I've never been to one of these before, we didn't have high expectations. It was our plan to go somewhere else but that place was closed. We were very pleasantly surprised! I got a delicious New York strip with salad and two sides for about $30; this would have cost 50 or $60 in a higher-end restaurant but was just as good. I ordered it blue, so I would get rare. It was perfect. And tasty and tender. I had the mushrooms and blue cheese added which was delicious. The salad was large and delicious. Taking the price and generous quantities into account, 5 stars! I got fruit as the two sides since I don't eat dessert. The cornbread was also very good. The iced tea tasted like it was real iced tea. My companions and a BLT club with avocado. The french fried sweet potatoes got high marks. The quantities of the meals were very generous. I should have taken pictures but I forgot. The only problem with the whole meal was the waiter was not really on top of things. I sat there with my whole dinner in front of me while my companions waited for theirs. Now he knows what a blue steak is. read more

Not sure what happened to Black Bear. They used to make the best hash browns no matter what location you went to; so crispy golden brown on the outside and moist on the inside. Two people I had brunch with ordered hash browns and they turned out pale, soggy and barely cooked. I felt like lunch so I got the grilled chicken Ceasars sandwich with salad. They were stingy with the chicken and the chicken breast was so overcooked that it was chewy and rubbery. It ruined what would have been an okay sandwich. Seems like lunch is too complicated for Black Bear. Service was good. Ambiance was fine. Not sure I'll be back. My wife and I were disappointed. read more

Black Bear has been a staple go-to breakfast in town for a long time. It's your standard good breakfast food diner. The prices are reasonable, and the food is consistent. If you're just looking for a good breakfast, with nothing too fancy then this is the spot. They make good burgers and sandwiches also. read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Lobster Sandwich - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

Service was great from arrival thru end. Found it hard to choose from the menu based on my 1st visit to Black Bear last month but had tasty meat loaf meal & luscious mushroom soup. Wait staff were hospitable in taking orders, bringing them out in record time & had nice words for us on our stay. Excellent & will return very soon! read more

Wanted a 90s feel last night and drove to Black Bear Diner. The log cabin feel and friendly service threw my wife and I into a time machine of family road trips and childhood memories that we shared with each other while waiting for our food. The bacon mac and cheese was rich and creamy, with a nice amount of crispy bacon to add texture to the rich white cheddar. With garlic Parmesan toast on the side, it was a great way to reminisce about the 90s. The fish and chips were crispy, and seasoned well with salt. The cod was flaky on the inside and the tartar sauce was on the sweeter side with dill pickles added in. For dessert we shared the Apple cobbler with a scoop of ice cream on top. The warm filling from the sweet apple slices made the buttery crust and cold vanilla ice cream melt into a magical bite that can't be matched. Definitely would recommend this restaurant if you want comfort food and nostalgia. read more

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My family and I frequent this Black Bear and we love the food ,the service, and the staff!! Nadia the manager, is amazing and like family. It is five star dining with a reasonable price very time!! read more

So I have been here multiple times over the years, and it's pretty much the same. It's diner food, nothing terrible, nothing mind blowing. I'm at a time in my life that if I'm going out, I need the food to be better than what I can cook at home. But I do appreciate they have kept their consistency up. I just think it wouldn't take much, to bump up the quality and expirence. Pros: good for big groups of people with kids. Reasonable prices. Ample parking Centrally located Large portions Cons: Not very clean Lower quality food Poor coffee Loud Not better than home-cooked read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Kids breakfast. - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

We're lucky to have an affordable three meal restaurant here in Sonoma like Black Bear Diner. All my meals here have been consistent. The theming is cute and the restaurant is always clean and tidy. Service is friendly. I also am appreciative of BBD being open on holidays. I also love their huckleberry lemonade and chocolate cream pies! Freaking delicious!!! read more

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Was seated quickly and waiter was very friendly. The food was good and we got there just in enough time before the sunday crowd came! Ive been trying to try all the different Black Bear Diners and this one did nit dissapoint! The staff is a little younger than others which was surprising. Nice small town feeling and I would definitely visit again if in the area. read more

Good food, always consistent but I do need to add, great service, just great. Fast, considerate and gracious. I really appreciate that. Food is typical diner food, but the biscuits were super fluffy and flavorful and everything was really fresh. It's always a good sign when you're full to the point t of bursting, and can't stop eating.... read more

Black Bear was such a phenomenal experience for my family and me! We went this past Tuesday for dinner, and everything about our visit exceeded expectations. The food was delicious and I highly recommend the Chicken Caesar Melt. What really made our experience stand out was the service. Nadia, the manager, was incredibly kind and welcoming, and she made sure we felt taken care of throughout our visit. This diner is the perfect spot for a casual family dinner. It was warm, friendly, and consistently great food. We absolutely loved it and will definitely be coming back again soon! read more

