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TLDR Absolutely amazing culinary creations, that elevate mundane menu offerings to fine art expressions. We just happened to stop in on Mother's Day, on a whim, as we were driving by. We were immediately impressed with the display of breads and pastries and the clean layout of the restaurant. After reviewing the menu descriptions, we decided to give them a try. I'm glad we did! Hot chicken and Croffle: First, this is not your average eggo waffle. They start with a lightly sweetened, waffle-pressed croissant under a tender moist chicken breast with a light and flaky crust with a pronounced crunch. The spiciness was enough to get your attention but not overpower the moist chicken or the waffle. Wow! Avocado toast: I'm not usually a fan of avocado toast but after watching the servers deliver more than a few to customers in the short time we were in line, I had to see what the appeal was. This was a work of literal art. The avocado was whipped and appeared to be piped onto the toast like icing on a fancy cake. Then it was carefully decorated with radishes, peppers and some other seasonings. It was delicious! The coup de gras was the Mandarin Mousse with madarin parfait, mandarin confit tenbrink olive oil chiffon and white chocolate. This looked like a tiny mandarin orange with a tiny peppermint striped straw sticking out of it! Every single bite was an adventure in the layering flavors. It was so delicate but the orange "peel" was actually textured white chocolate cooled to form a shell that you break through to get to the parfait and confit inside. Even the "straw" was white chocolate with a mint flavor. Excellent presentation and execution! Under-study uses a large array of organic ingredients and meats, locally sourced meats and a selection of wines, both local and international, which are on display in various refrigerators and shelves. There is also a food lab where they have classes at different times. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu offerings
Under-Study took over what used to be Dean & Deluca Flagship store right next to the MAC Art Museum, and right across from V. Sattui Winery. I first heard about this place through my sister-in-law, so we had to check it out while she was in town. The spot is run by Michelin-level chefs and features an open kitchen concept, offering tapas, pastries, butcher, coffee, wine, and more. There's a small dining area inside and have a back room. More eating outside though. FOOD REVIEW Smoked Trout Rillettes - 5/5 So good. The trout spread paired with crispy salmon skin as the "chip" was freaking amazing. Black Truffle Fries - 5/5 Incredible. The smoked onion aioli really made it--we couldn't get enough. Hot Chicken n Croffle - 5/5 Everything worked perfectly together. Chicken was also tender, moist and crip. So clutch. Siciliano Sandwich - 5/5 Fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients and meats. Lobster Corn Dog - 3/5 A lot of hype, but just okay. Nothing exciting about this, and the most expensive from our tab. The staff was super friendly, and overall it was a great experience. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to try the pastries and more items on the menu.
Stopped in here randomly for a pick me up before wine tasting and what a pleasant surprise. Lots of delicious pastry offerings, and good coffee selections! The honey comb latte and the lobster corn dog with caviar were the standouts for the group, but definitely on the pricier side. Expected probably for this area. They also seemed to have a small meats/butcher type section with some quality looking offerings. Some seating inside as well as outside, ample parking, and super friendly service!
Bougie and fresh bakery in the middle of Napa! Saw this place recommended by a food/travel account on IG and saved it for our upcoming trip. It was an easy drive from downtown Napa. They seem to be popular for their fancy corn dog, but since it was early-ish in the day we didn't want anything too savory, so we opted for the hashbrowns and a croissant. Ordered online a bit before we arrived, which was timed perfectly - once we arrived, they had our order ready for us. We also picked up some other things that looked tasty - the orange looking pastry was so cute (I forgot the name) and was also delicious. Overall, loved the vibes and freshness of the space. The food is clearly made with love and care, and the menu is creative to keep you wanting more.
Loved their lobster corn dog, similar to the flavor of lobster balls from hot pot, with a corn dog crust, topped with caviar and a sort of crema. Def a nice little snack and piping hot. Also loved their honey comb latte with the crisp honeycomb that melts into the drink. Cannele was crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and had the signature burnt caramel and rum flavor I love. We also got a cold brew but def the most basic of the selections. Lots of great cafe selections to choose from and all done up so well. Would def pay them another visit before we leave Napa if up in this area. Right next to Press and tucked to the left when facing the building. Great service, yummy bites, and perfect for those who love cafe culture.
Look no further if you're seeking the BEST BUTTER CROISSANT in all of Wine Countrdy. R In fact, it's one of the best spots in town to grab breakfast/brunch, a glass of wine, and or to pick up quality ingredients for a picnic, or even dinner. We came early in the morning and ordered coffee and a few bites for breakfast. PRO TIP: go to the outdoor patio next door at Press and enjoy your food there! Chicken and Waffles were fire and all the vienoisserie we ordered. Went to Moulin in Napa the next day and wasn't impressed.
