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Napa Valley is in full bloom with world-class cuisine, making it a challenge to pare down its restaurants and choose “the best.”
These are some of our top picks for families visiting the valley, focusing on the highest quality at the most reasonable prices. We’re targeting lunch and dinner spots in four main areas for eats: Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and Downtown Napa.
For new visitors to the area, there may be some ‘sticker shock,’ as dining prices in Napa can be relatively higher than other metropolitan areas overall. But rest assured – these are all at the intersection of great food at a great price.
Also, many restaurants are closed one or two days during the week – we’ve done the work for you of noting hours, so be sure to check before you go!
Or, if you want artisanal food as close to wine tasting as possible, come check out our artisan deli and marketplace here at V. Sattui, where we offer a menu of Italian favorites, over 200 kinds of cheese, house-cured charcuterie, and more, made fresh daily. Weekend offerings include BBQ and made to order items from our Food Truck.
Calistoga
A quaint California town at the northernmost end of the Napa Valley, featuring fresh, eclectic eats set against the backdrop of a beautiful, rugged mountain landscape.
Bricco Osteria
1350 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515
Tuesday – Sunday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday: CLOSED
A cozy osteria in the heart of Calistoga, featuring a rustic Italian experience with completely fresh ingredients, a contemporary culinary spin, signature cocktails, and curated wines.
Buster’s Southern Barbecue
1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, CA 94515
Every Day 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
If you’re lucky, you may get to meet the actual Buster (the owner) at this authentic Southern Louisiana BBQ joint. If the mouthwatering smoked meats at bargain prices weren’t tantalizing enough, the restaurant shucks fresh Pacific Oysters on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays.
There’s indoor seating as well as a gazebo and outdoor picnic tables, with live jazz and blues music in the Springtime.
Lovina
1107 Cedar St, Calistoga, CA 94515
Monday – Friday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lovina dishes up fresh, well-portioned Cal-Ital eats in a historic, cozy Calistoga home. Be sure to check out Wine Wednesdays, which includes unlimited no corkage. There’s also brunch on weekends from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm if you’re starting your day in the area.
The prices are a bit higher here, BUT the restaurant firmly asserts that no tips are expected, providing livable wages and benefits to its employees through the slightly higher prices (30% of all sales go to staff).
Mangia Mi
1120 Washington St, Calistoga, CA 94515
Wednesday – Monday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday: CLOSED
Another hometown favorite for fresh Italian food, chef and owner Rebecca White’s Mangia Mi differentiates itself with made-from-scratch pasta and pizza and a daily-changing menu, beautifully written on a blackboard backdrop.
Come at the right time and you’ll actually see the pasta being made as well! And, though the menu features different options every day for the adventurous, you’ll also always find familiar staples too.
Picobar
755 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515
Wednesday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 8:00 pm
Monday – Tuesday: 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Within the luxurious Solage Resort, Picobar is a great option for authentic Mexican in a classy setting.
This casual, modern Mexican concept features traditional Ensenada recipes with seasonal ingredients, locally sourced, as well as beautiful views. It’s perfect for à la carte dining, with multiple savory taco and shareable options.
Sushi Mambo
1631 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515
Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday: 12:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Sunday: Closed
If you have a hankering for sushi and you’re in the area, this is a local favorite for both sushi and Japanese favorites like ramen, teriyaki, and udon.
Trained in San Francisco’s Japantown, the owner Jose Cazares boasts a responsive staff and a wide, fresh selection of craft sushi.
St. Helena
The charming town of St. Helena is our little neighborhood in the Valley. It offers everything from quick eats to high-end, white tablecloth banquets. Restaurateurs focus on locally-sourced, fresh ingredients for the best dining experience possible.
Cook St. Helena
1310 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday: CLOSED
Cook St. Helena is another local favorite for Italian, with a more elevated style that’s still family-friendly both in variety of dishes and cost.
This restaurant is best known for its housemade pasta, also offering savory entrees like risotto and eggplant parmigiana, as well as Italian desserts, all right off of St. Helena’s charming Main Street.
CRISP Kitchen & Juice
1111 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
A modern, chic, quick-service restaurant with both seating and ample grab-and-go options, CRISP is one of the purest options in the valley for clean, healthy eating during your wine country adventures.
CRISP is most known for its numerous breakfast and brunch options, but also works for lunch, offering fresh pressed juices, smoothies, and takeaway sandwiches, salads, and soups if you’re in a rush.
Gott’s Roadside
933 Main St, CA-29, St Helena, CA 94574
Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
St. Helena boasts the original roadside location of the iconic Gott’s Roadside, which is not your typical diner — no greasy diner food here, but all the comfort and charm of a classic roadside pit stop combined with artisanal, Californian fare.
Gott’s prides itself on serving fresh, sustainably-sourced burgers, salads, sandwiches, and hand-spun milkshakes with a Californian touch. All produce is locally-sourced, vegetarian-fed, and Californian at heart. Gott’s is a regular lunch indulgence for V. Sattui employees.
Market
1347 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Tuesday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday – Monday: CLOSED
Ever tried “Very Adult Mac n’ Cheese?” St. Helena’s Market offers a unique spin on a wide range of American comfort food, located in the heart of the town.
Check out their small plates for a quick bite to share, especially during their happy hour from Tuesday – Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.
Pizzeria Tra Vigne
1016 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Pizzeria Tra Vigne is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, offering wood-fired pizza, pasta, and various Italian comfort foods in a family-friendly atmosphere. Be sure to try a wood-fired sourdough pizza, or their “famous Napa Mozzarella!”
The pizzeria features a full bar (with a happy hour from 4-6 pm, 7 days a week), spacious outdoor patio, and bocce ball courts.
