48 Hours in Yountville - Where to Stay + Eat + Drink
Yountville is always a good idea! Courtesy Photo
Yountville may be under the radar, especially compared to its flashy counterpart, Napa Valley. But Yountville has much to celebrate. It's a walkable, luxurious destination with renowned dining and established tasting rooms that shine.
A highly regarded viticultural area, this small nook is actually known as the culinary capital of the Napa Valley region. Pair that with high-end accommodations, and you’ve got yourself quite the weekend getaway. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Yountville - a walkable town surrounded by Michelin-starred restaurants, small-town charm, and breathtaking artwork.
Day One:
Arrive in the area and begin with a nice tasting at Whitehall Lane prior to check-in.
Whitehall Lane:
If you’re in the mood to travel ~10 minutes, spend the afternoon at Whitehall Lane. The beautiful tasting room is technically in St. Helena, but it is worth the small detour. Pull up a chair in the modern tasting room, or relax in their gorgeous outside deck, admiring the vineyard - you simply can’t go wrong! Definitely grab a glass of the 2023 Swan Clone Pinot Noir Sonoma Valley during your visit.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to grab a bag of the amazing Chardonnay Brittle before heading out. Check out our previous review of Whitehall Lane Winery!
Grab a bite to eat at Bottega Napa Valley:
This restaurant may be a bit cheeky, but you simply have to dine here during your stay. The welcoming establishment serves up delicious Italian fare in an industrial setting. The menu is a mix of classic and unique dishes. Expect to see your staples such as calamari, Caesar salad, and antipasti items, but for the adventurous palette, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Of course, there are meat dishes on the menu; however, the establishment shines when it comes to its pasta creations. Standout items include:
Rigatoni al Coniglio: Balsamic marinated rabbit, house-made ricotta, caramelized wild mushrooms, and pancetta.
Ricotta Gnocchi della Nonna: Ricotta “pillows” with old hen tomato sauce and Pecorino Romano.
Raviolo: Potato pasta filled with farm hen egg yolk, ricotta, and Swiss chard with preserved black truffles and brown butter.
Carbonara al Carbone: Activated charcoal chitarra pasta, with guanciale, Parmigiano Reggiano, and farm hen egg yolk.
For dessert, opt for the cannoli. The little sweet treat is completed with fried orange peels, which is a nice, citrus, refreshing twist.
6525 Washington St #A9, Yountville, CA 94599
Check In to Napa Valley Railway Inn:
Yountville may be a small area, but accommodations matter. Why not stay in the middle of the action by staying at the Napa Valley Railway Inn? Why stay in a hotel room when you can stay in a historic train car that is over 100 years old? Napa Valley Railway Inn, located in the heart of downtown Yountville, is the perfect stay to deliver a decadent taste of all that the area has to offer. The hotel is situated on top of the original tracks of the Napa Valley Railroad Company, which first reached the Napa Valley towns of Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga in 1868. Now travellers can transcend back in time and stay in the railway cars when booking a stay at this iconic hotel, which just happens to be in the middle of town with a Mini Model Bakery attached. With restaurants, wine tasting, and art within walking distance, a stay at Napa Valley Railway Inn is the clear choice. All aboard!
Explore the Artwalk:
Formed in 2009, Yountville Arts is on a mission to create a bridge that links artists with the community. Here, guests can stroll amongst the main street, Washington Rd., and check out the ever-changing collection of over 35 outdoor sculptures, in addition to admiring the pieces that are here to stay. The art walk runs north and south, end to end, and is full of creative beauty from artists both locally and globally. Even better, guests have access to a free audio tour offering unique details regarding the artwork that spans the city.
Dinner at Ad-Hoc:
Ad-Hoc is a casual, yet elevated, establishment that needs no introduction. Created by Chef Thomas Kellar, the family-style restaurant prides itself on creating culinary perfection with fresh ingredients for their high-quality rotating menu. Needless to say, each dining experience at the infamous institution is different from previous visits. On this particular visit the menu consisted of:
Rosewood Gold Wagyu Santa Maria Tri Tip: served with Anson Mills grits, chimichurri, and succotash.
