Destinations · Napa Valley

Welcome dinner and rehearsal dinner restaurants in Napa Valley

Where to host the welcome dinner, the rehearsal dinner and the day-after brunch for your wedding guests in Napa, Yountville & St. Helena, plus local tips on timing, tipping and booking for groups.

For the welcome or rehearsal dinner

Mid-range and special restaurants, with the most group-friendly first.

American, family styleGood for groups$$$

Ad Hoc

Yountville

One set family-style menu. Ideal for a group dinner.

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Fine dining$$$

The French Laundry

Yountville

Thomas Keller's famous tasting menu. Reservations open months ahead.

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French bistro$$$

Bouchon Bistro

Yountville

Classic Parisian bistro food from the Keller team.

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American$$$

Mustards Grill

Highway 29, Yountville

A valley classic since 1983. Order the onion rings.

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Farm to table$$$

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

St. Helena

Ranch-raised beef and garden produce.

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Steakhouse$$$

Press

St. Helena

Big Napa wine list and dry-aged steaks.

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French$$$

Angèle

Napa riverfront

Riverside patio in downtown Napa.

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Steakhouse$$$

Cole's Chop House

Downtown Napa

Old-school steakhouse in an 1886 stone building.

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Oysters$$$

Hog Island Oyster Co.

Oxbow Public Market, Napa

Fresh oysters and chowder by the river.

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For the day-after brunch or a casual night

Bakery$$$

Bouchon Bakery

Yountville

Croissants and macarons for the morning after.

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Food hall$$$

Oxbow Public Market

Napa

Food hall where everyone can find something.

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Burgers$$$

Gott's Roadside

St. Helena

Burgers, fries and milkshakes with picnic tables.

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Booking a group dinner in Napa Valley

  • Ask for a private dining room or a prix fixe menu for groups over 10.
  • Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.
  • Tipping: Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.
  • Book two to three months ahead for groups over 20, especially in high season (April to June, September to November).
  • Ask about deposits, minimum spend and the cancellation policy in writing.
  • Plan transport back to the hotels. Rideshare is easy in Napa town but thin up-valley late at night. Pre-book rides home.

For a splurge night

  • The French Laundry Yountville
    Thomas Keller's famous tasting menu. Reservations open months ahead.
  • Bouchon Bistro Yountville
    Classic Parisian bistro food from the Keller team.
  • Press St. Helena
    Big Napa wine list and dry-aged steaks.
  • Cole's Chop House Downtown Napa
    Old-school steakhouse in an 1886 stone building.

Questions

Where should we hold a welcome dinner in Napa Valley?

Good options from our list include Ad Hoc (Yountville), The French Laundry (Yountville), Bouchon Bistro (Yountville). Book early for groups.

What time is dinner in Napa Valley?

Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.

Do we need to tip at a group dinner in Napa Valley?

Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.

More: things for guests to do in Napa Valley · Napa Valley wedding weekend itinerary · wedding weekend events guide

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