Love me some good Italian food after a cold walk around Bodega Bay~ My friend and I came to this restaurant before hitting up Russian River Brewery. The interior is a typical Italian restaurant, very spacious and clean. We came around 3:30 PM, so it wasn't crowded at all. For the meal, they give you an option of entree a la carte or the meal, which comes with salad, soup, bread, salami, antipasto, and complimentary ravioli. It's $5 extra and super worth. I got the fettuccine Alfredo meal ($21) and my friend got the fried chicken meal ($26). I like how they brought out the appetizers before the meal~ It's quite filling and I was already 3/4 full by the time the pasta came. The minestrone soup was bomb, very hearty and warming on a cold day. The complimentary ravioli was very good as well. Stuffed with meat and sauce. My pasta was super filling and creamy~ flavor was on point. My friends fried chicken was delicious, crispy and juicy. I was so stuffed after the meal~ had to take half of the pasta to go. Will def come back here if I ever drive up here again! read more

Great place. Loved the atmosphere. And loved the food. I will never forget this place. So if you're ever in NorCal you have to visit this place. read more

There aren't too many food options when it comes to occidental but thankfully Negri's always hits the spot. They've got solid drinks and I have yet to be disappointed by anything on their menu. Our go to's are usually the burrata and calamari with a couple of margaritas. read more

In most other towns, this may be a good dining experience (if you lived in the middle of nowhere) However, when you live in Sonoma County, the bar is set high. Which means bring your A-game when it comes to flavor. Although this is a traditional "family style" Italian dining experience. You know, the type you get your 6 course meal of bread, salami plate, soup, salad, antipasta and main course. I need to add, the Salami had a funky taste to it. It was either the most bottom of the barrel salami ever or close to expiration. Ot was on the funky side. You be the judge. The rest of the food, the flavor just wasnt there for me, in anything.......LIKE ZERO ! Giving a 3 star would mean I liked it. Truly, out of the 7 different items I tried, the flavor was non existent. It hard when you have places in Sonoma County like Ca' Bianca, Sugo, and Cucina Paradisio that set a high bar in exquisite flavors. I would like to add they were very friendly and very caring staff. That made for a pleasant dining experience The food came out very fast which was a plus. They offer a great local beer selection, Hi-5 to that. These guys are similar to Dinnuchis. Ps: I know the pics look great. Good lighting does wonders. Too bad there wasn't a taste-o-vision . read more

See all

The food literally made me sick to my stomach. The lasagna did not have layers of pasta and cheese - one noodle and horrible sauce. The salad was poorly chopped romaine lettuce, three croutons, and bottled dressing in a cute jar. read more

We had dinner in the very cute village of Occidental. This is a picturesque and charming village tucked away among the redwoods. The Negri family has run this restaurant since 1943 and it is a real, authentic Italian Family style restaurant. We had the Ravioli, the Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce and the Angel Hair and Prawns. All the pasta is made fresh at the restaurant so you know that it has great flavor. Their sauces are prepared fresh at the restaurant too. All of our dishes were very generous and served fresh, hot, and tasted delicious. Plenty of fresh cheese and bread to go with the our dinner. We had a great zin to go with our meals. We were too full to even think about dessert but they also looked delicious. If you are in the vicinity of Occidental please stop and have a meal at Negri's. We highly recommend this restaurant. read more

My brother took me here as we were driving back to town from the coast and just not in a hurry. If you aren't looking for anything fancy this is a great spot. Our service was great and the staff was friendly. The food was hot and fresh and delicious. That is all I could ask for and we would probably go back again when we are in the area. read more

See all

Need to have a big appetite to eat here. It's a family style Italian restaurant, where they serve salad, antipasti and soup. However, you can eat ala cartel. The place is spacious for large groups and has been in town since the 1940s. The also have an adjacent lodge as well. All their pasta is made from scratch. I had the Nona raviolis with a spicy meat sauce. The pasta was chewy, but the ingredients were tasty He had the meat lasagna with a minimal amount of cheese. It was flavorful. They have a full bar and excellent service. I guess the reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because we thought it would be a more traditional Italian restaurant with more traditional ingredients. Traditional meat sauces have finely ground meat mixed in with the sauce and more cheese. The served dinner with bread as well. I guess I also miss the basil garlic infused with olive oil from a favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant back in Colorado. read more