This is a great bakery to stop at while you're in Napa Valley. Of course there's the hype but I do have to say their baked goods were good, some were very rich, but hey, go big or go home. My friends and I also ordered some breakfast items, one of which was the chicken and waffles and I do have to say that was worth it. We also ordered hash browns which were tasty but did not realize how small they were but once again, rich in flavor. We decided to eat next door in the covered patio which was a nice option. Overall, I think this place is worth trying out, lucky for us it was not busy when we got there early. Prices are a little high but it's Napa and you can tell they use quality ingredients.
Congratulations Under-Study. You have knocked it out of the park and have inspired me to live life differently. The place is bustling with workers who seem to know what they are doing and they care about their productions. The location is beautiful. I'm trying to figure out how I can upgrade my kitchen with these colors. Tiffany blue, pink and yellow complement each other so well. The food has impressed me to the core. I love being inspired to learn new skills so I can copy recipes. We had the pig ears (phenomenal), butternut squash soup (life changing) and the Siciliano sandwich (incredible). The food is outstanding! For drinks, I had an unsweetened matcha. It was probably the best matcha I've ever had. My husband had espresso. It was at least as good as the espresso we had in Italy. Well done, Under-Study. I'm proclaiming myself as your biggest fan!
Stopped in here for some bakery items and got the pain au chocolate, persimmon bread, mandarin mousse, sour cream and onion cream cheese pastry and seasonal fruit tart. I really savored the sour cream and onion cream cheese pastry and the chilled mandarin mousse. All the flaky pastries were on the crispy/firm/crunchy side. I would give the heavier food a shot next time as I saw some unique variations of classic meals - caviar corn dog and chicken and waffles. Staff were kind, and it's a lovely cafe to spend time in. There's some seating inside as well as a nice patio area with a water fountain.
Cute little bougie cafe jugs outside of St. Helena. It's owned by the same people as The Press. I love the simple menu that has something for everyone. As a goodie, also love watching how they prepare everything. Highly enjoyed the everything knot pastry and the trout rillet. BF enjoyed his breakfast sandwich orange juice was fresh and bright. Wanted a second glass but they ran out. Definitely a great place to catch a bite. Downside is severe lack of seating.
Very creative pastries. The staff are professional and very efficient. They are a bit over priced but hey the tourist eat that up. Chicken Sandwich was good and the fires were also good. Worth the try if you are in area. read more
Service was great but the food was not. What's called pain suisse in Paris is very different than the savory ham and cheese croissant they are calling Pain Suisse here. I thought I'd try it anyway. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. Not worth the $ or the calories. It didn't taste good at all. It wasn't even noon yet and what I got was a very pretty looking croissant that tasted a bit dry, a bit old, bland, and cold. Maybe I just got a bad one, but given some of the other mediocre reviews I don't think I'll be coming back. read more
6 months ago
Super friendly staff and plenty of seating, though the seating area is separate from the main café. What we ordered: - Lobster corn dog with caviar: Pricey, but worth trying at least once for its uniqueness. - Duck liver mousse: Rich, fatty, and flavorful. The bread served with it had a nice crisp bite to it, just wished it was served warm - Lemon pound cake: Slightly dense with a well-balanced lemon flavor. Probably one of the less unique pastries on the menu but still a solid option in my opinion - Orange mousse: A must try. Very unique, with a light and airy texture. Delicious. - Croissant: An interesting take with a hard, crispy exterior and a dense, chewy, hollow center. If you're looking for a buttery, soft, flaky croissant - this is not it. - Honeycomb latte: A must try and the standout item for me. The honeycomb topping pieces slowly dissolve into the drink, adding the perfect level of sweetness. Also recommend trying a honeycomb piece on its own before it melts! - Truffle fries: Tasty, well-seasoned, and came with generous truffle shavings on top. - Chicken sandwich: Tasty and well-seasoned with juicy, tender meat. - Chocolate chip cookie: Came with the lobster corn dog and truffle fries combo. A classic, solid chocolate chip cookie. - Matcha latte: Didn't try personally, but my friend enjoyed it. Overall, a great spot with unique menu items and friendly service. Definitely worth checking out! read more
Pricy - very pricy - snacks from the team behind the Michelin-starred Press (next door) make for a great (if bougie) lunch. And the ability to order online makes it convenient, though the spot itself is beautiful. I LOVED the viral lobster corndog (topped with caviar) - the entire bite worked perfectly together, and no one flavor dominated. The pig ears are a staple for Press; they're good, but I found them a tad too tangy. The tartare was good, but the other dishes were better. There also wasn't enough bread. read more
