Alfresco Dining with Stunning Views

Several Napa Valley alfresco dining options come with stunning views of vineyards; others offer breathtaking vistas of forests and hillsides. This small group comprises world-class restaurants that happen to have outdoor dining, blending the perfect combination of dinner with a view.
 

• The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil – in Rutherford

  For years, locals and visitors have raved about the patio at The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil as having the single best views in the entire valley. From here, under the shade of a wooden pergola, Chef Robert Curry delivers dishes sourced with fresh local ingredients. A flute of bubbles from the Champagne cart extends and amplifies the experience, bringing open-air luxury to new heights.

• Brix Restaurant & Gardens – in Yountville

  Brix Restaurant and Gardens has always had a clear focus on providing a farm-to-table dining experience. Take a short stroll off the back patio to find the crown jewel of the grounds at Brix: the spacious flower and vegetable gardens and fruit tree orchard. Comprised of raised boxed beds and in-ground beds, it grows crops year-round, and it’s not unusual to see the chefs out in the garden gathering bunches of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the day’s specials. And vineyard views are the norm here – whether sitting inside or on the outside patio.

• FARM Restaurant + Bar – in Carneros

  This ultra-chic restaurant with a beautiful bar and outdoor terrace also features a menu of delicious seasonal offerings. FARM has been recently reimagined under the guidance of James Beard Award Winner Chef Chris Bianco, and provides a welcoming dining experience amidst Napa Valley's scenic countryside. Rooted in the Italian farmhouse tradition, FARM sources fresh ingredients from its gardens and local purveyors. Dine inside in the elegant dining room or alfresco on the spacious and lively patio.

• TRUSS Restaurant and Bar – in Calistoga

  With a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley property, vineyards, and the Palisades mountain range, TRUSS offers a casual, yet elevated, dining experience. You'll find seasonally focused breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Or simply come for the views and a snack, glass of wine, or cocktail.

• Bistro Don Giovanni – in Napa

  Italian dining Napa Valley-style, Bistro Don Giovanni presents fresh interpretations of traditional Italian dishes with sustainably farmed local fruits and vegetables, and all organic meats. Their large outdoor patio is always hopping with both locals and visitors.

Elegant & Relaxing Patios

Locals love their patios in Wine Country. Alfresco options enable diners to linger over wine and nibbles long into the evening, celebrating a taste of the good life and the Napa Valley lifestyle.
 

• The Grove at Copia – in Downtown Napa

  One of the all-time favorites is The Grove at Copia in Downtown Napa. This restaurant is set next to Copia's large culinary garden, and outdoor patio is set under shade of olive trees. You can also sit inside with views of the open kitchen. The vibe is relaxed whether you're there for a special occasion or a casual meal. The menu consists of California ingredients harvested straight from the garden blended with Mediterranean flavors and style.

• Pizzeria Tra Vigne – in St. Helena

  Known for their “Original” Mozzarella al Minuto (Napa Valley’s famous fresh mozzarella), sourdough pizzas hot from the wood-fired oven, decadent burgers, as well as slightly lighter fare, this is the spot for all ages. The outside patio is relaxing and laid back, with locals likely outnumbering visitors.

• Forum at Meadowood – in St. Helena

  Forum simply exudes relaxed refinement, tucked away in the picturesque and luxurious 5-star setting of Meadowood Napa Valley resort. Designed by the renowned wine country architect Howard Backen, Forum offers a relaxed and convivial atmosphere where you can enjoy high-quality cuisine made with the freshest ingredients. The restaurant is set among the trees, with spacious indoor and outdoor areas, it feels like an escape from reality. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with an outdoor lounge featuring light bites and craft cocktails throughout the day.

• The Charter Oak – in St. Helena

  The Charter Oak has one of the most inviting and gorgeous courtyard patios in Napa Valley. Come for lunch or dinner, or even happy hour cocktails, and sit on the brick and tree-covered patio, or in the equally beautiful indoor dining room. In the winter, the patio transforms into a village of yurts, for a cozy and festive outdoor dining experience. Enjoy the farm-to-table menu, which focuses on grilled meats and seasonal vegetables (from their own farm).

