Native Kitchen & Kombucha Bar

One of my favorite restaurants ever — so very sad they closed! The affordability for such high-​quality, hearty servings was part of the appeal. Delicious and unique.

Kind, honest and amazing food! It’s a miracle this place exists.

I have been here three more times more since my last review. I keep going back because it is a lovely place and the food is so good, especially for my vegan friends. Most of the menu is vegan.
So 4 out of 5 times the service has been fantastic! I imagine my first experience was an anomaly on a very busy day. And all of the last 3 times the food has been great too. I love their kombucha of the day selections which you get to sample in small glass thimbles.
Kale salad and all entrees and appetizers are consistently good. Qunioa is bland– I wonder if they could do something to perk it up as a side dish.
I will keep going back with my vegan friends and also for their amazing kombucha.

I was walking around Petaluma with a friend looking for somewhere to eat, and we noticed Native had moved in next to one of our favorite Italian restaurants. We decided to go inside, and the hostess quickly greeted us with a menu and a smile. Her fun, upbeat attitude convinced us to stay, and we ordered some Jalapeño cornbread and tacos with poultry. Writing this now, I’m glad we did.
The Jalapeño cornbread came out in five minutes, plated in a cast iron skillet with pepper jam for dipping. Neither of us knew what to expect, but it was soft, hearty, and slightly sweet. Overall it was fantastic.
A few minutes later the tacos came out. They were huge! The skillet they were plated in was piled high with goodness. We wasted no time digging in. The tacos were easily the standout. The slightly sweet corn flour shells went perfectly with the chicken and peppers, and the hot sauce we requested gave everything an extra kick. The side of quinoa went great with the pile of spicy black beans that came with the dish, and altogether the meal was incredible. It was after all of that we realized it had been entirely gluten free!
We would eat at Native again, and would recommend that you try it out. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the food is fantastic. On top of all that, the poultry is local. What more can you ask for?

We decided to stop here on our way home to Santa Rosa one evening. The ambiance was warm, inviting and comfortable. I ordered the raw cheese board and macrobiotic quinoa.
All in all well done «clean» & refreshing food. I wish there were more places like this around, more specifically near my home.

Native Kitchen has improved greatly in the past couple of months. Not only have they posted their hours, but they honor them too. The cash register issues have been resolved. Their inside out chile relleno has a spicy, savory filling of mushrooms, kale&quinoa. Their Aztec elixir is a perfect pairing with the dish, with its kicky chile salt on the rim, it’s upgraded mango/​orange juice. They freshly squeeze the oranges and limes onsite.
They have more raw&vegan offerings. They have a raw pumpkin pie… and if they run out of chile relleno, their substitution of stuffed squash sounds superb. They’re much friendlier and the service is more prompt. Sad to say, their lunch hour was nearly empty while nearby places had a lunch rush. They’re also quite pricey. It’s a healing oasis in downtown Petaluma.

Yummmmm. I was on a pretty strict detox, and I found super yummy things to eat. Also — not really drinking alcohol much these days. Their kombucha cocktails make going out FUN for those of us not enjoying adult beverages :)

After a long day of hiking my body was craving some good nutrition. What a gem I found. Couldn’t have asked for anything better. Was dining alone so I sat at the bar which was perfect. Lots of fun things to explore on the menu. The kombucha on tap was delicious. And the presentation of the kale salad was beautiful. Can’t wait to go back.

I came here while on Whole30 and had a Kombucha. It was super delicious! My husband, friend, and I had a nice drink while sitting outside. Our server was very good and prompt. I enjoyed myself so much that I came back a week later with my cousin, mom, and Aunt. We sat inside, it was dead on a late Sunday afternoon, and service was SOOOO slow. Our drinks were still good (love the kombucha’s on tap!), but I’d say it took almost 20 minutes to get our drink order. My aunt ordered the corn bread and loved it. Overall, I like this place but the 2^nd time back wasn’t as enjoyable as the first. I’ll give it another try. Hope they can impress me more with service next time.

For those of you looking for a healthy, booze-​free night in P-​town, Native Kitchen & Kombucha Bar is certainly worth a visit.
I can’t speak for the food (although the menu boasts a variety of healthy salads, wraps, skillets, and sweet treats). I only came in for a glass of their refreshing homemade ‘buch! And it was certainly worth the $ 6 I paid for the 12 oz elixir (I got the molasses/​lime concoction that was on tap that day).
My ‘Buch bartender/​server couldn’t have been more friendly. She even allowed me to taste a few of the house kombuchas before I placed my order.
The interior has a very small town/​cutesy vibe to it. This is definitely no nightclub scene. It feels more like a soda shop/​café from the 50s.
I look forward to returning here the next time I’m in Petaluma. And next time, I’ll be sure to sample the food!

