Ah, Napa. Land of wine, cheese and imbibing before noon. Whether you’re a first-timer to Wine Country or a regular, it’s always helpful to know where to eat after all those vineyard tours and pours, which is why we’ve done the hard part for you and narrowed down the list to 14 of our favorite Sonoma and Napa restaurants right now. From old faithfuls in downtown Napa and St. Helena, to newcomers in Calistoga and Yountville, there’s never been a more intriguing culinary landscape in Northern California than there is at this very moment. So, with this list in tow, get ready to fire up your Resy app and prepare for a sensory overload. This is where we recommend visiting in Napa Valley on your next trip—in case you can’t get into The French Laundry.
14 Best Sonoma and Napa Restaurants to Visit Right Now
The Charter Oak in St. Helena
Every memorable meal at The Charter Oak in St. Helena should begin with their bread course—a blow-your-mind sourdough served with homemade cultured butter. After that, settle in for Michelin three-starred Chef Christopher Kostow’s well-orchestrated play at his more casual concept (his other being the esteemed Restaurant at Meadowood). There are many acts and you’ll want to savor them all: raw veggies from their garden with fermented soy dip, stracciatella with anchovy vinaigrette and Swiss chard, broccoli salad with whipped ricotta and puffed rice, plus a drum wheat bucatini with pork ragu and chili condiment that’s heaven in a bowl. You’re just getting started. Next up, it’s onto the hearth (which by the way, is lovely in the background of the brick restaurant wrapped in cascades of ivy from the outside). The Charter Oak cheeseburger is a legend, but you can’t go wrong with the dry-aged duck with plum, mustard and leek salad or the McFarland spring trout with sunflower pesto. A side of steamed komachi rice to soak up any lingering juices is a must—just like a digestif in the courtyard, surrounded by twinkling oak trees post-dinner.
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford
No trip to Wine Country is complete without an al fresco meal on the terrace of The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil. The Auberge Resorts Grande Dame of Napa Valley is set high above the vineyards in Rutherford, overlooking acres of forestation, along with heritage olive and oak trees that really sets the “ode to Provence” tone. The Inn of the Sun—as it’s lovingly dubbed—is world renowned for its Michelin-star restaurant and impeccable wine program, but it’s those ‘grammable views that get us every time. Upon arriving to the balcony, you’ll be greeted with a glass of Champagne before embarking on a locally-sourced culinary journey rife with fine cheeses, garden-grown vegetables and some of the prettiest desserts imaginable.
Acacia House by Chris Cosentino at Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena
In a valley filled with dozens of world-class hotels, many can start to blend together in terms of similarities. So, when you come across a gem so unique and inviting, it makes you want to stay a little longer—or never check out at all. Alila Napa Valley ticks all the right boxes in terms of adults-only playground fun. There are cycling tours to a local vineyards, well-appointed appointed guest rooms and suites with outdoor fireplaces overlooking the vines and Chef Chris Cosentino’s fantastic restaurant Acacia House, where every dish is an unforgettable one—whether it’s perfectly blonde, soft-scrambled eggs and crispy Tuscan potatoes for breakfast, a killer fried chicken Cesar sammie for lunch or pork schnitzel with caviar dressing for dinner, that’s guaranteed to make you want to lick the plate clean. You could easily eat every meal here (without ever leaving the property) and have zero regrets.
The Restaurant at North Block in Yountville
North Block is one of Yountville’s most charming boutique hotels with Mediterranean-style rooms so inviting, you’ll have a hard time actually leaving your beloved new quarters. When you do decide to venture out, there’s The Restaurant downstairs, which offers a little bit of everything: sourdough pizzas that are flawlessly chewy and charred, topped with asparagus, potato or spring onions; smoky St. Louis ribs with pickled fennel; a wood-fired half chicken on a balanced yogurt-hot sauce smear and dollar oysters daily, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as part of their happiest hour offering. Aside from their approachable menu, most patrons are lured to NB for their innovative cocktail program. Bar Manager Christian knows his way around a well-made martini, Negroni and old-fashioned, but we’re partial to the Pepino Picante Margarita with roasted jalapeño-infused tequila, cucumber juice, lime, triple sec, agave and Tajín.
The Spinster Sisters in Sonoma
After an afternoon of working up an appetite from exploring the art trails winding through nearly 40 working artists’ studios, galleries and arts-related businesses in the South A Street Art District in Santa Rosa (better known as the SOFA District), head to The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa. An exterior mural of period-clothed “spinsters” at the spinning wheel mark the restaurant; a perfect fit in this artsy North Coast city. Inside is typically a flurry of activity, but we suggest treating yourself to dining in the garden if weather permits, where strings of market lights and colorful pennants and canopies create a playful vibe. Under the tutelage of chef/owner Liza Hinman, the menu is seafood-centric as evidenced by the oysters, pan-seared black cod and the New England clam chowder, which is about 3,000 miles from home but still knocks it out of the park. However, landlubbers will be delighted by the chicken, pasta and grass-fed burger cooked to your specifications. While almost every restaurant in this region has a curated wine list, the vintages you’ll find here are typically small-production, minimal-intervention wines with an emphasis on women winemakers.
