Downtown Napa has exploded in popularity over the past few years. New tasting rooms means more wine is flowing than ever before. But good wine tastes even better with good food, and Downtown Napa delivers a gourmet selection of tasty eats. Taste upscale, multiple course meals or go casual with burgers—there’s something for every craving and palate.
Iron Chef with a Napa River View
Image Source: Morimoto Napa
Morimoto Napa
610 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 252-1600
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 820 reviews
Overlooking the Napa River, Morimoto Napa is the first West Coast restaurant created by Chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame. There’s a nice wine list, but sake is the star here. The extensive menu includes a raw bar, hot and cold appetizers, and a nice selection of sushi and sashimi. The lounge stays open late by downtown Napa standards. It’s open until midnight, Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Insider tip: If you can’t make it for dinner, their lunch bento boxes make for the perfect meal to fill you up for a day of exploring.
Comfort Food Wine Country Style
Image Source: Yelp
Grace’s Table
1400 Second Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 226-6200
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 377 reviews
The menu at Grace’s Table is a collection of comfort food from different parts of the world. While the menu is global, you’ll feel right at home surrounded by local art and relaxed dining. Deciding what to order can be a challenge because you’ll want just about all of it. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, opt to order a little bit of everything and share family style.
Insider tip: There’s a reason the Iron Skillet Cornbread with lavender honey butter is on the breakfast, lunch, and supper menu—you’ll crave for it at any hour.
Supper & A Show
Image Source: Yelp
City Winery Napa
1030 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 260-1600
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 64 reviews
Since it calls the Historic Napa Valley Opera House home, the menu at City Winery Napa is split into openers and main acts. After dinner, don’t head back to your hotel, head upstairs. From movies and trivia nights to live concerts, there’s always something going on. You can even have dinner during the show as part of City Winery Concert Dining Program.
Insider tip: If you’ve never had wine on tap, this is the perfect place to give it a try. City Winery Napa offers more than two dozen choices.
Watch Your Meal in the Making
Image Source: Yelp
Kitchen Door
610 First Street
At Oxbow Public Market
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 226-1560
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 223 reviews
Kitchen Door is bright and cheerful with a high ceiling and walls covered with shelves of pretty, well-stocked pantry items. The open kitchen, complete with wood burning oven, means you can watch as everything from pizza to Grilled Octopus Salad and Chicken ‘Pho’ Ga is prepared.
Insider tip: The mushroom sip is an amazing must, even on a sunny day.
Tasty Tapas
Image Source: La Taberna
La Taberna
815 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
707-224-5551
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 25 reviews
Strikingly sleek and modern, La Taberna gets its inspiration from the Pintxo bars of northern Spain. Menu options include suckling pig, clams, empanadas, and fried pork belly. It’s a nice stop to share a quick bite or a full meal.
Insider tip: If you are wined out, La Taberna has almost two dozen beers and ciders to choose from.
Wine Country Mexican
Image Source: Yelp
C Casa
610 First Street
At Oxbow Public Market
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 226-7700
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 126 reviews
The huevos rancheros are worth getting up early for, but since they serve breakfast at C Casa until 11:30 a.m., you can sleep in and still eat well. Order breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the counter and outside then have a seat outside in the taco lounge.
Insider tip: Be sure to ask about the monthly enchilada special, it might be an ordering game changer.
Sometimes You Just Want a Burger
Image Source: Yelp
Nation’s Giant Hamburgers
1441 Third Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 252-8500
TripAdvisor: 3.5 stars, 25 reviews
After a busy day of tasting, sometimes you just want a good burger. Nation’s Giant Hamburgers lives up to its name and is an easy walk from anywhere downtown. Along with milkshakes, they make amazing pies.
Insider tip: Don’t expect your typical in and out fast food, all burgers are freshly grilled onsite so the wait may be a while.
The
Downtown Napa restaurant scene has changed the way locals and visitors think of the growing area. It’s no longer just a spot to grab a glass of wine. It’s a spot to sip and stay awhile.
Author
WineCountry Staff