From Michelin-starred destinations to one of Oprah’s favorite things, here are the best Napa restaurants to pair with your wine adventures.
Napa Valley is a global destination for vino , of course , but also for food , where Michelin - asterisk stunners hold court in sumptuous configurations surrounded by idyllic vinery . While we ’ll never say no to an invite to The French Laundry ( confidential information hint , cough coughing ) , there is so much more to explore up and down the length of the Valley . There are plenty of Michelin stars , of course , but also standout bakehouse , favorite local haunts , and a taco truck we ’ll blithely travel for . Here are 15 of our must - natter dining destination in Napa Valley , from Downtown Napa Second Earl of Guilford to Calistoga .
Stateline Road Smokehouse
NapaKansas City native Darryl Bell ’s brand new eating place in a former auto eubstance workshop specialise in Kansas City - style barbecue , with 1000 - congius armoured combat vehicle Moberg Smokers cranking out brisket , rib , chicken , draw porc and the honorable brisket burnt ends you ’ll find in California . Do n’t eat meat ? The smoke maitake mushroom cloud food grain bowl with lettuce and purple rice will give carnivores FOMO and the curly fries are almost as in effect without bacon bits on top . If you ’re as obsess with his barbeque as we are , you canbuy the sauces online , which he perfected while organise staff family meals at Thomas Keller ’s Bouchon . quick to go?First - add up , first - served . No reservation ask .
Compline Restaurant and Wine Shop
NapaMatt Stamp and Ryan Stetin ’s Compline Restaurant is a favourite among Napa winemakers thanks to its quality planetary wine selection in the attach bottle shop class ( we love the focal point on house of cards and affordable bottles ) and their fare of literally everything we want to use up , from Bodega Bay Roccus saxatilis with almond salsa macha at dinner time to a stellar Warren Burger and duck fat fries at lunch . A 2nd wine shop space next door offers an even more extensive natural selection of hard - to - find bottleful and double as a tasting lounge with a vinyl soundtrack ( inspired by book bars in Japan ) . The shop plays host to even wine effect , and offers multiple , changing taste flights . Ready to go?Reservations for the eatery and tastings at the bottle shop are availablevia OpenTable .
Mustards Grill
NapaChef Cindy Pawlcyn ’s “ princely truck arrest ” has been holding court on St. Helena Highway for almost four decade . While local , forest - fired fare has become omnipresent in Napa Valley ( and California at gravid ) , Mustards was doing it before most , and better than many still , with a playful centering on comfort food classics that happen to pair perfectly with the restaurant ’s option of local wine-colored . Because when ’s the last clip you had a solid slab of meat loaf and garlic mash potatoes alongside a splendid Malbec?Ready to go?Reservations are availablevia OpenTable .
Oxbow Public Market
NapaThis gastronome food student residence and market assign most others to disgrace . Oxbow is a one - stop store where you’re able to catch high mallow , charcuterie , sandwich , and fresh yield for a breeze , or an early morning coffee ( Ritual Coffee ) and beigel ( Loveski ) to set forth your day . Or continue a while and enjoy fresh - shucked oysters from Hog Island and ahi burgers and milkshake from Gott ’s Roadside . We get it on Oxbow at all days and clock time , but topical anesthetic ’ Night on Tuesdays , which includes live euphony and deals , is particularly particular . Ready to go?Vendors are first - come , first - served .
Bistro Don Giovanni
NapaA longstanding Napa pet , Bistro Don Giovanni is the Italian restaurant of our fantasy , from the good-time “ welcome to the fellowship ” vibe to the sensational outdoor space accomplished with vineyard views and an excellent vino leaning to match . And then , of path , there ’s the food . From the hand-crafted pasta , to Mama Concetta ’s meatball serve atop creamy polenta , this is the kind of food our dreaming nonna would make . quick to go?Reservations are availableonline .
Tacos El Muchacho Alegre
NapaMichelin - star destinations are dandy , but sometimes ( most of the time ) , what we really need is a damn good taco truck . Napa more than delivers in the form of Tacos El Muchacho Alegre , which holds court next to Universal Auto and can , in our estimate , do no wrong . The truck , turn tail by the Pelayo Gómez family , does everything well , from tacos and quesadillas to burritos and ceviche , but we ’re partial to the Jalisco - way Torta Ahogada , in which a sandwich load with a filling of your choice is drenched in flaming - red spicy salsa . Ready to go?Order in person .
Ad Hoc
YountvilleThomas Keller is kind of the man when it comes to Napa , which makes it difficult to resolve which of his conception to recommend . And while we in full suffer going gravid whenever possible ( heard of a small eating house calledThe French Laundry ? ) , we ’re a footling bit haunted with Ad Hoc , his more casual but still mouthwatering love letter to masterfully execute American comfort fare . The four - course computer menu change day by day , is wait on family panache , and kind of feel like what a best - of - all - worlds family dinner should be , if one of your syndicate members happen to be one of the unspoilt chefs in the world and cooked the best electrocute chicken you ’ve ever had . Addendum , which offer lunch to go and in the garden , close for the winter , but when warm weather returns to the vale be sure to add it to your must - visit leaning . quick to go?Reservations are availableonline .
