The patio was just perfect, much greenery, cool breeze. The servers new the menus and we're very pleasant and accommodating. I had pizza, oh, so good. read more

My husband took me here over 33 years ago on a date. Things have changed. Not so many choices on the menu. No longer family style courses. The breadsticks were warm and tasty. The spaghetti/meatballs and the raviolis were delicious. Service was nice, friendly and food came out quickly. I was disappointed the bakery was not running but I was able to purchase baggies of turnovers and cookies. Delectable. So although it is not the same as I remember it is still a piece of nostalgia worth visiting. I will return. read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Front of restaurant - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

See all

For the experience we were searching this place worked out great. What we wanted on this afternoon at 1pm: -A solid charcuterie board post our hike -Dog friendly outdoor patio -Something close to our hiking trail -A laid back environment and Nothing too fancy as we were in our hiking clothes and disheveled. -A glass of wine or a beer -Somewhat quick service For our simplistic requirements this place did the trick! read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

Best family style restaurant in the county. Have been going here fir 50+ years. Live their Minnestroni, Cacciatore, Antipasto and their their laid back cuisine. Great for our large family gatherings. read more

We picked up pizza and salads late one rainy night and it was divine!!! Great quality ingredients. Thank you for feeding our 8 top with grace and ease. My partner, who picked up the food, said the place was super cute. read more

We stopped for lunch while on an organized drive. The host had pre-arranged lunch: salad, bread, spaghetti with meatballs, meat raviolis in a red sauce, and a variety of large cookies. The bar was open for drinks, wine by the bottle or glass, and soft drinks. We had our dog, so we sat on the lovely, shaded patio. It was delightful. The rest of the group ate at large tables, family style. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The service was fantastic--friendly and attentive. Others (socially distanced) on the patio ordered the pizzas, which looked delicious. All of the staff wore masks and followed covid protocols. Only reason for 4 stars is the bathrooms weren't well maintained. No soap in the dispensers, broken paper towel dispenser, etc., also the hand sanitizer containers placed around the facility were all empty. read more

We had a terrible experience at another restaurant in town and Jen really took care of us! This was such a great experience with yummy food! Thank you! You made my Mom's 75th birthday one that she will remember fondly! read more

Ravioli and bruschetta were amazing. Will miss this place very much. The family's service, recipes and the ambiance of the building are historic! read more

If you are on your way from SF to anywhere near Guerneville, or just driving by, you *** HAVE *** to make a stop at the Union Hotel Restaurant. This is a family owned place, for over a century, you will see all the family photos on the wall, the people are amazing, super friendly, incredibly hospitable. The food is really good, they also have a super cocktail bar, outdoors dining is very nice (even in the cold, with heating lamps - and perfect in covid times, you can totally social distance from other customers. The amazing food comes in huge portions (you can essentially keep the rest for your next meal). Also, they have a lot of really good products you can get from them, like cookies, granola (amazing!!!) and carrot cake. There is also a really nice indoors space with a grand piano, and a room you can rent for BDs! Also, the owner, Barbara, has a book about the town. If you get the book (which you can get cat the store), you should totally get her to sign it for you!!!! Her family has been here for over 100 years, they have seen it all! My 9 years old was so excited about the place he wrote this review! I think that they are nice because they give a lot of food and they are friendly. Also the fire places are warm and the hole restaurant is relaxing. They also get the bread warm out of the oven when you eat. And also they make the food really fast that is why i like union hotel restaurant! read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - You've got to try this granola!!!! It will change your breakfast forever!!!!!! - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

Super hip - great decor with the openness, rafters, and spacing. Music and speakers give a great additional layer of chill. Menu has some fun ingredients which keep things interesting without breaking the bank or being obnoxiously fancy. Cobb salad is a heaping mound of food. The bacon is nicely crisped and also bountiful. read more

Love Barbara, Katrina and the whole Union team! Best bruschetta and pizza around. Definitely worth the trip to Occidental.

