Gillwoods Cafe

Great place for breakfast!

We went here for breakfast, but after watching massive, yet yummy looking plates of eggs go past, we decided to go the lunch route. I ended up with a grilled cheese with avocado, tomato and sautéed red onions. It was delish, not too greasy, and just filling enough. It doesn’t come with anything, so I ordered a side of fruit which was a standard cup of watermelon, grapes, strawberries and bananas. My husband also in a sandwich mood got the BLT with avocado which he thoroughly enjoyed. Service was prompt and polite. I would go back there for sure. My only back mark I have against them is the value. It’s basically an over-​priced diner. We paid $ 37 after tip for 2 sandwiches, 2 coffees and two sides (because neither came with one) which is certainly a bit more than usual, but then again this is Napa!

This location is now closed :(
I loved their patio and easy to get to location. The Huevos Verdes was a fantastic hangover cure. The coffee was hot and the staff friendly. They will be missed.

Gillwood Café does have good food, but it sometimes lacks in service which is why is why I’m giving it three stars. We’ve only been here for breakfast, and it is usually pretty popular with the tourist on weekends. Howevever, it is one of the bigger breakfast places in Napa which makes it pretty popular (that and it’d location in downtown).
The breakfast is good, and you get a decent amount of food becaue one of their baked goods also usually comes with your breakfast. I personally recommend trying their Italian skillet with a blue berry muffin on the side.
While the food is good, the service is lacking and is often hit or miss. We’ve had great service at times, but recently more frequently than not it has taken us 20 – 30 min before we can order our food, and coffe/​water refills are far and few between eating and getting your check.

I’m not a 1 star person, unless i’m actually poisoned or find spit in my food. Neither happened here so 2 stars it is.
My family and i waited 30 minutes to eat/​sit here, ok seems like its worth the wait…
We had drinks come to us, and finished them before our waiter came…
20 minutes later… still haven’t ordered. Still haven’t met our waiter.
5 minutes later, baby going crazy…
3 minutes later, we walk out without anyone noticing or caring.
I’ll spare the details of how I made several requests and how they were handled. At the end of the day, this is not an establishment i’d return to anytime soon with all the great food in our area.
1 star for the free drinks
1 star to be nice (the person who brought our drinks was on it)

My husband and I came here for brunch this past weekend. It came up as the place to go for breakfast/​brunch in Napa and was close to where we had been staying. When we arrived, it was clear that it was pretty popular because the place was packed and there was a 25 minute wait for a table. We decided to stay and try this place out. We actually ended up getting seated after waiting for about 15 minutes, which is always a plus. The waitress was really nice and took our coffee/​drink order right away. I ended up getting the Napa scramble with honey wheat toast. My husband got the Chorizo scramble with white toast. I thought the scramble was so good. And the honey wheat toast was especially delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this place.

Gillwoods café deserves an update since we have been back a few times since the last review. Both inside and on the patio with the pup (when it’s not too freezing!) the service and food are consistently good. I do appreciate that when we bring the dog they’ll seat us on the patio — even when it doesn’t look open.
We have still only visited for breakfast. I stick with eggs of some form and the bf usually gets pancakes. Today he split the difference and ordered one pancake and two eggs :) We like our eggs with runny yolks, they came out perfect for dipping toast! I also appreciate that instead of potatoes they offer grilled tomatoes. I highly recommend ordering these delicious tomatoes, they end up tasting like sun dried but still fresher and juicy. I noticed that they offer a bagel with lox — I am disappointed with the bagel shop in town so maybe I’ll give Gillwoods a shot (almost the same price $ 8)
Great breakfast if you are visiting or just want to go out.
Our coffee cups stayed full, plus the coffee here is better tasting that just any ‘olé diner coffee.

Still best breakfast in Napa. The resturant layout is unique since the place expanded to take over another store.
Lots of omelet choices and great baked goods. The service is pretty good too, though because this place is literally one of only a few places in town to eat brunch it can get super busy and the service a bit slow accordingly.
Also, prepare to wait for a table. That said, the wait isn’t too long generally.
The tea is just Lipton so don’t order tea expecting something unique.

As Napa natives my wife and I have been eating at Gillwoods for years, and it’s always been a consistently good experience. Service is always prompt and the food is simply delicious. The Eggs California are excellent, and the scrambles are delicious as well. The hashbrowns are perfectly tolerable, but personally I prefer the country potatoes with onions instead of the hash browns.
The restaurant is more or less always busy (contrary to the odd comments in some of the other reviews) but even when busy the wait is usually short and the service and food quality are still more than adequate.
Also, their sourdough bread is awesome, it’s worth taking a loaf home if you can, it’s just delicious.
Like any restaurant that you go to regularly you’re eventually going to encounter the odd bad experience, but that’s just the law of averages at work. 99% of the time Gillwoods is great, like I said we’ve been going there regularly for years and will continue to do so. Some of the negative reviews here on Unilocal reflect either unfortunate timing, or a lack of understanding about what Gillwoods is and does. Either way, again it’s the law of averages at work: Not everyone will be happy all the time, no matter what the reality is.

