Napa Valley, California
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Napa Restaurants, Food & DrinkOver the last few years, Napa has turned into an incredible restaurant town. Like the rest of the valley, it's heavy on Tuscan Italian, but you'll also find Sicilian, French, Vietnamese, American steakhouse, and a wide variety of "wine country" menus. You can dine along the sidewalk watching pedestrians walk by, or in a patio overlooking the Napa River. You can even enjoy a gourmet meal on a train. |
251TOGO
1420 Third Street, Suite 1
Napa CA 94559
707.251.8646
Food delivered from local Napa restaurants directly to your home. Order by phone or online. Napa delivery only.
Adobe House Restaurant
376 Soscol Avenue
Napa CA 94559
707.255.4310
Mexican/American - Entrees $10.75-$21.95
Napa's oldest and most historic building, the Adobe House was built in 1840 by Don Cayetano Juarez, whose land-grant Rancho Tulocay spread out over 8,800 acres east of the Napa River. It's located at the intersection of Soscol Avenue and the beginning of the Silverado Trail.
The menu offers everything from fajitas, enchiladas to steaks. Watch your head when moving from room to room. Doorways were lower in the 1840s.
Alexis Baking Company & Café
1517 Third Street
Napa CA 94559
707.258.1827
American with a Wine Country Flair - Entrees (lunch) $9.00-$10.00
The "ABC" is one of Napa's most popular coffee and lunch spots. Highly recommended. For breakfast, try Alexis Handleman's scrambled eggs with potatoes and tomato-basil toast. If you're lucky, she'll feature her grilled vegetable sandwich at lunchtime. Don't miss the unique—and uniquely labeled—bathrooms.
Allegria
Anette's Chocolate & Ice Cream Factory
1321 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.252.4228
Ice cream fountain (they make more than 25 flavors), candy factory, wine-flavored truffles, sugar-free chocolates. They ship UPS almost everywhere. Anette is maintaining a 50-year tradition, and the quality is outstanding. Try Brent's Chocolate Wine and Liqueur Sauces.
Anette's Chocolate Factory
Oxbow Public Market
610 First Street next to Copia
Napa CA 94559
707.252.4228
Angèle Restaurant
540 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.252.8115
French Country - Entrees $20-$30
A French Provençal country farmhouse restaurant and bar run by Claude Rouas and his daughters Bettina and Claudia. Rouas founded the Auberge du Soleil inn and restaurant in Rutherford and Piatti's in Yountville. Located at the Napa Mill in downtown Napa. Outdoor dining available overlooking the Napa River.
Annaliên
1142 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.8319
Vietnamese - Entrees $13-$23
Bib Gourmand rating (good meals at moderate prices) in the Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. Friendly staff and wonderful food. Try the Crispy Rolls—meat or vegetarian—and the Ha Long Bread for appetizers, or the Green Papaya Salad. For entrees, we love the Vietnamese Crepe (Half Moon Banh Xeo) and the Lavender Sea Salt Rack of Lamb. Desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious. If it's on the menu, it's excellent.
Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca
1260 Main St.
Napa CA 94559
707.255.5552
Pizza - Entrees $8.95-$10.95
Chef/owner Michael Gyetvan offers pizzas, pastas, salads and wine at prices that appeal to locals. But it's not your local pizza joint. Gyetvan is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York and former chef de cuisine at Tra Vigne in St. Helena. The place is casual and comfortable, and the food, featuring local produce, is delicious and very popular.
BarBersQ
3900 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa CA 94558
707.224.6600
American Heritage - Entrees $15 - $20
Bib Gourmand rating (good meals at moderate prices) in the Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. Menu includes pulled pork, grilled oysters, chicken and grass-fed rib-eye steak. Open daily 11 am - 11 pm. Sidewalk dining.
Bay Leaf Restaurant
2025 Monticello Road
Napa CA 94558
707.257.9720
American Cuisine with French/Italian - Entrees $23 - $42
Directions: Drive east on Trancas Street, which becomes Monticello Road. Drive one-tenth mile past the Silverado Country Club/Atlas Peak Road turnoff. Restaurant is on right just past Vichy Avenue.
A restaurant near Silverado Country Club with a focus on top-notch service. Extensive wine list with a large selection of half-bottles (why don't more restaurants do this?). Offers a comfortable bar, outdoor dining when weather permits, and free valet parking. Entrees include pizza, pasta, Beef Wellington, lamb shanks, pork and veal loins. Comfort food with a flair.
