Bistro Don Giovanni on April 14, 2024
1 / 10

Bistro Don Giovanni

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A beloved Italian bistro in Napa Valley, renowned for its rustic charm, stunning outdoor patio with a fountain, and exceptional homemade Italian fare.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Bistro Don Giovanni on April 14, 2024

Bistro Don Giovanni

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved Italian bistro in Napa Valley, renowned for its rustic charm, stunning outdoor patio with a fountain, and exceptional homemade Italian fare.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Consistently one of the best Italian restaurants in Napa Valley, a must-visit for its food and ambiance."

TIP

Reservations Highly Recommended

The restaurant is popular; book in advance or be prepared for a wait, possibly at the bar.

Don't Miss the Pastas

Try the homemade pastas like rigatoni bolognese and ravioli, a consistent crowd-pleaser.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

$$$

Phone

(707) 224-3300

Address

4110 Howard Ln, Napa, CA 94558, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Enchanting Fountain-Side Patio

Enchanting Fountain-Side Patio

Dine al fresco under twinkling lights by a charming fountain, creating a romantic and picturesque atmosphere.

Authentic Homemade Pastas

Authentic Homemade Pastas

Savor traditional Italian pasta dishes, with rigatoni bolognese and ravioli frequently praised.

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Decadent Tiramisu

Decadent Tiramisu

Indulge in a creamy, perfectly balanced tiramisu, a must-try dessert for a sweet ending.

Food Lover's Top 10 Guide to Napa ValleyGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Birthday celebrations continue!🎉 After wine tasting, we went to #BistroDonGiovanni for lunch. We sat at a covered outside patio that was kept warm by a wood burning fireplace! #NapaValley
@maddiemmedina
1 likes • 113 views

Reservations Highly Recommended

The restaurant is popular; book in advance or be prepared for a wait, possibly at the bar.

Don't Miss the Pastas

Try the homemade pastas like rigatoni bolognese and ravioli, a consistent crowd-pleaser.

The food was 10/10 especially the veal pasta dish #NapaValley #Napa #BistroDonGiovanni #ItalianFood #BirthdayTrip
@joselyn_m22
36 likes • 3.2K views
The best italian food in Napa Valley 🍕🍇 #napa #napavalley #dongiovanni #italianfood #italian #bayareafoodie
@bkrealestate
46 likes • 6.6K views

Consider Lunch on Weekends

To avoid crowds, a weekend lunch visit might be a good strategy to experience the ambiance.

Be Prepared for Higher Prices

While pricey, diners find the quality of food and service makes it a worthwhile experience.

Bistro Don Giovanni was opened in March 1993 by Giovanni and Donna Scala. • The name reflects a playful interplay: “Donna + Giovanni” and a nod to La Scala, the famous Milan opera house, and Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni. • Donna Scala passed away in 2014; the restaurant honors her influence via its warmth, artistry, and dedication to tradition. • Giovanni Scala also has involvement with anot...
@azf413
2 likes • 130 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Highly Recommended

The restaurant is popular; book in advance or be prepared for a wait, possibly at the bar.

Don't Miss the Pastas

Try the homemade pastas like rigatoni bolognese and ravioli, a consistent crowd-pleaser.

Consider Lunch on Weekends

To avoid crowds, a weekend lunch visit might be a good strategy to experience the ambiance.

Be Prepared for Higher Prices

While pricey, diners find the quality of food and service makes it a worthwhile experience.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Bistro Don Giovanni is lauded for its charming ambiance, especially its outdoor patio with a fountain, and consistently praised for its authentic Italian cuisine, particularly homemade pastas and rich desserts. While some find the prices on the higher side, the quality of food, excellent service, and delightful atmosphere make it a highly recommended dining experience in Napa Valley.

"A nice Italian dinner spot. Big outdoor dining area situated around a fountain with sculptures inspired by the play Commedia dell'Arte. We sat up against the fountain. Good eine and whiskey selections here, I had a Blanton's old-fashioned 👍🏼
We had the veal parmesan and the rigatoni bolognese. The veal was nice and tender, a good marina with cheese crusted on top, and served with a fettuccine alfredo. Quite good. The rigatoni was good, basic.
Ordered the tiramisu for dessert. I'm picky with tiramisu, but this was definitely a good one. Good consistency (not mushy), nice and creamy, not too much espresso topping, and some nice chocolate shavings on top.
Good service, nice atmosphere and decor."

Levon Juni

"The outside dining could not be improved upon. Umbrellas, sun sails, and numerous fans moderate temperature and sun. The staff is well managed and provides impeccable service. All of our food was nicely prepared."

