Sunflower Caffe
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Sandwiches [Edit]
421 1st St WSonoma, CA 95476 (707) 996-6645
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
147 reviews
Yountville, CA
"Great way to end one's journey with a bottle of bubbles! I loved their complimentary tasting at the foot of the staircase leading up to the…" read more »
38 Reviews for Sunflower Caffe
Even with an ownership change a long time back, this place is even more amazing. The menu options keep expanding. The ready-to-eat counter is even to die for. Surprisingly extra flavorful and inventive especially for the barely noticeable to the wallet pricing! We like that!
STRATEGY ON SUNNY, PRETTY BUSY TIMES: Partial sit-down service. But go to the register inside with everyone's order and send a scout out to grab the ideal table.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
02/15/2006
First to Review
UPDATE 03.12.2008
Better and better every time we go in. Have been dining here since the beginning… Read more »
This place gets two stars basically for the outdoor patio, but that's about it. I had read reviews about this place on Yelp so after about an hour of shopping in the Plaza area, I thought I would give this place a try. We stopped in around 2 p.m. so it is an awkward time to really order any food. So, we were thinking of ordering some pastries and coffee as an afternoon snack. Their dessert section really only had two or three items left at that point, which is o.k. We stopped in at a weird time. We received our order quickly, but whomever said their coffee is great, must not be drinking some very good coffee. The two of us had lattes and we actually ended up getting sick from it for about an hour. Thankfully it didn't ruin our dinner plans. Go here during the spring or summer to enjoy their outdoor patios with tons of flowers, but I'd suggest getting a drink that they don't actually make there. Soda is probably the safest bet.
I like the Sunflower. After a morning at Steiners a couple doors down, I'll often stroll to the Sunflower and grab a breakfast sandwich and gourmet hot tea.
I love me some tea. Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Oolong, Green, you name it. And Sunflower has some beautiful teas.
For breakfast, I particularly like the pedestrian: a bagel or sourdough sandwich stuffed with ham, egg, and cheddar. But since ordering the avocado and pepper jack version, I'm much happier. It's like a little omelet on toast.
I have heard great things about their duck sandwich but haven't tried it myself.
True, as a previous reviewer said, the portions aren't huge. But I don't need more food, just good food. I can barely squeeze into my skinny jeans as it is.
Word to the wise: Sunflower gets busy on weekends, especially sunny ones, but a line in their tiny indoor cafe looks longer than it is. It usually moves pretty fast.
But because Sunflower is so popular, it is sometimes kind of slow. Pick somewhere else if you're in a hurry.
They have two adorable patios: one garden, one street side. Well-behaved dogs are permitted on the street patio.
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With the guidance from our hotel concierge, we were pointed to Sonoma Plaza to Sunflower. Nondescript from the outside, it could have been easily missed had we not been told. As you order at the counter, you have no idea that a garden seating awaits down the corridor. I think it was the setting that made the breakfast.
My Pecan Waffle with cinnamon honey butter tasted just a little better because I was surrounded by greenery and heard the bubbling of the fountain beside me.
The smoked salmon omelette was tasty though not especially different.
With coffee and fresh OJ, total came to about $26. A cute little find.
Awesome breakfest. Good Coffee. Nice patio in back. Pricing is good for the area.
Driving from San Francisco to Sonoma to eat at this cafe is becoming a regular thing. It kinda sucks because gas prices never seem to stop going up. I love the herbed-goat cheese and avocado sandwich. I also loved my friend's roast beef sandwich and my mother's duck and gruyere sandwich. The belgian waffle was scrupmptious too. They have a nice selection of mochas. I love sitting in the back garden letting an hour or two go by. I usually end up ordering 2-3 drinks, just so I can linger longer and enjoy the day. I find customer service to be very mixed. Certain people are exceptionally friendly, and others are not friendly at all. Overall though, it's one of my new favorites.
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We always stop for a cup o' joe when we're in the square.
They make a mighty good cup!
On a very warm Saturday afternoon, I enjoyed a delightful duck breast sandwich with gruyere cheese. My sister was disappointed that the Eggplant Veggie Vegetarian sandwich was not available (sold out), so she tried the Avocado and Goat Cheese instead. My mom (small appetite) had the turkey breast vegetable soup, which she noted "well, it doesn't taste like chicken"...to which I replied, "I hope not, since you didn't order Chicken soup!"