Big D Burgers
1005 Silverado Trail
Napa CA 94559
707.255.7188
Hamburgers
Popular local place with great burgers, milk shakes, fish and chips, salads, chili and more.
Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29)
Napa CA 94558
707.224.3300
Italian/French Country - Entrees $14-$36
Directions: From Napa take Highway 29 north. After passing the Salvador Avenue traffic light, continue for about 300 yards and turn right into the first driveway. The road turns right but veer left into the restaurant parking lot.
Overlooking vineyards and the hills beyond, Bistro Don Giovanni captures the essence of Italy with all the charm and elegance of the Napa Valley. Excellent menu featuring pizzas, pastas, grilled dishes (try the seared salmon with buttermilk), and exquisite salads (we like the spinach salad with Stilton cheese and fresh beets). We recommend the terrace on a warm wine country evening, surrounded by the gardens that supply many of the herbs and vegetables for your meal.
Bleaux Magnolia
1408 Clay Street
Napa CA 94559
707.252.2230
Nouvelle Creole – Entrees $16-$23
Seafood Gumbo, Duck Breast Jambalaya, Cornbread Crusted Catfish, and desserts like beignet and caramel apple bread pudding. New Creole cooking with a California touch.
Browns Valley Market
3263 Browns Valley Road
Napa CA 94558
707.253.1873
Large, quality supermarket with an excellent butcher shop and delicatessen.
Buckhorn Grill
1201 Napa Town Center (near Mervyn's)
Napa CA 94559
707.265.9508
American Grill - Entrees $6-$10
Buckhorn was a weekly hit for years at the summertime Chef's Market in Napa. Now it's permanent. It's a place for a tasty and reasonably priced meal, specializing in tri-tip sandwiches, chicken and salmon. Popular with locals and tourists.
Butter Cream Bakery
2297 Jefferson Street
Napa CA 94558
707.255.6700
Try their "champagne cake." No, it doesn't have champagne in it. But it deserves to accompany a glass of the bubbly. If you can't handle a whole cake, you can buy it by the slice. Lots of other goodies, too, all with Butter Cream's special touch.
Truly a Napa institution and a popular hangout place for breakfast or lunch. There's usually a line of people waiting to select their favorite goodies from a wide variety of delicious pastries, so don't forget to take a number when you walk in.
Café Revolution
See Smoking Cat
Caffe Cicero
1245 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.1802
American - Entrees $8.99-$13.99
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner until midnight during the week, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner menu includes soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches and burgers. Beer and wine. One of the very few late-night places in town so you can stop by after a movie, play, concert or other event. Comfortable décor featuring the old bar from the sadly-departed Carriage House. Acoustic music, book and dramatic readings, and other events. Free wi-fi connection.
Celadon
500 Main Street, Suite G
Napa CA 94559
707.254.9690
Wine Country - Entrees $16-$30
Bib Gourmand rating (good meals at moderate prices) in the Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. An immediate favorite of locals since it opened in 1996, now located at the historic Napa Mill. Owner/chef Greg Cole says his place serves "global comfort food." The 2002 Zagat Survey gave Celadon its Award of Distinction, and the Wine Spectator gave its Award of Excellence. The S.F. Examiner once said Cole was one of the Top 10 Undiscovered Chefs in Northern California. He's not undiscovered any longer, but he's still top.
Cole's Chop House
1122 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
707.224.6328
Classic steakhouse - Entrees $16-$66
Greg Cole was so successful with his Celadon restaurant that he opened his dream restaurant nearby—a classic American steak house. The menu features 21-day dry-aged prime steaks, certified Angus Beef, formula fed veal, New Zealand lamb and fresh seafood. And a large variety of martinis and other classic cocktails.
Sunset Magazine says the "aged prime steaks are incredible." You will, too.
Compadre's Rio Grille
505 Lincoln Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.253.1111
California-Mexican - Entrees $10-$19
Indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations not required. Award-winning Cal-Mex cuisine, with traditional and not-so-traditional favorites complemented by an array of grilled items, including fajitas, carnitas and pollo borracho, as well as fresh fish Vera Cruz style. Very casual, great for families and large parties. No corkage fee.
Very pleasant outdoor dining with a view of the Napa River. Lively bar scene. 3,000 sq. ft. of banquet facilities. Private party rooms, space for community meetings, and catering services.
