I've been eating here for 20* years. First time back post pandemic. They no longer are doing family style meals. Which is kinda sad. But I do really appreciate that they added some craft cocktails which are a nice addition. The fontina fondue was yummy. Topped with crispy pancetta and served with crostini. It could have used some acid for balance. Quite rich. The Caesar salad was enough for two. They should mention that. It's $12,25 and that seemed high, but if you realize it serves 2-3 easily. Their Caesar dressing is one of the best I've ever had. The chicken piccata over angel hair is always, always perfection. The short rib and marinara over rigatoni was a special tonight and my husband INHALED it. The chocolate pot de Creme was fabulous. Dark and rich, topped with real whip cream and these chocolate crunchy pearls- it was a perfect meal ender and again, large enough to share. So the menu is mostly the same, but some great new additions. I don't mind the family style being gone, because we got to enjoy what we liked and I was very happy with that. I didn't have the ravioli tonight, but have eaten it over the last 20 years at least 30-40 times. Rich meaty flavor, great sauce, fresh delicate pasta. It's all the things you want a ravioli to be. read more

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I am sure this will receive a response from the owner as it seems she responds to all 1 star reviews, but I had to submit my family's experience at Negri's. My family has been going to Negri's since I was a child and it used to be such an amazing experience. Tonight, we didn't even get the chance to eat there. We were excited to go for my mom's 75th birthday and my brother's 37th birthday. We walked in and were told that they only have tall tables that could fit our party of 7. This will not work since my Aunt uses a walker and has limited mobility - she is unable to navigate on to a tall chair. Please understand that there were several empty tables at that time. They then offered us a 4 top, but said we could squeeze 7 people on to it. There was literally no way that 7 people would be able to comfortably eat a meal at the table they were offering so I asked if we could split in to two tables so that we could still eat there. At this time, I was told no because another customer would be unable to eat there if we did that. Needless to say, we felt unwelcomed/unwanted and took our business to another restaurant in town where we were treated far better and enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal. It seemed like they are just unwilling to accommodate customers at this point and that, for some reason, once they saw my Mom and, especially my Aunt with her walker, she (I believe it was the owner) really did not want our business. I will say that the bartender tried to get us some sort of accommodations, but there was a lot of resistance. read more

Walked in, looked classy. First impression was the warm water already sitting on the tables and no offer of ice was odd but whatever. The drinks arrived, happy. Charging for a Diet Coke refill at $4.50 each without verbal warning was offensive. I don't look at the menu to order a soda, if it was on there then maybe it should not be. Rethink your stingy business decision. This alone would make me never come back. $18 for four sodas is insane. Both of us had 1 refill. Nothing nuts here folks. The truffle fries arrived nearly flavorless. Nothing special compared to all other places with truffle fries. The garlic bread was tasty! The ranch in small glass jar was cool and waste free. Love it. The ricotta gnocchi was very dense compared to "regular" style gnocchi, and the creamy pesto sauce was the worst I've ever had. Very disappointing lack of flavor. The owner has a horrible attitude, which was shown multiple times to others. read more

We have been going to this restaurant for over 20 years and to this day this is a place to go to when we vacation in Bodega Bay. I do miss sitting at the checkered tablecloths but I under due to Covid only the bar sitting is open. The bar is still very pretty. What to order when you go an entire loaf of garlic bread is amazing! I love minestrone soup and the spaghetti Alfredo or the white wine garlic shrimp pasta. All visitors should check out this restaurant and keep it in business for another 50 years! read more

Walked in and they asked for reservations. I stated no. The owner told me in a rude way "next time make reservations online" as I tried to comment back to her to explain that her website only says reservations for 15+ she walked away from me abruptly. The blonde haired server who came to assist, I asked her if I needed to make reservations online when their website says for 15+ only. She then stated on special holidays they allow reservations and they post it on social media. Well I don't follow their social media so I wouldn't know that. The blonde haired server was very nice and accommodating. She got us drinks that tasted amazing. The food was great. We had an abundance of appetizers and meals. The dining area was fine, it was not too busy but every table was practically full. The servers did a good job at checking in on us. It felt very family style restaurant. It was clean and they were constantly wiping down tables. The reason I give it 3 stars is because of the owners attitude. I have come here many times before, and was thrown off by the way an owner would speak. She may have been having an "off" day but it what she didn't realize is we were having a hard day ourself with recently losing a loved one and was coming to her restaurant because our loved one who passed absolutely loved Negris. It caused me to have a bitter taste in my mouth the rest of the night but the other two servers were very sweet and assisted us with so much! read more

