Mexican$$downtownMon-Thu 15:00-22:30; Fri-Sun 11:30-23:30
Chispa is Napa's tequila and mezcal bar, pairing a raw seafood programme of oysters and aguachile with agave-spirit flights. The room runs late on weekends.
Signature: Raw seafood tower, Tequila cocktails, Agave-forward bar bites
Tip: The best bar in Napa for a pre-dinner drink or a late cocktail on weekends.
BBQ$$downtownTue-Thu 11:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-21:00; Sun 11:00-20:00; closed Mon
Bounty Hunter pairs an 1880s Old West building with BBQ and 400 wine bottles covering small Napa producers. Smoked meats from a wood smoker in the back.
Signature: Smoked BBQ, Beer can chicken, 400 wine bottles
Tip: Good for a casual wine-and-BBQ combination that most wine-country restaurants won't offer you.
Mediterranean$downtownMon-Sat 09:00-17:30; closed Sun
Small World has served Middle Eastern food in Napa since around 2003: falafel, gyros, hummus and kabob at prices drawing vineyard workers and budget visitors.
Signature: Falafel, Gyros, Hummus, Shawarma
Tip: Closes at 17:30 and is not open Sundays. Get here for an early lunch.
Mexican$downtownMon-Sat 10:30-20:00; closed Sun
Tacos El Muchacho Alegre serves Mexico City-style tacos on Jackson Street to vineyard workers and locals. Named a Napa best by The Infatuation in 2024.
Signature: Mexico City-style tacos, Torta ahogada, Burritos
Tip: Cash is useful but cards are accepted. Closed Sundays. The torta ahogada is the sleeper pick.
Italian$$$downtownMon-Thu 11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:30; Sun 11:30-20:30
Oenotri's daily-changing southern Italian menu follows Napa Valley farm deliveries, with a wood-fired oven producing charred pies and house charcuterie.
Signature: Daily-changing Neapolitan pizza, Fresh pasta, Charcuterie
Order: Ask the server what came in from the farms that day and order whatever they are most excited about.
Tip: The menu changes daily based on availability. Go on a Thursday or Friday when the farmers market has just restocked the kitchen.
French$$$riverfrontDaily 11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:00; Sat-Sun brunch 10:00-14:30
Angele on Main Street has a riverside terrace. The cooking is French country brasserie: proper onion soup, steak frites and a Burgundy-and-Napa wine list.
Signature: French onion soup, Lyonnaise salad, Steak frites
Order: French onion soup and the daily fish special.
Tip: The riverside patio is the most pleasant outdoor table in downtown Napa on a warm evening.