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Best of Napa Valley Life Awards 2021 – Food
Published On: February 19, 2021

BEST Place for a Sandwich

Giugni W F & Son Grocery & Deli

707-963-3421 • Giugnis.com

1227 Main St., St. Helena 

St. Helena has plenty of eateries, but one need not look further than Giugni W F & Son for an exceptional deli experience. Best known for their made-to-order sandwiches loaded up with a wide selection of choice meats and cheeses sliced fresh to order and served with the “the works,” many make the trip for “Giugini Juice,” an Italian style sauce made with red wine vinegar, canola oil, herbs, salt & pep- per which is drizzled on sandwiches and salads. It’s always crowded, so plan accordingly.

Genova Delicatessen • 2nd

707-253-8686 • genovadelinapa.com

1550 Trancas St., Napa 

Oakville Grocery • 3rd

707-944-8802 • oakvillegrocery.com

7856 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville

 

BEST Pizza

Pizzeria Tra Vigne

707-967-9999 • 1016 Main St., St. Helena

pizzeriatravigne.com

For the past 25 years, Pizzeria Tra Vigne reigns one of St. Helena’s local treasures. Guests of all ages enjoy hanging out or grabbing some pasta, pizza, or a fresh daily special to go at this vibrant, family restaurant. Their pizzas have always been a crowd favorite, and during the pandemic, their pizza to go kits were among the area’s most popular. There’s plenty of seating outdoors on their beautiful patio, complete with Bocce Court, or inside at a table or booth with family and friends.

Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca • 2nd

707-255-5552 • 1260 Main St., Napa

azzurropizzeria.com

Bistro Don Giovanni • 3rd (tie)

707-224-3300 • 4110 Howard Lane, Napa

bistrodongiovanni.com

Filippis Pizza Grotto • 3rd (tie)

707-254-9700 • 645 1st St., Napa 

Realcheesepizza.com

 

BEST Italian Restaurantbistro don giovani

Bistro Don Giovanni

707-224-3300 • 4110 Howard Lane, Napa

bistrodongiovanni.com

Bistro Don Giovanni, known to locals as “Don G’s,”  has been      a destination restaurant in Napa Valley since its opening in 1993. The menu is best known for its fresh interpretations of traditional Italian dishes, including hand-tossed, wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta, and daily fish and meat specials that are sustainably farmed organically sourced. Whether dining outside in the garden, on the patio, or in the cozy restaurant or bar, Don G’s is always a memorable experience.

Bottega Napa Valley • 2nd

707-945-1050 • 6525 Washington St., Yountville 

botteganapavalley.com

Ristorante Allegria • 3rd

707-254-8006 • 1026 1st. St., Napa 

ristoranteallegria.com

 

BEST Asian Foodmorimoto napaMorimoto Napa

707-252-1600 • 610 Main St., Napa

morimotonapa.com

Iron Chef Morimoto’s signature restaurant on the Napa River is one of the most sought after dining experiences since its opening in 2010. Always a favorite for sushi, diners are captivated by the inventive high-end Japanese menu, which is presented in a spacious, zen-like setting- both indoors and out. The bar is popular with locals on weekends, and for sake lovers, the Momosan Lounge is devoted to sake and Japanese whiskey.

Eikos Modern Japanese Cuisine • 2nd

707-501-4444 • 1300 First St., Suite 385, Napa

eikosnapa.com

Mango on Main • 3rd

707-253-8880 • 1142 Main St., Napa 

Mangoonmain.com

 

BEST Mexican Food

Don Perico Mexican Restaurant

707-252-4707 • 1106 1st St., Napa

donpericos.com

Napa’s most popular Mexican Restaurant, Don Perico, has been around for over  two decades. Known for its crowd-pleasing Mexican food, generous margaritas, and all-day happy hour, it has become a hot spot for locals for lunch and dinner. The generous patio welcomes diners  with a great selection of appetizers and traditional Mexican dishes such as burritos, tortilla soup, fajitas, and enchiladas. The beverage program includes artisan mescals and tequila and an extensive wine list. Both bars and the outdoor  patio are always a fiesta.

Villa Corona 2nd

1138 Main St., St. Helena • 707-963-7812

3614 Bel Air Plaza, Napa • 707-257-8685

villacoronacatering.com

La Luna Market & Taqueria • 3rd

707-963-3211 • 1153 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford

lalunamarket.com 

 

BEST Place to Eat Seafood

Hog Island Oyster Co.

707-251-8113 • 610 1st St., Napa

hogislandoysters.com

Belly up at Hog Island Oyster Bar and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, which  change   daily, or order a bushel to go. The Napa location at Oxbow Public Market serves its own Hog Island mollusks and savory seafood entrées, organic salads, and small plates that showcase local fishermen, farmers, and artisan food producers in the local region.

Morimoto Napa • 2nd

707-252-1600 • 610 Main St., Napa 

morimotonapa.com

Eikos Modern Japanese Cuisine • 3rd

707-501-4444 • 1300 First St., Suite 385, Napa 

eikosnapa.com

 

BEST Sushi

Eikos Modern Japanese Cuisine

707-501-4444 • 1300 First St., Suite 385, Napa

eikosnapa.com

Eikos Sushi is Napa Valley’s favorite “go-to” for modern and authentic traditional Japanese cuisine and their seasonal, fresh, sustainable fish, delivered daily from local markets and purveyors. Their skilled sushi chefs don’t disappoint with the extensive and creative sushi menu, presented on plates with colorful and flavorful sushi combinations. Eikos rose to the top during the pandemic as one of the area’s busiest takeout and delivery restaurants for their sushi and handcrafted cocktails when dining was restricted inside. They have a second location in Oxbow Public Market with a more limited menu.

