UPDATE: Molti Amici closed in November 2024.
Located in downtown Healdsburg, Molti Amici restaurant has become one of the hottest reservations in town. This trendy Italian restaurant is helmed by former Singlethread alum, and serves a family-style menu inspired by the Italian coast and is a favorite with locals and tourists.
An Honest Review from a Local Who Has Dined at Molti Amici Multiple Times
There is a lot of buzz around Molti Amici Healdsburg. Diners just can’t get enough of this trendy, but casual Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Healdsburg.
I’ve dined here a few times now, and I have to say, every time someone says, “let’s go to Molti Amici,” I’m just as excited to go for the sixth or seventh time as I was during that first dining experience.
Molti Amici occupies the space that formerly held Campo Fino, which was a laidback hangout for locals. The community was pretty upset when that space closed, but their collective ears perked up when they learned that a small team, formerly from SingleThread Farms, one of the world’s best restaurants, was creating an entirely new concept here.
This restaurant has been open less than a year, and diners are already calling Molti Amici one of the best restaurants in Healdsburg.
Molti Amici’s Downtown Healdsburg Location & Parking
Molti Amici is located in downtown Healdsburg, right off of the Square. If you’re staying at a downtown Healdsburg hotel, the restaurant is a lightning fast walk – we’re talking 2 to 3 minutes – tops.
If you’re driving to the restaurant from another location, you will find ample street parking. There are also a few small lots around town that are all very close to the restaurant. Of the dozens of times I’ve dined at restaurants in downtown Healdsburg, I’ve never had a problem finding parking.
A Sharable Menu at Molti Amici
The menu at Molti Amici is designed around sharable items like wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and beautiful salads made with in-season ingredients from local Sonoma farms.
Molti Amici is also big on using hyper local California ingredients in their Italian menu, which goes along with the restaurant’s vibe of, “a menu that reflects the vibrant spirit of California combined with the rich culinary heritage of Italy.” Think fresh pastas with California uni.
Not all of the day’s dishes will be listed on the menu you see online. The menu at Molti Amici usually includes a few daily specials, in addition to the regular rotation of pizzas and pastas.
Pro tip before you dine: The most popular menu items sometimes sell out. If you have a later-in-the-day lunch reservation or dinner reservation, be prepared for one or two dishes to be sold out.
The Wine List at Molti Amici: A Wine Lover’s Dream
Molti Amici reviews always mention the wine list, because, honestly, it’s pretty amazing. Let’s face it, there are some restaurants where you might be inclined to bring a bottle from home, this isn’t the restaurant to do that.
First of all, corkage is $40 per bottle, which is pretty high. Molti Amici really wants you to order from their wine list, and the good news is, it’s excellent!
Not only are there bottles for every budget available – we’re talking red and white wines starting around $45, but they lean heavily into winemakers who use minimal intervention techniques and natural winemaking practices.
A few notable producers include: Reeve, Foradori’s Lezer, Pax Wines’ Gamay, and Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir – yep, there’s even a Pinot Noir on this Italian restaurant’s wine list! The restaurant also carries Jupiter Wine’s Vermentino by the glass – one of my favorite California Vermentinos.
I think there might even be a Timorasso on this list.
By-the-Glass Wines: A Great Value
Not in the mood to order a bottle? The by-the-glass options are reasonably priced, and curated from some of Sonoma and Italy’s most exciting producers. The most inexpensive glass is a Bloodroot Rosé for $9, two options for sparkling wines are $12 a glass, and the middle of the road sweetspot is around $15.
Must Order Menu Items at Molti Amici
Bruschetta – perfect with a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of wine. The toppings change seasonally, but the latest version I saw was Bruschetta with ricotta, chanterelle, and Asian pear.
Ordering a dish or two from the Small Plate’s section is a must. The Kanpachi Tartare with Jimmy Nardello Pepper and Scallion is insane. In a good way! This is such a refreshing way to start your experience, and the plating is gorgeous.
Do you like made-from-scratch pizzas? Perfect! I have two recommendations: the Sausage with soppressata, ricotta, and oregano, and the Basil Pesto with wilted greens and Fresno chili. These pizzas are perfectly cooked, with a flakey, lightly browned crust, and tons of flavor depth.
Okay, let’s talk pasta. This one is difficult. It’s like choosing a favorite child. Honestly, all of the pasta at Molti Amici is excellent. Did I mention this is the best Italian restaurant in Healdsburg? Well, the pasta is the reason why.