Yountville
Yountville isn’t synonymous with affordability when it comes to dining, as many of the most high-end restaurants in the Valley have found their home here. However, we’ve found the best for price and cost, and though The French Laundry may not be on this list, these are still sure to make your visit to the valley a special experience.
Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Monday – Friday: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
If you’re looking for a home-cooked French meal, Bistro Jeanty offers the widest range of hand-made French pastries, small bites, entrees, and decadent desserts.
This spot is a comfortable, informal setting with world-class French cuisine, in the heart of Napa wine country – it’s like you become part of a little French neighborhood, worlds away.
Ciccio
6770 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Every Day 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Located in a historic former Italian grocery store, Ciccio offers a fresh, artisanal fusion of traditional Italian and Californian cuisine.
The carefully crafted menu features wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta, and decadent, classic Italian desserts. And, if you happen to have a bottle of our wine with you, their corkage fee is only $25.00/bottle.
La Calenda Mexican restaurant in Yountville, CA
La Calenda
6518 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Wednesday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Monday – Tuesday: CLOSED
Artisanal Mexican at a fair price can be hard to find anywhere, but it’s the norm at Yountville’s La Calenda.
La Calenda is artisan-driven and sourced from the plates to the produce, with a full bar and outdoor seating as well. Try the enchiladas de mole negro con pollo or a craft cocktail for the full Oaxacan experience.
R+D Kitchen
6795 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Monday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
The R+D Kitchen features an eclectic mix of new American cuisine, from a spread of sushi options, to Carolina-style beef ribs, to the slow-roasted “Little Bird,” served with a side of creamy polenta.
Whether it’s a drink from the full-service bar, pizza by the outdoor fire pits, or a sandwich on the patio, the Kitchen is a cozy but quality stop on your way through wine country.
Downtown Napa
Though the wider city of Napa is mostly composed of rural farming and suburban areas, its downtown core is an up-and-coming, vibrant scene for retail, restaurants, and wine, with some of the best restaurants off of First Street or near the Napa Waterfront.
Don Perico
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
There’s often nothing better than no-frills, authentic Mexican food after a day of wine tasting, and Don Perico is a local favorite.
Right off First Street, Don Perico is open for lunch or dinner with ample, covered outdoor seating next to a spacious courtyard.
Entrecot Restaurant Napa
Wednesday – Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday – Tuesday: CLOSED
Entrecot sits on the beautiful Napa waterfront among an impressive host of neighboring restaurants, but is unique in its offering of Argentinian cuisine. Its classy interior design belies its authentic flavors and reasonable prices.
Jax White Mule Diner
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 am
Sunday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Jax White Mule Diner was first made famous as the ‘best brunch in Napa,’ offering staples from fresh beignets to The Hangover Burger.
Styled with the easygoing, chic atmosphere of a modern speakeasy lounge, Jax offers laid-back, locally sourced American diner favorites, a Whiskey wall with craft cocktails, and in the late afternoon, a happy hour from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
La Taberna
Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
La Taberna is a Spanish tapas room in the style of a modern tavern from Northern Spain. First come first served only, this tasty and economical option for either al fresco or indoor bites pairs well after a day of wine tasting – or, you can continue the tasting with a prize bottle under their $20.00 corkage fee.
La Taberna’s sister restaurant, Zuzu, is also located in downtown Napa and serves tapas as well. However, Zuzu also offers larger plates, specializing in paellas, and opens a bit earlier, at 12:00 pm, for those who want their tapas for lunch.
Oxbow Public Market
7 Days a Week: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
This recommendation offers many restaurants in one. Oxbow Public Market is a market hall located just south of the Napa Valley Wine Train Depot with patio views of the Napa River.
From Gott’s Downtown Napa Location to Loveski’s Jewish deli, there are various boutique shops, restaurants, and quick eats to choose from at the start or end of a long day of exploring Napa Valley.
Scala Osteria & Bar
7 Days a Week: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Scala Osteria & Bar creates fresh Southern Italian pizza, pasta, and seafood cuisine in Mediterranean-inspired digs, also boasting an extensive craft cocktail menu.
The restaurant also tips its hat to industry professionals and wine adventurers alike who are looking for a late night bite, featuring a late night menu (10:00 – 11:00pm).
Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar
Archer Hotel, 1260 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Monday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Located on the 6th floor of the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa, this modern American restaurant boasts views of Napa Valley, a craft whiskey bar, and brunch on Sundays.
Kids are always welcome, but with favorites like lobster corn dogs and soft serve ice cream, adults will surely be enticed as well!
Small World Restaurant
2936 932 Coombs St, Napa, CA 94559
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
A rare gem of Mediterranean and Iranian cuisine in Napa, Small World Restaurant was voted as the Napa Valley Register’s 2023 “Best Quick Lunch.”
With in-house made meat and veggie pitas, breakfast options, and smoothies, Small World offers a world of flavors daily (except for Sundays). This operation serves families and is run by family.
The Waterfront Seafood Grill
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Voted one of the Napa Register’s finest in 9 categories for 2023, this waterfront restaurant offers some of the best locally-sourced seafood in the city.
After Dungeness crab cakes, you can stroll down to the nearby Napa Valley Gondola to continue the maritime adventure.
The Best Restaurants in Napa Valley: Variety and Quality
Whether you’re looking to fuel up before or wind down after a day of wine tasting in Napa Valley, there are numerous options for foodies and hungry adventurers in kind.
While we wish we could include everyone (some honorable mentions include the Rutherford Grill and Ad Hoc), these restaurants represent the great kaleidoscope of locally-sourced, fresh options characteristic of our home region.
Wherever your appetite takes you, don’t forget to stop by for a wine tasting at our Italian estate winery in St. Helena, or check out our own house-made food options – we’re one of the only wineries in Napa Valley that offers such an extensive spread of food options, available on a daily basis.
