Nothing says “vacation” quite like a leisurely brunch. If your plans for the day ahead include wine tasting, brunch is a perfect way to fuel up before you start sipping. Napa Valley is home to more than 150 restaurants and cafés, so choosing the perfect brunch spot can be a bit overwhelming. Here, are some suggestions for where to go and what to eat when it’s too late for breakfast, but it’s not quite lunchtime.

City of Napa

FARM at Carneros

Known for the expansive culinary gardens that supply their fresh, farm-to-table cuisine, brunch at FARM is no different. Brunch is served family-style and includes semolina flatbread, crispy potatoes and eggs with black pear caviar, and the fresh braised beets and berries salad.

Boon Fly Café

No brunch at this contemporary Carneros hotspot (it’s actually on property at the Carneros Resort & Spa) is complete without an order of mini cinnamon-sugar doughnuts, made to order every time. Other menu highlights include corned beef hash, triple-stack pancakes, and avocado toast with unexpected seasonal toppings.

Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar

Bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas with a view sound just about right at Archer Hotel’s rooftop bar, Sky & Vine, in downtown Napa. Their Sunday brunch is set outside (covered bar and heat lamps for those foggy Napa mornings) and leans in hard on the sweet and savory menu of Beignets with bourbon caramel sauce, biscuits and chorizo gravy, and praline pecan French toast. But it’s that panoramic rooftop view of the valley that takes its Sunday brunch to a whole other level.

La Cheve Bakery & Brews

Napa’s newest brunch spot is a family-owned Mexican bakery, craft beer taproom, and a restaurant all in one. The restaurant is known for its conchas, flan French toast (seriously), and rotating house brews. It also is famous for the surroundings – the Old Adobe House the eatery calls home is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The patio is dog friendly so feel free to bring the pooch.

Southside Cafe

Get a little taste of heaven at this hip and modern café in South Napa. Many guests come for the coffee – it’s some of the best in the city – but menu items such as chilaquiles, biscuits and gravy, and protein bowls are popular, too.

​​Bear at Stanly Ranch Resort

The brunch at Bear includes lots of fresh, healthy fare – from a variety of salads and farm-fresh vegetables to chia pudding. But don’t worry, those looking for a more robust option before a day of wine tasting won’t be disappointed, with pancakes, gravlax, and chilaquiles on the menu.

Napa General Store

Brunch at this downtown Napa restaurant comes with a spacious patio and a commanding view of the Napa River. The Napa Scramble with goat cheese, spinach, and smoked bacon is a solid option, and the smoked salmon flatbread is always a fave. To spice up your morning, order a Hand-Shaken Horseradish Bloody Mary (or two).

Grace’s Table

This downtown favorite is known for its iron-skillet cornbread with lavender honey butter – there’s nothing like it elsewhere in the valley. Grace’s Table draws its influence from North and South America, France, and Italy; this explains the eclectic menu that comprises items such as pulled pork and egg tacos, shrimp and grits, and Argentine empanadas (to name a few).
 

Yountville/Rutherford

Ad Hoc + Addendum

Thomas Keller has several great breakfast options in Yountville (such as Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery), but the ambiance here is fun and relaxed. The famous fried chicken is a must, and it pairs nicely with Chandon mimosas.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil

(Pictured at the top.) Locals and visitors alike swear by the on-site restaurant at Auberge, which has become famous for a brunch menu that features duck confit hash, crispy artichokes, and Maine lobster omelet paired with a glass of Schramsberg sparkling Brut Rose. The view of the valley from the open-air terrace is spectacular.

Brix Restaurant & Gardens

Brunch at Brix is served a la carte either indoors or outside on the expansive patio overlooking vineyards and their lush gardens. The menu includes stars such as Dungeness crab fondue and Bananas Foster French Toast. The brunch cocktail list also is impressive: the Brix Sprixx has Gentian Amaro, Lillet Blanc, orange bitters, Q tonic, and Cava.
 

St. Helena

Acacia House

The restaurant tucked into the luxurious Alila resort takes a whimsical approach to the standard brunch classics from all over the world – enjoy jamón ibérico, moules frites, or chicken schnitzel. If you’re looking for lighter fare, the “Healthy Elvis” toast or the chips and dip bring the fun while still leaving you satiated.

The Charter Oak

Chef Christopher Kostow serves up a stellar brunch menu at this St. Helena hotspot, with one-of-a-kind options such as hearth-grilled grapefruit, baked apple pancake, and the smoked trout platter. All the restaurant’s other menu items are available at brunch as well; ordering the raw veggies with fermented soy dip is a must.

Farmstead Restaurant

Relax on the open-air patio at this St. Helena restaurant that is owned and operated by the folks at Long Meadow Ranch. Start with an order of mini ham sandwiches with pepper jelly, then throw down a rack of some Heritage St. Louis ribs. The biscuits with “Life Everlasting” sausage gravy will make your stomach happy, too. Farmstead serves a full bar all weekend long.

Model Bakery

Napa Valley’s most famous bakery is a great spot for brunch – even if the fast-casual vibe is a bit less formal than the one you might find at sit-down restaurants. English muffins at Model are legendary – slather one with jelly and you’ve got a complete meal. Other brunchy items include egg dishes, avocado toast, fruit salad, and more.
 

Calistoga

TRUSS Restaurant + Bar at Four Seasons Resort

The “Lazy Brunch” at Truss can’t be missed – kick it off with the Bubbles and Pearls combo of a half dozen oysters accompanied by a bottle of sparkling wine from local favorite Schramsberg. Or, skip the bubbles and pair a Japanese Miso Bloody Mary with a quiche lorraine made with local goat’s milk cheese, or a breakfast pizza topped with hash browns, bacon, and garlic cream.

Solbar at Solage Calistoga

This vegan-friendly eatery at Solage boasts some of the most inviting outdoor dining anywhere in Napa Valley. Start your brunch with a “breakfast cocktail” such as a “Bloody Maria” with chile-herb tequila then move on to options like banana bread pudding, chilled coconut chia pudding, and Dungeness crab Benedict.

Sam’s Social Club

The expansive open-air patio at this Indian Springs Resort & Spa restaurant beckons guests to linger over sparkling wine and chalices of Aperol Spritz. Food items are classics done well – the burger is one of the best in the valley and the coconut chia pudding with berries is a fun twist on a standard parfait. Don’t leave without sampling the candy-cap mushroom churros.

Evangeline

One of the most underappreciated restaurants in the entire valley, this tiny bistro-style eatery on the west end of town serves up hearty brunch items such as shrimp and grits, fried chicken and waffles, and oysters. Drink options comprise Bloody Marys, mimosas, and Bellinis, as well as a full complement of local wines. If possible, grab a seat on the outdoor patio.