I've been coming here since I was a child and it never disappoints. A small town family run Italian restaurant with checkered tables cloths and candles everywhere. If you're in occidental I would stop by. They are so friendly and well priced and the food is delicious. read more

The Union Hotel and I have a long relationship. I've been coming here with my family since I was a kid, I celebrated my birthday in the Bocce Ballroom, went to high school with a good percentage of their waitstaff, and I think I've had almost every item on menu. I have a lot of good memories of this place. My favorite is the time that we came here with my grandparents, who were bakers and supplied pizza dough for the pizzeria in their town. Grampa was (jokingly) harassing the waitress, telling her that their dough had better be up to his standard, so she went into the kitchen and brought some dough out to the table for him to inspect. That's the kind of place this is. There is no better family-style Italian restaurant in Sonoma County. Bring the whole family for dinner and sit back in the more casual pizzeria or come for lunch and dine out on their front patio. Not to be missed : Garlic gold pizza- with its creamy white sauce, sausage and carmalized onions this is my favorite pie here. Raviolis- always get an order of their homemade meat raviolis. Don't worry about over ordering, you can always enjoy them for lunch the next day. read more

Dining at the Occidential Hotel Restaurant is always a wonderful experience. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with warmth and the friendly staff make you feel like they are honored that you have arrived. Barbara, who has owned the restaurant with her family for years is hands on preparing the freshest ingredents and the most delicious food you have ever tasted. It is always such a pleasure dining there, and we say, congratulations for having such a nice restaurant where the food and servive are truly the best, Thank you for your high standards and we will be back in the very near future. read more

Had a lovely meal on the patio this weekend. The Caesar salad, bruschetta, and carrot cake were to die for! The staff was very polite and accommodating. If you want a delicious meal with a charming atmosphere come here. read more

See all

This place used to be amazing, but sadly the food quality and service has gone down. For a medium mediocre pizza, you pay almost $30. Paired with a poorly created salad you're looking at $50 for a meal that just isn't great. Our server was also almost impossible to find at all times. The breadsticks are about the only thing we enjoyed. read more

The staff was friendly, the courtyard was lovely but the food was really bad. Considering that they are near great ingredients and farms, the quality was just downright terrible. Italian food is all about great, simple ingredients that shine. The Ceasar salad was wilted, cut too huge and mostly veins instead of leafy and tender, the dressing tasted as if it came out of a bottle, the croutons were huge and the chicken was so dry and not sure how this was breast meat unless the breast was sliced in layers, it was like jerky. The pizza was equally bad, again I don't think the dough was homemade, the sauce and cheese were low quality. It could be a fun place with a local vibe and great food... read more

Old style. GREAT food. Great service. Beautiful seeing. Limited menu focuses on excellent home made Italian done so right.

Such a classic Sonoma County spot. Great special date night, or to go have a beer before you hit another local restaurant.

I got the spaghetti and meatballs which was pretty good. I couldn't finish all of it as they give you huge portions. They had nice warm breadsticks but I wish they gave you more than four. The waitress was slow and the other staff seem to only talk to people who go there often. They used to have a lot more people there. It's nice outdoors where people can bring your dogs. My party wanted to be indoors but it was a nice evening other than the service being slow. read more

Food and service was good, just disappointed that Italian style dinner not offered. Loved the old style family dinners. They are offering soup, salad, pizza, hamburger, pasta dishes, Charcuterie board and full service bar. The baked goods were fantastic. It was a nice lunch with the family but not what we expected. read more

Union hotel is by far my favorite restaurant in Occidental. Their Italian cuisine is delicious. Service and staff have always been friendly. I especially love how you normally get something extra like a loaf of bread with your dinner for free. read more

My date and I had the best dinner last night... The atmosphere was amazing along with the food we ordered. We shared the Penn pasta with chicken which was a huge portion and added a salad to split. It was all about being with each other sharing some great food and enjoying the moment... This is definitely my most rememberable visit to this restaurant and I been here many times over the years. The wait staff was on their game and very pleasant. Hats off to the chef, great food and I say that because the seasoning of the food and how it was prepared was perfect and I know what I am talking about because I cook also. Thanks guys and girls for such a great evening... read more

Best pizza ever. Barb Gonella and her family are some of the nicest people on earth. They care and it shows in their amazing food.

