Located about an hour and a half north of San Francisco, Yountville is a dreamy, picturesque small town. Considered to be "The Heart of the Napa Valley" as well as the valley’s culinary capital, there is no shortage of things to do in Yountville, California. The town offers world-class art galleries, unique boutique accommodations, award-winning wineries, and outstanding gastronomic fare.

In fact, one claim to fame is that there are over a half-dozen Michelin Star restaurants in Yountville – the A-List rating of upscale dining. Come along as we enjoy a little taste of four of these tiny dining establishments.

One of Yountville’s claims to fame is that it is home to over a half-dozen Michelin Star-rated restaurants – the A-List of upscale dining.

The most well-known Yountville restaurant is The French Laundry, offering some of the finest French cuisine in the Napa Valley.

The name hearkens back to its early roots as a French steam laundry in the 1920s in this picturesque Northern California town. Since the early 2000s the restaurant has been honored as one of the best Michelin Star rated restaurants in the country.

The menu here at this former rustic two-story stone cottage turned 1,600 square-foot French setting is outstanding.

Focusing on fresh, seasonal, and creative fare, the restaurant offers two daily tasting menus. This delicious plate is the Brokaw Avocado "Terrine" made with puffed sorghum, sweet corn "chicharrones," and cilantro shoots.

Owned by the same proprietor as The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro also focuses on creative, authentic French-inspired cuisine.

Even from the outside Bouchon Bistro is captivating. The warm ambiance and excellent customer service instantly makes everyone who comes to the Napa Valley area feel like family.

As is common with many Napa Valley restaurants, special menus are often created around a certain year’s wine vintage release.

For example, in honor of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine season and related offerings, Bouchon Bistro paired it with this amazing Joue de Bœuf Bourguignon featuring red wine braised beef cheeks with French round carrots, Tokyo turnips, pearl onions, button mushrooms, and egg noodles.

Opened in 1983, Mustards Grill is another premier and Michelin Star rated Yountville dining establishment.

Guests at Mustards Grill range from locals, to winemakers, chefs, tourism operators, and others from around the region.

Serving up outstanding “American fare with worldly sophistication” the menu items here are their own unique works of art.

Couldn’t you just imagine diving into this beautiful, crispy calamari dish piled high with curried slaw and chilies from Fresno, CA? Oh My God! Be sure to visit the Mustards Grill Facebook page for more information.

The Restaurant at North Block is part of a complex also encompassing the boutique North Block Hotel and an upscale spa.

Once inside the eclectic dining room you’ll think you walked into a fairytale that aptly highlights the beautiful Yountville landscape.

Whether dining indoors or out, you’ll enjoy their expansive menu.

Items range from savory shared plates to wood-fired meats and pizzas, and Japanese grill-cooked signature dishes and California fare. And they are paired with some of the best Northern California wines.

If you enjoy great authentic Mexican fare from the Oaxacan region of México, then dining at La Calenda is a must.

The name is in homage to the traditional parade that kicks-off a wide range of community celebrations in Oaxaca, the culinary capital of México.

The menu here features traditional authentic dishes from Oaxaca and further afield, all made with the freshest artisanal ingredients.

The Taco de Pescado is La Calenda’s creative take on a fish taco: fried fish topped with chipotle mayo, cilantro, cabbage, hot sauce, and lime, most of which were produced or grown in the Napa Valley region. Take a look at La Calenda's website for more information on planning your dining experience.

Don’t worry. If your taste buds are already jumping around in your mouth, let them know that this is just the beginning of the Michelin Star dining experiences that await you in Yountville!

Have you eaten at any of these Yountville restaurants? If so, we’d love to see your delicious photos and hear about your experiences. Be sure to share with us in the comment section below.

If you’d like a bird’s eye view of Yountville and the surrounding Napa Valley area, a ride in a hot air balloon might just be the ticket.