Napa Valley may be called ‘Wine Country’, but that doesn’t mean that its food scene should be forgotten. While it’s certainly big on wine, it’s also a haven for food lovers, and those of you with a taste for the finer things in life will be thrilled to know that we’ve put together this handy list of the best Michelin Star restaurants in Napa Valley. Here, you will find the area’s finest dining establishments, all of which have been tried and tested by some of the world’s harshest food critics.
Known as the gold standard of restaurant dining, Michelin Stars have made it somewhat easy for us all to find the world’s best restaurants! All of the establishments on this list are headed up by Michelin Star chefs, serve incredible food and boast impeccable service, showing that food experiences can really be elevated.
Jump To a Section Below
French Laundry
With a whopping three Michelin Stars awarded to it, French Laundry has become one of the most popular Michelin Star restaurants in Napa Valley. Headed up by famed Chef Thomas Keller, this eatery is situated in Yountville, which is also known as Napa’s Culinary Capital. At French Laundry, diners can expect nothing less than French meals crafted to the highest standards that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
The menu changes daily, as it focuses on hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. When dining at French Laundry, you can choose from one of two tasting menus: The Tasting of Vegetables or the Chef’s Tasting Menu. Both are guaranteed to be equally delicious and memorable. This comes as no surprise, as French Laundry is one of the only restaurants in the world to have held three Michelin stars every year for the past decade and a half.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 3
- Address: 6640 Washington Street, Yountville CA 94599
- Type of food: French
- Must-try: Chef’s Tasting Menu, The Tasting of Vegetables.
Harbor House Inn
View this post on Instagram
With two Stars to its name, and perched just above the iconic Pacific coastline and along the picturesque Mendocino Coast, this Michelin restaurant in Napa seats 25 and is a dining destination that won’t soon be forgotten. The dining room itself is clad in redwood and comes complete with a vaulted ceiling, and a wall of windows that highlights the surrounding views of crashing waves and a rugged coastline. We couldn’t think of a setting more perfect for meals so heavily influenced by the sea.
Chef Matthew Kammerer, the rising star who crafted the restaurant’s tasting menu, does not leave diners disappointed with his offerings. Every course is impeccable, seasonal and features dishes that showcase local ingredients that are often foraged from the eatery’s surrounding areas. The menu changes as the seasons do, so you can enjoy something unique each and every time you visit.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 2
- Address: Harbor House Inn, 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432
- Type of food: Seafood
- Must-try: Chef’s Tasting Menu.
Single Thread Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
Single Thread is another one of our best Michelin Star restaurants in Napa, also rounding off with three Stars. This restaurant was born from the vision of owners Katina and Kyle Connaughton. They spent years researching and fine-tuning every detail of their business, which includes a farm, a restaurant and an inn. Single Thread opened its doors for the first time in 2016 and is heavily influenced by the time the pair spent together in Japan.
With just 55 seats, Single Thread offers diners a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Wine Country. The seasonal bounty of Sonoma makes for the perfect injection of fresh flavours into every dish. The restaurant’s tasting menu is 11 courses and features locally produced flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. Each course is a true treat for the senses and takes diners on a culinary journey.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 3
- Address: 131 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
- Type of food: Japanese-inspired
- Must-try: Chef’s Tasting Menu.
Auberge du Soleil Restaurant
View this post on Instagram/div>
Auberge du Soleil was founded over 40 years ago and was one of the first fine dining establishments in Napa Valley. Today, it remains one of the area‘s favourite Michelin Star restaurants in Napa. This eatery is believed to have paved the way for fine dining in Wine Country and has become something of a legacy. So much so that for the past 14 years, Auberge du Soleil has maintained its status as a Michelin Star-awarded establishment.The dishes on offer at Auberge du Soleil are heavily influenced by Napa Valley’s seasonal produce, and are served with a large helping of excellent hospitality and panoramic views. This restaurant offers diners a six-course dinner menu and is focused on creating customized experiences for each and every guest. If you don’t have the time for six courses, you can also choose from three-course options for both lunch and dinner. Wine pairings are customized and available on request.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
- Type of food: International
- Must-try: Hamachi crudo, petrale sole, spiced local lamb, bananas foster.
Kenzo
Rounding off our list of the top Michelin Star restaurants in Napa Valley is Kenzo
. This restaurant was established by Natsuko and Kenzo Tsujimoto, who opened the eatery once they had already made quite an impression on the region with their Kenzo Estate Winery. This exquisite menu celebrates all of Japan’s fantastic umami flavours and uses fresh ingredients that are flown in daily from Japan, as well as produce and proteins from local vendors.The menu at Kenzo is somehow both traditional and inventive and takes diners on a transformative journey through the finest Japanese cuisine that is unlike anything they have tasted before. The decor in Kenzo’s dining room sticks to a minimalist approach, and diners can expect to be seated right at the chef’s counter so that they can observe the skillful techniques with which the chef prepares their meals – it’s truly something to behold!
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 1339 Pearl Street, Napa CA 94559
- Type of food: Japanese
- Must-try: Hokkaido scallop, grilled chiba cutlassfish, wagyu tenderloin.
Sebastian is a former hedge fund trader who worked only to indulge his true passion – food.
He has dined at over 240 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, savoring culinary masterpieces and understanding the stories behind them. He now advises restaurants on menu design, decor and holistic diner experience.