This spot is an order up front, take your number to your table kind of place. The register service seemed a bit unprepared for the day's business and were a bit slow and confused (not just our person, but the others too) as to taking an order. Anyhow, we took our tray with Arnold Palmer's and utensils to the back garden where we were lucky to find a small table for 3 under an umbrella to shade us from the 90 degree early spring heat.
Soon after our food arrived on lovely ceramic plates. We all enjoyed our meals and the surroundings of the garden made it all the more enjoyable.
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I am in fully agree with the other positive reviews people have left. However, Sunflower's downfall is the line to get stuff as well as the chaos that inevitably ensues when tons of hungry and thirsty people wait in long lines in a contained space.
This place has always gone through changes...but the BEST are under this current owner. I have never experienced such delightful service and food that is so delicious you try to deny the fact you are full.
I am always disappointed by eating in the Plaza in one way or another. I have never had a bad meal in the Plaza, but I have certain pre-conceived ideas about the Plaza from childhood that makes every time I eat there a let down....until today.
As you walk into the Sunflower you can feel the energy and kindness radiating from the other side of the counter, but not in some strange drug induced way, it was genuine. They were really busy behind the counter but took time to explain the specials, and I even went for the generically labeled "Chardonnay" which come to find out later was Frye Brothers...and was excellent!
The garden in the back is great, and is a great break from the cement heat and 1890 historic monuments.
The dishes my party ordered were the Parisian Ham - excellent generous portion of Ham on a sandwich with Dijon. The hotdog special, cooked to perfection. The Bistro Steak Sandwich, which outdid them all...perfectly seasoned and grilled, and the other flavors on the sandwich just did it justice.
They served us Acqua Panna as it was a hot day and were always attentive to dishes that needed to be cleared. We could have stayed in the garden all afternoon and continued to gorge ourselves. As we reluctantly left we were sent off with the same graciousness as we were received.
This place is a real gem in the Plaza and if you only have time to hit one place for one meal this should be it. You will not be disappointed....seriously, you will not be disappointed.
Great place to stop by for lunch in Sonoma Valley square area for sandwiches. I had the duck smoked sandwich which was really good & their are plenty of other selections along with a mini desserts on display. You will need to order your food first at the counter & pay for it, then they will give you a number to place on your table.
The front of the place is not well displayed with a tiny sign, there are a some indoor tables, but plenty more in their "garden backyard".
Would definitely return here for lunchtime again.
I finally remembered to write a review about this place! My fiance and I frequent this place whenever we're in Sonoma/Napa/Glen Ellen area. They have very reasonable prices for what seems to be very fresh food.
You can get a salad, sandwich, small cup of soup for probably about 10-12 bucks which isn't bad. I recommend their roasted vegetable salad if you want something refreshing and tasty. It's sweet and a little tangy so if you're not into sweet, it's not for you.
I like sitting in the back garden area on a sunny day. It's well shaded and spacious but can get crowded. My fiance likes the pork loin sandwich. Their clam chowder is different here, it's not the thick white creamy kind, but it tastes good!
Their banana mocha smoothie is very rich and thick. Yum!
The staff is very pleasant and they have cool paintings on the wall if you want to sit in the small hallway before you get to the garden area.
This is a nice joint for lunch on the plaza in Sonoma - order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. You must sit in the garden outback, which makes you forget you have a job or responsibilites. Food is fresh and yummy, but the garden is what makes the place special.
The garden in the back is a great place to take a quick break from shopping in the plaza, sip a Candy Cane Mocha, with a flaky butter croissant, under a heat lamp, while telling your friend about your crazy funny workplace.
I'm sure I'll be back to try a more substantial meal (breakfast, sandwiches, etc.) and definitely the gelato!
Oh, and the Candy Cane Mocha was nothing exceptional, but just saying it made me happy. And, the garden in the back... you know how it feels to exhale - that's how I felt when I was here (I was in great company, too).
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I am a local sonoma resident and I am very disapointed in the portions the Sun flower offers.
