Chef Dustin Valette is a renowned chef-vintner, owning multiple acclaimed restaurants and his own winery, Valette Wines. He is known for seamlessly integrating food and wine experiences, with his establishments...
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Local ModernItalianSteakhouseFrenchVegan-friendlyUpscaleDinnerBrunchFine DiningWine Bar
Last updated: 7/20/2026, 3:20:05 AM
Key Information
The Matheson is an upscale farm-to-table restaurant located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, offering a refined dining experience. It features a main dining room, a dedicated wine bar, and a vibrant rooftop bar called Roof 106, providing diverse dining environments. The restaurant emphasizes fresh, local Sonoma County ingredients and is known for its exceptional service and elegant ambiance.
Customers consistently praise The Matheson for its outstanding and attentive service, often described as refined and 'unreasonable hospitality.' The food receives high marks for quality, presentation, and flavor, with many dishes highlighted as exceptional. The ambiance is noted as pleasant and conducive to conversation. While prices are considered slightly above average, guests feel the quality justifies the cost. Some minor criticisms include occasional inconsistencies in specific dish preparations (e.g., seasoning) and isolated instances of less attentive service.
Additional Details
The Matheson offers a unique multi-level dining experience, including a main restaurant, a wine bar, and the popular Roof 106 rooftop bar. They are known for their impressive 'bread program,' featuring items like Japanese Milk Bread and focaccia. Some dishes, such as the tuna tartare, are prepared table-side, adding a theatrical element to the dining experience.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner. The restaurant serves dinner Monday through Friday, and both brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
Awards & Recognition
Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence • 2024
5
Amazing Experience at The Matheson!
We recently took a short trip and ended up in Healdsburg — an absolutely stunning town. While exploring, we decided to grab a bite and found The Matheson. I can honestly say that the 2.5-hour drive was completely worth it!
This is a truly exceptional restaurant — “restaurant” with a capital R. From the moment we walked in, we were surrounded with care and attention. The staff were incredibly attentive yet never intrusive, making us feel as if we were dining somewhere in Europe. The service was refined, thoughtful, and simply outstanding. Five stars just aren’t enough.
The ambiance, the food, the presentation, and the overall atmosphere were all unforgettable. The prices are slightly above average, but that only highlights the restaurant’s quality even more.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Matheson. A must-visit!
Actually ate at Roof 106, the more casual rooftop restaurant above The Matheson. Beautiful outdoor patio for al fresco dining. Great appetizer selection along with pizza options and entrees as well. Nicely curated wine list - great place for a relaxing casual dinner.
Did not expect how good the food will be. It was recommended by the staff from the hotel we're staying in. The food was really good beginning from appetizer (duck pate, tuna tartare and grilled octopus). My husband shared an 8 oz steak which was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Ended our dinner with chocolate mousse accompanied by infused tea and coffee. Excellent customer service on top of that. Hats off to JJ our server. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Healdsburg.
If you’re looking for a dining room where you can actually hear the people you came with without the help of a megaphone, The Matheson is a refreshingly modern and civilized choice. The space is nice, the volume is manageable, and the service is helpful enough to navigate a menu that frankly has too many good options.
The meal starts with a bread program that is genuinely to die for. If they happen to run out of the Japanese Milk Bread, don’t panic—they’ll swoop in with a focaccia that is an more-than-adequate consolation prize. The tuna tartare is another winner; it’s an interesting combination of flavors made even more theatrical by the fact that they mix it table-side.
For the mains, the rack of lamb was well-enjoyed, and the steak frites was tender and delicious, though the truffle butter needed a bit more of a salt punch to really wake it up. Surprisingly, the dark horse and potential star of the entire meal was the tempura mushroom side dish—it’s so good it almost overshadows the proteins. If you have any remaining willpower by the end, give the chocolate mousse dome a chance. It’s thick, decadent, and probably unfinishable by a single human being, but it’s a valiant way to admit defeat.
There aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful our experience at The Matheson was tonight. Between the three of us within our party, we have nearly 40 years of Napa/Sonoma wine, food & beverage experience, which means we have become SPOILED and PICKY when it comes to food quality, service, drinks, everything. With that said, this place is absolutely perfect. Above and beyond. Exemplifying “unreasonable hospitality” in micro and macro ways. Food was immaculate, drinks were artful and as strong as they should be and service was 12/10. Our server Daniel made us not only feel welcome, but like close friends of his. Hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time!! The cherry on top (as though it could get any better) was the GM Marco making his way to our table and making us feel like VIP guests by conversing and laughing with us!! As stated, we all know the food here is next-level… Make no mistake, the staff and vibes give the food a hard run for its money. THANK YOU MARCO AND DANIEL for a most beautiful experience. As locals and industry relatives, we really could not appreciate it more and look forward to the opportunity to spoil all of you right back!!! 🙏🏾
