Downtown Joe's — Restaurant in Napa

We went here with a party of nine during the BottleRock music festival. The wait wasn’t too long, maybe twenty five minutes, but we had a lovely view of the riverbed on a rainy Sunday. We could see the festival and the stages for our seats. We had a large meal that came out very quickly which we found largely satisfying.

Chef Lyons Chili Verde Stew My wife ordered this. She described it as “hot, mild, tangy, savory.” This list of descriptors seems as good as any I could come up with (I tried for like five minutes. I ate some when she wasn’t looking, so I would agree with her determination on the matter.

Hot Pastrami Reuben I ordered this. It had a nice dark rye and the sauerkraut wasn’t too sour. The bread was buttery and crisp. It had great dressing and, taking a cue from the weather, wasn’t horrifically dry. The pastrami was moist and salty.

French Dip My sister-in-law had this. It was very bready, but the au jus was salty, savory, and satisfying. She’s a tiny person, so it was more than enough for her.

Bacon Jam Burger My wife’s brother-in-law had this. He’s on a keto diet, but he cleared the plate. This is either a testament to the quality of the food or humanity’s innate craving for bread that’s been stymied by society’s demand for sexy men.

Fish and Chips I told my wife’s cousin, who is a newscaster, that I wrote Google reviews and he mocked me for the entirety of the meal. Eat garbage, cousin, you vacuous Danish pastry. Fish and chips were excellent!

Bacon Mac n Cheese This looked really good! Two different people ordered it when we saw another patron eating it. It was a very creamy béchamel, with a nice crunchy bread crumb top. A very ample portion, as well, enough for a small person or large child, but probably not both.

Cajun Penne Pasta The pregnant woman in our party ordered this and spent the rest of the meal fending off her husband’s pugnacious fork. She did say it was quite savory and also more than a little spicy. I tried it with the bacon Mac n’ cheese and I think I ascended to a higher plane of existence.

Fish tacos My brother-in-law had these. They had great flavor and a good, crunchy coleslaw. Overall, very decent, if not super memorable.

Great restaurant with a wonderful view! Plenty of seating for large or small parties. Good service, for the most part (I think our waiter went on break)....

My recent visit to Downtown Joe’s Brewery and Restaurant in Napa was nothing short of fantastic! The atmosphere here is warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of lively energy and laid-back vibes that make it a great spot for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick drink or looking to enjoy a meal with friends, Downtown Joe’s offers a great experience.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the exceptional service provided by our bartender, John. From the moment we sat down, John greeted us with a warm smile and genuine enthusiasm. It’s clear that he loves what he does, and his passion for both the craft of bartending and connecting with people truly shines through.

John is not just a bartender – he’s a master mixologist! He skillfully crafted our drinks with precision, recommending a few of his personal favorites based on our preferences. His knowledge of the drink menu was impressive, and he even took the time to share some insights about the beers brewed in-house. If you’re a craft beer lover, you’re in for a treat! The beer selection at Downtown Joe’s is diverse, and John will make sure you find something you love.

But what really sets John apart is his genuine kindness and attentiveness. Throughout the evening, he checked in with us regularly, making sure our drinks were just right and that we were enjoying ourselves. He has a way of making you feel like a valued guest, not just another customer passing through. It’s rare to find such personalized service, and John made our experience at Downtown Joe’s truly memorable.

The food at Downtown Joe’s is also worth mentioning – hearty, flavorful, and well-prepared. Whether you’re in the mood for a burger, a salad, or something more adventurous, the menu has something for everyone. We paired our drinks with a few appetizers, and everything was delicious.

In summary, Downtown Joe’s Brewery and Restaurant is a gem in the heart of Napa, and John is a standout bartender who goes above and beyond to make sure every guest has an unforgettable experience. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and stop by. You won’t be...

I have been a patron of downtown joes since the mid 90's. I used to go there every weekend for their fine beers, and awesome food. I moved away from Napa- and over the years would stop in whenever I was back in town. It was always a highlight of any trip. Recently moved back to town and popped into Joes after walking around downtown to see the lighted sculptures. As of last night- I will not be returning to DT Joes. Their prices have skyrocketed while their quality has drastically diminished. Service was lacking, in a way I'd never seen before at this establishment. In addition they have added a blind service charge to my table of 5 of 18%. I generally tip 20% or more- but I'm not doing that on top of an 18% surcharge for overly priced subpar food for a relatively normal table size. Someone should tell them that surcharges are generally reserved for parties of 8 or 9 diners plus. Also - mixing sliced and fried pickled yellow peppers into the calamari is an obvious fluff and cost cutting method for what is already an overpriced appetizer at nearly 17$. An appetizer of potato skins was literally 5 pieces that were each HALF of a potato skin with a little bit of toppings for almost 17$ is just stupid!

Next time I'm downtown - I'll just grab my beer at Val's, and a burger from Nations up the road. The used to be a good reason to go to Joes and pay a bit more. But now they have little to offer in exchange for its much higher prices. A place that was once a favorite locals spot is just another overpriced tourist trap now. Sad and...