The omelet is more than 1/2 the size it use to be. I ordered the spinach omelet and got 4 potatoes (I counted), 1 DRY piece of toast and a sad little omelet. Mind you I am 5'4" 107 pounds so... not a huge eater. . .I left hungry. .. When I asked the counter person for extra potatoes he shrugged charged me extra and the when the omelet arrived there was 4 potaotoes I asked is this an extra portion "I guess..." he said.
YUK! i guess the Sunflower has succumbed to the usual Sonoma GREED of ripping off tourists and locals alike. . .YOU SUCK!!!
This place was breath-taking. The garden in the back was refreshing and delightful...too bad I can't take it with me to Vegas. The service was exceptional not to mention the delectable, mouth-watering food!!!! OMW!!! My visit to Sunflower was awe-inspiring....no doubt.
James thank you opening this extraordinary cafe. And thanks for the dessert...I'll never forget it.
This is a 2 part review, which averages into 3 stars.
Coffee: 5 BIG stars!
It is amazing. The cappuccino is amazing. I don't drink coffee everyday, but if I could have this everyday, I would. Amazing. I expressed my love for the coffee to one of the guys and he informed that they get their beans from the same place as Blue Bottle (or something to that effect). Whatever the details are, the coffee is AMAZING.
Breakfast: 2 stars
My eggs were horribly overcooked and dry. I looked at other people's plates and they all looked the same - dry and overcooked. Blech. My dish barely even tasted like eggs and I'm fairly sure they were poured out of a container instead of cracked from shells. Truly horrible breakfast. Save yourselves and indulge in the fabulous coffee and keep moving!
Curtis is LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If he's 'making moves' in the kitchen - well then you are in for a treat!
I was worried he'd left Sonoma - when I found out he was at the Sunflower -I couldn't wait to order-up.
OMG the smoke duck sandwich thingy!!! To Die For!
And when Curtis is not there; the owner is just as gracious and generous with time and energy . Just like your nice Aunty from the country.
I love this place!
Nice unique shop. Latte was good. Cappuccino was really another Latte. Deserts were overpriced and marginal. Pecan pie...too sweet (I am from Alabama, I know).
Girl working there had a attitude, and i might have gotten an eye roll or two...but we didn't do anything. If you don't like your job, don't take it out on the nice tourists.
only 4 because i haven't tried the others...
If you ever come to Sonoma, make sure to stop by Sunflower Cafe ... Luckily, my friend has a personal cook so I don't have to be eating out as often, but I did have to check out downtown Sonoma...
On a hot day like today, gelato was the best way to go... For $2.95 their KNOB CREEK BUTTER PECAN was to die for.. 5 stars... My friend got a White Chocolate Raspberry, eek, I give 2 stars... Not so good ... but man, that butter pecan had this yummy ass, crunchy flavor which made me get another scooper after my first scoop... =)
Cute lil joint that has pretty much everything from omelettes, breakfast (sandwiches, waffles, oatmeal, and frittata), soups, salads, desserts, regular sandwiches.
Expresso bar, teas, organic coffee, coca, cold drinks, juices, blended drinks, you name it! oh and you can't forget we ARE in SONOMA.. they have a wine bar...
-For $6.75 Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfandel & $6.50 for Whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, & Pinot Grigio).
Full selection of 16 $4 and up of a beer bar...
Average food prices are $7 and up.
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I need to go back! I'm sure I'll be able to give Sunflower Caffe 5 stars next visit... 4.5 for now
A couple weeks ago, I asked Christine T for help to find a lunch spot in Sonoma, the only prerequisite I gave her was "patio dining" - she came up with 3 and I chose Sunflower Caffe from all the positive reviews on yelp and a very reasonably priced menu.
Well, Sunflower Caffe surely delivered as we dined out in the patio on a beautiful Friday afternoon. I was eyeing the turkey and bacon sandwich as well as the roast beef sandwich, but I wanted to try something new AND I wanted something grilled. I went for the Parisian Ham on grilled bread. It came with dijon and emmenthal cheese ($7.90). Believe me, I am not a big cheese fan nor am I a dijon or mustard fan, BUT goodness, Sunflower Caffee almost converted me. It was really really good! Imagine if I ordered something I normally liked!