Copia - The American Center For Wine, Food And The Arts
See listing
Cuvée Napa
1650 Soscol Avenue
Napa CA 94559
707.224.2330
American Modern Comfort Food - Entrees $14-$26
Bib Gourmand rating (good meals at moderate prices) in the Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. Located adjacent to the River Terrace Inn. Indoor and outdoor dining. Excellent local wines on tap at very reasonable prices. Formerly the location of Restaurant Budo.
Downtown Joe's American Grill & Brewhouse
902 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.258.2337
American - Entrees $8.50-$18
Joe's is a popular lunch, dinner and evening spot for locals and those visitors who are lucky enough to find out about it. It has live music almost every night and "open mike" nights on Tuesday. Not the place for a quiet, intimate dinner, but nice outdoor dining where you can sit and look at the river. Great beers too, brewed right on the spot at Joe's own microbrewery. Free wifi Internet access.
Elements Restaurant and Enoteca
1400 Second Street
Napa CA 94559
Coming in May to the former location of Pizza Azurro. Small plates and wine and food bar.
Emporio Rulli Gran Caffé
Reportedly coming to The Riverfront when it opens.
Fatted Calf
644C First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.256.3684
Artisanal charcuterie. In the Oxbow Public Market.
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
645 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.254.9700
Italian - Entrees $6.50-$12
Basic Italian food from a small family-owned Southern California chain.
Firewood Cafe
3824 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa CA 94558
707.224.9660
Italian+ - Entrees $7-$10
Pizza, pasta, chicken and salads.
First Squeeze Cafe
1126 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.6762
Multi-American - Entrees $8-$15
Breakfast and lunch with dinner on weekends. Good vegetarian options.
Five Dot Ranch
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.5550
Natural beef. In the Oxbow Public Market.
Folio Enoteca & Winery
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.256.3700
In the Oxbow Public Market. Microwinery, wine tasting room and shop and café.
Foothill Grille
2766 Old Sonoma Road
Napa CA 94558
707.257.2270
California - Entrees $15-$22
An out-of-the-way place with tremendous food, thanks to Chef Jerry Shaffer, who was a chef at Masa's in San Francisco before opening his own restaurant. The San Francisco Chronicle says it's the equal of any place in the Napa Valley. Get grilled anything, particularly the ribs.
Frida's
1533 Trancas Street
Napa CA 94558
707.252.3575
Mexican - Entrees $8-$12
Mexican and Mexican-American. Located next to Sizzler.
Fujiya Restaurant
921 Factory Stores Drive
Napa CA 94559
707.257.0639
Japanese - Entrees $12-$17
Although Fujiya is located at the Napa factory outlets, it was there before the outlets appeared, and has always been our favorite Japanese restaurant in the valley. The sushi is excellent with a wide range of choices served at the sushi bar or at your table. The rest of the menu offers dishes such as tempura, teriyaki and sukiyaki. All are very good. Add in prompt and friendly service and you'll see why Fujiya is well patronized by locals. The only flaw? The shrill "cat meow" that takes the place of the normal telephone ring. You might point that out to the staff if it bothers you.
Fumé Bistro & Bar
4050 Byway East
Napa CA 94558
707.257.1999
American/California - Entrees $16-$21
Directions: In north Napa, turn east off Highway 29 onto Trower, take the first left and the first left again (just past the John Muir Inn). Continue a short distance along the highway frontage road and you'll see Fumé on the right.
A comfortable neighborhood restaurant already discovered by visitors. A mouth-watering list of pizzas and pastas that might include Asparagus Ravioli with fresh sage cream sauce and baby cress salad or Rock Shrimp Pizza with braised leeks, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives and herb goat cheese. Entrees such as Roasted Sea Bass and Manila Clams and Oven-Roasted Sonoma Organic Chicken.
Genova Delicatessen
1550 Trancas Street
Napa CA 94558
707.253.8686
A wide selection of cheese, meats and Italian specialties. They'll whip you up a sandwich or an entire picnic basket. If you can't find something here to delight your taste buds, you probably shouldn't have come to the Napa Valley in the first place. Take a number when you walk in, or you may be left watching while everyone else gets their food.
Gillwoods Cafe
Napa Town Center (next to the Visitors Center)
Napa CA 94559
707.253.0409
American - Entrees $7.95-$9.75. Breakfast and lunch only.
One of the nicest places in downtown Napa for breakfast or lunch. Excellent comfort food at reasonable prices. Outdoor tables. Lots of people passing by. And it's right next to the Visitors Center. Free WiFi.
