Risibisi Restaurant sits in downtown Petaluma with a back patio overlooking the Petaluma River, and dogs are welcome to join you there. The riverside setting is genuinely nice—water views without feeling touristy—and the patio is where you’ll want to be if you’re bringing your dog anyway. You’ll eat at a table while your dog settles beside you, and you’re likely to see other dog owners doing the same, which creates a casual, unpretentious vibe rather than feeling like you’re getting special treatment.

The kitchen focuses on locally sourced ingredients from Sonoma County, so the menu changes based on what’s available. You’ll find homemade pastas with various sauces, and the restaurant takes care in how they prepare things rather than just slapping together a generic Italian menu. Portions are reasonable, not the oversized American-Italian kind. Desserts are made in-house, which is always a good sign.

The practical side: this is a popular spot, especially on weekends, and the patio does fill up quickly during peak times. You should call ahead both to ask about current pet policies and to make a reservation if you’re going during lunch or dinner rush. I’d especially recommend an early dinner slot in warmer months when the patio is most enjoyable. Parking downtown can be tight, but there’s street parking along Petaluma Boulevard and a few small lots nearby. The whole experience feels like a neighborhood restaurant where locals actually eat rather than a destination spot trying too hard, which is refreshing. Bring your dog, grab a river-view table, and settle in for a leisurely meal.