Surprisingly some good food in like the middle of a super small town and not a big city. We were next door at the church for a ceremony and had like 4 hours in between ceremony and reception and needed a drink after a 1 hour mast. The bar was big and looked really modern. I was expecting divey but it was nice. We got some beers and a bunch of food to share. The little neck clams, sausage pizza, fries and a sandwich. The clams in white wine sauce were delicious. I was surprised how flavorful the broth was and delicious and crunchy the bread turned out to be. Fries were also good. Pizza was pretty good, I was expecting thinner crust but it was good. Ingredients were good. Good place for some drinks and food. read more

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Good food and a nice bar. I admit I loved this place before Covid, with its old school family style Italian restaurant. It was kind of a legend. Covid screwed everything up, and I am grateful Negri's did not fold. We still enjoy Negri's and l look forward to it returning to a full service dinning facility. read more

Great food, and friendly service every time. We live locally but dine here often because the consistency of a high quality experience keeps us from having to drive far from home. read more

So sad, this is not the Negri's of old! I've been going since I was a little girl. You can no longer eat in the dinning room and are forced to sit in their remolded bar with little, to no atmosphere. The prices they're charging for what you get are outrageous. All alacart menu and nothing special. $25.50 for ravioli, and Texas toast, awful! Extremely expensive cocktails with very little alcohol. We will not be back--very disappointing! read more

Used to go here when I was little and decided to try it for me and my boyfriends 3 year anniversary. Oh my goodness it was so so so good we had the buffalo cauliflower which was so tender and crunchy the buffalo sauce was out of this world and minestrone soup was so comforting and hot it was to die for!! We also got the garlic bread and don't even get me started on the flavor the crunchiness oh it was heavenly. As my entree I had the prawn and pasta meal. All I can say is wow. The best pasta I've ever had in my life no joke. So creamy, so flavorful, so so so good. 10/10 My boyfriend had the spare rib rigatoni which he absolutely devoured and loved !! He said the meat was tender and very juicy. Sauce was lovely as well. Overall lovely experience lovely service, amazing vibes it was very dimly lit which gave immaculate vibes and the waitress even recommended a dessert at the end which was the chocolate pot de creme I think it was called , so good so fluffy and delicious absolutely delicious there was no leftovers. 100/10 will definitely be coming back read more

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Amazingly, I haven't reviewed this place until now...probably because i am usually in a food coma after eating here. So: The food is outstanding; classic 50's-60's family style Italian food. The service is excellent, what you'd expect from a family run establishment. And the ambiance is classic, which is unsurprising considering how long this place has been a go-to spot in Sonoma County. This has been one of my favorites since i was a kid, and it's just as great now as it was then. My mom loves the Minestrone soup, my wife raves about the gnocchi, and i am partial to just about everything, but the polenta is incredible. And the house salad dressing is excellent, as well. I never pass up Negri's whenever I'm within twenty miles. read more

Negri's Original Occidental - Spaghetti is like coming home. - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

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Omg, this place is not only a family tradition for at least 60 years as i remember at the Age of 5 i recall always having a great time and memories here. As an adult i would bring my Family and Friends here at least once a year or more. Great food great service, wonderful people. I hope generations of the Nigris will continue to serve the generations of families like ours. read more

*** NOTE: THERE ARE #60 1 STAR REVIEWS!!! 1. NO outside dining anywhere, as stated in their own Yelp listing, which owners wrote! 2. Came early. Many empty tables. The waitress wouldn't allow my disabled husband (movement disorder) and I to sit at a regular height table. (Because there were just 2 of us and waitress stated the regular height tables were reserved for families) I tried to explain. Instead, we were shown to high tables and chairs or the bar. I still don't understand. Both tables sat 4? Couldn't wait to leave. The manager responded below. Stated my review was untrue. All #1 star reviews got rude and snarky replies! Why would I lie about that? read more