Grill at Silverado, The
Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak Road
Napa CA 94558
707.257.5400
Wine Country Cuisine - Entrees $19-$20
Directions: At the north end of Napa on Highway 29 turn east on Trancas Street. Continue on Trancas and follow the sign to Lake Berryessa (Highway 121 - Monticello Road). At Atlas Peak Road turn left for .8 miles. Turn right at the traffic light and drive into Silverado Resort.
Hawaii-born chef Peter Pahk creates wine country cuisine with an Asian flair, emphasizing fresh and sustainable products from local vendors. Entrees include Roasted Fulton Valley Chicken Breast, Grimaud Farms Muscovy Duck, Seafood "Hot Pot", Saffron Scented Fish Broth, Crab, Tuna, Scallops with Traditional Aioli, and Merlot and Vanilla Braised Lamb Shank.
The prices at the grill are remarkably reasonable for such outstanding quality and service, and Chef Pahk is to be commended for operating a kitchen that appeals to locals as well as smart visitors. As Pahk says, "It has been our mission to create a wonderful restaurant in a beautiful setting which is welcoming, affordable, and convenient. Our average dinner entrée is priced at $14 and we offer complimentary valet parking." The Grill overlooks the golf course and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Henry's
823 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.3008
There aren't many stand-alone bars in the Napa Valley, and even fewer that are worth stepping into. Henry's is one that is. It offers honest drinks for honest prices. At an earlier location it had a back door off an alley where lawyers and judges could pop in unobserved for a quick drink and negotiations. At its current location it has only a front, very visible, door across the street from Veterans' Park, so the legal profession is seldom to be seen. At least during daylight hours.
As a matter of fact, until a few years ago, even Henry's was seldom to be seen. It didn't have a sign out front, so only the regulars knew it existed. But new owners decided they'd like some new, additional customers, and it's now clearly marked.
Henry's doesn't open until late in the afternoon, so if you're looking for action, wait until late in the evening. The later it gets, the younger the crowd is. Of course, if you're just looking for a good drink, any time is fine.
Heritage Culinary Artifacts
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.244.2101
In the Oxbow Public Market. Premium culinary antiques.
In-N-Out Burger
820 Imola Avenue
Napa CA 94559 (Just off Soscol Avenue)
Okay, so it has nothing to do with the Napa Valley or even wine country. It's just a California hamburger chain. But if it's possible to say "healthy fast food", this is the place. In-N-Out uses 100% pure beef, hand leafs its lettuce, bakes its own buns, slices fresh potatoes right in the store and cooks them in vegetable oil, uses real cheese, and puts only real ice cream in the shakes. The wait is longer than most fast-food places but that's because they cook your order on the spot. They don't use a microwave, heat lamp or freezer. And their wages and benefits are the best in the industry. An In-N-Out burger may not be wine country cuisine, but it's delicious. Hey, it's not just us that thinks so. So does Thomas Keller of French Laundry fame.
Real fans also know the "secret menu" such as "protein style" (hamburger wrapped in lettuce without the bun), "Animal style" (bun is grilled with mustard, and grilled onions, pickles and extra sauce are added), and "Neapolitan shake" (a mix of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry).
Jonesy's Famous Steak House
Napa Valley Airport
2044 Airport Road
Napa CA 94558
707.255.2003
www.jonesysfamoussteakhouse.com
Steakhouse - Entrees: $9.75 - $18.95
Since 1946. Known by pilots all over the country who fly in just for lunch or dinner. Steak, chicken and seafood. A favorite of old-time Napans.
Joy Luck House
1144 Jordane Lane
Napa CA 94559
707.224.8788
Chinese - Entrees $6.95-$10.50
Mandarin, Hunan and Szechuan. Popular restaurant with "less oil, no MSG".
Julia's Kitchen
500 First Street
Napa CA 94558
707.265.5700
California-French - Entrees $27-$35.00
Hours vary depending on season and day of the week. Call for current information.
Located at Copia, Julia's Kitchen is named after famed chef and cookbook author Julia Child. Child was also an honorary trustee of, and adviser to, Copia. She not only donated her name, she also donated her collection of copper cookware to the center.
The open kitchen allows 75 guests to watch the chefs—and visiting chefs and cooking teachers—at work while they dine on regional and seasonal foods highlighting produce and herbs from Copia's own gardens. While at Copia, you can tour the three and a half acres of organic gardens. Reservations are recommended.
Buy Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume One and Volume Two, by Julia Child.
Buy Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking, by Julia Child.
Kanaloa Seafood
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
Fresh, environmentally sustainable seafood at the Oxbow Public Market.
