Wine often steals the show when it comes to Napa Valley, but the small town of Yountville is home to some of California’s best eats, which is why I’m rounding up the best Yountville restaurants in today’s post!
If you’re thinking to yourself, “What’s Yountville?” don’t worry—I was in the same boat many years ago! Yountville is a small town in Napa Valley with a large selection of high-end restaurants.
Yountville is the perfect destination if you want to explore new cuisines and experience some of the best flavors that California has to offer. Plus, Yountville is just around the corner from some of the best wine country in America.
Even though Yountville is a pretty small town with a population of fewer than 4,000 people, there’s no shortage of amazing restaurant options. You can find everything from French bistros to classic Italian and some world-class seafood—and many of the best Yountville restaurants are just minutes from each other on Washington Street.
I’ve rounded up the top 12 best Yountville restaurants, so let’s get started!
12 Best Yountville Restaurants
#1 – Ad Hoc
I’m starting off our list of the best Yountville restaurants with one of the most well-known spots in town. Ad Hoc is a traditional American eatery owned by world-renowned chef Thomas Keller (no surprise, but there will be several TK restaurants on this list ;)).
Take a seat in the dining room or on their outdoor patio and prepare to be wowed by Ad Hoc’s menu. A food coma awaits you at the end of every meal at Ad Hoc, where dishes are served family-style.
The menu changes every day and can include meats such as crispy duck confit, succulent baby back ribs, or if you’re lucky, their famous buttermilk fried chicken that’s served on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ad Hoc also offers a daily vegetarian option so herbivores can enjoy a delicious meal, too.
Stopping at Ad Hoc for lunch or dinner will transport you back to a time when meals were all about sharing good conversation and amazing food with loved ones.
You might hear “Ad Hoc and Addendum” used together when talking about this restaurant, and that’s because the buttermilk fried chicken dinner at Ad Hoc is so popular that the restaurant opened Addendum, a separate takeout area and garden that’s all about chicken.
On Fridays and Saturdays from May through November, Addendum is available to the public between 11 am and 2 pm. It’s the perfect place to visit between some Napa valley wine tastings to get a delicious lunch that will keep you fueled for the rest of your day.
Fried chicken is the star of the show and they’ve incorporated it into sandwiches, salads, and classic buckets of fried chicken. Talk about yum!
#2 – Bouchon
The next spot on our list is Bouchon Bistro, a must-visit when in Yountville.
This French bistro is also a Thomas Keller restaurant but has a distinct style and menu of its own. If you’re looking for an indulgent, sophisticated night out in Napa Valley, this is the place to go!
The restaurant’s menu features traditional French favorites as well as some unique dishes. The escargots and steak tartare appetizers always hit the spot, especially when followed by a main course of mussels with frites or duck confit.
For dessert, I recommend the crème brûlée or—if you’re feeling adventurous—the truffle macaron ice cream sandwich.
You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to an intimate bistro in Paris when you pay a visit to this bustling Yountville restaurant.
#3 – Bouchon Bakery
Shocking, but the next Yountville restaurant I recommend visiting—Bouchon Bakery—is also a Thomas Keller establishment.
For the past two decades, Bouchon Bakery has been a top restaurant choice for tourists and locals alike. People line up around the block to get their hands on the bakery’s coveted “bouchons” (a cylindrical chocolatey treat), bread, pastries, hot chocolates, and more.
You might question if it’s actually worth the wait, but upon tasting the warm croissants, buttery brioches, and creamy tartines you’ll be converted into a lifelong Bouchon Bakery fan.
If you’re feeling peckish for lunch, they also offer sandwiches on freshly baked baguettes with ingredients like steak, cheese, and prosciutto.
I’ve also popped in for a pot de foie gras and a baguette and there’s nothing more quintessentially French than that.
#4 – RH Yountville
RH Yountville is one of the coolest restaurants Yountville has to offer because it’s also part of a Restoration Hardware furniture store!
This eatery provides guests with the opportunity to dine on delicious food while surrounded by luxurious interiors.
The RH Yountville menu is composed of classic American and French-inspired dishes like mac and cheese, truffle fries, pan-roasted salmon, and steak frites.
The ambiance is of course on point, with its stunning chandeliers and indoor-outdoor setting.
You can also enjoy a delicious cocktail or two from the RH Yountville bar. I recommend their signature rosemary gin & tonic because it’s equal parts strong and refreshing.
#5 – Mustards Grill
This quintessential Yountville restaurant first opened in 1982 and has been a beloved spot ever since. Mustards Grill offers a fresh twist on classic American dishes by using locally-grown ingredients, which I love.
Mustards Grill is known for its exceptional burgers, succulent ribs, and delicious pork chop—and don’t forget to save room for their famous homemade pies!
