Plan a Thanksgiving trip to Downtown Napa

Thanksgiving is all about food, family and, of course, giving thanks. In Downtown Napa, there are a variety of ways to celebrate this holiday of togetherness, from enjoying a chef-prepared buffet to sampling delicious wines. And if you’re celebrating at home, we’ve got some great ideas on how you can order specially prepared meals to go.

So make plans to spend time in beautiful Downtown Napa during the Thanksgiving holiday week and enjoy all the area has to offer.

LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THE COOKING

Enjoy a Thanksgiving meal from a French country perspective during Angele Restaurant & Bar’s Provençal Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 23. Reserve your table of up to eight people for the three-course meal – priced at $130 per person – which features a variety of choices, including dessert options of warm apple pecan bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream or pumpkin tart mignardise.

Serving a traditional American Thanksgiving meal, Charlie Palmer Steak at Archer Hotel Napa invites you to visit the contemporary rustic-luxe steakhouse for a three-course feast on Turkey Day. For $85 per person, start with your choice of butternut squash soup or a mixed green salad, followed by turkey and fixings and finishing with either a pecan tart or pumpkin pie, made the way only the steakhouse’s fine chefs can make it. Reserve your spot soon.

Known as a fine dining establishment, La Toque is showing their casual side during the 26^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Feast. Featuring staggered seatings between 1 and 5 p.m.,  the restaurant will offer seasonal specialties with a Thanksgiving twist prepared by chef and owner Ken Frank and his culinary team. The four-course feast is $120 for adults and guests over 10 years old. Kids 10 and under can partake in a three-course meal for $75 per child. And Chef Frank promises everyone will go home with his famous “leftover” turkey sandwiches, so make your reservations now.

Make the most of your holiday celebration by renting a room at the beautiful Meritage Resort and Spa, then enjoy the culinary masterpieces being served on Thanksgiving Day. Along with a music performance by Jenny Madrigal, the holiday brunch (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) offers so much to choose from, you may be full for the rest of the day. Prices range from $45 to $95.

At the Meritage Resort’s Olive & Hay restaurant from 2 to 7:30 p.m., you can partake in an Italian-inspired three-course farm-to-table dinner on Thanksgiving Day. The culinary creations are a tribute to the bountiful harvests from local farms. The cost is $75 per person. When you’re done, head to the resort’s Crush Lounge, where you can have fun bowling at a special price of $15 per hour, watch the big game or have a meal prepared by Chef Dany Vega.

WINE WITH YOUR TURKEY

If you’re unable to attend a wine tasting in Downtown Napa, do the next best thing and attend the “Let’s Talk Turkey” virtual tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 16. Presented by Elton Slone, president and CEO of the Robert Craig Winery, the tasting will feature three Howell Mountain wines that are perfect for a Thanksgiving buffet. Order your wine set by Nov. 9 and raise a glass during the Zoom presentation.

Plan ahead for your Thanksgiving celebration by choosing the perfect wines for holiday meals on Nov. 17 at Outer Space Wines. The special tastings, held from 5 to 7:30 p.m., will include sparkling wine/bubbles, followed by white, red and dessert wines, plus you’ll get the explanation of why each wine is so good with your Thanksgiving dishes. Tickets are $20, with $5 removed for each bottle of wine purchased.

PLANNING AHEAD

Shopping for all of the ingredients of a whole Thanksgiving dinner is time-consuming. This year, order everything from Contimo. We’re talking a stuffed or classic turkey – or even a stuffed chicken – all ready to pop in the oven. There are plenty of sides to add, such as winter squash gratin, sourdough-pork sausage stuffing and mini-buttermilk biscuits. Dessert choices include a scrumptious apple crisp or Contimo’s classic chocolate chip cookies. Order now and pick everything up on Nov. 21 or 22.

To ensure your Thanksgiving spread is a success, make sure to order delicious rolls, pastries and pies from Monday Bakery, located in the heart of Downtown Napa. Drop by the bakery, enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch fare and choose your Thanksgiving dessert pie(s), such as apple or spiced pumpkin pie, as well as Parker rolls and cranberry brie braid pastries. Your guests will love them all. Order by Nov. 19 for pickup on Nov. 22.

DON’T FORGET BREAKFAST

Whether you’re having relatives over during Thanksgiving week, or you just want to know where to find some great breakfast stops, you came to the right place. Loveski Deli has a variety of bagels and spreads, or choose one of their bagel sandwiches for a great start to the morning.

Paulie’s Bagels, located inside Winston’s Café, has an assortment of bagels and sandwiches that will please the whole family. From plain to everything bagels, as well as dark chocolate chip and cinnamon raisin and more, Paulie’s has them all.

You’ll find a variety of gourmet bagels, cream cheeses and more at Toasted, although first you’ll need to find Toasted. For now, the company works out of a commercial kitchen and their products are found in a number of restaurants and bakeries around Napa, or you can have them delivered. Visit the Toasted website to see their delicious choices and where you can find them, then stock up for Thanksgiving week.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE …

If you’re visiting our beautiful city during the holiday, there’s plenty to do before you dig in to the Thanksgiving spread. Start by visiting the Napa Valley Welcome Center, located in the First Street Napa plaza. The knowledgeable staff can provide insider tips on popular tourist destinations, as well as off-the-beaten path hidden gems. You’ll also find complimentary guides and maps, as well as souvenirs to commemorate your time in Downtown Napa.

Experienced gondoliers will make a gondola trip on the Napa River seem like a journey in Venice. Napa Valley Gondola offers routes up or down the river – depending on guest preferences and weather conditions – as well as journeys that include wine tastings. No matter which direction you go, you’ll be treated to an intimate and peaceful cruise where birds and wildlife are often seen.

Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for a ride through Napa Valley on a restored early 20^th-century Pullman rail car. Treat yourself to a round-trip journey to celebrate the region’s wineries, while enjoying fine dining prepared by top chefs. A variety of packages are available that will have you traveling on a memorable journey.

For a truly unique look at the area, take a ride in a hot air balloon and see the amazing wine country from a view you’ll never forget. Several companies offer the memorable trips, including Napa Valley Balloons, which features classic adventures, as well as ones that include wine tastings, bike rides and more. Make this Thanksgiving holiday a special one with a journey above Napa Valley.

Of course, a family vacation isn’t complete unless you can include every member of the family – and that includes those with four legs and a tail. Luckily, Downtown Napa welcomes your furry companions with open arms. While you’re out exploring all that Napa has to offer, there’s no need to leave your pups at home! Check out these dog-friendly businesses that would be delighted to see your adorable furry friend, or take them with you on outdoor adventures such as nearby hikes or river paddling.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

There’s so much to do in Downtown Napa, you’ll be celebrated by friends or family if you plan a Thanksgiving trip to our wonderful area. There are a wide variety of lodging options available, many close to excellent spots to eat, drink, play and discover. We hope to see you soon!