Napa Valley starts about 40 miles north of San Francisco and spans about 30 miles from American Canyon to Calistoga. Route 29 is the main pathway and can get pretty backed up on weekends. Silverado Trail runs parallel to the east and alleviates some traffic in this area, which is probably the most prestigious wine destination in California and the U.S.
Napa Valley Historical Society provides a solid overview of Napa Valley history. Their summary starts with Patwin and Wapoo people 10,000-12,000 years ago. Spanish missionaries, Mexican Rancho Entré Napa owner Nicolás Higuera, and Americano “pioneers” like George C. Yount and Nathan Coombs, who received Mexican land grants, all played roles in the area’s development. Gradually, grapes became a bigger part of the story due to winemakers like Charles Krug, Frederick Beringer and brother Jacob, Jay Schram, and Robert Mondavi. As the community grew and wine became more prestigious, chefs and entrepreneurs opened restaurants to meet the needs of wine connoisseurs, sometimes on-site at tasting rooms. At this point, Napa Valley has earned a reputation as a playground for wealthy vino and gastro tourists.
There are more opportunities than ever to experience seasonal tasting menus with wine pairings in Napa Valley, which can of course get pricey. Reservations can also be challenging at times. There are some more casual options for people who don’t want to compete for tables or pay a premium. The city of Napa, by far the largest city, with approximately 77,000 residents, has the most low-key dining options, including several strong stalls in Oxbow Public Market food hall.
I’ve visited the Napa Valley several times over the years, including for my recent 10-year wedding anniversary. Learn about my favorite Napa Valley food and coffee experiences. Yes, Thomas Keller and Christopher Kostow have significant representation in my Napa Valley food guide, but they are two of the leading chefs and entrepreneurs in Napa Valley with their respective partners, Laura Cunningham and Martina Kostow. I was also happy to learn that all of the on-site culinary outlets my wife and I experienced during our stay at Stanly Ranch are worth recommending. At the end, you’ll find my other Napa Valley food recommendations based on previous experiences that were too far in the past to include.
Ad Hoc – Yountville ↓
Must Order Dishes: Prix Fixe Menu Changes Daily
Ad Hoc is Thomas Keller’s fluid exploration of seasonal comfort food, located down Washington Street from The French Laundry. Chef de Cuisine Daniel Ziebell changes the menu daily. They’re best known for herbaceous fried chicken and serve a burger at the bar, but just trust in their prix fixe. From spring through fall, they open Addendum, a lunchtime food stand on the back patio.
Bear @ Stanly Ranch – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Bear Pancakes, Breakfast Sandwich
My wife and I had enough breakfast credit to cover the first meal of the day during our stay at Stanly Ranch, so we just ate breakfast here. Bonus: the food was actually good thanks to Executive Chef Anthony Stagnaro and crew. Their breakfast sandwich on a Model Bakery English muffin stood out. So did fluffy pancakes with apple-cardamom compote, pink lady apples, and maple mascarpone.
Charter Oak – St. Helena ↓
Must Order Dishes: Chicory Salad, Smoked Sturgeon, Stuffed Petaluma Chicken, Grilled Fermented Cabbage, Jersey Cow’s Milk Soft Serve
Chef Christopher Kostow, who earned a national reputation at Meadowood, teamed with wife Martina on this stately St. Helena restaurant. Their wood-burning hearth enlivens seasonal ingredients, many from their nearby farm. The grill benefits everything from stupendous Petaluma chicken stuffed with chicken sausage and Jersey cow’s milk soft serve with burnt vanilla and pecan oil.
Ciccio – Yountville ↓
Must Order Dishes: Caesar Salad, Agnolotti, Meatball Stuffed Chard, Pork Chop Milanese
Karen & Frank Altamura founded Ciccio in 2012 and tapped the Kostows as managing partners. Smart move. The bustling space with a red tiled pizza oven serves fantastic Italian comfort food. Meatball stuffed Swiss chard with chili crisp, mortadella agnolotti co-starring mini cabbages, and pork chop Milanese with persimmon and bitter greens were just three uniquely delicious dishes.
Finesse, The Store – Yountville ↓
Must Order Items: K+M Extravirgin Dark Chocolate (Single Origin), K+M Extravirgin Milk Chocolate: Coffee + Sea Salt, K+M Chocolate Covered Hazelnuts, K+M Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
Thomas Keller could no doubt become the Yountville mayor, but his culinary empire calls. True TK fans will appreciate Finesse, The Store, which sells cookbooks and products from his select collaborations. I’m partial to K+M Chocolate, which he makes with Armando Manni. They craft country-specific, single-origin dark and milk chocolates, some flavored and others featuring Manni’s extra-virgin olive oil. I was lucky to try K+M Coffee and Doughnuts, a milk chocolate bar that reimagined The French Laundry’s signature dessert for the restaurant’s 30th anniversary. Chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and hazelnuts are also delectable.