Chose this place because it across the street from where I was staying. Didn't do any research -- I was rather surprised on the menu options and variety. The portion size is HUGE. I ordered breakfast can't remember what it was called as I am writing this review a week after my visit. It was made just the way I ordered it! It was yummy! The service was great the staff were super nice from walking into the restaurant, table service to leaving. It's a cute place especially with all the cute bears. I say this is a must visit ohhhh and their banana creme bowl or whatever it's called is a chubby girls delight! The fat cells were dancing in happiness! Enjoy read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Breakfast is served! - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

Be lucky enough to live your life without regrets. In order to do that there are the two guide lines I use. One from my father, "Never stifle a generous impulse." And the other is from me, when you have a food craving, go for it! So it was hash browns. Sonoma can be a little froo froo, so I wasn't sure where to go. Of course! The Black Bear Diner. And sure enough in the breakfast extras section were hash browns. That's all I ordered because I read about the portion sizes. They came perfectly prepared. Not greasy. The catsup with black pepper and the Baby Bear original pepper sauce, all mixed together was the perfect condiment. Probably next time I go I will order them dark, but they were dark enough for most everybody. Service was good and the place has a charm to it. It's not over done, just a bit of charm. If you are looking for an alternative to froo froo, this is your place. read more

Great experience with staff! Nadia A. has provided my grandson and I with exceptional service during our weekly visits. She is very attentive, professional, and truly cares about providing outstanding service for her guests. read more

Chicken fried steaks and meat loaf were very tasty, but the home made style mash was really the star of our dinner. The problem was that we called in our order but the friendly hostess didn't or forgot to put the order through and kitchen didn't prepared our food! We waited for another 20+ minutes and were compensated with a piece of lemon square. read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Less-Dinner meat loaf and chicken fried steaks - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

Great place for a traditional breakfast. Fast, efficient service and a wide selection of traditional breakfast food.

The food is delicious, love the classic breakfast here! Excellent and generous service as well. Highly recommend!

Great location and staff! Big portion sizes, haven't had a dish I didn't enjoy, and really love their breakfasts and desserts. It's got a great feel to it, very cozy and familiar, and seems to always have a steady flow of people. It can get pretty busy though -especially in the mornings- which adds to the wait time so make sure you account for that- but it's worth it. Looking forward to coming back. Chocolate cake with huckleberry ice cream was memorable. Can't go wrong with whatever looks good to you on the breakfast menu. Can't personally vouch for the other stuff but I'd bet it's all good. read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - 1 Biscuit & Country Gravy (680 cals./760 cals.) - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

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This place was just right in front of our hotel! The outside of the restaurant look inviting! The sausage biscuits I had was the best biscuits I even had. The sausage had this distinct smoke grilled taste! So good! The server was well rounded about the menu, friendly and attentive. I highly recommend read more

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We came tonight and was welcomed by an amazing staff. I felt right at home. The place is super family friendly (I am here with my whole family). The food is so good! They are the best! read more

This is the best place all around for breakfast. The staff is awesome. The food is awesome. We go at least twice a month. GO !

Service is horrible! About a month ago, our server forgot to put in our order, so we waited forever. When you have 2 young kids, hungry and sitting do not mix. He did comp our order. Yesterday we went in and were told to take a seat. Two other tables came in after us. They were both helped and orders taken, while we sat there and were never acknowledged. We ended up walking out after 10 minutes. No one said anything. read more

The Ribeye steak for breakfast was delicious! It came with two eggs, toast and asked for extra crispy hash browns. The service and staff were fantastic! read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Ribeye steak for breakfast was delicious! - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

Came in for a quick bite, Was greeted by the host Sam who was so helpful and had such a positive attitude. My server dani recommend the bbq burger but sub for a chicken breast. It was exactly what I needed as I was having a hard day. The burger was so good I will definitely be coming back. I also spotted their manager Karina putting up decorations for Valentine's Day. The ambience is overall so cheerful. Thank you black bear! read more

Just want to say we had a nice meal at Blackbear Diner in Sonoma. Service by Fiona, Adrian and Dan was excellent and personable. Maria, the Manager, runs the diner very well. Overall it was very nice stopping there for dinner. read more

Looking for a diner in Sonoma that won't set you back $100/person? My old standby came to the rescue last night, and I'm grateful to have this place on my mental map for the future. Outside of that one time I spent Thanksgiving at Napa's location, I'd never been to a Black Bear diner for any meal later than brunch. Last night, we discovered their Diner & Dinner Deals menus - my mom with the Fish & Chips, me with the Pot Roast (which I added mashed potatoes to in addition to red potatoes, because the gravy needed a home). If the calorie counts on the menu dissuade you, know that you're very unlikely to finish if you typically eat a regular-person's serving size. We left with two entire meals in hand as leftovers. The decor is a little worn & the service has likely hit the end of their energy stores during the holiday season, but in a pinch I would definitely return. read more

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best breakfast. ate here multiple times because it was so good! exactly how I ordered. read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