I came here the first time for lunch and was immediately made to feel welcome. It was nearing 3pm, the time at which they close before opening up at 5pm, and Laura told me it was no rush for me to sit and enjoy my meal.
Laura is Fantastic! Right away she introduced the different types of kombuchas and pointed out a few of the favorite dishes. I had the ginger mule and the margarita-​kombucha (can’t remember exact name). I ordered the vegan chili rellanos and a side of cornbread! WOW! The cornbread and jelly is out of this world!
I liked this place so much I came back the next day wanting to have dessert. However, the restaurant was out of the advertised desserts. Really, ²⁄₃ dessert options not available on a Saturday night? The day before Laura was offering specially-​made desserts of the day in addition to those on the menu… Alas, I went for the cornbread and some kombuchas elixirs instead. Unfortunately, it seemed to be employee night as there were employees lounging at the bar and I was distracted by their talk of accidentally serving sesame seeds to a diner with sesame seed allergies. 1) scary and 2) I’m trying to enjoy my food and relax.
It’s a beautiful restaurant, conveniently located downtown, the perfect spot for lunch if Laura is working, but hopefully they will have the full menu available in the future to enjoy without a ‘side order’ of conversation about inducing an allergic reaction.

Many, many expectations were met when my boyfriend and I dined here on a Saturday night– the kombucha was stellar, the food was filling, and the ambience was serene.
‘Deceptively filling’ was the phrase we both agreed upon after we surveyed the damage done. The Jalapeño Cornbread with Pepper Jam and Mediterranean Plate (with seasonal pickled vegetables, quinoa tabouleh, and hummus) could have been the highlight dishes at any other average eatery, but here, they are shining brightly among other options like the Sonoma Cheese Board and the Los Tacos with local meat! Most dishes are between $ 8 – 14.
Our server was quick and knowledgeable about kombucha drinks worth ordering from the menu– she even described one as being ‘like white wine’, which for whatever reason made me feel like that is a great selling point for tourists to the wine countries, haha!
For the drink offerings, the menu is split by Juices, Smoothies, Tonics, and then to the kombucha-​infused Elixirs, Cocktails, and Libations.
We ordered 4 different kombucha drinks, which I’ll list here:
1. Ginger Mule (Elixir): a non-​alcoholic take on the Moscow Mule– a little muddled but had a tingly feeling after drinking one sip.
2. Lemon Lavender (Juice): a special drink on that particular day… it was like the best lemonade soda mix that I’ve ever experienced: crisp, refreshing, and very clear.
3. Mt. Shasta (Elixir): a real stand-​out kombucha drink… the orange addition took it above and beyond what I was expecting.
4. Apple Juniper (Juice): the other special drink on that day… the apple and juniper were a mellow, woodsy taste that reminded me of soft, low-​alcohol homebrew. Quite good.
The menu describes various health benefits to consuming the bubbly ‘bucha, which can range from ‘immunity boosting’ and ‘headache relieving’ to ‘nourish+strengthen’ and ‘weight loss’, depending on the particular drink you order. We were very impressed with the effervescent feeling our tummies had after downing the four drinks.
This place is perfect for a healthy alternative to doing drinking sessions at some other bar with your loved one. We’re definitely heading back for more refreshing and relaxing outings to this place!

My girlfriend and I were greeted and seated as soon as we walked inside. The food was fresh, came on cast iron pans, and tasted great. I ordered the corn cakes, I definitely recommend them! We will surely be coming here again

Really tasty skillets — I recommend the sweet corn cakes, quinoa, and kale. The tamale dish is super spicy but also good. I’m not really into the granola aspects of the place (not a kombucha person) but seems very authentic if that’s important to you. For four entrees and no drinks was just under $ 80.

Delicious everything! The atmosphere is so comfy and charming. The kombucha mixers are ridiculously inspired! And the food… Nosh nosh nosh!
We will be back– often

Great organic health focused eatery:
*kombucha on tap, light and effervescent
*tonic, hot drinks with ingredients seeped like tea, I had the mineral broth with seasonal herbs, flowers and vegetables, they can also put on ice
*spring pea guacamole, generous serving and extra lime juice
*macrobiotic quinoa bowl, great balance of flavored and surprisingly very satisfying, should be more careful when prepping by snapping off the ends of the asparagus
*chile rellano, fantastic, must order, slow heat and mimicks all Latin flavored perfectly
*free WIFI
Wish:
*menu was more clear about gluten free, vegan and vegetarian designations
*more green smoothie and juice options, they were very fruit forward
Try before you buy. They let me try the Kombucha before making my final decision. They come in mini mason jars that say ‘cheers’. I asked if I could purchase and they said no. *sadface*
Beautiful space littered with succulents, books on fermentation and wild flowers. Cocktail tables are balanced on wine barrels. Super wine country chic.

