Top 10 Napa Restaurants
Trust Local Wally to show you the TOP 10 BEST restaurants and dining spots in Napa Valley, locals favorites.
Top 10 Best napa valley Restaurants
Looking for Napa's Best Restaurants?
With so many good places to eat in Napa Valley it's actually hard to find a bad meal. But in some ways that makes it even harder, especially when you are only here for a short amount of time and every bite counts.
So let’s make every meal count. These are the Top 10 Napa Restaurants where you won’t leave wishing you went somewhere else. Many of these have been on Napa’s best dining lists for years and for good reason - they continue to deliver on their promise to give you an uncompromising and memorable dining experience.
These are also some of my favorite Napa restaurants, the places I recommend to friends and dine at every chance I get. So go make that reservation, you won’t be disappointed.
#1 The French Laundry
Summary: A 9+ course dinner that takes over 3 and a half hours and will easily set you back $1,000 a couple, Thomas Keller creates a restaurant that is ranked as one of the best in the world,
Wally Says: 100% worth they hype. Yes, its expensive but how many dinners have you had that you talk about years later?
What to Order: You don't order, you sit back and let them bring it out to you.
Wally Tip: Reservations released at 10:00 AM on the first of each month for the following month and sell out within a minute. For example, if you want to dine in June you need to be reserve on May 1st. Be flexible on dates and work your trip around it. If you don’t get a reservation at first keep refreshing your screen as people do drop out once they see the final price.
The French Laundry Official Site | Reservations via Tock | My Review and Photos
#2 Mustards Grill
Summary: Sophisticated and honest take on upscale American food, classics that have been transformed into their best versions. As their slogan so aptly says, “Sorry, Everything is Delicious”.
Wally Says: Mustards Grill is where I fell in love with the Napa food scene and continues to impress. It may not be as splashy and sophisticated as the new arrivals on the dining scene but it never disappoints; it’s quintessential Napa dining.
What to Order: Mongolian Pork Chop - at least one person in your party must order this Asian inspired dish, a classic.
Wally Tip: No matter what get an order of their famous onion rings, a haystack sized plate of crispy deliciousness that’s like gourmet fair food. Impressive!
# 3 Gott's Roadside
Summary: Take an old run down drive in and revamp it with gourmet burgers, add wine and beer and let people picnic on the lawn in back and you have Gott's Roadside in St. Helena, arguably the best burger in Napa and for sure the best “drive in” picnic experience.
Wally Says: Always worth a stop, proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get great food in Napa. It’s not elevated, it’s not re-imagined, it’s classic.
What to Order: A basic burger is $12, a buck more for cheese, that’s a steal. For a more gourmet experience go with the Ahi Burger with seared sushi grade tuna and Asian toppings for $18.
Wally Tip: The original St. Helena location is the one you want for an epic picnic in the back. To avoid the long waits you can order online.
#4 Gatehouse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America
Summary: Every foodie knows about the CIA, the cooking school that has turned out countless top chefs. Come taste what they're teaching at this upscale yet comfortable restaurant that's housed within their magnificent facility in St. Helena.
Wally Says: Student chefs cook lunch and dinner during their final semester with food and plating that belies the cost. The most affordable extravagant dining in Napa.
What to Order: Rotating menu, you choose between three and four courses.
Wally Tip: Sit at the bar if you want to watch the chefs and students in action.
#5 Bistro Jeanty
Summary: Bistro Jeanty serves authentic French cuisine in an often lively and bustling bistro environment. Though they lost their Michelin star in 2009, they are still recognized as a Bib Gourmand.
Wally Says: Feels like being transported back to Paris with atmosphere and food to match.
What to Order: The pastry topped tomato soup is a must for every meal, and the Sole Meunière would make Julia Child swoon.
Wally Tip: Choose your table wisely - for walk-in’s there’s a festive communal table. The front room is busy and fun, the outside seating quiet and intimate, and the back room has a table near the fireplace which is perfectly romantic.
# 6 Bouchon Bistro and Ad Hoc
Summary: Thomas Keller of ultra expensive French Laundry fame offers two other restaurants at much more affordable price points. Bouchon Bistro is a recreated French Bistro and Ad Hoc is “family style” dining with a set menu and shared plates.
