Are you traveling to Napa Valley? Don’t miss a chance to enjoy delectable chocolate croissants, lobster risotto, campfire pie and more! Check out my list of the best places to eat in Napa Valley!
Let’s be honest, I went to Napa Valley for the food. Yes, I love good wine and beautiful scenery, but the number one reason I visited Napa Valley was for the world class dining. We enjoyed exceptional dining experiences at almost every single place we visited. The service, the food, and the ambiance was even better than I expected, and I had high expectations. The following places are some of the best in Napa Valley. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy delectable chocolate croissants, lobster risotto and campfire pie!
(1) Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch is located right off of St Helena Highway. In addition to the restaurant, there is a garden, a farm stand and a wine tasting room. Come early and take a walk around the property to enjoy everything that it has to offer. After lunch, make sure to stop by the farm stand and grab some fresh figs or other seasonal produce.
I highly recommend the cheddar biscuits, meatballs, shrimp and crab salad and salad with fresh figs. Farmstead was one of our absolute favorite meals on the trip.
The figs in my salad were the most fresh and flavorful figs that I have ever tasted. On our way out, we stopped by the farm stand on the property and purchased two pints to take with us to snack on. There is nothing like fresh figs that were picked only a few minutes prior to eating them.
(2) Redd Wood
Located in Yountville and on the same property as our hotel, Redd Wood is the perfect place to enjoy drinks, appetizers and pizza after a long day of tastings. We always choose outdoor dining when possible, and the terrace at Redd Wood did not disappoint. It is a casual spot with great food and excellent service. In addition to lunch and dinner, I also highly recommend eating breakfast here and ordering the Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.
(3) Bouchon Bakery
Bouchon Bakery was the number one must-visit place on my list for Napa Valley. I mean, how could I miss the delectable chocolate croissants? Walking into the bakery is like walking into pastry heaven. We stopped here not once or twice, but three times during our stay in Yountville. And although chocolate croissants are one of my absolute favorite pastries, Bouchon Bakery had a strawberry crumb stuffed croissant pastry that was AMAZING! Seriously, I didn’t think anything could top the chocolate croissant, but these sure did. Next time, I want to order one of each dessert. Everything is completely irresistible. Don’t forget to take some toffee to go!
(4) Ad Hoc
Ad Hoc is one of Thomas Keller’s more causal restaurants in Yountville. It has a set 4-course family style menu that changes each day of the week. You can check the menu online by the afternoon on the day you plan on dining. I highly recommend reservations because it does get busy. The night we dined here, they were serving an Heirloom Tomato Salad, Santa Maria Tri Tip and Peanut Butter Chess Pie. We also ordered the Fried Chicken because I heard raving reviews about it. Despite the amount of food, we practically licked our plates clean. Ad Hoc is one place in Napa Valley that you do not want to miss.
(5) Bistro & Bar at Auberge du Soleil
Wow! What a beautiful property. Auberge du Soleil has one of the most beautiful views in all of Napa Valley. The resort itself is beautiful and I hope I get the opportunity to return for a stay. We enjoyed lunch here on the terrace at the Bistro & Bar. The bistro is a little more casual than their main dining room and is first come first serve. For these reasons, we love dining at the bistro, although the food in the main dining room is wonderful as well. Auberge du Soleil is a wonderful place to host a special event. The service is excellent and it is by far the best lunch view in all of Napa Valley.
image above from Auberge Du Soleil
Order the Hong Kong Wings. The wings are some of the best wings that I have ever tasted. We also ordered the Heirloom Tomato Pressed Sandwich and the pizza. Apparently we were so focused on enjoying our desserts that I forgot to snap a picture. We ordered not just one, but two desserts because everything looked irresistible.
(6) Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen
After a long day of wine tasting, we were looking for something casual and last-minute. Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen was on my list of must-try places and I am so glad that we decided to go here. The menu is fresh, seasonal and delicious. I love the Avocado & Papaya Salad and the Stuffed Piquillo Peppers are incredible. But the number one reason you should dine at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen is to try the Campfire Pie!
(7) Redd
While it is difficult to chose our one favorite restaurant in Napa Valley, Redd stands out for many reasons – the service, the innovative food and the wonderful ambiance. Redd is a place I would return to again and again. Everything was cooked to perfection. My halibut was the best seafood I had on the entire trip. Order the lobster risotto and do not skip dessert. Go and enjoy some the absolute best food in Napa Valley!
this is really cool. I’m a Napa native actually. You are missing so many good options outside of the upper valley though! And some in it! If you’re driving up towards yountville and St Helena, you have to stop at Rutherford Grill. And my personal favorite on Main Street: Market. can’t beat a meal there after a showing at the Cameo. Walking from the oxbow, there are so many good choices too. I highly recommend Pizza Azzuro (sister restaurant: Norman Rose) or Angele. bistro don Giovanni for a great meal in town, but not downtown. Enjoy!
Ah I forgot one – If you’re heading towards Sonoma you MUST stop at the Fremont Diner.
Thanks for your recommendations! These are all great suggestions. I haven’t tried Market but it’s on my list to try the next time I visit.