the Croque-Madamsel (country ham, Taleggio, sunny-side egg) and the Dutch Baby with maple syrup are the standout choices. At lunch, the English pea falafel on za'atar flatbread is the most interesting option; the four styles of french fries are worth adding to the table. At dinner, lead with the yellowtail crudo or octopus, then consider the halibut shakshuka or a Creekstone Farms prime cut if you're eating meat. The Parker House rolls, noted specifically in inspector highlights, are worth ordering at any time of day they're available.
The hotel setting and multi-space layout (dining room, terrace, deck, patio) suggests reasonable group flexibility. Contact the venue directly for private dining or large party arrangements. The Bar at MacArthur Place is a practical option for groups wanting a more informal setting or a drinks-first arrival before moving to the dining room.
Yes, with the right expectations. The tableside sea bass preparation, the quality of the Creekstone Farms cuts, and the patio setting with greenery and a water feature make it a solid choice for a birthday dinner or anniversary in Sonoma. It is not a tasting-menu destination in the vein of Single Thread in Healdsburg, but it delivers a polished, occasion-appropriate experience with a 4.5 Google rating across 386 reviews to back it.
Cafe La Haye (Californian, $$$) is the strongest direct comparison for a considered dinner with local credibility. Enclos (Contemporary, $$$$) is the choice if you want a more formal, fine-dining experience and are prepared to spend more. El Molino Central (Mexican, $$) is the best-value option in the area. Hazel Hill and Poppy round out the Sonoma options depending on your format and budget.
The Bar at MacArthur Place is a separate but adjacent space to the main dining room, designed as a pre-dinner cocktail spot with jewel-toned settees and banquettes. It functions well as a standalone drinks destination and a lower-commitment entry point to the MacArthur Place experience if you're not looking for a full sit-down meal.
No dress code is listed, which is consistent with Sonoma's generally relaxed wine-country register. Smart casual is the safe choice for dinner: think what you'd wear to Cafe La Haye or a mid-range Napa Valley restaurant. For breakfast and brunch, the standard is lower; comfortable and presentable covers it.
Layla is a hotel restaurant with genuine culinary intent, not a default dining option. The chef's background (Acacia House, Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen, The Bazaar by José Andrés) shapes a menu that moves between California comfort and Mediterranean influence. The patio is the leading seat in good weather. The Parker House rolls are worth ordering regardless of what else you choose. If you're not a hotel guest, book ahead for dinner on weekends; daytime visits are generally easier to arrange on shorter notice. See our full Sonoma restaurants guide to plan the rest of your visit.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layla at MacArthur Place | Californian Wine | The reimagining of Sonoma's MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa includesnot only a full redesign of the more than seven-acre property and its 64 rooms,it also introduces a trinity of culinary concepts, the star of which is Layla.; The reimagining of Sonoma's MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa includes not only a full redesign of the more than seven-acre property and its 64 rooms, it also introduces a trinity of culinary concepts, the star of which is Layla. **Our Inspector's Highlights Don’t discount the simplest-sounding dishes. Case in point: the housemade Parker House rolls, served warm from the oven and glistening with a dusting of coarse salt.The curated menu offers a surprising variety, ranging from California favorites (a hearty burger or avocado toast) to Mediterranean-influenced dishes such as octopus and shakshuka (eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce).Carnivores will love the selection of Creekstone Farms prime cuts: 14-ounce New York strip, 16-ounce ribeye or 8-ounce filet, all grilled over an open flame and served with crispy potatoes, confit onions, blue cheese and a choice of port jus, chimichurri or housemade steak sauce. The adjacent Bar at MacArthur Place is a chic complement to Layla and a posh spot in which to kick off the evening. Jewel-toned settees and banquettes give a sultry contrast to the bright and airy dining room, making it an inviting setting for a pre-dinner cocktail.A new deck and patio featuring an abundance of greenery and a calming water feature allow for scenic alfresco dining at the Sonoma restaurant.