While enchanting vineyard views and small-town charm make Napa Valley a must-visit destination in California, the secret to a truly magical getaway lies in booking a table at one of this list’s most romantic restaurants in Napa.
From cozy dining rooms with romantic fireplaces, to elegant and sophisticated ambiance surrounded by 5-star luxury, this list makes it easy to plan your special occasion dinner. Whether you’re in the throes of new love, you’re celebrating an enduring love story, or you’re looking for a unique dining experience for Valentine’s Day, these restaurants will make it just as easy to fall in love in Napa, as it is to fall in love with Napa.
If you need a little inspiration for the evening, take a look at these romantic wines to bring to your special dinner.
Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley
Located in Rutherford, just minutes from the charming town of St. Helena, the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is one of the most romantic restaurants in Napa Valley. Your date will love Napa’s Auberge du Soleil for the restaurant’s cozy dining room, fine dining service, Michelin star menu, and the romantic fireplace.
Expect a prix-fixe menu at both lunch and dinner. When it comes to the wine list, have no fear. Wine Spectator awarded Auberge with a coveted, ‘2023 Best of Award of Excellence’, so there are plenty of romantic wines to choose from.
TIP: Planning an anniversary lunch or brunch? Auberge du Soleil offers one of the best outdoor dining options in Napa Valley with stunning views of the mountains.
Location:
180 Rutherford Hill Road
Rutherford, CA 94573
Auro, Four Seasons, Napa Valley
This list of romantic dinner restaurants in Napa got a big boost when the Four Seasons Resort opened Auro in 2022. Located on the Silverado Trail between Calistoga and St. Helena, the Four Seasons property defines Napa Valley luxury. Auro, the resort’s fine dining restaurant, serves one of the food world’s rarest ingredients, A5 Wagyu, on its signature tasting menu, and it looks absolutely divine. Couple this with a dining room that feels tucked away from life outside of the resort, and you have a recipe for romance.
Wine lists at Napa Valley restaurants sometimes lean all the way into local Napa wines, and those bigger red wines just aren’t everyone’s jam. What’s great about Auro, is that the team has curated a list that includes natural wine producers, and winemakers who favor lighter, fresher palates like Ryme, Stolpman, and Scribe Winery.
TIP: Truss, Auro’s sister restaurant at the Napa Valley Four Seasons, is also an excellent choice, and serves a more relaxed a la carte menu.
Location:
400 Silverado Trail N
Calistoga, CA 94515
Solbar, Solage Resort, Calistoga
Of all the romantic restaurants in Napa Valley, Solbar is one of my favorites. The atmosphere in the dining room is intimate, inviting, and so, so chic. If your date loves going to fancy, luxury hotels for cocktails and a bite, they will be thrilled with an evening at Solbar. Menu items include decadent dishes like Wagyu Flat Iron with Truffle Butter, Sake Marinated Black Cod, and Duck Confit.
Solbar at Solage Resort also has a strong caviar program. Try a Caviar Bump Cocktail, “Chip & Dip” with caramelized onion crème fraîche, Kaspia Royal Oscietra Caviar, or ‘Pretzels & Caviar’ served with one ounce of Kaspia Royal Oscietra Caviar, crispy sourdough pretzel bellwether farms crème fraîche, eggs mimosa, red onions, chives.
TIP: Have a cocktail or a glass of wine in the bar before dinner. The wine list features some excellent natural wine producers like Arnot-Roberts, Gros Ventre, and Littorai.
Location:
755 Silverado Trail N
Calistoga, CA 94515
Acacia House, St. Helena
If you’re dreaming of finding a romantic Napa Valley restaurant where you can propose, consider Acacia house. The vibe here is elegant and sophisticated, and the menu is a marriage of seasonal dishes and Napa Valley luxury – think schnitzel covered in a caviar and dill-cream sauce.
TIP: If the patio is open, request to sit outside. Otherwise, take your date out to the gorgeous wrap around patio in between service, or before dessert and pop the question there. This is the type of restaurant where if you call ahead and tell the staff you’re looking for some advice on where to propose. It wouldn’t surprise me if they helped you set up a little nook outside with candles for your special moment.
Location:
1915 Main St
St Helena, CA 94574
Press, St. Helena
Press isn’t just one of the most romantic restaurants in Napa, it’s also one of the best restaurants in Napa Valley. This St. Helena restaurant was recently awarded its first Michelin star, and the wine cellar is home to the world’s largest collection of Napa Valley wine.
Press restaurant offers three menu options: a 7-Course Tasting Menu, a Prix Fixe menu where guests have the option to choose from multiple sections per course, and an a la carte menu.
TIP: If you need a little help with a wine and chocolate pairing after dinner, you’re in good hands with Master Sommelier Vincent Morrow, who is one of the youngest ever somms to achieve Master Sommelier status.
Location:
587 St Helena Hwy,
St Helena, CA 94574