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Animo, Sonoma, CA
Award-winning

Animo

4.9
4.9
530 Reviews
$50 and over
American
American Korean cuisine with focus on open hearth cooking. Intimate and cozy setting in Sonoma, California. Signature dishes are Lobster XO, Whole grilled Turbot, Dry aged Ribeye and Iberico Pork.

Make a reservation

2 people

8:00 PM


Booked 5 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Fish, Meat
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (707) 721-1160
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Joshua Smookler
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Sonoma
  • Cross street
    Verano, Next to Mcdonalds
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Verano Stop 31, 32 local bus
  • Additional
    Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wine

What 530 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 5Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Best Overall

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Best Food

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Best Service

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    American

  • Wine Country

    Best Overall

  • Wine Country

    Best Food

  • Wine Country

    Best Service

  • Wine Country

    Innovative

  • Wine Country

    Good for special occasions

  • Wine Country

    American

530 Reviews
  1. Saturday123

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent! Staff were very friendly and attentive. Enjoyable evening.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best meals I've had in a while. All of the dishes we had were great and the service and staff recommendations on food and wine were on point.

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  3. Chris

    Raleigh

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    High quality, innovative and unique entrees! Very personal service provided by co-owner.

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  4. TylerS

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hands down some of the best food I’ve had. Amazing restaurant and overall experience. Would go out of my way to go to one of their restaurants!

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  5. MCap

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfectly executed restaurant. From the food to the vibe to the service to the well-edited wine list.

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  6. AnnamarieD

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    1st time here. The appetizers were delicious. Highly recommend the Grilled Hen in the Woods (mushrooms) & Manila clams! So good! Also had the dry aged ribeye, Kimchi fried rice & burnt cheesecake. Looking forward to visiting the new location.

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  7. NancyL

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We will miss Animo but look forward to the next venture by this talented and gracious couple.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was exquisite… from the food to the service. This restaurant has earned its Michelin stars for sure!!! I’m only sad that they are closing in December… but will follow them to their new location and menu!!

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  9. RachelS

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What an unexpected surprise to discover Animo in the process of an impromptu overnight visit to Sonoma, late November long nights getting longer at both ends. Little did I know that the proprietors plan to close this location in 3 weeks, so visiting the restaurant in its farewell days was an additional surprise. I had the pleasure of inviting and introducing a good friend who lives a few blocks from the Animos's present location and had never checked it out. Food was inventive and impeccably prepared and beautifully served. Heidy was a gracious and engaging host, who provided excellent counsel regarding ingredients and combinations and just the right proportions for sharing, as well as imparting history of Animo and clues regarding forthcoming move. I shall eagerly anticipate the next incarnation.

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  10. RosserW

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Exceptional food served from an open fire kitchen. Don’t miss this hidden gem.

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  11. KarenB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great eclectic selection of starters and entrees. Really loved the hen of the woods and the diver scallops! As one always trying to perfect my fried rice recipe, I was blown away by the kimchi rice here. Unassuming location next to a McDonald's and a smog stop with no signage makes it a little hard to find, but interior was pleasant, though a little snug.

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  12. MrsR

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oh my what a treat! This was a very special experience. From the very start - oysters with a tangy mouth watering mignonette sauce, hen of the woods mushrooms with creamy potatoes & an egg yolk (so so delicious) then the steamed clams - a must to order. Lamb was perfect but the whole sole with tomatoes & capers stole the night. This is a MUST for all foodies. Our lovely server even paired our dishes perfectly.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hands down this is the best restaurant in Sonoma and Napa County. The food is creative, delicious and unique. We bring all of our out of town guests here and they all feel the same way. Chef Josh and his wife Heidi are incredible hosts and you feel at home in their restaurant. This is a MUST go to if visiting or you live near.

    Is this helpful?

  14. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The best food in the Bay Area. Hands down. A revelation.

    Is this helpful?

  15. KathyO

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just a staggeringly good restaurant. The food is incredible, absolution perfection. Fantastic wine list. Professional, warm service, just wonderful hospitality. It's one of the absolute best, in any part of the world.

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  16. foodie

    London

    64 reviews

    5.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    We love Animo and go there every chance we get. Yes, it's expensive but the food is exceptional. Not sure what "cuisine" category it belongs to, just creative (without being kookie), delicious and addictive (in the sense that I can't wait to go back). As far as we're concerned it's the best restaurant north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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  17. ASkor

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food & service! Our group of 4 shared the whole duck, clams, salad, and kimchi rice‐- all incredibly delicious.

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  18. Guilherme

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was perfect from the start until the end!