Kelley's "No Bad Days" Café
976 Pearl Street
Napa CA 94559
707.258.9666 Fax 707.255.7066
California - Entrees $20-$28
Just off Main Street towards the Cinedome Theater. Kelley Novak offers a tasty menu that includes such dinner entrees as grilled ribeye steak with Cabernet sauce, grilled baby back ribs with Hoisin glaze, and sautéed seasonal vegetables with shallots and garden herbs. Appetizers might include tiger prawns wrapped in pancetta, beef satay, and panko sautéed oysters. A comfortable local place with excellent food. Corkage $10. $3 split-plate charge. Known Hummer drivers subject to refusal of service.
Kitchen Library
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.253.1894
In the Oxbow Public Market. Gallery of limited-edition photographs, ceramics, table and kitchen linens, food and wine related antiques, fine paper goods, and books.
Las Palmas Meat - Seafood
1740 Yajome Street
Napa CA 94559
707.253.2036
Excellent quality meats and seafood. The fish is hand-selected every morning in San Francisco.
Lawler's Liquors
2232 Jefferson
Napa CA 94558
707.226.9311
A liquor store with a kitchen selling malfatti, ravioli, salad and French bread. Bring a container or they'll sell you a cheap plastic one.
Locos Tex Mex Grill
1040 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.251.8058
Tex-Mex - Entrees $7.95-$20.95
Grilled meats, chili and seafood entrees. At the former location of Belle Arti, in back of the building next door to the Opera House.
Model Bakery
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.259.1128
In the Oxbow Public Market.
Napa Downtown Farmers Market
Copia South Parking Lot
500 First Street
707.252.7142
May through October. Tuesdays 7:30-Noon & Saturdays 8:30-Noon
Napa General Store
540 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.259.0762
American/Pan-Asian - Entrees $7.95-$12.95
A specialty market and cafe (open for breakfast and lunch till 6 p.m.) with an outside dining terrace overlooking the Napa River. Part of the Napa Mill complex. Strong focus on Pan-Asian cuisine. Also offers pizza, picnic baskets, and a tasting bar by the glass. Visitors can choose from a daily selection of a dozen or more tasting wines, both red and white, most from Northern California.
Napa Smith Brewery
1 Executive Way
Napa CA 94558
707.603.2986
Produces beers designed not only to be excellent on their own but to complement food as well. Located south of Napa in the former Hakusan Brewery building at the intersection of Highways 29 and 12. Tours during normal business hours or by appointment.
Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company
948 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.2233 800.852.5804
Freshly-roasted coffee in downtown Napa. At corner of First and Main. Small but convenient. They have a larger version in St. Helena.
Napa Valley Culinary Centre
388 Devlin Road
Napa CA 94559
707.603.3250
www.napavalleyculinarycentre.com
Company headquarters for Tulocay & Company, producers of Napa Valley food products. Located near Napa Valley Airport. Tasting cafe, cooking classes, retail shop, catering and events.
Napa Valley Traditions
1202 Main Street (corner of Pearl)
Napa CA 94559
707.226.2044 Fax: 707.226.2069
Traditions is a coffee house that also sells (and offers tasting of) food and wine. It specializes in Napa Valley products, including nuts, wine vinegars, olive oils, wine jellies, mustards and, of course, wines. Lots of wine paraphernalia too, such as wine racks, coasters, cork pullers and the like.
Traditions is one of the original coffee hangouts in both Napa and California. It's a quiet and cool place to sip coffee or tea, with a play area for your little ones to occupy themselves while you relax. Traditions is just across the street from the Napa Firefighters Museum which is also a great place to take kids.
Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry
Napa CA 94559
707.253.2111. 800.427.4124 Fax: 707.253.9264
On-Train Restaurant: Wine Country Cuisine - $85-$110 prix fixe
The Wine Train offers two forms of dining. Throughout most of the year, you can dine on the train as it travels between Napa and St. Helena, and return. During slow periods of the winter, which do not include the holiday season, the train remains in the station Monday through Thursday, but the dining and lounge cars are open for wine tasting, appetizers, meals, and desserts. The "stationary" Wine Train restaurant is called "McKinstry Street Station".
See more about Wine Train.
Olive Press
First Street next to Copia
Napa CA 94559
707.226.2579
In the Oxbow Public Market. Olive oils and other products.
Organic Abundance
PO Box 3144
Napa CA 94558
707.251.5500
Napa CA
Regional organic produce delivered weekly or bimonthly to your home in Carneros, Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena. Call for brochure.