I violated my own rule: When a local tells you to go elsewhere, maybe you should go elsewhere.
«Gillwoods?!» she said, with a very curious look. «Nobody goes there.»
I told her I was looking for Eggs Benedict, and this place was one of the only places I could find that served E/​B for breakfast, daily. She looked at me and just sighed, «I’m just sayin’… Nobody I know goes there. You should go to the open market. Lotsa food stalls and stuff. Really cool.»
Had I listened, I wouldn’t have wasted $ 15 and a morning on some of the worst Benedict I’ve ever had.
Gillwood’s take on Eggs Benedict was borderline inedible (
):
— Eggs were undercooked. I prefer a rather runny yolk, but I don’t want runny whites, and neither do most people.
— The Canadian bacon was too thick, given its mediocre quality. Some people say, «Dude, that’s more pork… Be happy.» I respond with, DUDE, it’s more of a pain in the ass to cut through and chew. Unless you’re rocking some seriously tender Canadian bacon (see the «Original Pancake House,» in Aliso Viejo) then you shouldn’t cut it too thick.
— The potatoes were waxy and undercooked. If I want home fries, they should be a little bit – oh, I dunno – FRIED! These looked anemic, as if they were steamed. Truly inedible.
— The sauce was the only thing about the dish that was acceptable. Even the English muffin was a mess — a soggy lump of dough that more closely resembled a dumpling than a nice crisp English muffin.
It was so bad, that I just had two bites, asked for it to be packed up, went home, had a couple cocktails, at which point ANYTHING sounded good, and proceeded to pick at the remains. Sadly, most of it went into the garbage.
I won’t be returning, and I hope you don’t waste your time, either. Although, I saw a picture of the Corned Beef Hash and it looks prettaaay, prettaaaay, PRE-​TTAY good. So, if you do end up here, that might be the way to go. I dunno.
Why two stars? Easy. Lotsa small, empty restaurants here in Napa, in the midst of some truly difficult financial times and yet the waiter had a smile on his face and did everything he could to be helpful. Even with AWFUL food, genuinely friendly service will always get you a couple stars, in my book.
Next time a small-​town local enthusiastically voices their dislike for a restaurant, ask yourself, «How much do I really want to gamble with this meal?» Gillwood’s was a huge waste of a morning in beautiful Napa.

Pretty crappy service and so-​so food. Our granola pancake was just a regular buttermilk cake with granola sprinkled on top… that’s what you’re in for.

Really guys, I only came here because I really, really, really needed to use the restroom after a drive from Dublin to Napa. I am ashamed to say I used Unilocal to find this place, too! My friend and I were driving around aimlessly, looking for a place to eat brunch as well as pee. We stopped at one place that was tiny, dirty, and did not have a restroom. So this was our second (and last) resort.
It’s a grandma place. I’d compare this place to Coco’s, Denny’s, or Marie Callendar’s. I mean, you come here for coffee and pie, and that’s it. And trying to find the restroom was like trying to find Jareth’s Castle from «Labyrinth.» You have to walk 500 miles to get to it.
I tried to order the corned beef hash without mushrooms. Was told I could not order it that way (why the F not?), so I went with a waffle and a side of bacon. The waffle was okay; the bacon was pretty good. The coffee was meh (it was diner coffee, after all). My friend went with the Greek spinach salad, which looked okay but definitely not worth the $ 11 or so they charged for it.
The restaurant couldn’t help it, but there was a SCREAMING child of Godzilla-​anger proportions on the patio, which ruined the already mediocre experience. The poor, frazzled parents were taking turns standing and holding the spastic beast in their arms as it shook its piggy hooves in frustration. Finally, the mom just walked off with the kid and let him cry it out.
This place is alright, but I’d head elsewhere (and spend more time on Unilocal finding such a place) if I’m in the Napa area again.

Came for breakfast based on a recommendation.
Two eggs scrambled w/​fresh Spinach & Country Fried Steak
Covered with Country Sausage Gravy. Two Eggs sunny side up, Fried Potatoes & Two Eggs sunny side up, Hash Brown Potatoes
All good.

This is probably one of the least exciting meals I had on my trip to Napa Valley.
Honestly, Denny’s does a much better breakfast and at a better price.
The coffee was so overpriced, as well. For just standard coffee, why was it $ 7+ for two cups?
I ordered the huevos rancheros and I was underwhelmed.
The banana pecan pancakes were just regular pancakes with banana slices and pecans sprinkled on top. They were nothing special. Plus, you only get ONE pancake for $ 7, really?
I am giving this place 2 stars for location and the fact that the food was edible.
Oh, and service? It was FREEZING inside and when we asked to be moved since we were sitting under a vent we were told «it is just as cold over there.»
Thanks, lady.