Morimoto Napa • 2nd

707-252-1600 • morimotonapa.com

610 Main St., Napa

Sushi Mambo • 3rd

707-942-4699 • napasushi.com

1631 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga

 

BEST Vegetarian Menu OptionsHeritage Eats

707-226-3287 • 3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa

heritageeats.com

Heritage Eats owners, Ben and Ali Koenig, own and operate this unique, local, family-based  restaurant. They present an exciting menu rich with world culture and flavors from Southeast Asia, India, Egypt, and beyond into fresh and flavorful dishes using global spices and warm hospitality. From salad and rice  bowls, tacos, bao buns, tacos, and wraps,  diners  can mix and match flavors and food combinations to meet any craving. Heritage Eats also offers a local catering program and recently launched a food truck – The Best Food Truck in Napa.

R + D Kitchen • 2nd

707-945-0920 • 6795 Washington St., Yountville

rd-kitchen.com

Rutherford Grill • 3rd

707-963-1792 • 1180 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford

rutherfordgrill.com

 

BEST Burger

Gotts Roadside

707-224-6900 • 644 1st St., Napa

gotts.com

Gotts Roadside is wine country’s go-to for its fresh, high-quality roadhouse menu, especially its juicy cheeseburgers. Options include their 100% Niman Ranch Angus beef burger and cheese choice on a toasted egg bun, lettuce, tomato, and a secret sauce made  with Sir Kensington’s ketchup. Locals love the California Burger, with a fried egg, bacon, and balsamic onions. Gotts was the first local restaurant to introduce the Impossible burger for their vegetarian clientele and has a sushi-grade ahi burger for seafood lovers.

Goose & Gander • 2nd

707-967-8779 1245 Spring St., St. Helena

goosegander.com

The Charter Oak Restaurant • 3rd (tie)

707-302-6996 1050 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena

thecharteroak.com

Squeeze Inn Hamburgers • 3rd (tie)

707-257-6880 3383 Solano Avenue, Napa

squeezeinnhamburgers.com

 

BEST Family Restaurantgotts roadside

Gotts Roadside-Napa

707-224-6900 • 644 1st St., Napa

gotts.com

Gotts Roadside  started  on its road to popularity  with the launch  of Taylor’s Refresher in St. Helena in 1999. Renamed Gotts Roadside, the popular hangout has since expanded to the Oxbow Public Market District in downtown Napa. The St. Helena spot is a gourmet drive-in, with guests eating at bright red picnic tables on the lawn, while the Oxbow location is built in an urban, retro diner-style. Gotts is always bustling with locals and visitors of all ages with a popular menu known for its American roadside classics, especially its inventive burgers and hand made shakes.

Pizzeria Tra Vigne 2nd

707-967-9999 1016 Main St., St. Helena

pizzeriatravigne.com

Hop Creek Pub • 3rd

707-257-7708 3253 Browns Valley Rd., Napa

hopcreekpub.com

 

BEST Upscale Restaurantfrench laundry

The French Laundry

707-944-2380 • thomaskeller.com/tfl

6640 Washington St., Yountville

The French Laundry restaurant has been Napa Valley’s keystone for fine dining since Thomas Keller purchased it in 1994. With a prestigious reputation known worldwide, its distinctive menu, which is curated daily, and its commitment to serving classic French cuisine with the finest quality ingredients are only paralleled with its intense focus on impeccable guest service.

Coles Chophouse • 2nd

707-224-MEAT • 1123 Main St., Napa

coleschophouse.com

Auberge du Soleil • 3rd

800-348-5406 • 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford

aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil/dine/

 

BEST Bakery

bouchon

Bouchon Bakery

707-944-2253 • thomaskeller.com

6528 Washington St., Yountville

Bouchon Bakery has been drawing in crowds- both local and visitors- since its opening in 2003. Initially created to service neighboring restaurants  Bouchon Bistro and The French Laundry, it’s reputation demanded it establish a presence of its own. It’s delectable and IG-worthy selection of artisanal bread, impeccable desserts, and sweet gourmet delights are rewarded to those who usually wait in line to retrieve them.

Model Bakery • 2nd

707-259-1128 • 644 1st St., Napa

themodelbakery.com

Buttercream Bakery & Diner • 3rd (tie)

707-255-6700 • 2297 Jefferson St., Napa

buttercreambakery.com

Sweetie Pies • 3rd

707-257-7280 • 520 Main St., Napa

sweetiepies.com

 

BEST Place for Breakfast

Boon Fly Cafe

707-299-4870 • 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa

boonflycafe.com

Located in South Napa at the Carneros Resort, Boon Fly Café takes the prize as   one of the best places to jump-start the day. The café/bistro serves modern-rustic cuisine in a contemporary roadhouse atmosphere. Since the pandemic, their take out menu is a hot ticket in town with menu favorites that include their famous homemade donuts, avocado toast, fried chicken and waffles, and green eggs and ham. Other brunch items include flatbread pizzas, burgers, and fish tacos.

Napa Valley General Store • 2nd

707-259-0762 • 540 Main St. #100, Napa

napageneralstore.com

La Cheve Bakery and Brews • 3rd

707-294-2142 • 376 Soscol Ave., Napa

Ilovelacheve.com