Osprey Seafood Market
1014 Wine Country Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.252.9120
At the north end of Napa just west of Highway 29. An attractive selection of deliciously fresh seafood. Includes live crab and lobster.
Oxbow Cheese Merchant
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.5200
In the Oxbow Public Market. Domestic and imported artisan cheeses.
Oxbow Public Market
610 First Street next to Copia
Napa CA 94559
707.257.5200
Food vendors and small restaurants similar to those at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco. Around 30 tenants, including four mini-restaurants, a bakery, and meat and fish. There are also ten "farmstands" where local farmers sell their produce every day of the year.
The Market is overseen by Steve Carlin, the project manager for the Ferry Building attraction.
Oxbow Wine Merchant and Wine Bar
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.5200
In the Oxbow Public Market. Service-oriented shop for buying, tasting, and learning about wine. The shop carries smaller production wines from around the world, as well as everyday, high-quality labels.
Pasta Prego
3206 Jefferson Street
Napa CA 94558
707.224.9011
Italian - Entrees $14.95-$24.95
Excellent food in a neighborhood restaurant in a small, non-descript mall. The locals all know about it, and apparently some of them have passed on news of its existence to visitors as well. The usual palette of pastas—lasagna, ravioli, fettuccini—all with delicious sauces, as well as risotto, pizzas, veal piccatta and fish. On our last visit we had Gamberi e Finocchio, sauteed prawns on a bed of leek pancake with fennel, and a sun-dried tomato shrimp and cumin sauce. And that was just for openers.
Pearl
1339 Pearl Street #104
Napa CA 94559
707.224.9161 Fax: 707.255.6825
California Cuisine - Entrees $12.95 - $26.95
Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Pearl owners Nickie and Pete Zeller formerly owned the Brown Street Grill in Napa, and Nickie was co-owner of the legendary Diner in Yountville. Pearl is a gem and one of Napa's very best restaurants. The beautiful hex symbol paintings on the walls are all for sale.
Pica Pica Maize Kitchen
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.251.3757
In the Oxbow Public Market. Classic Venezuelan cuisine, including the arepa; a grilled corn flour cake, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, stuffed with traditional Venezuelan fillings, such as Pepeada (chicken salad and Venezuelan style guacamole), Pelu'a (shredded skirt steak and cheese), Dominó (black beans with cheese) or Pabellón (shredded skirt steak beef, black beans and fried plantains).
Piccolino's Italian Café
1385 Napa Town Center
Napa, CA 94559
707.251.0100 Fax: 707.224.1232
Entrance on First Street at Franklin
Old World Italian - Entrees $13.95-$22.95
A popular Italian restaurant on downtown Napa's main street. Comfortable atmosphere with lots of windows so you can look out on sidewalk and street. Pasta, seafood and meat specials, wine bar with music on Friday and Saturday evenings, Italian night every Wednesday evening with an Italian accordionist. Patio dining available in season. Lunch and dinners seven days a week.
Pilar
807 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.252.4474
Napa Valley - Entrees $23-$30
Closed
Red Hen Cantina
4175 Solano Avenue
Napa CA 94559
707.255.8125
Mexican - Entrees $ 9.75-$15.95
For years the Red Hen was located north of Napa on the west side of Highway 29. It had a great outdoor dining area with a view of vineyards and hills. It's now in Napa at the former location of Pairs Restaurant. It's still got outdoor dining on the deck. Karaoke on Thursday nights.
Red Rock Café and Catering
1010 Lincoln Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.226.2633
American Burger - Entrees $4.50-$14.95
Great hamburgers and onion rings. Tri-tip and barbecued ribs, too. Consistently voted the best hamburger in Napa.
Ristorante Allegria
1026 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.254.8006
Northern Italian - Entrees $11-$28
Northern Italian food with an elegant décor. Located in an historic bank building in Downtown Napa next to the plaza (where the much-despised Clocktower formerly stood). Friends say it has the best tiramisu they've ever tasted.
Ritual Roasters
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.5200
In the Oxbow Public Market. Coffee and coffee education.
Riverdog Farm
PO Box 42
Guinda CA 95637
916.796.3802
A community supported agriculture (CSA) farm that delivers organic produce in Napa, St. Helena and Oakville
Rôtisario
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
510.780.0300
In the Oxbow Public Market. European rotisserie cooking.
