"A Michelin-starred terrace above the Napa vines — Robert Curry's Californian cooking at sunset, for an anniversary or proposal in Rutherford."
About Auberge du Soleil
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil sits on a hillside at 180 Rutherford Hill Road in Rutherford, the dining room of the Relais & Chateaux resort that has looked out over the Napa Valley since 1985. The terrace, shaded by olive trees and angled across the valley floor, is one of the most coveted views in American dining, and the kitchen has held a Michelin star through the guide's California editions.
Longtime executive chef Robert Curry cooks a Californian menu built on local produce. For more of the valley's top tables, compare the three-star cooking at The French Laundry, the Michelin dining at La Toque and the steakhouse Press. For the wider category, see our fine-dining guide.
The Kitchen
The kitchen follows the Napa template of produce first, working with local farms, the resort's own gardens and the valley's growers to build multi-course prix fixe and tasting menus that change with the season. Dishes run to the refined Californian register that Robert Curry has long cooked here, with plates such as Nantucket Bay scallops in green garlic, valley-grown vegetables and precise desserts. The wine programme is a destination in itself, one of the deepest cellars in Napa, strong on local Cabernet alongside French and international bottles. This is a special-occasion kitchen with prices to match: dinner is a multi-course commitment, and lunch on the terrace is the lighter, slightly gentler way in.
The Room
The terrace is the reason to book: tiered tables under olive trees, looking west across the valley to the Mayacamas, at their best as the sun drops and the vineyards turn gold. The indoor room is warm and earth-toned, with a fireplace and the same valley view through the glass. Service is polished and used to celebrations, from proposals to anniversaries and milestone birthdays. It sits above the Silverado Trail in Rutherford, a short drive from the valley's wineries, and the sunset sitting on the terrace is the one to chase. Reservations are essential, well ahead for a terrace edge at golden hour.
Best for an Anniversary
The olive-shaded terrace, the valley sunset and a Michelin-starred kitchen make Auberge du Soleil a landmark anniversary or proposal dinner, and a polished room in which to impress clients in the Napa Valley.
Not for
Not for a casual or budget meal — this is a Michelin-starred resort restaurant built around multi-course menus and the view, and the bill reflects both.
Frequently Asked
Does Auberge du Soleil have a Michelin star?
Yes. The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil holds one Michelin star and has been recognised across the Michelin Guide's California editions. It is the dining room of the Relais & Chateaux resort in Rutherford, in the Napa Valley.
Who is the chef at Auberge du Soleil?
Robert Curry is the longtime executive chef of The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, where he cooks a Californian, produce-driven menu using local farms, the resort gardens and the valley's growers, offered as multi-course prix fixe and tasting menus.
Where is Auberge du Soleil?
Auberge du Soleil is at 180 Rutherford Hill Road in Rutherford, on a hillside above the Silverado Trail in California's Napa Valley. Its terrace looks west across the valley floor and its vineyards toward the Mayacamas mountains.
How much does dinner at Auberge du Soleil cost?
Dinner is a multi-course prix fixe or tasting menu at the top of the Napa market, a special-occasion expense before wine. Lunch on the terrace is the lighter and slightly more affordable way to experience the kitchen and the view.
Do I need a reservation at Auberge du Soleil?
Reservations are essential, and a table at the edge of the terrace at sunset should be booked well ahead. The room handles many celebrations, so the prime golden-hour slots fill quickly, especially in the spring and autumn high seasons.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Auberge du Soleil
Reservations are essential; book a terrace edge well ahead for sunset. Auberge du Soleil is at 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford.
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Practical Information
Address180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, Napa Valley, CA 94573
NeighbourhoodRutherford (Napa Valley)
CuisineCalifornian
PriceTop of the Napa market; multi-course prix fixe and tasting menus
Dress CodeSmart; resort-elegant
SeatingOlive-shaded vineyard-view terrace plus a fireside indoor room
ReservationEssential
