UPDATED MAY 2024
Visiting St. Helena is like stepping into a Hallmark movie. This charming wine country destination sparkles with dining delights, chic cafes and hidden gems that only the locals know about. When you’re done wine tasting for the day, and you’re ready to plan your evening in this storybook town, use this guide to the best restaurants in St Helena to make your trip even more memorable.
From a restaurant that slow-cooks its meats on an old-fashioned hearth, to place that has the largest collection of Napa Valley wine in the world, these restaurants are must-visit destinations when you visit California wine country.
If you’re staying in St. Helena and find that all of these restaurants are booked, make the 10 minute drive to Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc in Yountville. It’s a great back-up restaurant.
Acacia House (Now Violetto)
UPDATED MAY 2024
A quick note about St Helena’s Acacia House. The restaurant pivoted to a new concept in May 2024, and now serves Italian-influenced California cuisine at the location that formerly housed Acacia House. I haven’t been to the new restaurant yet (it just launched a few weeks ago), but I’m going to keep the below review live because:
- Violetto will still serve the famous Acacia House margarita (which alone is makes this restaurant worth the trip)
- The Patio dining is still the BEST OUTDOOR DINING IN ST HELENA. So gorgeous.
What I know thus far about Violetto restaurant in St Helena is:
- They serve breakfast (and brunch in St Helena on the weekends)
- Lunch is a prix fixe menu or al a carte ordering
- Dinner is a hybrid prix fixe menu that includes some family style dishes and stand alone items – $95 per person
- A tasting menu (7 courses) is available for $130 per person
Below is info on Acacia House that you may find helpful when booking St Helena’s Violetto restaurant.
Acacia House is one of the best restaurants in St Helena. Full stop. This restaurant has everything: the best patio for outdoor drinks, the best interior (it’s so chic inside), the cocktails are amazing, the wine list is great, and the food AKA the reason you’re here is a delight. For my money, Acacia House also happens to be one of the most romantic restaurants in Napa. I have nothing but good things to say about this spot.
Need another reason to visit: Acacia House makes the best margarita I’ve ever had. This dazzling cocktail features salted sea foam on top – it’s basically like sipping top shelf tequila by the ocean while breathing in a gentle sea breeze.
Tip 1: Outdoor dining in St. Helena doesn’t get better than Acacia House. The patio is a wrap-around porch that will remind you a beautiful wine country manor house.
Tip 2: If it’s on the menu, get the schnitzel. It comes topped in dill sauce with caviar.
Location:
1915 Main St
St Helena, CA 94574
Press Restaurant
Sophisticated and trendy Press restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 2022, and has been one of the most popular reservations to snag in St. Helena ever since. Wine lovers flock to Press for its world-famous wine list which houses the largest collection of Napa Valley wines in the world.
Master Sommelier Vincent Morrow has curated a list that appeals to lovers of classic Napa Cabernet, and more eclectic varieties. While the wine list leans into its Cab-heavy Napa Valley heritage, if you love exploring unique grape varieties as much as I do, you’ll be happy to see bottles like: Matthiasson’s Vermentino and Schioppettino, Grassi Wine Co.’s Ribolla Gialla, Heitz Grignolino, a St. Laurent from Forlorn Hope, and a Mondeuse from Jaime Motley.
The wine list alone makes Press a top contender for one of the best restaurants in St Helena.
Tip: If you have trouble making a reservation in the dining room, eat in the bar. The bar at Press has cute little booths or you can dine at the counter-top bar.
Location:
587 St Helena Hwy
St Helena, CA 94574
The Charter Oak
Helmed by legendary three-Michelin star chef Chris Kostow, The Charter Oak serves new Napa Valley cuisine that is simple, but beautifully prepared. Picture dishes like Red Kuri Squash, Bavette Steak, Niman Ranch Pork Chops, and McFarland Trout with Marigold Pesto. Both locals and tourists flock to this restaurant. Reservations are easier to secure if you plan your visit after 6:30pm.
Visit St. Helena in the chilly winter months and try dining in one of the restaurants’ private yurts. The Charter Oak’s yurts are one of the most unique dining experiences in Napa Valley.
Tip 1: The Charter Oak Bread with House Cultured Butter (one of the best homemade breads you will ever try) and “Raw Vegetables from Our Farm” with Soy Miso Dip are must order dishes.
Tip 2: If the restaurant is fully booked for reservations, try doing a “walk-in” and eat at the bar. Same menu, same wine list, and quicker cocktails. In the warmer months, the patio is perfect for outdoor dining.
Location:
1050 Charter Oak Ave
St Helena, CA 94574
Cook St. Helena
Cook is one of St. Helena’s best kept secrets. Starters like creamy Buratta with prosciutto, pear, arugula, house-made pastas, and roasted chicken chop with warm thyme aus jus, have locals calling Cooks the best Italian food in St. Helena.
If you’re into wines beyond the local Napa Valley juice, you’re in luck. The wine list at Cook’s includes gems from Italy, and smaller boutique producers like Sandlands. Cook St. Helena is a favorite of Napa Valley winemakers, so don’t be surprised if you’re rubbing elbows with a few local celebrities.
Tip 1: The atmosphere here is cozy enough for a date night, but the counter-top bar is perfect for a casual bite.
Tip 2: In the mood for a low-key dinner? Go to Cook. This is the kind of restaurant where no one will judge your wine etiquette – or lack thereof. You don’t have to worry about how to hold your wine glass, and you dress a bit more casually, if you like.
Location:
1310 Main St
St Helena, CA 94574
NO|MA House
NO|MA House cafe is an exciting addition to the St. Helena dining scene. This chic cafe doubles as a retail space where you can sip specialty coffee drinks, nibble healthful salads, and pick up a few elegant wine country gifts while you’re at it. The calming interior will remind you of Restoration Hardware but with hygge, and it makes the perfect backdrop for a few Instagrammable shots.
Tip: The lattes at NO|MA House are to-die-for. If you don’t have time for lunch, come for a coffee and grab a sweet pastry treat.
Location:
1429 Main St
St Helena, CA 94574
Gott’s Roadside
The best restaurants in St Helena aren’t all fancy. Case in point: the gourmet burgers at Gott’s Roadside. But Gott’s is more than just amazing burgers, they also serve up crispy Baja Fish Tacos, Ahi Tuna burgers, and hearty salads. No trip to St. Helena is complete without a trip to Gott’s. The vibe here is diner-like, the milkshakes are full of nostalgia, and the food is, frankly, awesome.
Tip 1: Peak hours at Gott’s are between noon and 1:30pm. Try going a bit later in the afternoon to avoid the line.
Tip 2: Stop at Gott’s as you head into St. Helena from Yountville or San Francisco, or on you way out of town when you’re driving south from Calistoga.
Tip 3: Gott’s Roadside in St Helena only has outdoor dining. The seating area is covered.
Location:
933 Main St
CA-29
St Helena, CA 94574
Tips for Visiting St. Helena
- You will find most of the restaurants on this list of best restaurants in St Helena in downtown. The good news is this tiny town is totally walkable; it’s just a few blocks long.
- Downtown St. Helena has ample parking, so you will never find yourself circling the block for a spot.
- A word about the sidewalks: if you’re traveling with someone who has mobility issues (an elderly parent, for example), drop them off in front of the restaurant. The sidewalks in St. Helena are uneven and sometimes difficult to navigate.
What to wear in Napa
This post on winery outfits to wear in Napa offers some great inspiration for your trip to wine country!