Boon Fly Café in Napa
Three words: Boon Fly Donuts. We implore you to find a better brunch spot in Napa—it’s impossible. Housed in a fire engine red roadhouse you can’t miss off the Sonoma Highway, this all-day cafe is always packed and well worth any wait you have to endure to get your hands on their signature, sugar-dusted donuts. Oh and the Green Eggs and Ham (poached farm fresh eggs, honey-cured ham, lemon-leek cream and crispy hash browns) you’ll be dreaming about long after the last bite. Every dish is irresistible here, which is why it makes narrowing down your order tricky, so you may want to go a few times throughout your trip—and once for dinner, for those gourmet hamburgers. The fried chicken and waffles is lights-out good. The breakfast burrito is pure perfection, packed with chorizo, scrambled eggs, sour cream, pico de gallo, all the cheese and smothered in chipotle salsa. And the Spicy Bacon Bloody Mary will have even the biggest tomato haters converted after one sip. It’s the friendly staff, genial atmosphere and feeling that you just uncovered the world’s greatest treasure that really makes Boon Fly worth returning to time and time again though.
Little Saint in Healdsburg
A charming farm-forward eatery featuring a 100% plant-based menu, Little Saint might just convince even the burliest carnivore to feast on nature’s bounty for a while. Part market, part wine shop, part coffee bar and part live music venue, this Healdsburg hot spot recently made Vegetarian Times’ list of Best New Restaurants of 2022, but it’s no surprise to folks familiar with the husband/wife and chef/farmer team of Kyle and Katina Connaughton, best known for their nearby three-Michelin-star restaurant, SingleThread. A sun-drenched space courtesy of the massive glass garage doors that front North Street, our only caution is not to fall in love with any one dish as the menus change regularly based both on the season and what’s been recently harvested from SingleThread Farm and Little Saint Farm—both in Healdsburg and both of which share a commitment to cultivating a biodiverse ecosystem with no-till practices to help develop healthy, rich soil. Not ready to sit down for a full meal? Enjoy the entertainment at The Lounge, on the second floor, where artists from Langhorne Slim to Lucy grace the marquee and outstanding bar snacks like heirloom popcorn and veggie tempura delight. (Note: even the cocktails, including the spirit-free cocktails, are thoughtfully sourced!)
Lucy Restaurant and Bar at Bardessono in Yountville
Farm-to-fork is the name of the delicious game at Bardessono Hotel & Spa’s Lucy, where Executive Chef Jim Leiken ideates vegetable-forward dishes comprised of the freshest grown ingredients in their California Certified Organic Farming Garden. Something as simplistic as the house salad of tender lettuces and herbs, shaved radishes and heirloom cherry tomatoes is extraordinary—a sensation of crisp textures and earthy flavors—and their craft cocktails take a page from the same book. Order a carrot margarita, followed by the Petrale sole or roasted organic cauliflower with house-made red curry, spinach and toasted peanuts and if you happen to be visiting with a four-legged friend, you’re in luck: there’s an adorable ‘Barkessono’ menu created especially with them in mind. A dog’s life at Lucy is complete, thanks to bowls of applewood bacon and spinach, chicken apple sausage and eggs, or beef and carrots.
RH Yountville Restaurant in Yountville
RH Yountville Restaurant was RH’s first standalone restaurant and wine vault and it’s arguably still our favorite. Whether you’re there for brunch or dinner, there’s no dining room that can compete with this crystal chandelier-adorned garden that twinkles at every turn—no matter what time of day or night it is. For a hearty breakfast pre-wine tastings, go straight for their creamy, dreamy eggs with a mountain of Perigord truffle shavings. Later in the evening, you’ll want to tuck into crispy artichokes with rosemary aioli, a petit skillet of wild mushrooms sautéed with garlic and thyme and then there’s the delectable burger to devour, with sharp American, pickles, onion and Dijonnaise. Or a succulent lobster roll glazed in drawn butter with a dusting of Old Bay on top. Of course, with an atrium ensconced with this many shiny things, an impressive roster of sparkling wines is called for and RH does not disappoint—in the bubbly department or otherwise.