• R+D Kitchen – in Yountville

  Experience stunning vineyard views from R&D’s airy modern setting, with a seasonal menu that has something for everyone. Featuring outdoor seating with relaxing Adirondack chairs clustered around fire pits (which are perfect for cool Napa Valley evenings), R+D Kitchen brings sophisticated and fresh cuisine to a smart and convivial crowd. With a strong local following, R+D is inspired by California’s indoor/outdoor culture. If you are looking for a laid back place to have a relaxing glass of Sauvignon Blanc, this place is it.

• RH Restaurant – in Yountville

  Part restaurant, part showroom for retailer Restoration Hardware, this elegant option is sure to wow guests. Crystal chandeliers set amongst olive trees and a working fountain create an elevated dining experience anchored against an ingredient-driven menu that reflects Napa Valley’s casual luxury vibe. A great place to impress your guests.

• Angèle Restaurant & Bar – in Downtown Napa

  This French country restaurant in Downtown Napa serves up classic French brasserie-style fare. With an extensive wine list and French fare with a Northern California twist, Angele is the perfect lunch and dinner spot, especially on its outdoor patio that overlooks the Napa River. And no matter which entree you choose, the brassiere French fries are a must.

• Cole’s Chop House – in Downtown Napa

  This classic steak restaurant in Downtown Napa combines a white tablecloth experience with rustic elements like exposed stone walls. The open kitchen shows off the chefs, but it's the steaks that are the star of the show here.

Fast-Casual Patios

When you’re on-the-go between wine tastings and in need of a quick and delicious lunch, fast-casual eateries make for a perfect stop (and they’re wallet-friendly too). And while all these patios are casual, some are more casual than others. In and around Napa Valley, the most prevalent type of alfresco dining is considered “fast-casual.” This means you order at a counter, take a number (or a pager), and chill at a table outside until your food is ready. At many of these places, servers bring your food while other places call your number for you to pick up yourself.
 

• Gott’s Roadside – in Downtown Napa and St. Helena

  Without question, the most popular fast-casual patios in the valley are the ones at Gott’s Roadside in Downtown Napa and Gott’s original location in St. Helena. Here guests munch on burgers, tacos, and Gotts’ signature garlic fries. Salads are an underappreciated favorite, as well – especially the one with falafel. Vegetarians can embrace the Impossible™ cheeseburger while kids can enjoy milkshakes, hot dogs, and soft serve treats. And for the kid at heart, order a Frosé, a frozen blend of rosé, strawberry, and citrus – basically, an adult slushie.

• Oakville Grocery – in Oakville

  A wine country institution since 1881, Oakville Grocery is also California’s longest continually operating grocery store. Locals and visitors alike flock to its flagship location in Oakville (they also have a second location in Healdsburg), which is nestled amongst grapevines, rolling hills, and some of the most revered wineries and restaurants in the country. This idyllic locale is a vibrant gathering place for vintners and culinary connoisseurs and is one of the best spots in the valley for a quick, but elevated, bite that also includes wood-fired pizzas.

• The Kitchen at Priest Ranch – in Yountville

  While you're out and about, strolling through Yountville, be sure to stop at this elevated fast-casual spot to refuel between wine tastings and shopping. The menu consists of sandwiches, salads, and all day breakfast items (try the loaded latke!). The real star of the menu is the smashburger – cooked perfectly, with crispy edges and topped with a Bakery bun. There's a few tables outside and a covered rooftop deck.

• House of Better – in Calistoga

  Located at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort. House of Better is an amalgam of Trevor Logan’s rustic, Southwest-inspired Green Chile Kitchen, and his pop up, Booster Foods Nutrition Kitchen. Elevated counter service and a playful, backyard experience are anchored by a wood-fired oven and New Mexican chile roaster. It’s that perfect balance between healthy and comfort food.

• The Station – in St. Helena

  While it might look like a vintage gas station on the outside (it was once!), The Station St. Helena serves up local coffee, house-made pastries, sandwiches, salads, drinks, and other curated goodies located right on St Helena’s charming Main Street. Perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts as well as an easy sit-down lunch.

• Southside Café – in the City of Napa

  Family and locally owned, Southside Café is the spot for fried chicken (Fridays only), seasonally fresh produce, and delicious breakfasts and lunches with ingredients sourced from local purveyors. They partner with local nonprofits to give back to the community they serve.

