Our Favorite Downtown Burgers

The phrase “Napa Valley cuisine” calls to mind images of Michelin-star fare, utilizing gourmet ingredients to create farm-to-table dishes — only the best to serve alongside world-class wine, after all. While it is true that no one does fine dining like Downtown Napa, it might come as a surprise that we also do classic, casual American food like nowhere else. This August, burger fans are challenged to find the Best Damn Burger in Downtown Napa for the chance to win a prize. Check out the full contest details here. Having trouble deciding where to start? Read on for our favorite burger spots in Downtown Napa.

Photo: @complinewine

Compline

Compline is a longtime Napa favorite, offering chic California cuisine in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. Their burger is one to remember — locally-sourced beef, cheese, housemade aioli and balsamic onion to finish it all off. You can’t have a burger without fries. In this case, Compline’s famous duck fat fries are the perfect companion to their artisanally-crafted burger. Tie it all together with an incredible wine list, and you have the recipe for a phenomenal Napa-style lunch.

Gott’s Roadside

Sitting just a stone’s throw from the Oxbow Public Market, Gott’s Roadside is one of the most famous spots in town for a casual meal made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Everything is made-to-order, and a rotating seasonal menu ensures you’ll have a new experience every time you’re there. On their standard menu, Gott’s has eleven burgers to choose from, ranging from a classic cheeseburger to a fusion-inspired kimchi burger. Make sure to grab a hand-spun, organic shake on your way out, or snag a frosé for a boozy, refreshing summer treat.

Bounty Hunter

For a real BBQ-style burger, look no further than this local favorite in the heart of Downtown Napa. Enjoy a thick Snake River Farms patty topped with cheese, pickles, red onion and the restaurant’s famous “Saloon Sauce.” While you’re digging in, peruse Bounty Hunter’s impressive 18-page wine list for the perfect pairing, or sample one of over 40 fine and rare American whiskeys they offer.

Palisades

There’s no better place in Napa to catch the game or grab a brew after a day of wine tasting. This friendly, relaxed pub offers rotating specials on top of a core menu that features the best of low-key local cuisine. In terms of burgers, you can’t go wrong with any of their options, whether you’re feeling a classic Saloon Burger or want to branch out with something like their lamb burger. Palisades also offers over thirty craft brews on draft, as well as a full bar for all your craft cocktail needs.

Norman Rose

Taking a local, elegant approach to simple, familiar dishes, Norman Rose has long been the favored comfort food locale in Downtown Napa — and nothing says comfort food like a good burger. Stop by “Napa’s neighborhood pub” for their 5-Dot Ranch Cheeseburger, which you can customize to your liking. Add a side of fries — standard, truffle & parmesan, or “Disco” style to make it a truly memorable meal.

Dutch Door

This accessible, sustainability-focused restaurant specializes in a “scratch kitchen” approach to gourmet — meaning, everything from the fried chicken to the salad dressings are handmade in-house using locally sourced ingredients. It’s a great stop for anyone who wants to try a damn good burger without the meat. In addition to a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options across the whole menu, Dutch Door offers two different plant-based burger options, with an option to make it fully vegan with both vegan cheese and aioli. As the restaurant says themselves, it’s absolutely possible to have a delicious meatless burger without it tasting artificial.

Angèle

Our last, but never least, pick is Angele, a French country restaurant serving up refined bistro fare and a carefully curated wine and cocktail selection. On their lunch menu, you’ll find the Angèle Hamburger, an elevated, yet simple take on a classic hamburger.

Plan Your Stay

You have all of August to show us the Best Damn Burger in Downtown Napa. Aside from fabulous eats and world-class wine, Downtown Napa offers a host of activities to appeal to any kind of traveler. Check out our lodging specials to start planning this month’s stay before the contest ends.