Explore Napa

Oxbow Public Market

Amazing place to gather for food and wine! You'll find endless dining and store options. If you're a fan of oysters, we highly recommend you stop by Hog Island Oyster Bar where you can enjoy some of the area’s best seafood and with a great view of the river (especially at sunset).

CIA at Copia (The Culinary Institute of America at Copia)

Visit the campus to see the extensive museum of culinary tools, dine at their student run restaurant the Grove, or take a cooking class at the famous Culinary Institute of America at Copia. This downtown campus is the second one for the Culinary school in Napa- the other being Greystone in St. Helena- holding accelerated classes for grad students. The entire campus is open to the public Sunday-Saturday, 10:30am-9pm.

First Street Napa

"Head to First Street Napa, where you’ll find a wide variety of shops and boutiques, as well as wine bars and tasting lounges, such as Cadet Wine + Beer Bar, Acumen Winery Gallery, Mayacamas Vineyards, and JaM Cellars, the latter of which is a unique wine and music venue that hosts regular live music shows."

Scala Osteria & Bar

One of the few spots in Napa that’s serving dinner after 9pm. We were roaming first street late on a Friday, and starving. The hostess was able to seat us (and our dog Bru) at a table outside in 5 minutes. Delicious seafood centered, Italian menu and incredible service, from hostess to server.

Wilfred's Lounge

A two story tiki lounge/restaurant with an incredible view of the mountains and a colorful staff and surroundings. The best place to bring your group for some shared appetizers and bowl sized rum cocktails that are lit on fire.

Oenotri

If you’re downtown and looking for great pizza (not good pizza) we highly recommend Oenotri. If you’re in a rush, take it to go like we did! Plenty of outside communal spaces to sit downtown and eat a low key but high quality meal.

TORC

“Walk into TORC and you might notice the music. It's rock & roll, blues, or soul, and it's undeniably on. There are no white tablecloths. No dabbing the corners of your mouth. No pomp, but lots of circumstance.” Reviewer Note: “Housemade pastas and a rotating cast of seasonal specialties like tempura squash blossoms dominate the menu, but the move is the grilled cheese topped with unctuous curls of black truffle.”

Zuzu

"Beloved by locals and visitors alike, ZuZu is a treasured destination in downtown Napa inspired by the flavors of Northern Spain. The lively atmosphere is a backdrop to a menu of tapas and small plates featuring the best of regional California ingredients and local purveyors. "

Tarla Mediterranean Bar + Grill

Seasonal, locally sourced Turkish & Greek dishes share the menu at this casual bistro & bar.

Cadet Wine & Beer Bar

“This downtown Napa wine bar kicks into high gear in the evening, when most wineries have shut their doors. It’s the perfect place to go if you’ve done a couple of tastings around the valley and want to keep the party going. In addition to a plethora of wines from around the world, Cadet serves a variety of beer, tea and snacks like potato chips with trout roe, whose crunch and salinity pair well with a glass of Champagne.”

Winston's Cafe & Bakery

A mom, pop and pup shop that’s been a popular brunch destination for downtown locals for years. Delicious bagels and donuts and on the restaurant side, the usual breakfast favorites with some Filipino twists.

Faust

“The tasting room of this highly rated cabernet sauvignon producer occupies a Victorian home built in 1878 — locals call it Faust Haus — and every room features a singular style of art and décor. “It’s one of the coolest places to taste in wine country, period,” said Ms. Najjar. “The setting is enough of a reason to go, but on top of that, there’s their cab,” which comes from Coombsville, an area of Napa Valley known to produce cabernet sauvignon with rich fruit flavor and refreshing acidity. “It’s the best,” she said.”

Robert Mondavi Winery

Napa Valley Wine Train

“The Napa Valley Wine Train takes you on a 36-mile round-trip discovery to St. Helena and back, stopping at celebrated wineries along the way. But it's more than a train. It's a luxuriously vintage setting. A lush, mesmerizing landscape. A divine four-course meal. Exclusive insider winery tours. An intimate shared experience. Some of the places we take you to can't be found on a map.”

Groth Vineyards & Winery

"Check out the multigenerational family-owned Groth Vineyards & Winery, home to the first 100-point U.S. wine from critic Robert Parker. At their Oakville estate, you’ll taste sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon while surrounded by vines and centuries-old oak trees."

Round Pond Estate Winery

"Round Pond Estate draws visitors for its Bordeaux-style wines and estate olive oil, which can be enjoyed from the winery’s serene terrace overlooking its sustainably-farmed vineyards."

The French Laundry

For the ambitious :) "The menu, which changes daily, commits itself to serving classic French cuisine with the finest quality ingredients, along with a similarly intense focus on impeccable guest service."

Bottega Napa Valley

"Bottega offers an unmistakably Italian sense of style in a stunning Napa Valley setting. Dine outside on our expansive patio, complete with two stone fireplaces to warm you on the coolest Napa nights. Inside, you’ll find a warm, rustic setting adorned with Venetian plaster, Murano glass chandeliers, soft leather chairs, and ample tables — the perfect atmosphere for a meal and an experience to remember."

Carneros Resort and Spa

“This place looks like a Nancy Meyers dream come to life,” said Ms. Najjar. Indeed, the Carneros Resort and Spa fits right in with the aesthetic pioneered by the film director and “quiet luxury” auteur known for films like “Something’s Gotta Give.” Surrounded by rolling vineyards, the resort sprawls over 28 acres. The rooms are in stand-alone cottages (some with outdoor bathtubs), and there’s a farm, a spa that makes use of local lavender and sage, and a hilltop swimming pool that’s “ideal for Instagramming,” Ms. Najjar said.”

Indian Springs Calistoga

"Recline in a comfortable lounger and enjoy all the benefits of salt therapy. Our mud rooms have been updated with new showers, full spectrum infrared saunas and beautiful textured walls. "

In-N-Out Burger

For you way-out-of-towners, you may want to give this fast-food chain a try on your way in or out of Napa. Especially if you’re coming with kids :) In-and-Out is a California staple. Many love it, many are indifferent. Try for yourselves and report back.