The restaurant has an extensive wine list that features some of the best Napa Valley wineries. There’s also a cozy outdoor terrace if you prefer a more intimate dinner setting.
#6 – La Calenda
If you’re on the hunt for some delicious Mexican food in Yountville, La Calenda is hard to beat. This is one of our go-to spots when we have friends or family in town.
This vibrant and colorful restaurant is owned by none other than Thomas Keller and draws inspiration from the Oaxacan region of Mexico.
The menu features classic dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, and carnitas that are full of fresh flavor. The mole negro is a must-try as it’s cooked with Mexican chocolate, local ingredients, and plenty of spices.
In addition to the regular menu items, there are also weekly specials that you can take advantage of. Literally, everything we’ve tried here has been delicious.
La Calenda also has an extensive list of craft cocktails, mezcal, and tequila if you want to take a break from wine.
Lastly, you can’t leave La Calenda without trying the mouth-watering tres leches cake—it’s to die for!
#7 – Bottega
One of the best Yountville restaurants is Bottega, which specializes in Italian food and wine.
Here you can truly indulge your senses with Chef Michael Chiarello’s selection of fresh and seasonal handmade pasta, slow-cooked meats, and delectable antipasti.
The menu at Bottega is constantly evolving to showcase the finest ingredients from local farms and artisans. This means you’re guaranteed an insanely delicious Yountville dining experience!
The restaurant also has a full bar and an extensive wine list with wines sourced from all over the world.
#8 – Bistro Jeanty
While there are a number of French Yountville restaurants, Bistro Jeanty has secured its reputation as one of the best.
This classic bistro, owned by Chef Philippe Jeanty, offers traditional French dishes prepared with local ingredients and flavors.
For over 20 years, Bistro Jeanty has been known for its exceptional steak tartare, roasted duck breast, and coq au vin. I also recommend the tomato soup bread bowl—the ultimate comfort food—and heavenly garlic-infused mussels.
#9 – Model Bakery
Model Bakery is one of my favorite Yountville and Napa eateries. This spot has been around for almost ninety years and offers all kinds of amazing pastries and baked goods.
Every morning before dawn the bakers at Model Bakery are turning out insanely delicious English muffins, cookies, pies, scones, croissants and so much more. Make sure you come hungry because you’ll want to taste everything.
If you only try one thing at Model Bakery though, it has to be their world-famous English muffins. Oprah even included them on her 2016 Favorite Things List!
#10 – Coqueta
Coqueta is a modern Spanish tapas bar and restaurant located in Yountville. It serves traditional dishes such as patatas bravas, chorizo, croquettes, and jamon serrano with some contemporary twists.
The menu also offers an array of premium cold-water Atlantic seafood—like oysters, clams, and mussels—brought in daily from the Bay Area.
This Yountville restaurant boasts an impressive list of Spanish wines with a focus on red Riojas and white Albariños and also serves beautiful craft cocktails like the signature sangria verde.
If you’re looking for something sweet to finish off your meal, the churros with chocolate and blood orange dipping sauce are uniquely delicious.
#11 – North Block Restaurant
Yountville is also home to some delicious, less formal eateries, and my personal favorite is North Block Restaurant.
Located inside the North Block Hotel, North Block Restaurant is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner. This place serves up some amazing wood-fired pizza, salads, sandwiches, and many other small plates.
This Yountville restaurant also has a great selection of local wines to pair with your food. With its relaxed but classy atmosphere, North Block Restaurant is the perfect spot for an intimate meal with friends or family.
#12 – The French Laundry
Last but certainly not least is the legendary The French Laundry, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant considered one of the best in the world.
It can be challenging to score a reservation at The French Laundry but if you do manage to get one, you’re in for a real treat. The French Laundry specializes in French-Californian cuisine with tasting menus that include dishes such as oyster tartare, cauliflower panna cotta, and smoked duck.
The French Laundry offers a unique dining experience like no other. Chef Thomas Keller’s menu features simple yet sumptuous meals that take full advantage of local ingredients, and each dish is crafted with extraordinary precision and technique.
Keep in mind that meals at The French Laundry start at $400 per person, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
K, I’m officially ready to not cook at home for dinner tonight like I was planning and head to one of these restaurants instead. Drop me a comment below or on Insta (@wtfab) if you get to try any of these delicious Yountville restaurants!
Find more Napa guides and recommendations here.
The Best Napa Restaurants: Your Ultimate Guide
Best Outdoor Wine Tasting in Napa
FAQs
Yountville is a small California town in Napa Valley.
Yountville is home to a wide variety of French, Italian, Mexican, and American restaurants.
Some of the best Yountville restaurants include:
– Ad Hoc
– La Calenda
– The French Laundry
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
