Riviera Ristorante

Riviera Ristorante is a family-owned Italian restaurant at 75 Montgomery Drive in Santa Rosa, California, located in the Montgomery Village area just east of downtown. Serving Sonoma County for more than 25 years, the restaurant draws its culinary roots from Recco on the Ligurian coast of the Italian Riviera, blending traditional Northern Italian recipes with seasonal Sonoma County produce and seafood. Known for its warm neighborhood hospitality, cycling-themed memorabilia honoring Sonoma County’s deep road-cycling culture, and three distinct dining areas, the restaurant attracts locals, wine country travelers, and touring cyclists alike.

What to Expect at Riviera Ristorante

Guests arriving at Riviera Ristorante can choose between three distinct seating environments: a light-filled main dining room topped by a high cathedral ceiling, an intimate enclosed garden room, and a street-side outdoor patio shaded by an arbor. Inside, vintage cycling jerseys and Italian racing memorabilia reflect the owners’ passion for competitive cycling and Santa Rosa’s status as a premier California cycling hub. The kitchen focuses on scratch-made Ligurian and Mediterranean dishes, starting with antipasti such as Burrata with Prosciutto di Parma served alongside warm flatbread ($21), Steamed Manila Clams in a white wine and garlic broth with crostini ($21), and Grilled Polenta topped with wild mushrooms and shaved pecorino ($18).

Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and classic Italian secondi anchor the dinner menu, complemented by crisp salads such as organic arugula with roasted beets, shaved fennel, and goat cheese. The wine list bridges Sonoma County and Italy, pairing regional bottles like Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay ($52), Alexander Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($14/glass, $42/bottle), and Ramazzotti Dry Creek Sangiovese ($42) with Italian imports including Villa Sparina Gavi from Piedmont ($14/glass, $42/bottle), Lavis Pinot Grigio from Trentino, and Terrazze Dell’Etna Brut from Sicily ($62). Aperitivo options include an Italian Orange Spritz with Prosecco and bitters ($13).

• Ligurian & Sonoma Menu: Authentic recipes inspired by Recco on the Italian Riviera, featuring fresh Manila clams, calamari fritti ($21), and house-made pastas.
• Antipasto Rustico & Starters: Generous sharing plates including Antipasto Rustico ($24) with mortadella, salami, prosciutto di Parma, olives, roasted peppers, cheeses, and artichokes.
• Three Distinct Dining Spaces: Seating options include the cathedral-ceilinged main dining room, a quiet garden room, and an arbor-covered street-side patio.
• Cycling Heritage Decor: Framed cycling jerseys and Giro d’Italia tributes celebrate the link between Italian cycling traditions and Sonoma County’s road routes.
• Curated Italian & Sonoma Wine List: Balanced cellar selections spanning Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Valley alongside Piedmont, Friuli, Marche, and Sicily.

Riviera Ristorante at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Because Riviera Ristorante is a popular neighborhood dinner spot with a loyal local following, calling ahead at +1 707-579-2682 to reserve a table is strongly recommended, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings or if you prefer a table on the street-side arbor patio during warm Sonoma evenings. Arriving between 5:00 PM and 5:45 PM offers the quietest dining room experience and the easiest parking right out front. Takeout service is also available directly from the regular dinner menu for travelers staying in nearby vacation rentals or hotels.

The restaurant sits along Montgomery Drive near the intersection with Hahman Drive, roughly 1.5 miles east of Highway 101 and downtown Santa Rosa. Free surface parking and level street parking are available immediately adjacent to the building, and Santa Rosa CityBus serves the Montgomery Drive corridor. The ground-level entrance, main cathedral-ceiling dining room, and street-side patio provide step-free access suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Before or after dinner, guests are a five-minute walk from the open-air boutiques of Montgomery Village Shopping Center, a short drive or ride from the shaded walking trails of Howarth Park and Spring Lake Regional Park, and minutes from Historic Railroad Square and Courthouse Square downtown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours at Riviera Ristorante?

Riviera Ristorante serves dinner Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5:00 PM, with kitchen service typically wrapping up between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM depending on the evening. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

How much does dinner cost at Riviera Ristorante?

The restaurant falls into the moderate ($$) price tier. Appetizers range from $12 for Bruschetta al Pomodoro to $24 for the Antipasto Rustico platter, wines by the glass are priced between $13 and $14, and full bottles from Sonoma County and Italy start at $38.

How much time should I budget for a meal here?

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for a relaxed multi-course Italian dinner with antipasti, pasta or seafood entrees, and local or imported wine. Takeout orders can also be placed by phone if you are on a tighter schedule.

Is Riviera Ristorante family-friendly and accessible?

Yes, the family-run restaurant welcomes children, couples, and larger family groups in a gracious, smart-casual setting. Both the street-side arbor patio and the ground-floor main dining room offer step-free access and nearby surface parking.

When planning your Santa Rosa travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and european restaurant in Santa Rosa, pair this stop with standout local spots including Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Crane Creek Regional Park, Pacific Coast Air Museum, and Bird & The Bottle (0.3 km away).