Gavel Coffee + Curated Provisions @ Stanly Ranch – Napa ↓
Must Order Drinks + Pastries: Iced Maple Hojicha, Matcha Fizz, Banana Bread, Pain au Chocolat, Ham & Cheese Croissant, Apple Cranberry Hand Pie (Seasonal)
Gavel, the on-site coffee bar at Stanly Ranch, exceeded expectations with Sightglass coffee and an orange Slayer espresso machine. Seasonal sig drinks included an iced maple hojicha latte and matcha fizz. Executive pastry chef Harry Flagler fills the pastry case with flaky pain au chocolat with molten batons, ham & cheese croissants, and a thick banana bread slab swirled with chopped chocolate.
Harry’s Ice Cream @ Stanly Ranch – Napa ↓
Must Order Items: Ice Cream Sandwich, Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream (Seasonal)
Stanly Ranch executive pastry chef Harry Flagger runs this window behind Bear restaurant as a passion project. Hours are longer in summer and limited to weekend afternoons in cooler weather. Decadent ice cream is available in flavors like dark chocolate and seasonal pumpkin spice latte. Get a devastating ice cream sandwich between sturdy, sea salt dusted chocolate chip cookies.
Loveski Deli @ Oxbow Public Market – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Matzo Ball Soup (Den’s Way), Smoked Salmon Bagel
Loveski Deli is a “jew-ish” counter from the Kostows at Oxbow Public Market. Sourdough bagels coated with nutritional yeast, topped with smoked salmon and slathered with fluffy fermented onion spread are fairly unique. So is the matzo ball soup “Den’s way” with supple orbs an added jolt from lemongrass, herbs and chilies that honors Christopher’s roots and Martina’s Thai heritage.
Moro @ Oxbow Public Market – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Eggplant Zaalouk, Flatbread, Lamb with Couscous, Shrimp with Salad
Mourad Lahlou, renowned for refined Moroccan food at Aziza in San Francisco, serves fast casual “Moroccan street fare” at Oxbow Public Market. Mix and match grilled flatbread, salad or couscous with proteins like roasted lamb shoulder with mint yogurt sauce and grilled shrimp basted in zingy red chermoula. They also craft dips like smoky eggplant zaalouk with pine nuts and urfa.
Moulin – Napa ↓
Must Order Items: Chausson with Apple, Lemon Verbena Glazed Croissant, Matineé Canelé, Jambon Beurre, Fig Leaf Tonic
Chloé Kaylor and husband Zach mill organic whole grains in-house at their stylish back alley bakery in downtown Napa. The couple naturally ferments the dough to produce remarkable bread and pastries in flavors and shapes that are far from standard fare.
Napa Farmers Market (Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. from April – December) ↓
Must Order Items: The Frenchy Gourmet Kefir Yogurt (Guava, Lemon, Sour Cherry), Love Park Pretzels Philly Soft Pretzel, Toasted Cumin Fennel Bagel with Roasted Garlic Rosemary Cream Cheese (Seasonal)
Produce takes center stage at Napa Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Prepared food vendors ring the Napa parking lot. Highlights included soft Philly-style pretzels from the Love Park Pretzels trailer, Toasted founder Ariella Wolkowicz’s hand-rolled bagels and schmears with seasonal flair, and The Frenchy Gourmet owner Ali, who sells lauded Kefir-style yogurts in many flavors.
Naysayer Coffee Roasters – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Blackberry Sage E&T (Seasonal), Pear Sumac Flat White (Seasonal)
Beth Vecera and husband Chris run this ambitious coffee bar with a white and blue color scheme in the Food City strip mall. The couple also caffeinates Napa and St. Helena Farmers Market shoppers. Their seasonal fall beverages went way beyond PSL.
Original Burgerdog @ Silverado Resort & Spa – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Burgerdog with Cheese
Bill & Billie Parrish started serving long and thin burger patties on hot dog buns in 1950. 3rd generation owners Jeff Parrish and his wife Ashley now run two Original Burdgerdog stands on Silverado Resort & Spa golf courses. I enjoyed my burgerdog with melted American cheese and all the fixins but relish. Family members run three Hot Dog Bills locations at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Ritual Coffee Roasters @ Oxbow Public Market – Napa ↓
Must Order Dishes: Hibiscus Espresso Tonic (Seasonal)
San Francisco based Ritual Coffee Roasters has been an Oxbow Public Market mainstay since 2008. Bravo to barista Tommy S. for his seasonal Hibiscus Espresso Tonic on my latest visit. Eileen Rinaldi also runs The Cup and Star “experiential coffee bar” next door.
Other Restaurants I’d Still Recommend Based on Previous (But Too Distant) Experiences
- Bouchon Bakery – Yountville
- Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch – St. Helena
- The French Laundry – Yountville
- Model Bakery @ Oxbow Public Market – Napa
- Mustards Grill – Napa
- Torc – Napa
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