Royal Oak
Silverado Resort
1600 Atlas Peak Road
Napa CA 94558
707.257.5400
Regional Specialties - Entrees $25-$38
Directions: At the north end of Napa on Highway 29 turn east on Trancas Street. Continue on Trancas and follow the sign to Lake Berryessa (Highway 121 - Monticello Road). At Atlas Peak Road turn left for .8 miles. Turn right at the traffic light and drive into Silverado Resort.
Hawaii-born chef Peter Pahk turns out a wide variety of wonderful food featuring everything from Grilled Kauai White Prawns, to Hawaiian Swordfish to Triple Cut Baby Lamb Chops and Muscovy Duck Breast. Pahk focuses on local vendors to turn out his outstanding regional dishes. Dinner only. Dress is Resort Casual, one of the few places in the valley that ask you to dress up a little.
Siam Thai House
1139 Lincoln Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.226.7749
Thai
Authentic Thai restaurant open for lunch and dinner.
Siena
Meritage Resort
875 Bordeaux Way
Napa CA 94558
707.251.1950
Wine Country Tuscan - Entrees $18-$34
Tuscan-themed restaurant specializing in wine country/Tuscan-themed food.
Small World
932 Coombs Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.7743
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Just off First Street. Falafel, gyros, shwarma, salads, smoothies. Delicious food at very reasonable prices. Surprisingly, even one of the best hamburgers in Napa.
Smoking Cat Café, The (AKA Café Revolution)
1502 Main Street
Napa CA 94558
707.224.7743
Café
Eclectic menu including coffees, smoothies and foods for vegetarians and vegans. Boba (tapioca balls) in the drink of your choice. Very comfortable place to hang out. Open mic Monday evenings, poetry night Thursday evenings.
Squeeze Inn
3383 Solano Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.257.6880
Hamburgers and sandwiches - $3.95 - $6.55
Located next to Vallerga's off Redwood Road. Legendary (in its home of Sacramento) burger joint. People claim it's the best burger (try it with the cheese skirt) they've ever had—anywhere. Also hot dogs and sandwiches.
Suppertime
2977 Solano Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.224.3097
American - Entrees $6.50-$10.50
Full take-out meals. Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Mon-Sat. Or you can eat there and even enjoy Irish music on Friday nights.
Sushi Ran
Michelin-star awarded sushi restaurant in Sausalito reportedly coming to the Riverfront when it opens.
Sweet Graces
2034 Redwood Road
Napa CA 94558
707.251.5511
Candy making, cake baking and decorating supplies and classes. Located in the Redwood Plaza.
Sweetie Pies
520 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.8817
A bakery located at the Hatt Mill that offers light lunches, coffee, breads and individual desserts as well as specialty cakes, breakfast pastries and cookies. Also offers wine and beer. Open seven days a week.
Taco Trucks
Along Soscol Avenue between First Street and Lincoln Avenue
Mexican - $1.25 and up
In the afternoon and early evening you'll find trucks with kitchens and serving windows parked along both sides of Soscol Avenue. These independently-owned mobile restaurants cook and sell Mexican food such as tacos, quesadillas and burritos. Customers sit on the grass along the sidewalk, eat in their cars or take their meals home. It's tasty, home-made fast food at a very reasonable price.
Taylor's Automatic Refresher
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.6900
In the Oxbow Public Market.
Three Twins Organic Ice Cream
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.257.8946
In the Oxbow Public Market.
Tillerman Tea
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.265.0200
In the Oxbow Public Market.
Trader Joe's
3654 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa CA 94558
707.256.0806
Located just off Trancas Street at Highway 29. Turn east on Trancas and take the first left into the shopping center.
A chain of nearly 200 stores located throughout the United States. Trader Joe's offers food (fresh and packaged—much of it organic and/or vegetarian) and beverages, including spirits and wines. Their selection includes specialty and imported items, and prices on everything are exceptionally low. Trader Joe's has built a fanatic following of customers, and the public clamor (including letters to the editor) for a TJ's in the Napa Valley took on near-cargo cult dimensions. The pleas were successful.
Trancas Steak House
999 Trancas Street
Napa CA 94558
707.258.9990
American - Entrees: $11.95-$25.95
Steak house open for lunch and dinner. Outdoor dining. Full bar open till 2 am. Karaoke on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.
Tuscany
1005 First Street (corner of Main)
Napa CA 94558
707.258.1000
Northern Italian - Entrees: $14-$30
A very popular place with great ambiance. At the corner of First and Main in downtown Napa. Open windows so you can watch the passers-by.