This place is very nostalgic for my family. My parents grew up going to Russian River and Bodega Bay and actually ate here on their honeymoon! The food is great and the staff is even better! I believe it is family run and very welcoming. Try their Minestrone soup - it's delicious! read more

Wow! Best family style Italian restaurant. Cannot beat the Chicken Marsala, gnocchi with pesto, spaghetti, minestrone, wedge salad - even the burger and fries are great. Don't miss Sandy's cheesecake either. Love all the family tradition with Evelyn, Sandy, Amanda and Tori. Highly recommend a trip to Occidental for Negri's. read more

I visited Negri's in July 2018 during a solo motorcycle trip. I was staying an at Airbnb a short ride away and noticed the hosts had mentioned Negri's in their literature. After I checked in I was interested in a beer and dinner, so I hopped back on the bike and rode over to Negri's. The restaurant is actually split into two with the full restaurant at one end and and a bar at the other. I sat at the bar, had a cold beer and ordered spaghetti from the menu (you can order most of the food here as well). The spaghetti was actually delicious, which surprised me as I wouldn't ordinarily associate California with Italian food. Staff were friendly enough and service was good. The bar was pretty quiet when I went which was nice as I wasn't looking for a wild evening after riding in from Fairfield. read more

I gave them a 5 star, they are trying to stay alive in these hard times. The days of family dinners with all the courses are gone. The days of a big dining room is gone. The bar serves as the dining room. I guess they remodeled the bar and put more tables in. The food quality is the same though 8.50 for two meat balls in spaghetti seems a little excessive. They have one sole waitress serving a room of people. The Bruschetta was excellent and the four of us divided them equally. My wife didn't like the oily dressing on the salad but the garlic toasted bread was beyond excellent. A half loaf served the four of us. Come here before they are gone, if only once. read more

I remember this place years ago when food was offered family style. That really set it apart from many restaurants. I was disappointed that they no longer offer that type of dining. The food & service was good. read more

Had a fantastic experience there last night. I wanted something casual and friendly for this single diner on a Saturday night, but delicious and with some tradition. So negri's was the perfect place. I sat at the bar, had an excellent martini,fabulous wedge salad, and the best minestrone ever. Service was low-key and good. Conversations at the bar just perfect, a reflection of the good old-fashioned warmth of the place. read more

Bummed at the new business motto. Everything we came to Negri's for is no longer. We came this past weekend for Father's Day and to our surprise the main dining room was closed and they were only using the bar area, we didn't care for that. Also, family style dining has been discontinued. AND the blue cheese vinaigrette is gone! So sad. My dads been coming to Negri's since he was a kid, and has brought us since we were kids too. We will no longer make the drive to visit. Best of luck. read more

So sad. The end of family traditions. I have been coming to negris since I was a small child. We went last night, to celebrate my 60th birthday. No family style, only a tall table with tall stools,in the bar. won't work for toddlers. Menu not what it used to be. It has always been our go to for family dinner. It's over now. Very depressing. read more

We have not been to Occidental in years. We have eaten at both old school Italian spots, this and the Union Hotel. We even went to a wedding here a very long time ago. We traveled here from Healdsburg, and it was a very pretty ride... tree lined roads we alone occupied. We were literally alone in the restaurant on this weekday. I should have realized I would not be hungry for dinner after our big lunch in St Helena. So hubby and I ordered entrees only. Ravioli is my favorite Italian dish, and he ordered Lasagne. Ravioli were wonderful, sadly I was only able to eat a few. Note to self; come hungry next time! read more

Negri's Original Occidental - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

This is not the Negri's's that we grew to love and enjoy for the last few generations. No more family style dinners no more menu items which were there for years. It now serves BISTRO food in the enlarged far and doesn't seem anything like the experiences we have had in the past. It was always a blast from the past, and a place we had to go to because it was so "camp". I don't think it's going to do well without its traditional following, unless they can get a fair share of local business. Sadly, after three generations, I'm going to have to say that I probably will never return. read more