The atmosphere is seriously lacking, but the location is great, food on two visits was tasty and affordable, and the servers kindly accomodated our large groups.
If all you need is a decent casual brunch, and you want to preserve the rest of your time and money in Napa for enjoying the wineries, scenery and better food come dinnertime, this place should suffice.

God I love breakfast foods… and any place that does them right. Gillwoods definitely does it right.
This is a great location in Napa. I find myself up here many times per year visiting friends and wine tasting… and we are always on the lookout for good places to get breakfast after a long hard day and night.
My first visit was just a few weeks ago with my friends J and R and I really loved my meal. The place is very a typical diner/​café, and the large line of people waiting to get in speaks volumes to what’s in store for you on the inside. The fact that the place was filled with locals was another great sign.
The service is friendly and attentive and the food comes quickly — especially given how many folks are dining at the same time.
This visit I had the Napa Scramble (Aidell’s Smoked Chicken Apple Sausage, Mushrooms, Spinach, and Cheese) with a side of homemade buttermilk biscuits (and butter and honey of course). The portion size is huge and the eggs were cooked perfectly… the sausage was oh so yummy. My friends J and R that went with me eat here all the time. They love their breakfasts here, but honestly, I don’t remember what they ordered because I was so focused on my biscuits. Light… fresh… warm… flaky… Must stop from ordering more… and more.
Overall, this is a great spot for breakfast in Napa. The location is central, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the food is delicious and priced right.
Iced Tea Rating: 4 stars! Fresh brewed tea with plenty of refills!

While staying at Napa, the hotel front desk recommended this place when I asked for a place for breakfast. This place is located inside a strip mall in downtown Napa.
Once inside, it looks like your typical local breakfast spot. There are definitely a lot of regulars eating there that Friday morning. The food is pretty good, but nothing spectacular.
I just ordered the breakfast sandwich on ciabatta bread, with scrambled eggs and sausage patty. They provide a jar of salsa/​pico de gallo for your breakfast. This was very fresh and definitely made the breakfast sandwich better.
Before we left, my friend bought a cinnamon roll to go. This was the biggest cinnamon roll I had ever seen, and it was only $ 2!
If I’m ever back in Napa, I’d probably want to go try some other place. But this place is not bad for a small town breakfast.

OK, so my wife wanted to re-​try Gillwoods since they’re pretty much the only breakfast place downtown that has eggs benedict on the menu. We brought our 2 year-​old with us for breakfast.
I ordered the huevos rancheros, eggs over hard (just in case they under-​cooked ‘em). Our son got the one pancake & strip of bacon kid’s plate. Wife got the eggs benny.
Verdict: surprisingly good. Both of our dishes were HOT– they hadn’t been sitting around in the kitchen. Wife liked her eggs benny & noted that the hollandaise tasted like it was made from scratch. The huevos, while not the greatest I’ve ever had, were definitely good enough for a repeat.
The service was remarkably better than our previous visit a few years ago.
I’m really putting this down as a 3.5 star review, rounded up because of the coloring place mat and crayons that they give little kids; we always bring plenty of distractions for our son when we dine out, but this was nice because it was new to him.

The menu is a bit jumbled up and needs some serious redesigning. Perhaps put actual pictures of the dishes on the menu, instead of clip art. Also add better descriptions of meals not ingredients… this place has the potential to increase their profits/​sales. =p «Menu Marketing»
I ordered the corned beef hash and found that to be delish! Everything you order here should be shared. I got tired of my corned beef hash half way though, and started eating Mara C. and Jenny Y’s dishes.
There seems to be a slower pace with the city, considering that this is downtown Napa.

I came here twice this past weekend, that says alot to how much my boyfriend and I liked this restaurant. As usual I did my usual search for breakfast places. We needed a hearty meal before my boyfriend ‘s pre-​bday wine tasting with friends on Saturday. Unilocal searched it, read a view reviews, checked out the menu, got directions, and made the executive decision to go.
It wasn’t too busy when we came in, so we were seated right away. We ordered some coffee (decent) and looked over their two page (all-​day) breakfast menu. I decided on the Eggs California which is a traditional Eggs Benedict but with avocado and tomato served in the dish as well and with a side of country style potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the Belgium Waffle (plain) with a side order of Apple Smoked Bacon.
The service took a wee bit long, but what mattered was the presentation and quantity of food was beyond my expectations. Everything was so delicious! If I wanted I could of put some pico de gallo on my Benedict, but I was too absorbed with the combination of the food already in front of me. My boyfriend’s meal was just as yummy, but he really liked what I got. And the prices are definitely worth it as well because you truly get what you pay for.
The next day, Sunday, we went back to have birthday brunch for my man. Just him and me again. The place was jam packed with Sunday brunchers. Took about 20 minutes to be seated. We ended up ordering the same thing but with my man getting the Eggs California and me the Belgium Waffles. Ordered coffee and their V8 with lemon. The service was just as great and very fast due to the crowds.
As my man said we now have a designated Benedict place to go to.