East Coast Italian this was not. In fact I'm not sure how to classify the "Italian" food offerings here but to say We'll never be back for a second helpings or tries. There was NO TASTE to any of our dishes. Suffice to say, one of the worse meals our party of four has ever had all the way around. Should have known before ordering when our waitress didn't know the difference between French bread and sourdough ... scary. read more

I had the Chicken Marsala it was moist and delicious. My husband had the Minestrone Soup, and the hamburger he just loved them. We shared the Carmel chocolate ganache cheese cake. Oh my goodness it was to die for. As one other customer said to me "I've never tasted anything so good." We live close enough to visit in all seasons and the owners and staff make you feel like family, we love this little town. read more

I TRIED to eat here the other day while visiting town. It REEKED of sewage right outside the restaurant, so badly my friends with me refused (and I agreed with them). Are there plumbing issues? :( read more

I love this place. Literally 8 minutes from my house and I don't know why I don't come here more often! The waitress was amazing and very accommodating and on top of it . There was a quick turn around time after ordering my food. I had the chicken Parmesan sandwich and wowwwwww. It was delish. It annoys me reading petty comments and reviews from people who go out of their way to be rash nasty and rude but my continued experience here has been great especially dining on the bar side of the restaurant. I love the vibe and ambience of the place . The fire place and two leather chairs is especially nice . I definitely feel like each side of the restaurant each have their own things going for them . And who ever was the waitress making the delicious long islands ( yes there is such thing as a properly made Long Island ) kudos to you and I will be back . read more

Warm and inviting setting that is good for groups Ravioli was cooked well, filling was good and loved the meat sauce on top Pizza was underwhelming but glad I got to try it Drink options are good and balanced but nothing amazing stood out Overall Thoughts Feels like you are part of history when eating at Negri's from the decor to the meals they serve read more

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

Food was so yummy and the atmosphere was great. My husband got the rigatoni which was so tasty and cheesy, I got the ravioli. Ravioli is VERY meat heavy (stuffed with meat and topped with meat sauce). I think it would have been better if it had cheese on top but I'm a cheese fanatic. The polenta appetizer was absolutely phenomenal! I am still dreaming about it read more

Have been going to this Restaurant since I was 5. Food has declined. Our Server was pretty much non existent. Has to get up 3 times to get something. Pretty sad since the restaurant only had 5 other couples dining. It was always a treat to go years back. Not so much now. read more

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

Everything was delicious! It's little pricey, except for the salad which was very reasonably priced. The waitress was so polite and wonderful; The food likewise. The bathrooms were clean. Parking was easy. They did a few cheap things. They charged $10 for 1/2 a loaf of garlic bread. It was great but still, $10 for bread? Seems kind of u reasonable when each pasta dish was like $15. read more

Very tired interior as well as outdated menu. It's difficult to understand how this establishment has lasted this long. The food was marginal at best. read more

Will always love this place! We went to Negris recently. Dining room was closed. We did get a table in the bar. We both ordered the delicious minestrone soup, hubby ordered steak and I had the chicken picata. Delicious! We also ordered a chicken dinner to go because I love their fried chicken (even cold). So many changes through the years but will always hold a special place for me. Best is the family that owns it. Will ways return! read more

We try and make the drive to Occidental to eat at Negri's at least once a year, we've been doing this for over 23 years. I love the ravioli in meat sauce. I also love the minestrone soup, bread, and salad. The garbanzo beans have a delicious sauce on them that I like to put on top of my salad. The prices are a little high for what you get but it's worth it to splurge once in awhile and the drive out to Occidental is a beautiful one. read more

Delicious food and wonderful staff. I ordered a big take out. It was well packaged and ready on time.