Love the picture of the dining room on the web site. When I called, I was told that they do not take reservations but to come early to get a good table. However, when we arrived, the dining room was blocked off and we were told that you have to eat in the bar. We do not drink and there are very few tables in this large bar space. We noticed that there was one booth up against the wall with no one in it, which would have been perfect for the four of us since my husband is 81 years old and hearing impaired. We were not allowed to do that because they said the booth could accommodate 5 people and we had to sit at the one table they currently had for 4 people in the middle of the floor, below one very long high table with other high tables and the bar close to us. The noise was such that we could hardly hear each other speak and my husband could not be part of any conversation. Yes, the food was excellent. Our busboy and pregnant waitress were delightful. However, it took a long time for the bill to come since our waitress was also having to make drinks behind the bar. A person sitting at the bar had brought in two very large white dogs that laid on the floor occasionally barked loudly, and blocked the walkway out, causing us to go between other tables. As we were leaving, we saw that the partition that had blocked entry to the dining room had been removed and two couples were sitting a two different window tables. Date of visit 23 April 2023 read more

Omggggg the best. Our fav date night and it's so well priced. It's like prices from 10 years ago and family run. Welcoming, always busy, and the food is BEYOND DELICIOUS. Chicken Piccata is my favorite read more

So disappointed that they do not serve family style meals any longer. I grew up going here for big family meals and all the food was delicious. The food that we had was ok, but nothing like it used to be. They should at least serve the delicious minestrone soup! read more

Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. Four generations of Italian American women make this restaurant fantastic. Everything is handmade and homemade with very fresh, quality ingredients. Negri's uses local meats, cheese, and veggies. You can't go wrong on this menu, and we fight over the leftovers at my house. Favorites are lasagna and ravioli. Don't skip dessert. I don't even like cheesecake, and theirs ia delicious. read more

When coming to Occidental it must include a meal at Negri's- Been coming here for years food is consistently awesome and overseen with love by Evelyn and her staff- read more

Great homemade ravioli!!! Family run business cranks out really good Italian American food using fresh not frozen ingredients. Everything on the menu I've ordered has always tasted really good. Seriously, you can't go wrong with Negri's. Wish they were open at least 4 days a week.. read more

We were in Bodega Bay for the weekend and decided to try this place out. Probably the best Italian food We've ever had and the service was just as good as the food. Absolutely recommend if you're in the area. read more

Negri's Original Occidental - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

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For decades... DECADES... this place as such a nice experience with family style dining and a relaxed traditional vibe. Long time servers, and if I recall, many were family members, very long time employees. Not sure if it is now in the hands of kids or grandkids but aside from it being named the same thing and being in the same building, *nothing* is the same. Regular menu ordering, have to sit in the bar, the people who appeared to be in charge were openly talking about patrons, talking about watching them on cameras, and they had two big non-service dogs in there. This will probably trigger Amanda but that's ok. read more

My wife and I said the next time we are in the area we are going to go to Negri's for dinner. Well, we are in town for a week and spent our last night out eating here with our son. Boy, we were NOT disappointed. Wife ordered the ravioli dinner. I ordered the baked lasagna. Son ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Started us off with wonderful minestrone soup that led in to the antipasti and green salad. Delicious. Then came the main dishes. I am half Italian and love to cook, especially pasta. The lasagna was the best I have ever eaten. I tried my wife's ravioli. Delightful! The perfect pasta, filling, and sauce. My son said his spaghetti was excellent (he the picky eater). Wife decided to order dessert. I don't eat dessert often but we shared the Banana fritter with vanilla ice cream. Excellent! The fritter was light and airy. Our server was wonderful. Thank you, Negri's. I promise we will be back soon!!! read more

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The food was amazing! I had the Chicken marsala and we followed it up with the most amazing carrot cake! Bella Mia ! It was delicious! We will be returning soon. The drive is beautiful this time of year with all the fall colors showing their splendor. Hum.. I wonder if they will be open for Thanksgiving? It's be nice to have a great meal and not worry about clean up. The service was good and prompt. Thanks folks it was perfecto! read more