• Buster’s Southern Barbeque – in Calistoga

  A local favorite, Buster’s is located on Foothill Blvd., right at the entrance to Calistoga. The rustic outdoor seating, with ribs on the wood-fired grill close by, will put you in the mood for this classic, sweet Southern-style barbecue. Buster's has a limited selection of wine and beer, and on Sundays you can enjoy live jazz & blues on the patio. Buster’s is routinely voted “best barbecue” in the North Bay.

Best Outdoor Brunch Spots

Brunch is a great way to cap off a great weekend in wine country and enjoying that brunch outside only enhances the experience tenfold.
 

• Sam’s Social Club – in Calistoga

  Locals love brunching at Sam’s Social Club, located at Indian Springs Resort & Spa, where the expansive patio is known for stellar egg dishes and bucket-sized Aperol spritz. Most of the patio at Sam’s is covered, which provides refuge from the sun. On colder mornings, fire pits keep everyone warm and toasty. After a hearty meal, if you’re in the mood for a spa day, book a treatment and add day-use for the mineral pools for some extra relaxation time.

• Lovina – in Calistoga

  To start a historic day in Calistoga, head to Lovina, where guests have the option of sitting inside or on the terrace patio. The restaurant is a local favorite housed in a historic Craftsman that was once the home of Lovina Graves Cyrus and John Cyrus, Calistoga pioneers who survived the Donner pass tragedy in 1846. Woman-owned, chef-ed, and managed, Lovina has been serving up homestyle dishes using local ingredients since 2008.

• Solbar – in Calistoga

  Located at Solage Calistoga, Solbar serves up bistro fare with true Napa Valley flair. Enjoy the woodsy-chic vibe inside or be tempted outdoors to spacious terraces where you can dine or relax with drinks by the fire while taking in the stunning mountain views. The sustainable menus are changed seasonally, with many vegetables and herbs harvested from the kitchen garden.

• Napa General Store – in Downtown Napa

  Sitting alongside the Napa River, Bloody Mary in hand, is exactly why you come to Napa General Store for brunch. The varied menu includes breakfast pizzas, salads, breakfast favorites like pancakes, eggs benedict, and of course, waffles (with fried chicken? yes, please!), all set against the backdrop of a downtown Napa crowd. Plus, they have a perfect brunch drink menu for those who prefer sparkling wine, mimosas, or a Bellini with their eggs.

• BANK Café and Bar – in Downtown Napa

  BANK Café can be found within The Westin Verasa Napa. With seating available in the main dining room, the lobby bar, or outdoors on the patio facing the nature preserve and the Napa River. Chefs purchase whole, closed-herd, heirloom breed hogs from Llano Seco Ranch, which yield their house-made breakfast sausage, chorizo, and braised pork belly. They use true farm-fresh eggs from Taramasso Ranch in Napa Valley, and guests might find lamb loins, steaks, and poultry from Biagio Artisan Meats on the menu.

Casual Cocktail Spots

Many Napa patios are known for their mouth-watering food; a select few are known for their craft cocktails, too.
 

• Goose & Gander – in St. Helena

  Number one on the local list is Goose & Gander. The restaurant and artisan cocktail lounge has an expansive garden patio, shaded from Spring Street by a hedge row that offers privacy as well. Many drinks were created by mixology superstar Scott Beattie years ago; others are variations on classic themes. The “Wassup Doc?” with two kinds of bourbon, glogg, orange, carrot, lemon, and honey is one of the all-time greats.

• Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery – in Calistoga

  Right in the heart of the action in downtown Calistoga, this restaurant and brewery has one of the best patios in town – and even better, they brew their own beer. The Inn was the first establishment to brew beer commercially in Napa County since the days of prohibition. They brew five main beers, which have won numerous awards, including both bronze and gold finishes at the Great American Beer Fest in Denver and blue ribbons at the California State Fair.

Other great open-air Napa Valley patios to enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail include the following:

• Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar at Archer Hotel – in Downtown Napa
• Wilfred’s Lounge – in Downtown Napa
• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch – in St. Helena
• Lobby Terrace at Silverado Resort – in Napa
• Lucy Restaurant & Bar at Bardessono – in Yountville