For some, January is the gloomiest month of the year. Post-holiday blues, winter dragging on, New Year’s resolutions looming—but here in Napa Valley, we’re having none of that.

January is the perfect time to experience Napa Valley at its most flavorful. From January 1 through January 31, acclaimed restaurants across the region open their doors with exclusive offers and creative tasting menus celebrating the best of wine country cuisine as part of Visit Napa Valley’s Restaurant Month. Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, you’ll enjoy Napa Valley in a whole new light.

Whether you’re looking for Michelin-starred dining rooms, tucked-away neighborhood bistros, grab-and-go sandwich spots, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Restaurant Month is the best time to try them all—after all, when else will you get the chance to take advantage of such exclusive deals? Show your appreciation for the valley’s local businesses all month long and enjoy a true culinary celebration that captures the essence of wine country.

For locals, January is a chance to claim Napa’s often-reserved winter days as your own, with restaurants offering inventive prix fixe menus and a variety of special pairings. For visitors, it’s an ideal moment to discover the true soul of Napa Valley: fewer crowds, a more relaxed ambiance, and a lineup of top-flight restaurants participating in a shared celebration of food, wine, and culture.

Of course, restaurants take center stage this month, but that’s not all Napa Valley has to offer. This is Napa Valley, where you can indulge in the best of everything. January also brings a month-long spotlight on the Napa Valley Vintners Napa Neighbor Program. Typically offering perks to Napa County residents, this year the program is extended to include California residents statewide: show your California ID at participating wineries and enjoy two-for-one tastings, complimentary experiences, upgraded tours, and VIP treatment at many of Napa Valley’s celebrated wineries.

This January, Visit Napa Valley invites you to dine, taste, and explore. It’s the perfect time to move beyond the familiar and treat yourself to something brand-new, no matter who you are or where you come from. We’ll be waiting to toast your arrival!

Brix Restaurant

A Month for the Table

With five towns encompassing more than a hundred restaurants—each offering seasonal ingredients and thoughtful, unexpected menus—Napa Valley is a treasure trove of foodie fun. And this Restaurant Month, it’s all yours to explore.

At every meal, you’ll find chefs leaning into the local harvest: winter vegetables, fresh-caught fish from nearby coasts, savory cuts from regional farms, and wines from across the valley.

Many restaurants design special menus just for this month, combining value, creativity, and the kind of experience that makes Napa Valley so special.

If you’re a local, perhaps you’ll visit a restaurant you’ve always meant to try, or head back to a beloved spot and discover a new dish crafted for this occasion. If you’re visiting, consider building your getaway around Restaurant Month: book a tasting in the early afternoon, stroll Main Street in Yountville or the Oxbow District in Napa, then settle in for an elevated dinner before waking the next day to an unhurried walk through vineyards or a second culinary stop. Rinse and repeat.

Even though you won’t be heading out during peak season, don’t assume you’ll be the only one there. Reservations are the key to success around the valley. Because many restaurants participate in this one-month event, tables fill sooner than usual. Browse the participating lists, peruse the menus, and make your plans ahead. Your January dining calendar should include not just the “what,” but the “where” and “when.”

Eikos

Wine Country, Elevated with You in Mind

While the focus may be on dining, don’t forget—this is wine country. The Napa Valley Vintners Napa Neighbor Program adds the wine back into your Restaurant Month experience, one winery at a time. Enjoy an unhurried tasting experience and thinner crowds, perfect for savoring each sip at your own pace.

For the first time in many years, the Napa Neighbor Program has widened its options to include more than just Napa locals. Now, California residents (21+ with valid ID) are invited to join in. Participating wineries are offering perks such as complimentary or upgraded tastings, two-for-one flights, discounts on wine purchases, and more.

So what does that mean for you? If you live in the valley, you’ve got all the more reason to explore your own backyard. Locals too often fall into the trap of only patronizing their regular spots, so this January, branch out. Book an appointment at a winery you’ve never visited, or revisit one you haven’t seen in a while. If you’re visiting, simply ask your concierge if they’re part of the Napa Neighbor Program, and they can point you in the right direction.

Restaurant at North Block

Why January? Why Now?

So why is January a great time to visit Napa Valley? (Any time is a great time to visit Napa Valley, but let’s set that aside.) Some think of these gray late-winter months as the off-season of any destination—but that’s the point. Here in California’s wine country, the late-winter season isn’t dreary; it’s what we refer to as “Cabernet Season”. You’ll find fewer crowds, giving you plenty of space to explore and bask in pale winter sunlight. The morning mist turns the vineyards otherworldly, and everything glows with that New Year’s hopefulness.

From the industry side, January offers a unique kind of freedom. Restaurants and wineries aren’t constrained by summer crowds or holiday madness, so they can focus on creativity, seasonal transitions, and taking it slow.

The result is an experience that feels more gracious, more connected, more true to this place. You’ll notice the mindful pacing, the welcoming touch of service, the attention to pairing. Whether you’re pulling up a seat at a renowned chef’s table or enjoying a casual bite at a local bistro, you’ll feel the valley’s rhythm in every moment.

A Season of Celebration and Reflection

Beyond the platters and pours, this month is also an invitation to reflect on what Napa Valley stands for: terroir, craftsmanship, and community. When chefs source from local farms and vintners open their doors with special welcome, it’s a reminder of the interwoven tapestry of food, wine, land, and people that make this region truly special.

For residents, it’s a chance to reconnect with the places you call home, with local teams and talent, and with the rich bounty of the season. For visitors, it’s a chance to step beyond the bucket-list wine tour and into the daily life and culture of Napa Valley.

Napa Palisades

The Invitation

Whether you’re a Napa Valley local or coming in from elsewhere in California—or beyond—January is your moment. The Tastiest Time of Year has returned for Napa Valley Restaurant Month, and the Napa Neighbor Program has opened its doors wider than ever. Bring your appetite, your curiosity, and your sense of discovery.

Walk the vineyards in the morning. Taste a crisp wine in the early afternoon. Take in the magic of the Lighted Art Festival in downtown Napa, soak in the scenery of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival, and settle into a beautiful dinner. Savor the season where the vines meet the table.

So plan your month. Make the reservations. Pack a sense of adventure—and a bit of appetite. Napa Valley is waiting for you.

For more information www.napavalleyrestaurantmonth.com