I do really love this place! The food is very delicious, you can taste the fresh ingredients. The service has been great every time. Only go to 4 stars due to the very high prices and the fact there is no happy hour menu in an environment where you have that option at multiple other locations. They used to offer it but stopped for some reason. Overall, a great option for dinning in Sebastopol read more

This was one of the best pizzas I've ever had, no exaggeration. I ordered a custom "build your own" pizza with carmelized onions, roasted garlic, spinach and sautéed mushrooms. Oh man, it was heaven. I'm telling you, order it. When I'm back in the area, I'll be back for more! If you're a vegetarian (or not), order this! The reason for five stars is that the bread/butter was also SO good, along with a delicious salad and super friendly service. I just adore this town and this restaurant. read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Pizza with sautéed mushroom, caramelized onion, roasted garlic and spinach. SOO DELICIOUS. - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

From the food, to the people, this place is remarkable. We were in town for a couple of days, and dined here 3 times. We came in as strangers, and left feeling like family. Our favorites: Bruschetta: outter crust, inner tenderness, warm, a touch of cheese, and perfectly marinaded tomato mixture. Minestrone: creamy vegetable base not overpowered by tomato, chunky vegetables. New England Clam Chowder: perfect combo of seafood flavor, creamy base, and chunky ingredients. Dinner: Ravioli had a hint of distinct flavor that set it apart; we also tried the large rib eye; both of which were so plentiful, we could have split either and had plenty. Roast chicken with red potatoes, lightly seasoned. Tiramisu: light, flavorful, & perfect balance of tastes & textures, served in a dessert bowl. Wine: Balletto read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

We ate there for a late lunch. It really wasn't very good at all. The Caesar salad at $14 was about two hand grabs of bagged romaine, a few croutons, couple little swipes of parm. The dressing came in a solo cup! You couldn't even toss it yourself. Cheese Tortorelli might be ok, but they put about 1/2 cup of garlic from a jar, 1/2 cup olive oil soaked reconstructed dried tomatoes. Two leaves of basil. The spaghetti with meatballs would have been better without the doughy balls. Oh, both were $24 each. No fresh grated parm offered. I wish for the old days when the food was fresh, included anti-pasta , salad and nice Portions. I missed the quaintness if the patio, now looks like Italian ruins. read more

So much history and so much charm in this hotel/restaurant, in the middle of Occidental. No indoor dining right now but they have a lovely patio, and additional tables under a temp shelter that are spaced far apart. The portions are huuuuge. I think one order of spaghetti and meatballs could have fed our family of 4. Also ordered house made ravioli, combo pizza and spinach salad - all good, al very big portions. Nothing gourmet but just well prepared, home-style Italian fare. Also, they have a full bar (yes, at lunch too). For that I am bumping them to 5 stars. read more

Overall would definitely go back but it has its pros and cons. Pros: we sat on the patio and it was gorgeous and the weather was perfect. The complimentary bread is a stand out and I think it was the same bread as the pizza which is thick and fluffy (if you don't order thin crust) and amazing. The garlic and Brie crostini has a whole head of roasted garlic and was so so good! I thought the clam chowder was just okay but it came with beans, cheese and Salami to add to it and others seemed to really enjoy it. Cons: the brie in the roasted garlic and Brie crostini was hard and cold and would have been better if it had been heated. The dressing on the Ceaser salad was heavy and would not recommend. The flies were out of control on the patio. We had to fish out at least three from our wine. Our waitress started out great and super attentive until we got Our entrees, then she just disappeared. Again, would definitely go back but it has some things to work on. read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Garlic and Brie Crostini - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

Awesomeness all around- Been coming here for years- You can't go wrong with anything you order-

