The Charter Oak

The story

The Charter Oak in Saint Helena: Californian Cooking from the Farm

The Charter Oak, at 1050 Charter Oak Ave. in Saint Helena, California, is a Californian restaurant recognized as Michelin Recommended for 2026. The kitchen cooks seasonal food for shared, family-style tables in the Napa Valley.

Cooking from the farm

Chef Christopher Kostow, of The Restaurant at Meadowood, is a co-owner here. The menu is plain on purpose: grilled meats and vegetables grown on the restaurant's own farm, a half mile from the dining room. Expect Charter Oak Bread with house cultured butter, grilled octopus with pearl onions and green olive, and hearth grilled chicken finished with fat drippings and cilantro.

Wine and drinks

The wine program earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2024. Wines arrive by the glass from Napa Valley and beyond, and a "Cult Classics" list offers rarer bottles in 3 oz pours. The cocktails follow the same focus on local products, and weekend brunch adds a Garden Mary made with tomatillos and farm greens.