I have never been to a restaurant that made me feel so unwanted. We arrived early for dinner at 4 pm, restaurant so empty. There was 3 of use and they sat us at a 2 top (2 chairs) in the corner. We asked for an appropriate table and they kept complaining to us that the only table available was for 4-6 people. (Restaurant was empty except for 2 other people.) but they kept talking about a party that had a reserved 8 top for later that night. With much unfriendly huff they sat us at a larger table. Food was ok, service was minimal.. and we were gone before anyone needed a table larger than what was available. I guess only locals get treated with kindness here. read more

The hand made raviolis and the minestrone soup were excellent ! The service was prompt and friendly and the atmosphere was very enjoyable. I have been here numerous times and always have a great time with excellent food. read more

I've been coming here for almost 70 years. Yes, 70!! My parents took me here when I was a little child. Throughout the years I keep coming back. The place is a throwback to typical Italian restaurants that used to be common in the Bay Area. The soup comes in a big bowl and you dish it out to each person. Want more? No problem, but save room. The Minestrone is made fresh, nothing frozen or packaged. The salad comes the same way, in a serving bowl but the house dressing was a little excessive. Good French bread with oil and vinegar. When it comes to entree's just pick one. I had the ravioli's which were handmade and very fresh. My wife had spaghetti with meat sauce which was great. Now, is it a gourmet specialty restaurant? No, but it is a classic old time family dinner Italian restaurant, I hope they stay open forever. read more

People travel from all over to come here and now I understand why. Negris has incredible Italian food that rivals any Nonna's (and I'm a picky outside of the home Italian food eater). The spaghetti & meatballs and garlic bread were perfect. The Caesar salad was weirdly my favorite part of the meal. Love that they give you a little jar of dressing to dress it yourself. It was so good that I legitimately contemplated putting the jar in my purse... I didn't. But I wanted to. Would be awesome if they sold it by bottle! The only negative is that they're only open a couple of days per week, but given that it's a tiny town facing a pandemic, this makes sense. read more

I've tried many options on the menu and I love them all. The drinks menu is great. The dessert is home made in house.

People aren't exaggerating when they say that this place has, hands down, the most delicious Italian food. Went here with a girlfriend, not expecting to be blown away. We shared a cesar salad and arancini to start. I had the chicken piccata, and she had the red chili prawn pasta. Both were fresh and full of flavor. Staff was friendly and accommodating. We had a doggo with us, and she definitely felt the love, too. Can't wait to make a special trip back here. read more

Although I scarfed plenty of their apple fritters as I kid, we always got them as take-out, and thus my recent dinner there was technically my first. Service is pleasant and very attentive. We were promptly brought a plate of delightfully fresh sourdough and a balsamic & olive oil dip, and our server gave us all just the right amount of time to study the menu. I got insalata mista and the house minestrone. The salad was unremarkable. I suppose I'm spoiled; the words "insalata mista" bring to mind Pasta Pomodoro's salad of the same name, and this version didn't compare. The size of it was more than adequate, but it was just greens, walnuts, and a few scattered cherry tomatoes-- not bad, but boring. One of my dining companions, got the kale salad and it was apparently sorely lacking in dressing. I'm not usually a fan of minestrone. Indeed, I only ordered it because the Negri's menu is short of vegetarian and dairy-free options (it's Italian food, I know, but can't they offer a capellini pomodoro or something?). I was, nevertheless, very pleased with my soup when it arrived. The broth was wonderfully savory and full-bodied, not watery and over-herbed as many of them are, and it was thick with beans, potatoes, and some very fat, almost meaty noodles. Truth be told, I would not even have recognized it as minestrone had it not been marked as such on the menu, but this didn't bother me one bit, because it was heavenly. For dessert, we asked for an order of apple fritters thinking it would be as grand a serving as they'd dish up in the good ole days; we used to receive an entire bag of hot, crispy, sugary goodness. Not anymore. One order is now comprised of exactly TWO apple rings. That's right, we somehow divided two little rings between three people. They skimped on the powdered sugar as well. The place has decent atmosphere, especially in the bar, but it was freezing cold; I shivered my way through my meal and my toes went numb which significantly reduced my overall enjoyment. Prices were also outrageous-- part of the reason they'll only get 3 stars from me. read more

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