Fuel up at Downtown Napa’s best breakfast joints

Our tiny valley has some of the best restaurants on the entire West Coast, but what jump starts our days of touring vineyards and wineries?  Here are some picks for great hot and hearty breakfasts in Downtown Napa.

ABC BAKERY

Alexis Baking Company is a locals favorite.  Nothing fancy, diner chairs and formica-topped tables.  But the food is great and one is never rushed, making it a perennial meeting spot.  This is a breakfast and lunch only diner that also sells sweet baked goods and their famous, soft potato rolls.

You can always tell a good breakfast joint by how they make their eggs.  This is eggs benedict Napa Valley style!

A pillowy-soft brioche french toast.

This “breakfast” burger stands out as a great burger – period.  On their famous potato rolls.

ABC’s huevos rancheros is a popular item.  Make sure to tell them how you want the eggs!

As a bakery, they offer a full complement of sweet baked goods too!  ABC starts breakfast from 7 am during the week and from 7:30 am on Saturdays, 8 am on Sundays, closes at 3 pm (2 pm on Sundays).  1517 3rd Street, Napa.  abcnapa.com

NAPA GENERAL STORE

Some of you might not know that the Napa General Store, located in the Historic Napa Mill at the Napa Riverfront, is not just a souvenir shop.  It’s also a restaurant that serves full breakfasts from 8 am and lunch until 4 pm with the benefit of a large outdoor patio along the river.  It also has a long wine bar for wine tasting.  540 Main St #100, Napa.  napageneralstore.com

GRACE’S TABLE

Grace’s serves hot breakfasts during the week from 8:30 am and weekend brunch from 9 am.  They serve all the favorites plus quiche, skillet cornbread and chilaquiles (below) that is a real crowd-pleaser.  1400 Second Street, Napa.  gracestable.net

FOR COFFEE, BREADS AND TAKEAWAYS

If you’re a light breakfast eater or prefer just baked goods and/or coffee in the morning, visit Model Bakery at Oxbow Public Market (from 6:30 am M-F, 7 am weekends) for all-organic breads, sweet baked goods and their famous english muffin; or Sweetie Pies at the Historic Napa Mill (from 6:30 am) for freshly baked scones, muffins, sticky buns and croissants.

I love Molinari Caffe‘s quiet new location at 828 Brown Street, across from the historic courthouse between 2nd and 3rd streets. Even though just on the other side of its old location, it looks and feels more like the true cafe it was meant to be. Owner Rick worked with the contractor to renovate the two-story historic space. Outside, it has a charming brick facade; inside, it’s light-filled with a small lounging space upstairs with a counter overlooking the cafe to catch up on social media. There’s also a small private room up there which can be rented for a modest fee and its fully wired, like the rest of the cafe. Like his parents did at their former deli on Main Street, Rick sources all of his ingredients and products from locals. Open daily at 7 a.m.