If you like super hearty pasta, the Bucatini Amatriciana with bread crumbs is a savory and spicy treat. I personally love the Fazzoletti “Kerchief” Pesto Ragu. It’s a bit lighter, and goes great with tons of the white wines on the wine list.
Tip for ordering: If you’re sensitive to spice and you want to try the Basil Pesto pizza, tell your server that you want to go easy on the Fresno chilis. They’ll get your taste buds if you’re not a spice person.
Cost of dinner for two: $55 per person, not including tax, gratuity.
This is calculated by ordering one glass of wine per person, one starter, one pasta to share and one pizza to share.
Atmosphere: Casual, Trendy, Modern
Don’t be surprised if your first impression of the vibe at Molti Amici is: wow, everyone here is having a great time, and I can’t wait to sit down and have a great time too. The first time I walked in, I thought: I completely understand why so many people consider this one of the best restaurants in Healdsburg.
The atmosphere at Molti Amici is lively. When it comes to decor, we’re talking Italian coastal pastels meet trendy California flare. If you’re the type of person who likes to take pictures of your restaurant experiences for your Instagram or blog, you’re going to love the atmosphere and pops of color.
Even the bathrooms have a quirky, modern whimsy to them. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but you’ll get a kick out of the decor.
Service
Service here is friendly and relaxed. The staff know their stuff, even when it comes to the wine list, which is shockingly rare these days. And, if they don’t happen to know about a particular producer or bottle, owner Johnny is usually there, and he is a wine expert!
Even when Molti Amici has been jam-packed busy, the service is always excellent and attentive.
Making a reservation at Molti Amici
This restaurant gets busy! If you’re planning a trip to Healdsburg, and you know in advance that you want to eat at Molti Amici, make your reservation ASAP. This is especially true if you’re dining with a group of more than 4.
Molti Amici uses Resy as their reservation system, so just click here to make your reservation, so that’s out of the way.
You can make your reservation up to 30 days in advance.
Pro Tip for Making a Reservation at Molti Amici:
The largest reservation you can make at Molti Amici is for 6 guests. Anything above that is considered a “large party reservation”, and requires a private dining agreement. I haven’t booked a large party here, but based on my former life as a Restaurant Event Marketing Manager, I’d guess that means you have to sign a reservation agreement, put down a deposit, have a credit card on file, and agree on a minimum.
Molti Amici Dress Code
Healdsburg’s Molti Amici does not have a dress code, so you can go dressy casual or relaxed casual. Depending on the weather, you will see women wear “wine country” dresses, jeans with cute “going out” tops, or t-shirts. Shorts are totally okay. Men can wear jeans, slacks, or even shorts, if the weather is warm. And it can get hot in the summer! Basically, you can come as you are, and dress up or down.
Need a little inspiration on what to wear to California wine country? Take a look at this post about winery outfits to get started.
Final Thoughts
There are so many Healdsburg restaurants to choose from, but Molti Amici is by far one of the best. Whether you’re looking for a trendy place for a cocktail, you want to grab a glass of wine from a local producer, or you just really love well executed Italian food, you’re going to love dining here.
Tips
- The menu at Molti Amici encourages sharing, but the size of the tables sometimes make placing all of those plates down tricky. An easy remedy to this is to ask your server to course out the meal, so the table has enough room for everything.
- Come early and have a cocktail in the bar. The cocktails at Molti Amici are mini masterpieces. If the bar is full, do have a cocktail at your table.
- If you like to course out your meal, be sure to tell your server. Sometimes the food comes out really fast, other times there’s a bit of a wait.
- Don’t be afraid to sit on the patio in cooler months. The heaters out there are strong!
- Don’t come to Molti Amici for a romantic restaurant date night; come here for a fun, “we’re part of the cool crowd” date night.
- Molti Amici is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but open for lunch and dinner every other day. The restaurant serves a slightly condensed menu at lunch.
- The vibe is young and hip. The playlist is usually hip hop and soul, and, FYI: the hip hop station is uncensored.
FAQs
Who owns Molti Amici?
Molti Amici is owned by one of the most impressive teams in Sonoma County. SingleThread Farms alums Jonny Barr, and Chefs Sean McGaughey and Melissa McGaughey. Jonny used to be the General Manager and sommelier at Singlethread, and the husband and wife duo of Sean and Melissa were the chef de cuisine and hotel baker.
The McGaughey’s also own the Quail & Condor bakery and Troubadour cafe. Troubadour is actually right across the street from Molti Amici.
What does ‘Molti Amici’ mean?
‘Molti Amici’ translates to ‘many friends. It’s the perfect name for a restaurant that’s a community favorite in the small town of Healdsburg.