The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma
Whether gearing up for, or recovering from, an afternoon of wine tastings throughout Sonoma Valley, The Girl & The Fig will provide just the right palate-igniting sustenance to bring you back to life. Serving Provencal-inspired dishes from brunch through dinner, this locals-favorite, marking its 25th year, merges French tradition with California flavor. Rise and grind with a French wine-based aperitif like the ‘Pom-ping bubbles,’ made with Lillet blanc, sparkling wine and pomegranate before ordering the quiche Lorraine, omelette du jour, the Croques Monsieur or arguably the restaurant’s most well-known dish, the duck confit. While any table inside or outside of this downtown restaurant will please, the massive, antique-style wood-carved bar is a jovial spot to casually dine. If you want to take a bit of The Girl & The Fig home with you, there’s an entire line of branded foodstuffs, swag, bath and body products and clothing available, or you can channel your inner chef and bring home the restaurant’s two cookbooks!
Auro at Four Seasons Napa Valley in Calistoga
The newly-opened Auro by Mexican Chef Rogelio Garcia has Calistoga abuzz and visitors clamoring for reservations. A rotating five-course tasting menu is centered around Napa Valley produce and shines the spotlight on local artisans, but it’s the fine dining restaurant’s prime real estate setting at Four Seasons Napa Valley—with the sprawling Palisades Mountains as your backdrop—that truly sets the scene. Did we mention it’s Napa Valley’s first and only resort situated within a working winery? Needless to say, Instagram opportunities abound. A California white duck with Medjool dates, pearl salsify and Sonoma baby beets is one menu standout, as is the butter-poached Norwegian crab finished with a sauce Semillon tableside, but a house-made hazelnut-chocolate tart takes top honors. And if you happen to be staying at the luxe hotel, don’t miss their epic breakfast spread at TRUSS, which in true Four Seasons style is a spread fit for royalty and overflowing with fresh-baked pastries, coffee cakes with vanilla-infused whipped butter and the most stunning exotic fruits, but we’re partial to the waffles with poached pears and chai-bourbon maple syrup. Do not pass go on that one.
Cafe La Haye in Sonoma
Don’t let its Michelin recognition and enviable reputation lead you to believe it’s impossible to get a reservation at the lauded Cafe La Haye. Despite its intimate 34-seat setting, landing a table at this upscale (but unpretentious) eatery is easier than you might think and well worth the effort. Adjacent to historic Sonoma Plaza in the heart of the valley, a pedestrian paradise that was laid out in 1835, Cafe La Haye’s exposed rafters and stone facade hint at the building’s past, while the seasonal farm-to-table menu is decidedly modern American. Staples include the Duroc heritage pork chop with warm mustard seed vinaigrette and the grilled marinated filet mignon with olive tapenade, balsamic-Worcestershire sauce and Point Reyes blue cheese, but daily specials will compete for your attention. (Insider’s tip: solo diners may want to opt for one of just a handful of seats that front the open kitchen to catch all the action!). No matter your selection, save room for dessert, as indulgences like the warm almond cake won’t disappoint.
PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena
Perhaps the most aptly named restaurant in Napa’s St. Helena wine country, PRESS has no shortage of accolades—and admirers. With Chef Philip Tessier at the helm since 2020 (whose resume boasts the most distinguished American culinary luminaries including the French Laundry, Bouchon, Le Bernardin and Per Se), the premier restaurant has diversified its once steak-centric menu into one that celebrates California cuisine, but taps into flavors from around the world. Palate-pleasing starters include double charred octopus served with a truffle mole, fresh potato salad and wild radishes and Tessier’s lauded sweet and sour pig ears made with an espelette glaze, fig from Jacobsen Orchard in Yountville and avocado crema. Mains include fresh fish, truffle-glazed chicken and, never neglecting loyal steak lovers, a 35-day New York strip and a 60-day Tomahawk with mushroom hollandaise for two. The restaurant’s legendary Napa Valley wine list includes 2,500 unique selections with vintages dating back over 70 years, earning PRESS a 2022 Grand Award from Wine Spectator.
Bottega Napa Valley in Yountville
When you need a pause from fancified tweezer food and tasting menus, head straight to Chef Michael Chiarello’s Bottega. Nestled in between Hotel Villagio and Vintage House in Yountville, this rustic Italian restaurant is exactly the kind of reprieve you’re most likely seeking after a day of vineyard hopping in Napa. While many of the acclaimed pasta whisperer’s signatures will catch your eye, there’s absolutely one that you must try: Spaghetti alla Sophia Loren. After that, it’s all about the Cavoletti di Bruxelles (a salad of shaved Brussels sprouts with whole Meyer lemon dressing, Marcona almonds, sieved egg and Pecorino Romano), a lovely Lasagnetta di Zucchine (with oven-baked layers of zucchini, potato, tomato passata and cheese) and his iconic Raviolo—a potato pasta filled with farm hen egg yolk, ricotta and Swiss chard, finished with truffled brown butter and sage. To sum it up: You’ve just entered pasta heaven. Next: 25 Best Restaurants in Boston