Dan

"A very nice Italian restaurant in Napa serving homey Italian foods in a beautiful setting. Service was very friendly. We tried what was recommended by the manager: the octopus salad, gnocchetti with a ground lamb sauce, and the veal parmigiana with fettuccine Alfredo. Everything was good. We could not stop eating them. There were not a lot octopus pieces in the salad. The price was on the higher side. It was a very pleasant experience overall."

Rong Mao

What People Like

Charming outdoor patio and ambiance
Delicious homemade pastas
Exceptional desserts like tiramisu and butterscotch pudding

What People Dislike

Higher price point
Occasional seasoning issues (e.g., risotto lacked salt)
Some dishes not meeting high expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is very popular. Consider waiting at the bar if you arrive without one.

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Homemade pastas like rigatoni bolognese and ravioli, as well as pizzas, Caesar salad, and the tiramisu are frequently recommended.

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Yes, Bistro Don Giovanni boasts a beautiful outdoor seating area around a fountain, which is a major draw for diners.

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The restaurant is considered upscale, with prices on the higher side, but many find the quality justifies the cost.

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Yes, the restaurant features an extensive selection of Napa Valley and Italian wines, with many reviewers praising their wine list.

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Yes, the restaurant is noted as being dog-friendly, making it a good option for those traveling with pets.

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This long-standing Italian restaurant is on the outskirts of town, and has one of the best outdoor settings around, with vineyard views and a dramatic fountain that sits at the center of it all. Beyond the scenery, the real reason we’ve been coming here for years is the food: every dish is a home run, especially the homemade pastas (get the rigatoni bolognese), all of the pizzas, and caesar salad. This place is always packed, so it’s best to book ahead or plan on hanging out at the bar while you wait.

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Bistro Don Giovanni opened more than 20 years ago and is still among the most popular Italian restaurants in Napa, meaning it can be downright impossible to get a table at the eatery unless you roll in late. Dishes include fritto misto, agnolotti with salmon and sweet pea cream sauce, and branzino poached in a tomato-garlic broth. Locals love Mamma Concetta’s meatballs, the beet and haricot vert salad, and, when it’s on the menu, lasagna.

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Locals crowd this tiny storefront bistro, beloved for its earthy Cal-Italian cooking: homemade pasta and risotto, crispy sole and soft polenta.

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From their gardens to their kitchen, Bistro Don Giovanni presents fresh interpretations of traditional Italian dishes using sustainably-farmed, local fruits and vegetables, and all organic meats. Inspiration from the bounty of local farms and their own restaurant garden help create a daily changing menu that has kept Bistro Don Giovanni on the San Francisco Chronicle's top Bay Area restaurants since the list's inception. Their lively bar features hundreds of Napa Valley and Italian wines, as well as seasonally inspired cocktails.

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From the garden to the kitchen, Bistro Don Giovanni presents fresh interpretations of traditional Italian dishes using sustainably-farmed, local fruits and vegetables, and all organic meats. Inspiration from the bounty of local farms and their own restaurant garden help create a daily changing menu that has kept Bistro Don Giovanni on the San Francisco Chronicle’s top Bay Area restaurants since the list’s inception. Their lively bar features hundreds of Napa Valley and Italian wines, as well as seasonally inspired cocktails.

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The best way to experience dining in Napa Valley is with outdoor seating, and no restaurant has a better outdoor dining experience than Italian restaurant Bistro Don Giovanni. Known to locals as Don G’s, Bistro Don Giovanni won Best Italian Restaurant and Best Outdoor Dining in Napa Valley Life Magazine’s 2022 Best of Napa Valley Reader’s Choice Awards. Beloved by local owners of Napa Valley luxury homes, Don G’s offers fresh interpretations of classic Italian dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

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A standalone building along Highway 29 between Napa and Yountville is not where you’d expect to find some of the best Italian cuisine in the valley, but its location is part of the charm. Walking up to Don Giovanni, the classic Italian restaurant that’s been running continuously for over 20 years, feels like entering an Italian grandmother's villa. A large veranda porch holding tables clothed in white linen opens into an equally spacious yard with a water fountain at its center.

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At Bistro Don Giovanni, the ingredients are sustainably-sourced and include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and organic meats. The restaurant even has its own garden as well as relationships with many local farms. When you dine here, you get to enjoy exceptional food, signature cocktails and the option for fireside dining (sitting near wood burning fireplaces) or al fresco dining (sitting in the garden).

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Bistro Don Giovanni – This old school Italian restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. You have to try their lemon ravioli – it took me right back to Italy!

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