Unique | Healthy | Great Atmosphere
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We stumbled upon this place waiting for a haircut appointment. And I’m so glad we did! It’s a unique place in that I’ve never been to a Kombucha bar before, and I know I’ll be back again.
Everything on their menu looked amazing, but we had already had something to eat beforehand so we decided to try their kombucha. (They get their ingredients from local farms. very cool) We had their original and black berry/​black currant. SO GOOD. I think this is my favorite kombucha. It isn’t vinegary or sour. It’s very smooth and delicious :) $ 6 for their kombucha on tap. They have other drinks such as elixirs for more. This is the place to treat your body if you’re looking to spend a little more on food.
Great atmosphere, friendly bartender, cool décor. The place just makes me want to sit down with a friend and catch up with them.

After three months, I finally had the opportunity to return to Petaluma. I went out of my way to drive through on my way home from Marin to Napa specifically to eat at Native Kitchen. My first visit was incredible and I was so excited to enjoy that same experience again!
It was late afternoon — about 3 p.m. and my husband and I were very hungry and ready to eat some good food. The restaurant looked a bit dark as we walked up but all the info on Unilocal showed the hours of operation as 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Steve tried the door and it was locked. He saw several people inside but there was no sign on the door. So I went to the website and sure enough the hours were listed as 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. He suggested I check the door just to be sure. Yep, locked. And no one came out to explain. We gave up and went and had a vegan meal at another restaurant.
I sincerely hope the restaurant is succeeding. It is a beautiful mission to offer local, organic and biodynamic food as well as vegan and gluten free options. I will not give up on the place. I hope they can be consistent and open during the advertised hours. If they can and the food remains as excellent as it was the first time I will remain a big fan and will happily consider increasing my rating to a 5 again!

This place is the BEST! Cute, inviting atmosphere, friendly staff, adorable décor. It’s a great place for a laid back evening. And where else can you order a FLIGHT of draft kombucha?!
AND… if you have any food allergies, this place is paradise. The majority of the menu is gluten free and major-​allergen friendly. And, delicious, by the way.
I’ve gone twice this week. Tuesday night’s service was on point: prompt and friendly. I went back again on Friday with a larger group, and service, while still friendly, was achingly slow. Our group was chill and we were happy to hang out — but every order, from drinks to appetizers to just simple requests for water, took way longer than it should have. One order for the pecan chia seed pie took over a half hour, and came out burned… but at least they gave it to us on the house.
On the plus side, I bet you can hang out indefinitely and not ever feel pressured to leave.
And even with the painfully slow service tonight, this place still gets 4 star in my book because literally every other thing about this place is amazing. AMAZING.

We got to try Native Kitchen at this year’s Taste of Petaluma and were quite impressed. They won’t be open until later this month so I’ll update my review once we have had a chance to try more of their dishes.
At Taste of Petaluma they served:
Kale & Pumpkin Seed Salad w/​Quinoa & Chickpea Chili & Jalapeño Cornbread, w/​taste of house brewed Seasonal Fruit Kombucha.
I thought the salad was excellent. As a die-​hard meat eater I’m always suspicious of vegitarian dishes but as of late have been quite impressed with what a chef can do with veggies when done right. Native Kitchen appears to know how to make food that is tastey even for a meat eater. And although their menu is heavily vegitarian they told us that they will also be serving things like chicken, so that’s a plus. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I can’t wait to go back and try their full menu. If veggies can taste this good I might actually consider eating a few more of them.
I didn’t try the Kombucha (…yes, because I was scared) but my tasting partner was quite impressed, especially because they make their own. Once they are open I’ll go in and do a taste of their full menu of Kombuchas.
The owners are very friendly and seem to be quite knowledgeable about what they are doing. I was quite impressed that 1) put their name and website on their front window even before they started construction, 2) they had their website up before they started construction, and 3) they saw the value of participating in a community fundraising event like Taste of Petaluma even before they were open. This may not tell you anything directly about their food but it certainly tells us that these folks are paying attention details, which usually translates into a great dining experience.