Ubuntu Restaurant and Yoga Studio
1140 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.251.5656
Contemporary Garden Fresh - Entrees: $11-$18
Vegetables and fruit grown from within 150 miles, with many from the restaurant's own local organic/biodynamic garden at Lion's Run Winery. Dairy products and eggs with vegan options, but no meat. Ubuntu is a Zulu word for “humanity for others”. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Patio dining, demonstration kitchen and large community table. The yoga studio is on the level above.
In Spring 2008, the New York Times placed Ubuntu in second place in its nationwide list of ten Intriguing New Restaurants Outside of New York City.
Uva Trattoria Italiana
1040 Clinton
Napa CA 94558
707.255.6646
Northern Italian - Entrees: $6-$16.50
A comfortable and tasty northern Italian restaurant. A very short walk from downtown Napa's main street. Half portions of pasta are available, which is a great idea that we'd like to see other restaurants offer.
Vallerga's Market
3385 Solano Avenue
Napa CA 94558
707.253.2621
An excellent supermarket. Outstanding gourmet foods and Napa Valley food products, perfect for picnic lunches. Just off Highway 29 at Redwood Road at the north end of Napa.
Val's Liquors
1532 Third Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.2237
A liquor store with a kitchen selling malfatti, ravioli, salad and French bread. Bring a container or they'll sell you a cheap plastic one.
Villa Corona
3614 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa CA 94558
707.257.8685
Mexican - Entrees $4-$10.50
Our favorite Mexican restaurant. A small place in a shopping center (the same one where Trader Joe's is located) that's a little hard to find, but worth the effort. They're at the southeast corner, off the alley. A few tables inside, and more outside overlooking the parking. People go there for the food, not the ambiance.
Great Mexican cooking with everything from chile rellenos, burritos and chimichangas to enchiladas, flautas, and the T's—tacos, tamales and tostadas. Beer is available but if you're going to eat outside, tell them and they'll pour it in a paper cup. They don't take checks, but cash and plastic work fine. They also have a location in St. Helena.
Villa Romano
1011 Soscol Ferry Road
Napa CA 94558
707.252.4533
Northern Italian - Entrees $12-$21
Directions: Located near the divide of Highway 29 and Highway 121 south of Napa. At the traffic light at the divide, make an immediate left onto Soscol Ferry Road, which is the southern extension of Soscol Road. See the web site for a map.
The two-story restaurant was built as a stagecoach stop in 1855. It offers an extensive selection of appetizers, salads and pastas, and entrees such as Scallopine, Osso Bucco and Misto Griglio—grilled King Salmon, prawns and Ahi tuna served over linguini. A comfortable place for dining by candlelight and fireplace.
Vintage Sweet Shoppe
530 Main Street
Napa CA 94558
707.226.3933
Family candy-making business. 200 different hand-made chocolate confections, including truffles and their unique chocolate-dipped wine bottles.
Whole Foods
3682 Bel Aire Plaza
Napa CA 94558
707.224.6300
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/napa/
First location in Napa County for the popular organic foods chain. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Free Wi-Fi.
Whole Spice
610 First Street
Napa CA 94559
707.256.0700
In the Oxbow Public Market.
Wine Train
Zinsvalley Restaurant
3253 Browns Valley Road
Napa CA 94558
707.224.0695
American/California - Entrees $16-$24
From downtown Napa take First Street west over Highway 29, go 1.3 miles and turn left into the Browns Valley Shopping Center.
Lunches served Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, dinners Monday through Saturday.
Out of the way and unknown to most tourists, Zinsvalley is a favorite of the people in the area. Friendly service, excellent food, and a relaxing creekside patio for dining. No corkage fee.
ZuZu
829 Main Street
Napa CA 94559
707.224.8555
Spanish Tapas - Plates: $3-$11 each
Bib Gourmand rating (good meals at moderate prices) in the Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. Located across the street from Veterans' Park and the Napa River, ZuZu has been packing them in since the day it opened. It didn't hurt that the San Francisco Chronicle gave ZuZu the greatest raves we've ever seen in their restaurant reviews. ZuZu doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait.
ZuZu's menu focuses on Spanish "tapas," those delicious little mini-dishes prepared both cold (tapas frias) and warm (tapas calientes). Enjoy them with a glass of sherry. Our personal favorites are the Mexican corn soup and the Flat-Iron Steak, but we're always pleased no matter what we order. Excellent, friendly service, a lively atmosphere, and wonderfully tasty food. In fact, we get more excited about the food each time we go there. It's delicious.