Wally Says: You can’t visit Napa without dining in one of Thomas Keller’s restaurants.
What to Order: The roasted chicken with petits pois, lolla rosa, onion confit, bacon lardons & chicken jus is the standout dish at Bouchon. Menu at Ad Hoc is set and changes daily so check their website and sign up for menu updates.
Wally Tip: During the summer Ad Hoc opens a food shack behind their restaurants called Addendum where you can try their famous fried chicken at a picnic table.
#7 Rutherford Grill
Summary: Ever popular with both indoor and outside seating, Rutherford Grill offers everything from burgers to smoked ribs to grilled entrees at decent prices.
Wally Says: Yes, it’s part of the Houston’s Restaurant Group but it’s somehow transcended its chain restaurant heritage and become a Napa institution where winemakers often frequent the bar seats.
What to Order: The grilled artichoke is a serious contender for best 'choke ever.
Wally Tip: No corkage, bring in that bottle you thought you wanted to save for a special occasion and open it up.
#8 Scala Osteria
Summary: Napa’s best seafood, Scala Osteria features Southern Italian cuisine offering simple yet well executed food in a lively and stylish setting. Grilled seafood, authentic Neapolitan pizza, pastas, and well prepared meats.
Wally Says: Feels like you something off the Amalfi Coast.
What to Order: You came for the grilled whole fish. You did.
Wally Tip: Special late night menu from 10pm to 11pm with plenty of snackable goodies.
#9 The Charter Oak
Summary: Chef Christopher Kostow, renowned chef of the Three-Michelin-starred Restaurant at Meadowood (now closed) elevates farm to table dining with the freshest ingredients sourced from their garden. Beautiful interior, lush tree lined outdoor patio.
Wally Says: Family style dining with well executed and thoughtful dishes with a modern urban vibe.
What to Order: Order different dishes to share and don’t miss their happy hour, 2:30 to 5, where their famous cheesburger, considered by many to be the best in Napa, is just $18.
Wally Tip: Mon-Fri until 2:30 they offer lunch specials under their Locals Lunch menu.
#10 Bistro Don Giovanni
Summary: Authentic Italian cuisine, from the handmade pasta to freshly baked bread and home style cooking with a nod to their roots.
Wally Says: Covered patio for lunch with views of the Mayacamas Mountains and casual vibe.
What to Order: You can get spaghetti anywhere so go with the Mandilli, a silky sheet of handkerchief pasta with pesto. And the Olive Fritte, fried olives stuffed with anchovies, amazing!
Wally Tip: Save room for dessert, the butterscotch pudding is a must order.
honorable mentions for best napa dining
The Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ
Summary: Ultra casual wine bar set in a hunting lodge motif that has some serious BBQ cooking out back.
Wally Says: Extensive wines by the glass list and impressive BBQ that’s decently priced makes this a popular dining spot for locals and visitors alike.
What to Order: Beer Can Chicken is impressive, comes in half or full chicken. Come early before 5pm and you can get a BBQ sampler plate for just $18.
Wally Tip: When it's packed in the front remember that there's a smaller bar in the back of the restaurant.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
Summary: Lively upscale yet farmhouse casual dining with elevated food. Located at the Long Meadow Ranch winery so you can do a wine tasting as well before you leave.
Wally Says: Awesome food a bit on the fancier side, everything is from their farm and ranch so expect ultra fresh ingredients and flavors.
What to Order: Anything coming off that smoker is my pick, whether it’s the St Louis Ribs or the pulled pork, though you can’t argue with the excellent seafood whether it’s fresh water trout or wild caught salmon.
Wally Tip: The Garden Lounge + Cafe is super cute and casual and a top pick for lunch.
Bottega Napa Valley
Summary: The late Michael Chiarello was once the darling of FoodTV, one of the original celebrity chefs. His restaurant continues on with upscale Italian dining.
Wally Says: Even if you don't eat dinner here make it to their outside patio where the roaring fireplace and truffle fries make for a delightful happy hour.
What to Order: Ricotta Gnocchi della Nonna was the signature dish when Michael was still alive and one of the few items that remains on the menu today, it’s so good.
Wally Tip: Located in the V Marketplace, allow yourself time to wander the shops before or after dining.