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  19. winechik

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal as always. Get the clams, the lobster xo, and the gambas. Get the fried rice with any of the mains. Already planning the next visit

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food, lovely atmosphere and such personal service. We take or tell all our friends to go here and they’re never disappointed. Best Sonoma restaurant

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  21. Baseballfan22

    Central Coast

    63 reviews

    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fabulous. Every course was perfectly prepared and exploded with flavor. Grilled mushrooms as a started. Duroc pork as a main course. Both were amazing. Dessert was the best Basque cheesecake I’ve ever had. Creamy and delicious. Wonderful wine list. Gracious, professional service. Right up there with the very best in the Bat Area. Expensive - but worth every penny.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Calgary

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely incredible food and outstanding service. Took all of the recommendations of the server and we weren’t disappointed. She also suggested a great wine to go with the meal. Highly recommend the duck for 2! Thank you for a wonderful evening

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  23. RadhikaG

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were both excellent! The chef/owners are so attentive and welcoming. It's like eating a delicious meal at a good friend's home.

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  24. TimE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The setting and first impression is modest, but Animo over-achieves big-time. Heidi's warm attention, followed by a progression of delicious dishes--Boquerones, Gambas, Ribeye with potatoes and gem salad, Cheesecake--rendered this one of the best meals we have had in recent memory. Perfect execution; not one off note or misstep. Already looking forward to our next visit, as well as the owners' new restaurant venture opening in Kenwood in the coming months. We will return.

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  25. Axel

    Seattle

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amino was fabulous. Heidi was so nice and knowledgeable. The food, every dish was excellent. The clams were to die for. Just a wonderful evening. Nice personable touches with name on the menu and a handwritten bday card for my friend celebrating her birthday.

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  26. MinC

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My absolute favorite, hands down! Executes world class cuisine with the warmth of an owner-operated business …. Booking our next visit already!

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  27. EdF52

    Kansas City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our second time to experience Animo and it was excellent. If we are lucky enough to get in, it will be on the top of our list the next time we are in Sonoma.

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  28. RoBo

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Very creative menu; well prepared. Ambiance fine, but a bit below the food creativity and prices.

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Edmonton

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was exceptional. The service was attentive and the food was great. Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

  30. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Unassuming, understated restaurant tucked into the middle of an auto garage and a fast food place… and is possibly one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Service was thoughtful & impeccable, the chef/owner brought out the entree which was perfectly executed, and we received the bill with a handwritten thank you card. I’m still in awe of this experience…

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding experience all around! Amazing dishes, staff, and loved the open kitchen atmosphere. We will definitely be back next time we are in Sonoma.

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  32. GaryG

    San Francisco

    46 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is absolutely wonderful and the service was superb.

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  33. TamaraS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Animo knocked our socks off. It was the last night of our Cali roadtrip/holiday and we thought we would have date night. Omg if every date night was like this, the aging demographic would not exist. Starters to share - scallop dish that was genuine perfection. Creamy raw scallop, complexity in the oils, clean cutting crunchy fingerlime. The mushroom was a grower not a shower. First bite was ok. Not earth shattering. Then the second brought out the blend of the sauces and the meatiness of the shroom. Perfect cooking - the sum of the ingredients was more than the parts. The main was the lamb, served as rack and t bone, and perfect. The tapanade cut through a lot of fat. The kimchi fried rice started ok but blew my mind with crisper-on-claypot goodness. The spinach was good too. Waaay too full for dessert. Thank you team!

    Is this helpful?

  34. Carlos

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is an absolute gem. The service was amazing. The food was succulent (the fish was out of this world). Highly recommend Amino to anyone spending a celebratory (or not) weekend in Sonoma ☺️

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome meal from start to finish! Loved the food, and the staff made us feel welcomed and taken care of - something that has become very rare in the hospitality industry post-pandemic. We’ll definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! ❤️

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  36. PVBregular

    Orlando

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just awesome. Hidden gem in Sonoma. Would definitely go here again. Great service.

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  37. TonyN

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dining area small, but very vibrant and intimate. Great service. Food is exceptional. The turbot was legendary.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding experience. A bit hidden, but worth the visit. It felt like we were being invited to dinner with old friends. Thank you Animo!!

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  39. EllenL

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal at Animo. From the moment you walk in and the staff greets you by name. Fabulous experience.

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  40. MinxCee

    Chicago

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    A special night celebrating my father’s 70th birthday in Sonoma. The mushrooms were something else. The oysters, so fresh. The lobster was a pleasant surprise - so subtle like nothing you’d expect from XO sauce. The turbot melts in your mouth and the sauce is to die for. Duck and porterhouse were also phenomenal. Even the gem salad is bright and zesty. The potatoes and rice just the most ensuivent sides. Exceptional food.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Animo is rated 4.9 stars by 530 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

8:00 PM


Booked 5 times today
Google Map for Animo

18976 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma, CA 95476

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    Verano, Next to Mcdonalds
  • Neighborhood
    Sonoma
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Fish, Meat
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Verano Stop 31, 32 local bus
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Joshua Smookler
  • Additional
    Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wine
  • Phone number
    (707) 721-1160
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