BEST CLAM CHOWDER I have ever HAD!!! My family and I have been coming here for YEARS!! Over 25 years and yet still not a SINGLE complain. Very friendly family owned amazing restaurant. The love this family gives to all of us costumers is unbeatable. The outdoor seating is a must!! Very shaded and very kept up and beautiful. read more

I would recommend the Union Hotel Restaurant to anyone. The food was absolutely delicious and the service amazing. From the moment we walked in to the time we left the staff was so nice. We will be heading back here the next time we are back in Bodega Bay!!! Tom read more

We stopped here on the way back home because we wanted to see downtown Occidental. We chose it because it has a nice outdoor seating area with plenty of shade. Maybe their lunch menu and crew is different than dinner because my experience didn't match the other reviews. I paid $12 for an overdone, plain, burger and some fries. I mean plain- bread and meat. The condiments came in plastic packets and there were some vegetable toppings (lettuce, etc) in the plastic box it all came in. The meat was overdone (past medium, not medium rare) and the whole thing was dry. I can't say its the worse burger I've ever had (that's a really low bar to crawl under) but there is no way I'd ever willingly eat this burger again. My wife ordered a $30 pizza which looked good when it came but didn't taste anything special. All in all we paid over $50 for a nondescript lunch. read more

Always friendly and if you leave here hungry it's your fault! As with most family style restaurants expect going to dinner to be an all evening event. If you want fast food this not the place for you. Some people gasp at the $22-$36 price for dinner. This price includes all you can eat bread sticks and french bread. I always ask for a side of home made ranch and marinara to dip my bread in. Next you are served antipasto, salad and minestrone soup. By the time dinner rolls around your ready to ask for a to go box after 2-3 bites of your main dish. For the strong willed or determined a desert cart will be rolled around to tempt you with oversized portions of various deserts. Unfortunately the other 2 attempts to recreate this atmosphere and style are lost in Santa Rosa. If you want the real deal you have to make the pilgrimage out to occidental. The pictures don't do the portions justice! read more

Union Hotel Restaurant - Mammoth Potpie - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

See all

Food was cold and bland I think they use boxed pasta Only upside good sercice Will not go back read more

Hands down the best bruschetta I've ever had. The garlic gold pizza was so well balanced with a sweet caramelized onions and best Italian sausage from local sourced meat and produce suppliers. Must stop by here if you are even close. read more

We had a wonderful meal, we highly recommend this delicious old school Italian restaurant!!! Large portions and a room filled lots of love and laughter read more

This might well be the oldest restaurant in the North Bay where you can find traditional meat raviolis. Almost all nowdays have the filling processed to a pulp in food Processors. Traditionally the filling is rough ground. However I do agree that they are a bit expensive. Well over $1 each ! read more

While you stay in Occidental, you MUST experience the food from the Union Hotel. Between visits, my husband and I dream about Garlic Gold pizza, carrot cake, and the best minestrone around. The pizza crust is to die for- fluffy and just the right balance of perfectly browned. The slice of carrot cake is literally larger than my hand and maybe even forearm! Super rich and velvety cream cheese frosting- amazing! Don't miss the bruschetta appetizer either; the perfect balance of toasty bread, tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic! Barbara, the owner, is truly the most wonderful, kind, and welcoming host. We were fortunate to hold our wedding reception at the Union's Bocce Ballroom in October 2019. Barbara and the entire incredible staff at Union attended to every detail to make our day absolutely perfect. Barbara is a dear friend and really makes every visit extraordinary. We have visited the Union once during COVID and they have an excellent picnic style menu. The food is ordered outside and nicely packaged for take-out or eating at a table in their distanced outdoor area. The food was exceptionally delicious, as always, and we enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio while our order was prepared. As someone who has strictly adhered to distancing and other protocols, I felt safe and comfortable! Highest praise for the Union Hotel! A must visit for anyone who loves excellent food and the most welcoming environment. read more

See all