I'm sure to come back and try something else. Pricing is very reasonable and i LOVE patio dining! Such a cute place! Will definitely recommend to anyone who needs a lunch spot in Sonoma.
I will be back!
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yum yum yum. Almost next door to the hotel we were at is this cute spot. The line looked long, but they have it down and in no time at all our food was up and we were sitting in the back patio happily eating away. We both had the smoke salmon platter. The salmon was wonderful and plentiful. Their fresh fruit, delicious and all just in season.
The patio has both shade and sun, great little tables or lawn furniture with umbrellas. There is a hanging arbor that gives shade as well. It is just lovely.
On weekends, they have a BBQ going, and serve up tasty treats, sometimes even BBQ oysters. My kind of place!
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Such a cute place! Love the patio... especially the "table" in the corner with the patio "couch" and chairs - just like eating al fresco at home (but better)!
Lunch last week... I had the smoked salmon salad. Really good! The salmon was smokey without leaving the smokiness behind in your mouth (read: NO bad breath - or at least none that I could detect or taste on the tongue). I REALLY wanted the smoked duck breast sandwich but I thought I would try to eat a little lighter since we were going to have a big dinner that evening. The BIL got that while I dined in envy... Got a bite of it though and YEAH, REALLY REALLY TASTY that duck sammich was... DH got the roasted pork loin sandwich and that was also very good. The mango chutney was tasty without being overpowering like some chutneys can be. Dawn D. got the parisian ham sandwich. Didn't try it but it looked divine!
One of the best lunches that I've had in a while! Fresh, quality ingredients; interesting and delicious menu items... Decent prices - perhaps a tad on the high side, but for the quality, really can't beat it.
Oh, if only I made my way up to Sonoma often... I would eagerly return to get the smoked duck breast sandwich...*sigh*
The garden, the garden, the garden...it makes me want to take up poetry, grow a goatee, and wear dark sunglasses, and learn how to be cool. Seriously though, besides the superb food, the bomb coffee, there is a beautiful garden in the back that just absolutely makes the whole darn place. Lessee...yep it is my favorite breakfast place when I'm in Sonoma.
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I'm a long time customer of Sunflower Caffe and things sure have changed for the better lately! The coffee is my absolute favorite. John, the barista (and maybe manager) is the cutest and makes a mean latte. Not only does he charm you, he charms the drinks too. I go here almost daily for my "fix"....of both. hee hee
Sunflower has recently updated their back garden and it is the absolute best place in Sonoma to have a yummy coffee and soak in the Sonoma sun.
Go see John and get a fantistic coffee.
Don't let the fact that they spell "Caffe" with two f's prevent you from coming here for a no frills breakfast. The caffe is a great place to start your day of exploring Sonoma by ordering from a fairly wide menu. From Belgium waffles to salads, there is something for everyone.
I'm sitting here at one of their high tables, sipping a large coffee having just had their wonderful Belgium waffle and writing this review. That's right, they have free WiFi. This is my new local hangout spot for escaping the tourist packed wineries and square and just sitting here reading, blogging, and people watching.
Lunch for one and I had a nice time sitting outside with my soup and salad. Counter service but they bring the food to you.
I ate every bite of my Cesar salad with anchovies and half of my soup. Silly me, I get lentils and leeks mixed up. I thought it was the latter. When I see bacon and lentil soup, I only see bacon because I'm a protein girl.
I'm going to suggest to my friends to meet me here for brunch and spend the day wine tasting while I take photos (I don't drink). A nice day out of the city to Sonoma would be nice.
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This place was recommended to my friend and I on Saturday morning. I had the veggie sandwich with wheat bread instead of focatia. It was one of the best sandwiches I have had in a LONG time! I have actually been craving it since. The back patio was very relaxing, and all of the employees were very friendly and helpful! It was a fantastic way to start off our big day in Sonoma!
This cafe's heart is in the right place. It is a a small, independent cafe that gets excellent coffee from a local, independent coffee roastery dedicated to organic (and delicious) coffee. The espresso at least is also fair trade (the other coffee may also be, but I don't know for sure).
It is housed in a really interesting, historic building, has very comfortable chairs inside and a large, pretty garden area in the back. The cappuccino I had there was exceptional, and the staff was friendly, informative, and obviously cared and had pride in the business. Highly recommended.