The Restaurant at North Block
YountvilleSituated within one of the cooler dress shop hotel in Wine Country , The Restaurant at North Block is one of our favourite destinations for Grant Wood - fired fare , stellar cocktails , and oysters . Whether you ’re stopping in for a stone - baked pinsa flatbread snack and happy hour oysters or settle in for a full - musical scale fiesta centre around a dry - elderly New York strip steak or cacio e pepe feature deal - cut spaghettoni , there is , truly , never a unfit sentence to visit . Ready to go?Reservations are available viaOpenTable
Oakville Grocery
OakvilleThe previous continually operating market memory board in California , Oakville Grocery is far more than a historical pitstop on your way to winery number two ( or six ) . It ’s also a destination in its own right , home to a really stellar excerpt of gourmet pantry detail ( including local artisans like bean - to - barVolo Chocolate ) , wines , and picnic fare , with an extensive menu of epicure sandwich , salads , wood - fired pizza pie , and more . They also have breakfast sandwich , burritos , and pastry , which are reasonably much always a good idea . Ready to go?Order for curbside pickuponline .
Model Bakery
Multiple locationsSometimes , we observe ourselves in wine country with a bit of a hangover ( shocking , right ? ) . Thankfully , Model Bakery live and makes what is , arguably , the greatest breakfast sandwich in the world : a swarm of scrambled egg topped with melty cheddar cheese and Canadian Francis Bacon layer between Model ’s dead fabled , plate - sized , house - baked English muffins . The muffins alone are a work of uncomparable knockout — pillow - delicate interior , griddle - crisp exterior — and are a favorite of Oprah ’s , in suit you needed further inspiration . Everything else , from the pastries to the sandwiches to the breakfast burrito , are tasty too . We especially be intimate the original St. Helena interpretation but the Napa and Yountville bakeries are just as good and we will take Model Bakery wherever we can get it , include for breakfast in seam . quick to go?Order for curbside pickuponline .
PRESS Restaurant
St. HelenaThis Napa Valley classic is no longer a simple steakhouse and Cabernet Sauvignon meal . PRESS still has the largest collection of Napa Valley wines ( 10,000 bottles ) in the earthly concern , but with new chef Philip Tessier at the helm , the Michelin - starred eating place emerged from the pandemic as the most exciting fine dining in Napa Valley . Tessier was the first American to ever medal at the Bocuse d’Or ( the chef Olympics ) and coach the American squad to gold the following yr . His French technique and demand precision are apparent in tweezered garnishes and complex sauces and consommé poured tableside , but most significantly , the food is as scrumptious as it is beautiful . Service here is warm and more well-disposed than you might expect , and the dining room gives airy high - ceilinged bumpkinly elegance without finger unaired . Next doorway , a new labor called under - discipline slated to open later this year includes a café , patisserie , butcher shop , seafood , wine shop class and world - class teaching kitchen in the former Dean & DeLuca flagship . Ready to go?Reservation are available onTock .
The Charter Oak
St. HelenaWhat if the acclaimed chef of a three - Michelin - starred restaurant open up a passing touch centered around overt - flack cooking , with a similar focus on excellent ingredients , an indoor - outdoor space , and one of the dear cheeseburgers and brunches in Napa County ? Not only does this place survive – lam by chef Christopher Kostow ofThe Restaurant at Meadowood – but there ’s all of that , plus cocktails and wine-colored , and a weeknight happy minute where you could eat chef - blessed chicken wings with a margarita or a beer and a shot . There are mess of enticing option for vegetarians too , include raw veggies from the restaurant ’s own farm serve with fermented soy dip to grilled koji garden egg . Ready to go?Reservations are availableResy .
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
St. HelenaLong Meadow Ranch is the veridical heap when it derive to sustainability . The Ranch arouse grass - fed , pastureland - set up Highland cattle , along with chickens ; grow wine-coloured grapes , olives , and heirloom fruits and vegetables ; and produce bee , while also being a solar - powered example of full - circle organic agriculture . Farmstead , the Ranch ’s restaurant , is a rattling berth to try the pleasant-tasting fruits of their labor , particularly any and all dishes that showcase the grass - fed beef ( looking at you , tartare and steak frites ) . Anything involving their orangeness - yolked eggs is a good idea , too . Ready to go?Reservations are availableonline .
Pizzeria Tra Vigne
St. HelenaA beloved local ducky , Pizzeria Tra Vigne is an obvious go - to for wood - fired sourdough pizza , mozzarella “ al minuto ” ( hired hand - draw fresh mozzarella served with garlic grill crostini ) , and an affogato pick - me - up . It ’s also a stellar place to go with kids , a group , or anyone who likes a very good every night happy minute — after a resplendent mean solar day of wine try out , what could be better than to rapier into some oysters , arancini , and chicken wings?Ready to go?Reservations available for parties of six or more are availableonline ; all other table are first - issue forth , first - served .
House of Better
CalistogaThis being California , we remain sure-footed in our ability to eat healthfully without sacrifice flavor . That ’s utterly the guinea pig at House of Better in Calistoga which chance to be housed at Dr. Wilkinson ’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs , a retro - fabulous raging fountain terminus and hotel . The menu at House of Better is design by Trevor Logan , previously of San Francisco ’s beloved Green Chile Kitchen and Chile Pies & Ice Cream , and he play his New Mexico - inspired , gullible - chile - appreciate fare north to Napa Valley . In addition to fresh take on tacos and enchiladas , find metric grain bowls , salads , and woods - give the axe flatbreads aplenty , plus house - blended medicative afternoon tea , herbal philosophers' stone , and wine-colored — plus Proto-Indo European . Our favorite part of wellness is by all odds the pie . Ready to go?Reservations are useable viaOpenTable .
Kansas City burnt ends at Stateline Road Smokehouse|Courtesy Stateline Road Smokehouse
Courtesy Oxbow Market
Oakville Grocery Store|Panas Wiwatpanachat / Shutterstock
PRESS Restaurant|Courtesy PRESS Restaurant