Garden Heirloom Tomato Salad, complete with mozzarella, pickled red onions, garden cucumbers, torn garlic croutons, and chili oil.
6 Month Faultline: served with griddled brioche, cornichons, and dijon mustard.
Angel Food Cake: Served with fresh sweet garden strawberries and whipped cream.
Pro-Tip: When coming to Ad-Hoc, you must get the add-ons. This evening's add-ons included the well-known Buttermilk Fried Chicken and the French Onion Dip & Kettle Chips.
For beverages, expect a twist on classics such as Piggy Old Fashioned (bacon fat-washed bourbon, maple brown sugar, and bitters) as well as a lengthy list of high-quality local wines.
You can’t come to Yountville without dining at Ad-Hoc.
Day Two:
Breakfast & Coffee at Madeleine’s Macarons:
New to the area, starting your morning at Madeleine’s Macarons is always a good idea. What started as a COVID passion project has quickly become a decadent way to begin the day. The sweet spot is posted on Washington St.and creates a little sunny oasis to savor delicious crepes, unique macarons, hand-created lattes, juices, and more. With a list of both savory and sweet crepes, over 40 flavors of macarons, and hearty sandwiches including seasonal delights, Madeleine’s Macarons is a stop worth taking your time at.
Explore Washington St:
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and do a bit of shopping at The Shops at the Marketplace. This quaint indoor shopping center has a handful of local favorites such as Kollar Chocolate, Scents of Napa Valley, Napa Soap Company, Domaine Home and Garden, and more. Before leaving the area, be sure to grab an incredible English Muffin from Model Bakery. (They’re not one of Oprah’s favorite things for nothing)
Silver Trident Wine Tasting Room:
Sip wine in style at the Silver Trident Wine Tasting Room, one of the few spaces that highlights Ralph Lauren home decor. More than your average tasting, guests have the option to embark on a different experience, such as the unique pizza and wine pairing, while sitting in a Ralph Lauren brown houndstooth leather chair.
The 2021 Playing With Fire Proprietary Red Blend is particularly unique as the winemaker changes the blend every year, hence the name ‘playing with fire.’ The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, named “Symphony #9”, each sip of this bright and vibrant wine is a layered sip and finished with sweet Meyer lemons.
Nautical themed yet chic and understated - Silver Trident merges luxury with distinct small production wines.
Dinner at Ciccio:
The unpretentious restaurant may look like a market from the outside, but on the inside, it's a bustling establishment serving wood-fired pizzas and Italian fare in a cozy setting. The dishes are prepared family style, so be prepared to try a bit of everything. The menu may be small, but the flavors are imaginative, otherworldly, and will leave you wanting more. It’s the ultimate in terms of comfort food. Come hungry, leave satisfied.
Standout dishes include:
Starter – Chopped Salad: fermented vegetables. Rancho Gordo beans. breadcrumbs
Pasta – Linguini: grated tomato. cultured butter, and basil
Pizza – Nardello: spicy sausage. vodka sauce.
Dessert – Gelato (can’t go wrong)
6770 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Day Three: Check-Out
Time goes quickly, especially in a luxurious time capsule such as Yountville. Pack your bags and squeeze in one more lunch at the beloved Clementine before hitting the road.
Clementine:
A highly anticipated restaurant finally opened its doors. Expect refreshing fare such as burrata with corn pancakes and roasted grape salad, frog hollow nectarine and smoky prosciutto flatbreads, and every spritz imaginable.
The perfect ending to your meal is grabbing one of the Clementine postcards illustrated by designer Julie King Studio, which perfectly captures the charm of the establishment. Even better, they’ll stamp and mail the postcard when dining with them. It’s a California-grown, Mediterranean-inspired menu created by Chef Rebecca Weitzman serving refreshing cocktails in a rustic, citrusy charm cozy setting. If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation, do it without hesitation.
From incredible bites from the many bakeries and the perfect pick me up from the many coffee stops to memorable lunch and artwork with every step - Yountville is such an artist hub from plate to palette.
