From food trucks to Michelin-starred eateries, Napa Valley serves up a depth and breadth of culinary excellence wholly unique to the region. With over 150 restaurants across its five distinct towns, Napa Valley will only saddle you with one problem – the grave responsibility of choosing where to eat.

There’s no wrong answer, because there are endless ways to savor California’s wine country cuisine, with fusion restaurants and international influences bringing new flavor to Napa Valley each year. You’ll be equally impressed by Napa Valley’s humble, casual corner stores specializing in burgers, tacos, and barbecue as you are its three-star dining and haute chef’s plates.

Get to know eight of Napa Valley’s famous restaurants below – plus, a few buzzworthy newcomers gaining starpower. Looking for more? Visit our complete Napa Valley restaurant directory – just not on an empty stomach. 

 

Angèle Restaurant & Bar  
Napa, CA  
Famous for: People watching and a Croque Monsieur  
Located in a historic 1890s ship chandlery now known as the Hatt Building, Angèle is Downtown Napa’s riverside answer to the romance of a French brasserie. Owner Betinna Rouas was made for this. Her father Claude Rouas started the chic Auberge du Soleil resort, and Bettina further sharpened her skill at The French Laundry and Bistro Don Giovanni prior to opening her relaxed atmosphere eatery, full of happy regulars and starry-eyed visitors who realize their luck.

Angèle Restaurant & Bar

 

Bistro Don Giovanni 
Napa, CA  
Famous for: Secret menu fried olives & la dolce vita 
Opened in 1993, Bistro Don Giovanni is the hidden gem you will want to uncover on every Napa Valley trip. While its Italian fare evolves with the seasons, pasta is always a must-order—and in true Italian fashion, it’s house-made from scratch.  Stunning terrace views, topped with Napa sunshine, make their outdoor seating unbeatable.

 

Bistro Jeanty 
Yountville, CA  
Famous for: Tomato soup that will spark dinner conversation for years 
Petite in size but big on comforting flavors, this family-run bistro offers classic French cuisine and gracious hospitality. Its roots date back to 1977 when Philippe Jeanty opened the restaurant at Domaine Chandon. Today, Chef Jeanty’s fare can be found at the bistro on Washington Street – a Yountville favorite since its opening in 1997.

Bistro Jeanty

 

Bouchon Bistro 
Yountville, CA  
Famous for: Being the chef hangout 
Bouchon, Thomas Keller’s inviting French bistro, offers a seasonal menu along with consistent, year-round favorites. Plus, you can enjoy exclusive sips at the bar – Bouchon‘s Vin en Carafe program features selections made exclusively for the restaurant from top wineries in Napa Valley and France.

 

The French Laundry 
Yountville, CA 
Famous for: Being ranked the #1 Restaurant in the World – twice  
Ranked #1 on the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” lists in back-to-back years before its Michelin-fame, The French Laundry stands out for Chef Thomas Keller’s impressive consecutive three-Michelin-star run dating back to 2007. Now it also bears the Michelin Green star for excellence in gastronomy and sustainability. Make a reservation well in advance to experience its daily-changing, 12-course menu.

 

Mustards Grill 
Yountville, CA 
Famous For: One of Napa Valley’s original onsite chef’s gardens  
Cindy Pawlcyn's landmark “deluxe truck stop” along the St. Helena Highway offered fresh organic, garden-grown greens before it was cool. Mustards has kept 10 dishes from its original 1983 menu intact – for delicious reasons. Opt for the adult grilled cheese, lemon garlic chicken, or lemon lime tart for a quintessential Napa Valley experience.

Mustards Grill

 

PRESS Restaurant 
St. Helena 
Famous For: The world’s largest selection of Napa Valley wine
Under the leadership of Samantha Rudd and Chef Philip Tessier, PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena showcases legendary Bay Area purveyors alongside new culinary innovators to craft memorable modern American fare. 

PRESS Restaurant

 

Sam’s Social Club 
Famous For: A slice of Napa Valley heritage 
Part of the resort property of Indian Springs Calistoga, Sam’s is named after Indian Springs and Calistoga’s town founder Samuel Brannan. This bar and restaurant is an artful and eclectic place to gather for great conversation and a convivial meal. With its vintage vibe and an expansive outdoor patio with loungers and oversized umbrellas, Sam’s is ideal for kicking back in the land of wellness.

 

New on the Scene Restaurants in Napa Valley

Get acquainted with Napa Valley’s next generation of rising star chefs at these hot spots

Auro 
Calistoga 
Why it’s buzzworthy: Bringing Michelin stars to Calistoga
Against the backdrop of the Palisades Mountains and the Four Seasons Resort, Auro feels like a movie scene – and its hyper-seasonal, five-course tasting menu is the set piece. Chef Rogelio Garcia came to Auro following impressive stints at The French Laundry and Top Chef Season 15.

 

Charlie’s 
St. Helena 
Why it’s buzzworthy: The ultimate high-low pairings like fried chicken and caviar
One of Napa Valley's newest American restaurants is a neighborhood-style eatery full of visitors, chefs, locals and friends. In the old footprint of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, this hidden gem highlights the bounty of the Napa Valley in an approachable atmosphere – where classic meets comfort.

Charlie’s St. Helena

 

Violetto 
St. Helena 
Why it’s buzzworthy: Haute cuisine – plus stunning vegan options
Located at Alila Napa Valley, Violetto features a spectacular seasonally driven menu with views of some of the most famous vineyards in Napa Valley. Offering a mix of individual and family-style dining, the stunning restaurant offers a flexible prix-fixe experience with plenty of lounge and Veranda-style spaces to cozy up and enjoy a la carte shareable plates.

 

The Lincoln 
Napa 
Why it’s buzzworthy: Late-night menus and exclusive cocktails
This American gastropub offers a full range of cocktails and fresh twists on classic fare – plus a special late-night menu that can’t be found anywhere else in the valley. The kitchen stays open until 1:30 AM (with full bar open until 2:00 A.M.) and Napa’s card room, Ace & Vine, is right next door.

 

Slanted Door Napa
Napa
Why it’s buzzworthy: A beloved SF institution turned wine country 
The Slanted Door was born in 1995 with the goal of elevating Vietnamese food to the next level. With its modern design, sustainable local ingredients, quality teas, and stellar wine pairings, it quickly flourished, with locations opening throughout the City, San Ramon, and most recently, Napa Valley.

 

Stateline Road Smokehouse 
Napa 
Why it’s buzzworthy: KC-Barbecue with a chef’s hand 
Notably, Darryl Bell has done more than bring delicious Kansas-city barbecue to Napa – he’s changing its culinary landscape. Bell’s eatery is a pioneering Black-owned restaurant in the city of Napa. And while it’s KC-inspired, the menu represents Bell’s multitude of culinary influences to boot (Alinea, Chicago; Bouchon and Etoile, Yountville; Michel Troisgros,Tokyo; PRESS, St. Helena).

 

Pro-tip: Make plans to dine again. Returning for a second helping allows you to revisit Napa Valley’s iconic restaurants – and discover its newest gems. With diverse dining experiences and unforgettable memories, this premier wine country destination is the ideal setting for food enthusiasts... time and time again!