Five beloved, low-key spots across Napa and Sonoma for when simplicity is exactly what you want.

Ask someone who lives in Napa or Sonoma where they ate last Tuesday, and the answer is rarely a tasting menu. More often it’s a counter where the masa is ground that morning, a falafel spot working from the same family recipe since 1995, or a Lebanese kitchen that started as a farmers market stand. Here are five of them, and what to order.

El Molino Central (Sonoma)

The setting: A busy counter on Highway 12, where Karen Taylor’s kitchen stone-grinds organic corn into fresh masa every day. Orders go in at the front, and the patio is out back, through the kitchen.

The order: The enchiladas suizas. If you’re heading back across the valley, stop at the grab-and-go case for tamales and salsas to stock the refrigerator for dinner at home.

Spread Kitchen (Sonoma)

The setting: Cristina Topham built a following at the Friday Sonoma Valley farmers market before opening this Lebanese kitchen on Highway 12 in 2022. Most of the seating is on the patio, and the cooking is bright with herbs and citrus.

The order: The dip plate with everything, the dirty fries, the turmeric chicken, and an order of crispy fried cauliflower.

Winston’s (Napa)

The setting: A Third Street café and bakery named for the owners’ dog, and the first permanent home of Paulie Brown’s bagels. Filipino-American dishes share the menu with the café standards.

The order: Any pastry straight from the bakery case. For a seated breakfast, the huevos rancheros or eggs Benedict. For midday, the grilled chicken Caesar or the crispy chicken bacon ranch sandwich.

Small World Restaurant (Napa)

The setting: Just off First Street, Ali Musa has run this counter since 1995, with falafel from his family’s recipe. Order, sit, eat, and pay on the way out.

The order: The Greek fries alongside any of the fresh, generously dressed Mediterranean salads.

The Garden by Tannery Bend Beerworks (Napa)

The setting: A plant-filled indoor-outdoor beer garden at the west end of First Street, pouring beer brewed down the street on Action Avenue, often with live music.

The order: The Peruvian roasted chicken or the smoked brisket platter, with a cold house draft.