Went there for Christmas. 8 of us. Split the bill. 4 on one and 4 on another. Service was slow! Like the waitress was in a cloud, not paying attention. Finally got out dinner all 8 of us got cold dinner. REALLY! Told the waitress. She wanted to take it back and heat it up. No thanks. We would be waiting longer! So, a lady came over and told us she would get us apple fritters. Ok thanks. Apples were hard as a rock and real greasy. Not to mention my husband started throwing up before we got our dinner. Not knowing if it was food related. Ended up in the ER for severe dehydration. Last year we went there it was good. Maybe change in management or servers. read more

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

Hi! My family has been going to Negri's since the 1960s, but the post-COVID reboot is nothing like the traditional experience. Family style is out. No more plates of antipasti, salad, bread, and raviolis, tureens of minestrone, no more chicken cacciatore, zucchini pancakes, or apple fritters on the menu. I don't doubt that the kitchen is putting out tasty meals, but if you're looking for the old Negri's, it is an artifact of culinary history. read more

Total foody here! I've been eating at this restaurant since I was a baby and I can't say enough nice things about the food, atmosphere, staff and the owner! Ok, so we all go to restaurants for the food....I can tell you that you especially can not beat the minestrone & homemade raviolis anywhere! Over time they have improved the salads and main course menu choices but I always come back to the minestrone and the rav's! If you have the opportunity to enjoy one of Nonni's Apple Fritters you will experience a little bit of heaven. I only wish I didn't live so far away! Thank you to the Negri's family for always keeping it real....downhome and delicious!! read more

Great Food and Great People! love this historic family owned restaurant!

Like a slew of other reviews, we've been coming here forever (well, 30 years, in fact, It's the first place I ate in Sonoma County before we moved here) The food is always very tasty and the service is great as well. One tip. If you enjoy Manhattens they use Bulleit Rye. read more

Don't know about the food, but bloody Mary's not great, not sure if she even put vodka in them. Update June 27, 2018 In reference to the response I received from the establishment... If you're trying to save on straws then supply spoons or ask, a drink need something to stir it. It's nice you got an award, but to us on that morning, your bloody Mary taste like Snappy Tom bloody mary mix. We remember the price being $9, but $8.50 wouldn't have made them taste better, stronger or the bartender more pleasant. She gets no points for being someone's sister. A business giving flip remarks in response to a complaint, not professional and Howard's Café being in the family doesn't change that. read more

My favorite place in west Sonoma county! I absolutely love what they have done with their bar area, brings so much light and space and a whole new vibe. The service here is amazing, I always have a great time and leave feeling like I am cared about :) I could go on all day about Negris, it has a special place in my heart, I love the food, the atmosphere, the service, the specialty cocktails, everything!! Seriously try the burgers and fried chicken, two of my absolute faves! The minestrone soup is to die for and I love how they serve the bread with oil/vinegar and some other seasoning, so delicious!! I can't say enough good things about this place, I highly recommend trying Negris, it's family friendly in the dining area and has a great bar for those adult nights out!! I truly love it here and know you will too read more

Negri's Original Occidental - Minestrone soup with fresh grated Parmesan and some delicious bread! Mmm - Italian Near Me - Occidental, California

Negri's is the Best in a Occidental. Parents took me there since a child. Our Favorite for years was Fiori's. My mom was friends with Ray the owner. They went to a prom together. When we went he really took care of our table with family. It was the BEST. Delicious!!! read more

Slow service. Burnt garlic bread. And extremely well done roast duck. However, the marinara was superb and the ravioli was wonderfully delicious and old school authentic.... my son loved the Alfredo and the small portion of garlic bread that was edible... We came a long way to share my old experience1974( I was last here) we spent $150. We will neither return nor recommend this poor experience....sorry we came. read more

Love the cute downtown area! This is a nice option to grab a meal. Great friendly service and good food. I enjoyed my ravioli.

