Napa Valley is a pinnacle hot spot for new eats ranging from traditional Himalayan delights to house-smoked southern BBQ and there’s no time like now to taste the diversity that runs deep in California. Don’t be fooled, St. Helena offers Michelin guide dining experiences and upscale cuisine fit for everyone’s liking. We’ve roasted the greatest hit’s roadmap for you to indulge and savor every bite while exploring St. Helena, Napa Valley. Let’s eat through Napa Valley’s Main Street.
Led by acclaimed chef Chris Cosentino, Acacia House restaurant and bar tempt palates with a seasonally driven menu of bold and artful American cuisine curated with the finest local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Set in a restored Georgian farmhouse, indoors the vibe is relaxed and refined. In the warmer months, we recommend an afternoon of sipping hand-crafted cocktails and lounging outdoors on their wrap-around veranda. The menu explores culinary delights that are elevated with fresh ingredients from the hotel’s garden. A sure treat perfect for your palate.
Two words: BBQ and Cabernet. Consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in Napa Valley, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch showcases the season, with ingredients driven from their farm, ranch, and vineyards. Always freshly smoked St. Louis ribs are perfect to sink your teeth into. Explore the 12-hour pulled pork sandwiches, cheddar biscuits, and bacon mac and cheese as these items are staples of the menu. In addition, they have a General Store with wine and olive oil tasting, an outdoor cafe serving coffee drinks and breakfast items, a farmer’s market, and working gardens to wander.
At Brasswood Bar + Kitchen classic comfort foods are served farm-table. Indulge in the world-famous Mozzarella of your dreams! This off-menu classic dish is hand-cut and served tableside. A gathering place for locals, this wine and food village also features a Bottle Shop + Boutique, an artisan bakery serving hand-made baked goods and picnic provisions. Truly a St. Helena must stop.
Michelin stars are the holy grail of the culinary world and while some may come with a steep price tag this restaurant is at the top of the list for simplicity and exquisite execution. The Charter Oak is home to 3-star Michelin Chef Christopher Kostow and the menu reflects the time of the season in Napa Valley. Through elemental cooking style, the hearth at the center of the restaurant highlights one or two ingredients at a time. Sit back, relax and allow the kitchen to cook for your table by booking a reservation for their Legacy Menu. You will have first access to indulge in secret off-menu curated dishes. Insider tip: Explore the fresh oven-baked bread and sink your teeth into the well-known burger full of reputation.
For a unique dining experience that is unmatched in the Napa Valley, enjoy an evening from the hands of the future culinary chefs at Culinary Institute of America Greystone Gatehouse Restaurant. Set in the historic 19th-century campus of the Culinary Institute of America, the restaurant showcases the talents of students and the menu is inspired by local produce from the college’s farms and gardens. Insider tip: The Sunset Tour is offered at 4:30 pm and is a must for foodies alike. Explore the historic grounds where you will visit the Brother Timothy’s Corkscrew Collection, the wine study, and the Ghirardelli chocolate discovery center while sipping on sought-after Greystone Cellars Wine.
Looking for a foodie must stop? For evenings of indulging in all things fried, this roadside delight features American classics with a California twist. Gott’s Roadside is a modern approach to American roadside classics. This highway stop has something for everyone including dishes like the California Burger with fried egg, James Beard Award-winning Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos with sushi-grade Ahi tuna, a Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich with turmeric and harissa mayo, Chicken Kale Caesar, and hand-spun organic shakes. Hungry yet? Insider tip: Snap a photo at the restaurant’s famous EAT St. Helena sign.
Looking to start your day full? As for breakfast, take advantage of Gillwoods Café. Located on St. Helena’s historic downtown Main Street, the café is a great spot for casual dining and home-style dishes. Insider tip: order the French toast. They are to die for! A short drive from historic downtown, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is your one-stop-shopping for wine, beer, spirits, gourmet specialties, and gifts. Shop for Italian spreads and gourmet deli dishes to create the perfect wine country picnic basket.
We’ll admit after reading this it’s time for a cocktail and bite! Whether you decide to try one or all of the restaurants on the roadmap, we send a toast to you and enjoy your well-deserved travels in St. Helena. Cheers!