Immerse yourself in the fruits of Napa Valley at the renowned Oxbow Public Market. This 40,0000-square-foot gathering spot for great food and wine is set in the Oxbow District of Napa. If you’re a foodie, an oenophile or just love supporting local growers, make your way to this favorite hangout along the Napa River for a diverse shopping and eating experience. Here’s why we love the Oxbow Public Market in Napa.
What Will I Find at the Oxbow Public Market?
This large marketplace with outdoor deck seating along the Napa River boasts food vendors, artisan cafes and an organic produce outlet stocked by local farmers. If you’re staying in the area, come for fresh fruit and veggies for your next meal, or if you’re just passing through, stop in for lunch. The market, its artisans and its purveyors are dedicated to sustainable agriculture, promoting a health environment, and social and economic equity within the local community.
You’ll find organic and sustainably produced crops, regional specialties and high-quality and unique food products from the Napa Valley and surrounding regions. Think fresh cheese and charcuterie, organic fruits and vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries, spices, olive oil, fresh oysters, tacos, ice cream and more – it’s all here.
What Are Some of the Best Vendors at the Oxbow Public Market?
You’ll certainly want to see and taste just about everything you find at the Oxbow Public Market, but here are some of our favorites:
Anette’s Chocolates: Indulge in fine artisan chocolates, brittles and sauces created by Anette and her brother Brent. Specialties include truffles, caramels, wine and beer brittles, chocolate sauces and seasonal confections.
Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant: Stock up on the good stuff, including a boutique wine collection from Napa produces and favorites around the world, as well as delicious cheese. Sit for awhile at the Wine Bar to indulge in an artisanal cheese board, a charcuterie plate and a flight of selected wines.
The Olive Press: This was the first olive mill in Sonoma, California and today the most highly awarded olive oil producer in the United States. Find citrus-crushed olive oils, balsamic vinegars, tapenades, dipping and infused olive oils and more, all attractively presented.
Hudson Green & Goods: Pick up locally sourced, organic produce, dry goods and household items. This is perfect for those staying nearby in a vacation rental and hoping to create their own meals locally inspired meals. Pick up Hudson Vineyards wines, cut flowers, freshly pressed juice and more.
Napa Bookmine: Love food and want to read all about it? Stop by the Napa Bookmine for large culinary-focused book selection, as well as travel, wine, art and design, lifestyle and children’s books. There are often author readings and book signings taking place; check the website.
Whole Spice: Pick up custom-blended spices you won’t find anywhere else at Whole Spice, owned by Ronit and Shuli Madmone. They source their spices from around the world, importing only the freshest products. Look for allspice, vanilla, ajowan, zug, salts, mushroom powders and more.
Where Should I Eat at the Oxbow Public Market?
While we urge you to try every café and eatery at the Market, if you’re pressed for time, here are a few that rise above the rest:
C CASA: Combining artisan food and a love of Latin cuisine, Catherine Bergen’s C CASA offers inventive tacos on house-made while corn tortillas, chili-rubbed rotisserie meats, fresh salads and wonderful salsa. Try the seasoned ground buffalo taco or a duck, spinach and goat cheese taco. Add a side of corn edamame salad and nachos with white beans, goat cheese, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli.
The Model Bakery: Don’t leave the Oxbow Public Market without a goodie (or three!) from The Model Bakery, an integral part of the Napa Valley culinary scene for nearly 90 years. Indulge in artisan breads made with organic stone-ground flours, a huge array of tempting pastries, Stumptown coffee, their famous English muffins (an Oprah favorite), cinnamon morning buns, huge luncheon pizzas, salads and more.
Eiko’s Modern Japanese Cuisine: Maybe not your typical farm fare, but Eiko’s is certainly fresh. Sit at the sushi bar and partake of classic rolls, as well as specialty and seasonal sushi and sashimi. You may also purchase Japanese deli items, beer and sake, or fantastically fresh seafood by the pound.
Hog Island Oyster Bar: Sit down to Hog Island oysters and shellfish, as well as seafood specialties, organic salads and small plates that highlight the best of the valley’s farmers and fishermen.
What Else Can I Do at the Oxbow Public Market?
The activities at the market go beyond shopping and dining. You can enjoy a live music performance or a cooking demo, partake in beer and wine tastings or take a class at the on-site Culinary Institute of America. If you visit on Tuesday night, you can enjoy “Locals’ Night,” a rotating happy hour with food and drink specials.
Where Is the Oxbow Public Market?
Find the Market at 610 and 644 First Street in Napa, along the Napa River and Napa River Trail. It is adjacent to the Oxbow Preserve and Oxbow Commons. The Oxbow Public Market is open seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Most of the vendors are open until 9 PM, with possible later hours on Friday nights.
What Else Can I Do Near the Oxbow Public Market?
Walk off your indulgences at the Oxbow Preserve. An easy stroll from the Oxbow Public Market and downtown Napa, these 13 acres of riverside habitat make for a quiet natural gem. Anglers love the park for its fishing access, while walkers enjoy the native flora and oak trees. Follow the circular main path and take detours along smaller unpaved trails that take you to the river’s edge. Access the Preserve from McKenzie Drive off the Silverado Trail just down from the First Street Bridge. It is open dawn to dusk.
You can also easily walk the three or four blocks to Downtown Napa for more shopping and dining.