We stayed the night in this super small, cute hippie town. The only place open at 7pm was this place. Thanks to covid-19 they were closed for dine in but they had tables set up out front and strings of lights hanging above so we decided to eat on the patio. Both my son and I had fried chicken and garlic fries, hubby had a hamburger and my daughter had lasagna. All of it was so good. Price was a little high but we enjoyed finally being able to eat outside of the house. Service was good, we waited about 25 mins for our food but it was all nice and hot. read more

The food at Negri's is absolutely delicious and the amount of food that is served is enough to feed a crowd. A suggestion for dinner: the ribs! They truly are the best ribs we've ever had. The clam chowder is also beyond extraorginary (when they have it). The staff is delightfully charming and the atmosphere is spacious. Feels like home. We enjoy the drive there from Petaluma and the food is worth the drive from Marin. read more

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

See all

Had a very bad experience last night at Negri's. I have enjoyed their food and service before. It was my birthday so our family and friends took me there for dinner. My daughter made reservations two weeks ahead of time. The service last night was very bad. Some of the food came cold. My lasagna had been on the heat lamp to the point it had dried out. They just keep adding sauce. ver bad food and service. I won't ask my friends and family to take me there again I would not recommend it to anyone... read more

Terrible for a big group!!! The service was poor to say the least, they kept putting other tables before our party we made reservations 2 weeks in advance. As they ran out of food they just substituted our reservation "per ordered meals" to other thing! So cold chicken Marcella and French Fries is what I ended up with. Dry lasagna is what the Birthday Girl got (aka my mom who they never even Knowledge) From start to finish 2 hours and 30 minutes to eat dinner! And the food was not good... On the positive side the bartender was a rock star, the coordinator tried her best. But the restaurant dropped the ball... read more

We came in with 3 of my friends for the first time , we got greeted at the host stand right away , the host was very friendly, we got to the table and the server Robin ashe was very friendly , talked to us about the menu and wine selection, I ordered spaghetti with meat balls yummy , and my friend order the fettuccine Alfredo very yummy and we tired the minestrone soup omg so yummy , I definitely am coming back and I will recommend this restaurant to everyone , thank you so much for the food and service read more

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

Had a drink at Joe's before heading to dinner at Hazel, but will definitely come back to try the food here. The bar was much more modern than I anticipated, given Negri's "old school Italian" history (and in fact, their dining room IS what I expected). The bar has huge doors that open onto a small balcony (where we sat, watching the farmer's market revelry). Drinks were good, food looked tasty, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. A great atmosphere for happy hour, I look forward to my next visit. read more

The atmosphere is cozy. It's very homey and the staff is friendly. The raviolis are amazing. I had the lasagna last time I was here though and was very disappointed. Part of it was burnt and crispy while the rest was lacking in flavor. It tasted watery. I wouldn't order that again. I have also had a steak (cannot remember exactly what it was called or what cut it was), but it was definitely not the best. I would not stray from the raviolis when ordering here. read more

This review is for the bar area only. The bar and the restaurant seem like they're owned by two separate owners. They are so different! I ate here with friends last Tuesday evening for their taco night. I appreciate a good taco and these did not disappoint. They are served with lime wedges. I tried the pork, beef and chicken. They all had very good distinct flavor. We also had chicken wings, both barbecue and buffalo (served with blue cheese dressing). All quite yummy! The wedge salad had fresh bacon and blue cheese chunks served on the side along with the dressing (not the most healthy salad I'm sure especially when I drenched it with the dressing!) Cheesecake followed for desert. It was unimpressive. Everything else was the bomb! read more

Recently we went to Negri's Restaurant and Sam's Bar in Occidental, Ca. We had a delicious lunch in the bar. We had a wonderful lasagne and chicken sandwich. The highlight of our ladies lunch was one of the original cocktails created and served by Sarah. These were called Black and Blue Mojito's and were the best mix and presentation ever. There are a few other very charming and very original and inspired cocktails made by Sarah. It is worth a visit to this old standby restaurant and bar. Restaurant serves dinner only . read more

See all

Drive almost 3 hours from Sacramento to eat here, amazing food was totally worth it. Staff was friendly and felt very much and reminded me of my nonnas home when I was there , the bread was so delicious and the pesto was so incredible . Alfredo was best I've ever had and I'm not an Alfredo guy, 10/5 stars for me. Will be making the drive again. Here's a photo of my half eaten pasta! read more

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