napa

Napa Valley has emerged as a celebrated culinary destination due to its unique blend of exceptional wineries, world-class restaurants and stunning landscapes. The region's commitment to sustainable farming practices, coupled with its diverse microclimates, ensures a bounty of fresh ingredients year-round, further enhancing its culinary allure.

In this article we will list the top restaurants in Yountville, St Helena, Calistoga and Napa. You’ll also find information on which restaurants are pet-friendly, where the best wine bars are located, and which top restaurants feature outdoor patio dining.

BUCKET LIST RESTAURANTS IN NAPA VALLEY

With so many exciting restaurants within the 25 mile long valley, it's a challenge to select the best of the best. If you only had 5 nights to dine out, and you were looking for a very special experience, here are our recommendations.

1. The French Laundry (Yountville) - Renowned for its exquisite French cuisine and impeccable service, holding three Michelin stars.
2. Bouchon (Yountville) - Known for its authentic French bistro fare and charming ambiance, holding one Michelin star.
3. Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford) - Providing elegant dining with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and stunning vineyard views, holding one Michelin star.
4. The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena) - Offering an innovative and seasonal tasting menu, boasting three Michelin stars.
5. La Toque (Napa) - Showcasing a refined menu of contemporary French cuisine with a Californian twist, boasting one Michelin star.

TOP RESTAURANTS IN YOUNTVILLE

Perhaps the culinary center of Napa valley, Yountvilla boasts several top restaurants and a charming downtown area.

1. The French Laundry (Yountville) - Renowned for its exquisite French cuisine and impeccable service, holding three Michelin stars.
2. Bouchon (Yountville) - Known for its authentic French bistro fare and charming ambiance, holding one Michelin star.
3. Bottega (Yountville) - Offering a modern take on Italian cuisine in a sophisticated setting.
4. Ad Hoc (Yountville) - Serving comfort food with a gourmet twist in a casual atmosphere.
5. Mustards Grill (Yountville) - A Napa Valley institution offering upscale comfort food with a focus on local ingredients.

TOP RESTAURANTS IN ST. HELENA

This historic downtown area is wonderfully walkable, and is home to several outstanding restaurants.

1. The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena) - Offering an innovative and seasonal tasting menu, boasting three Michelin stars.
2. Terra (St. Helena) - Celebrating local flavors with a creative and seasonal menu.
3. PRESS (St. Helena) - Specializing in prime steaks and an extensive wine selection in an upscale environment.
4. Goose & Gander (St. Helena) - Providing elevated American comfort food in a rustic-chic setting.
5. Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena) - Offering farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

TOP RESTAURANTS IN CITY OF NAPA

The city of Napa is the only true urban “city” in Napa valley. It is home to a vibrant arts and shopping scene, and is home to many fine restaurants.

1. Angele Restaurant & Bar (Napa) - Offering French-inspired cuisine in a charming riverside setting.
2. Morimoto Napa (Napa) - Featuring contemporary Japanese cuisine by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto in an upscale atmosphere.
3. Torc (Napa) - Providing New American fare with a focus on seasonal ingredients and a creative culinary approach.
4. Oenotri (Napa) - Specializing in southern Italian cuisine with house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas.
5. La Taberna (Napa) - Serving Spanish tapas and small plates in a cozy and vibrant setting.
6. Lovina (Napa Valley, CA) - Offers a fantastic American dining experience.
7. Acacia House (Napa Valley, CA) - A top choice for a refined dining experience in Napa Valley.
8. FARM Restaurant + Bar (Napa Valley, CA) - Combines a farm-to-table concept with a vibrant bar atmosphere.

TOP RESTAURANTS IN CALISTOGA

This renown resort spa destination is also home to several fine restaurants.

1. Solbar (Calistoga) - Focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients with a menu that reflects the flavors of Napa Valley.
2. Sam's Social Club (Calistoga) - Offering rustic American cuisine with a modern twist in a relaxed atmosphere.
3. Evangeline (Calistoga) - Featuring French-inspired dishes with a California flair in a charming setting.
4. Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery (Calistoga) - Serving classic American fare and handcrafted beers in a historic inn setting.
5. All Seasons Bistro (Calistoga) - Providing farm-to-table cuisine with a Mediterranean influence in an intimate setting.

TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN NAPA VALLEY WITH PATIO OR OUTDOOR DINING

Napa valley boasts an exceptionally mild climate, which makes it ideal for outdoor dining for 9 out of 12 months of the year. Here is a selection for the best restaurants for outdoor dining:

1. Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena) - Offering farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a spacious outdoor patio.
2. Solbar (Calistoga) - Boasting an expansive outdoor dining area surrounded by lush gardens, serving fresh, seasonal dishes.
3. Bottega (Yountville) - Providing a charming outdoor patio space where guests can enjoy modern Italian cuisine in a picturesque setting.
4. Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford) - Featuring a terrace with breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards, offering elegant dining with locally sourced ingredients.
5. Goose & Gander (St. Helena) - Offering a cozy outdoor garden patio where patrons can enjoy elevated American comfort food in a rustic-chic atmosphere.

TOP WINE BARS IN NAPA VALLEY WITH THE BEST WINE BY THE GLASS

Wine bars are ideal for those who want to sample a variety of wines without having to commit to a full bottle.

1. Carpe Diem Wine Bar (Napa) - Offering an extensive selection of wines by the glass or bottle in a cozy and inviting atmosphere
2. Vintner's Collective (Napa) - Providing a unique tasting experience with a rotating selection of wines from boutique producers.
3. Cadet Wine & Beer Bar (Napa) - Featuring a curated wine and beer list with a focus on small-production, artisanal offerings.
4. The Wine Thief (Napa) - A charming wine bar offering a diverse selection of local and international wines by the glass or bottle.
5. PRESS (St. Helena) - Renowned for its extensive selection of wines by the glass, with a focus on local Napa Valley varietals.
6. The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena) - Offering a curated wine list featuring rare and exceptional wines available by the glass, perfectly complementing its fine dining experience.
7. Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena) - Known for its diverse selection of wines by the glass, showcasing the best of Napa Valley's vineyards and beyond.
8. Angele Restaurant & Bar (Napa) - Offering a carefully curated wine list with a variety of wines by the glass, complementing its French-inspired cuisine.
9. Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford) - Providing an extensive wine list with a focus on Napa Valley wines, offering a diverse selection by the glass to accompany its elegant dining experience.

PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN NAPA VALLEY

For those of you traveling to Napa valley with pets, you’ll be glad to know that there are several pet friendly restaurants including:

1. Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery (Calistoga) - Welcoming pets on their outdoor patio, serving classic American fare and handcrafted beers in a historic inn setting.
2. Brix (Napa) - Allowing pets on their outdoor patio with scenic vineyard views, known for farm-to-table fare and an extensive wine list.
3. Solbar (Calistoga) - Offering pet-friendly outdoor dining surrounded by lush gardens, featuring fresh, seasonal dishes.
4. Goose & Gander (St. Helena) - Welcoming pets on their outdoor garden patio where patrons can enjoy elevated American comfort food in a rustic-chic atmosphere.
5. Sam's Social Club (Calistoga) - Providing pet-friendly outdoor seating, offering rustic American cuisine with a modern twist in a relaxed atmosphere.

TOP RESTAURANTS IN CALISTOGA

This renown resort spa destination is also home to several fine restaurants.

1. Solbar (Calistoga) - Focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients with a menu that reflects the flavors of Napa Valley.
2. Sam's Social Club (Calistoga) - Offering rustic American cuisine with a modern twist in a relaxed atmosphere.
3. Evangeline (Calistoga) - Featuring French-inspired dishes with a California flair in a charming setting.
4. Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery (Calistoga) - Serving classic American fare and handcrafted beers in a historic inn setting.
5. All Seasons Bistro (Calistoga) - Providing farm-to-table cuisine with a Mediterranean influence in an intimate setting.

Napa is an amazing place to visit, but creating your vacation itinerary can be overwhelming. BeautifulPlaces concierge team is dedicated to helping our clients enjoy Wine Country without having to coordinate plans, make reservations, and all the minute details that come with creating a memorable vacation.

Contact us today and we’ll plan the perfect Sonoma County getaway for you and your party.