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The Sunflower Caffe made our day! With our dog in day care today and the nice weather outside, we thought we would do a little day trip up north. Our first choice was Guerneville in Russian River since neither of us had never been there. After almost 2 hours of driving from San Jose, all we saw in the town centre were dilapidated businesses, homeless people on the streets and bums. We quickly made a decision to change our course of destination to Sonoma. For lunch, we had an Italian bistro at the corner of the Sonoma town square in mind. We visited the same restaurant for grilled panini sandwiches every time we went to Sonoma. We found out the restaurant had been closed after another hour of driving. We walked around the square and decided to try out the Sunflower Caffe. It was a cozy cafe with a nice garden patio at the back. My smoked salmon salad came with a baguette and soft triple cream cheese. It was the best cream cheese I ever had. Of course, the smoked salmon was good, too. We spent a relaxing afternoon at the bar table by the front window enjoying our food and watching the pedestrian traffic outside. The restaurant has become our favourite spot in Sonoma now.
A delightful spot to have lunch. Very tasty, and reasonably priced. We sat out on the back patio, enjoyed the breeze and shared (among 3 people) two sandwiches, which were plenty. Very casual atmosphere with a large fountain where a little bird bathed and shook him/herself off to the amusement of the diners.
I've been frequenting this place lately not only for its free wireless but also for its tasty food. If Erika P. were up here, I would recommend that she try the lemon garlic chicken salad. This is some tasty goodness...the kind of goodness that makes you emulate the Cookie Monster and scarf down your food after taking that first bite.
The other day, I had a lamb burger with melted gruyere on foccaccia bread that was oh-so-yummy it gives me hunger pangs just thinking about it. The bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and the frittata are also pretty good. Last but not least, the smoked duck breast sandwich is most excellent, served with salad and couscous. Mmm, yummy.
This past Thursday, some Gypsy guitarist dude played some excellent music that had a slight flamenco flair. The place was packed, the food was tasty, and wine was $4 a glass. Good times.
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Caffe Sunflower is a great little salad and sandwich place on Sonoma Square. My father and I enjoyed lunch there today. He had the vegetarian vegetable sandwich with roasted veggies and hummus on foccacia. While I enjoyed a roasted pork loin and grilled onions on a baguette. A nice 'crudite' type salad accompanied. It was really quite gourmet for such a casual place. We enjoyed the mild sun in the garden behind where there was a trellis and fountain and lots of green umbrellas for shade.
A very enjoyable place to stop either for breakfast or for lunch in the Sonoma square. There is a large outdoor patio in the back, or some comfy seating indoors, and the friendly staff will happily bring your food to you after you order at the counter. The first time I came here was for breakfast and I had a wonderful omelet that was light and fluffy and not at all greasy. I stuck around for awhile and sipped my coffee while using the wireless connection on my laptop, and the staff always stopped by to make sure everything was fine. The second time I got a smoked duck breast sandwich to go, thinking I'd eat half of it now and half of it later in between wine tastings. This sandwich was so incredibly delicious, though, that I devoured the entire thing in one instant while sitting in my car in the hotel parking lot. The prices are a few dollars more than you might like or expect; part of that is probably the tourist factor and part of that is probably the gourmet factor, but I think overall the food here is worth it regardless.
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What is with these people? They look annoyed to serve you. I would get coffee here because I like some variety, but the nasty attitude has made me never want to go back.
One time there was a nice barista, and I wish him luck working with the other bitter people.
good place to stop for a quick lunch/breakfast in downtown sonoma. i came here w/ my family today and had the breakfast sandwich, which was ham, egg, hold the cheese on a sesame bagel. the egg was nice and soft rather than dry and too scrambled. my brother got the turkey italy omelette, my mom the soup of the day, and my dad the frittata of the day. all were good. their coffee is delicious as well!
We hosted an informal brunch here this summer after our daughters wedding. The food was excellent, very reasonably priced, great setting in their garden, and because of the very hot day, they even hooked up a mister to cool things off. Very nice people and great service. I highly recommend this place
free wifi, killer sandwiches, great coffee, and the gelato was good too.
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