My wife and I had Breakfast 10/21/2024 @ 0930. Lousy food, badly cooked, eggs raw, bread not toasted, hashbrowns dry overcooked, bacon overcooked and over greasy. Corned beef hash was dry and overcooked. I paid, but should have refused.We left with plates full. Service was really slow, barely adequate, waitress rubbing her face and handling food. Avoid this place! read more

Stopped at Black Bear Diner for lunch a few weeks ago with my boyfriend. If you've never been to Black Bear before, it's kind of like an upgraded Denny's. Their breakfast menu is served all day, so I ended up getting 2 pancakes, sausage, bacon and an egg. It was delicious and filling. My boyfriend got one of their sandwiches that's served with a side of soup. Their A/C was blasting above our booth, so we were freezing cold! read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Be Smart and PASS! Service is crazy slow, servers tend to avoid tables. The food is as mid as it gets. Ive gone in for meals and left frustrated and feeling gross. Sometimes I think it's easy for breakfast or a burger but I always leave saying I'll never go back. No idea how it stays in business. read more

Always reliable delicious food, friendly staff, very clean, and we love the Black Bear!

Love the food and service. I would definitely recommend Black Bear Diner. Tyler was our server, he was quick and kind. He made our experience lovely . read more

Wanted room service at the hotel I was staying at but they didn't offer it so I placed an online order at Black Bear across the street and picked it up myself. Everything was great. Steak was prepared exactly the way I ordered it. Everything was packaged nicely to go. Really impressed. read more

My husband and I are both locals and we both require ADA access. This particular Black Bear restaurant has very friendly staff that includes Nadia and Tyler and many others that have fantastic customer service! They ensure that we are always able to get the accommodation for our selves and family members too. We feel so welcomed, the food is delicious and for that we have become "regulars" and we love it! Thank you for all the beary goodness that you bring team! read more

We are regulars here and we have never been disappointed. Friendly staff, great food, clean environment, and excellent service each and every time. It's like coming home. Big thanks to Mary, Rosie & Angle read more

I'm in town for work, and staying near the downtown district. So many choices and options of what to eat it is just amazing! It is just then that I stopped to think to myself, "What if none of these places are any good?" That's when I spotted the Black Bear Diner. I LOVE this place!! I know that no matter the location, I'm always going to find something tasty to eat ! Just as I suspected, I came in and ordered my meal at a clean table and enjoyed it as the friendly staff frequently checked to see if I needed anything. . Highly recommended if you have never been, but if you have, then you already know!! read more

It had been several weeks since we had been in for a meal. We felt like we had been missed and most of the staff came by to see us, including the manager. The food and service are terrific! We truly enjoy meals at our local Black Bear Diner. It is my preferred place to eat in Sonoma. read more

Came here with friends as we slowly start to venture out. The seating was busy but distanced, and they have an outdoor tent that opens about lunchtime. Although it was about 10:30am and lunch was soon approaching, we all opted for a late breakfast. We were greeted by our server (whose name I forgot to note, and now is lost to my brain archives - apologies!) took our drink orders, which came quickly. We settled in to our breakfast orders, and ordered: A vegetarian omelet (with mushrooms, onion, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, jack cheese and this one included avocado, not listed on the menu - sweet!); and some "2-egg combos" where you build off the menu, starting with 2 eggs any style, and adding a house made biscuit (very good here! I ordered one on the side for myself), choice of country red potatoes, or grits or a fruit bowl or one or more of these. Many choices! The food came quickly, and was nice and hot and fresh! All the dishes were great, no complaints from any of us - not much left on the plates, either. Overall the experience was enjoyable - we had no sense of being rushed, the service was excellent and above expectations, the food choices plentiful as well as the actual servings, and all for a decent price. I don't live near here, but this being my third visit here I am a fan! read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Counter seating view - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

Breakfast time! Had a lovely breakfast with my daughter this morning. We were greeted and escorted to a table in less than 2 minutes. The waitress was friendly. We both had California Bacon Benedicts which were delicious! Very generous portions that neither my daughter or I could finish. Most breakfast entrees were about $15.99/each The place was full yet I was able to have a full conversation with my teen and not feel like I couldn't hear her. It has a cozy American Diner vibe with some knick knacks for sale at the entrance. read more

Black Bear Diner Sonoma - Coffee and Hot Chocolate - Diners Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Came in to black bear for dinner on Monday and was greeted with a very cheerfully decorated diner and cheerful staff. I love seeing coworkers who enjoy being around each other it eases up the dining environment so much , I ordered the Ruben sandwich and it was amazing not like any other I've had before after inquiring to my server Tyler about the cook I found out his name was Sergio and let me just say he makes the best Ruben sandwiches and according to my server I'm not the only one who thinks that way. My Santa hat wearing server , Tyler was very attentive and provided me with company and a nice chat about Hawaii and Vegas as I enjoyed my dinner . All in all great experience and even better food I'll definitely be back again soon read more