** **Things to Know Executive chef Cole Dickinson has quite the culinary pedigree. He comes to Layla from Napa Valley’s Acacia House, after serving stints at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen in nearby Healdsburg; chef Michael Voltaggio's Hemisphere in West Virginia; and The Bazaar by José Andrés in Beverly Hills.If you’re looking to impress, order up one of the seafood specialties. Fish dishes are prepared whole and served two ways: sole is finished by the chefs in the kitchen and sea bass is presented tableside.Enjoy your meal in Layla’s airy dining room, on the terrace or in the comfort of your cozy accommodation via in-room dining.** **Treatments:** The Food Whether you’re craving sweet or savory, the breakfast menu has you covered. Opt for a classic Dutch Baby topped with whipped maple syrup and preserves or dig into an indulgent Croque-Madamsel with country ham, Taleggio cheese and a sunnyside-up egg. A varied selection of hearty salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes is offered at lunch, as well as four types of french fries: salt and pepper, garlic and Parmesan, truffle and Parmesan, and Greek style. Order the English pea falafel (za'atar flatbread, pickled onions, tahini and gem lettuce) for full Mediterranean flavor.Layla’s Mediterranean flair shines on the dinner menu. Start with shared plates like yellowtail crudo, octopus in a lemon-parsley vinaigrette, and oysters served with fermented hot sauce, or go for classic dips like tzatziki, hummus and baba ghanoush. Must-try main dishes include halibut shakshuka with pickled peppers and Castelvetrano olives, lamb tagine with mint and crispy sunchokes, and Israeli couscous with Maine lobster. **Amenities:** 29 East MacArthur Street, Sonoma, California 95476 | Easy | — | |
| El Molino Central | Mexican | $$ | Unknown | — | |
| Enclos | Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Cafe La Haye | Californian | $$$ | Unknown | — | |
| Hazel Hill | Californian | Unknown | — | ||
| Poppy | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in Sonoma for this tier.
A few days out is usually enough on weekdays and for weekend lunches, but Saturday dinner and weekend brunch fill faster — book those 5 to 7 days ahead to be safe. Staying at the MacArthur Place Hotel gives you an advantage: in-room dining is available, so you have a fallback if the main dining room is full.
At dinner, the Creekstone Farms prime cuts grilled over an open flame are the anchor of the menu — the 16-ounce ribeye with crispy potatoes and confit onions is the move for carnivores. For a lighter approach, the halibut shakshuka with pickled peppers and Castelvetrano olives or the octopus in lemon-parsley vinaigrette are strong picks. Don't skip the housemade Parker House rolls, which inspectors specifically flagged. At breakfast, the Dutch Baby or the Croque-Madamsel with country ham and Taleggio are worth ordering over the standard hotel breakfast options.
The property's seven-acre footprint and multi-space layout — dining room, terrace, deck, and the adjacent Bar at MacArthur Place — gives groups more flexibility than most standalone Sonoma restaurants. For larger parties, the patio with its alfresco setup is the practical choice. check the venue's official channels to confirm private dining options, as the reimagined MacArthur Place was designed with a range of event configurations in mind.
Yes, and it has a clear edge over most Sonoma Square options for occasions that need atmosphere as well as food. The combination of an airy main dining room, jewel-toned bar for pre-dinner drinks, and a terrace with a water feature gives you a full evening arc rather than just a table. The seafood tableside service — sea bass presented at your seat — adds a theatrical note that works for milestone dinners. For a quieter occasion, in-room dining at the hotel is also an option.
Cafe La Haye is the go-to for a more intimate, locally focused dinner with a tighter menu and long-standing neighbourhood credibility. Hazel Hill at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn competes directly in the hotel-restaurant category and is worth comparing if you want a spa-property experience. Poppy is a reasonable alternative for a lighter, more casual meal on the Square. For something more casual and community-rooted, El Molino Central is a different category entirely — Mexican food, counter service — but worth knowing about. Enclos is the newer addition to watch for upscale wine-country dining.
Yes. The Bar at MacArthur Place is a deliberate part of the Layla experience, designed as a pre-dinner destination with jewel-toned settees and banquettes. It functions as a standalone cocktail bar as well as a place to eat, and the contrast in mood between the bar and the brighter dining room makes it worth arriving early rather than heading straight to your table.
The setting is a redesigned boutique hotel with an airy dining room and terrace, so the tone is polished but not formal — wine country casual fits: think neat separates, not a jacket requirement. The bar skews slightly more dressed-up in the evening given its intentionally sultry design. Nothing in the venue data suggests a dress code, so err on the side of neat rather than overdressed.
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