Visited Under-Study while in the Napa area and it's right across the street from V. Sattui Winery! They have some of the prettiest pastries, and I was super excited to try them. The pastries were all laid out beautifully and it was a very aesthetic cafe! There weren't many people when we went on a Thursday afternoon, so the service was super quick. We ordered the pain au chocolat and the croissant was super flaky and delicious. I'd definitely come back to try some of the other pastries next time! read more
7 months ago
Visited few months back for desert, pretty good experience. The mandarin mousse was fun, pain au chocolat was flawless, and matcha cookie was great. I will be back. read more
3 months ago
Had the lobster corn dog, wasnt impressed but the chkn waffle id definitely come back to, the pain du chocolate is a must and so is the truffle fries and chocolate chip cookie. Would come back, not a cheap spot but definitely worth slurping once in a while. read more
Upscale bakery vibes with unique pastries. We ordered the lobster caviar corn dog and a chocolate cookie. Service was friendly, and you place your order at the cashier. There are only a couple of high tops, so it's not really a spot to hang out for long. The lobster corn dog was interesting, you could really taste the lobster, and it didn't resemble a typical corn dog. The chocolate cookie was just okay for me, but if you're a big chocolate fan you might enjoy it more. The black iced tea was refreshing. Overall, nothing really stood out, I'll have to try different pastries next time. There's a cute museum next door and a giant stick of butter that makes for a fun photo. read more
7 days ago
9 months ago
Understudy in Napa is hands-down one of the most memorable pastry experiences I've had. Every item we tried was as beautiful as it was delicious. The lobster corn dog topped with caviar and drizzled with sauce completely blew me away--such a fun, creative twist on comfort food that still felt elevated and indulgent. It was easily one of my favorites of the day. The lemon loaf was another standout: moist, perfectly balanced with citrusy brightness, and one of those pastries you immediately wish you had taken home more of. We also loved the mandarin mousse, which looked exactly like a real orange--playful on the outside, but inside revealed layers of citrusy, refreshing flavors. The chocolate tart with its glossy shards of chocolate, and the almond tart with its delicate, nutty flavor, were both exquisite in presentation and taste. Every bite showcased the chef's precision and creativity. Not only were the pastries exceptional, but the packaging and presentation made the entire experience feel special. You can tell that Understudy puts as much thought into the artistry as they do into flavor. If you're in Napa, this spot is a must-visit. Whether you're here for something adventurous like the lobster corn dog or for a classic treat like the lemon loaf, you won't leave disappointed. I'll definitely be back read more
1 month ago
2 months ago
13 days ago
2 months ago
Graduate from simple at under-study! Meticulously crafted, fun menu that is good for breakfast or lunch. From lobster omelettes to bougie boxes the place deserves extra credit! Great for to-go or picnic vibes. Additionally Vanessa made sure our experience was one to remember! read more
8 months ago
LOVED! Such a cool vibe inside and worth stopping with some time to shop the bakery goods. The baked goods were out of this world and we can't wait to go back and try their food and sandwiches. The peach danish was just insane but make sure to get a chocolate croissant. So crunchy and light but perfect in flavor. The team was so friendly and helpful. You can tell they truly love what they do. read more
11 months ago
Checked out this brand new spot that's only a month old. Food & drinks were delicious! We had: Coffee - great! They only offer either 8oz. or 16oz. I wanted neither size. Get it right please and offer the standard 12oz. cup. Lobster egg dish - Rich, buttery and so yummy. Avocado toast - it was good, creamy but I prefer a more organic texture of avocado vs whipped avocado toast. Fruit Danish - soooo good! The fresh fruit is the star and the creamy filling was perfect, not too sweet. We sat in the patio of Press, their fine dining sister restaurant next door. So lovely. Overall, we really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend. Tip: We arrived a little before 9a and it was mellow. About 5 minutes later, a huge line formed. But service is fast. read more
5 months ago
Found them on yelp. It's located right across the street from V. SATTUI winery. It's one of those new eateries in Napa region. The food was a mixed bag of good and mediocre. The avocado kosho toast was exquisitely made with high quality gourmet ingredients. It tasted fresh and unique. There was a baby radish with leaves in the center that amazed me the most. A piece of toasted dark multi-grained bread, layered with squeezed-out-of-piping-bag avocado paste, aesthetically decorated with healthy mixture of sliced pink radish and red bell pepper and various seeds. The color arrangement was pleasing to the eye. The taste contrast of hard bread and soft paste was phenomenal. 5/5. Highly recommend it if you like avocado. Siciliano sandwich was good too. It had mortadela, provolone cheese, marinated peppers and pesto. Pain Au Chocolat in the long stick version was mediocre. Dry, flaky, not buttery enough. I wasn't impressed. Didn't try the croissant so no comment but both my children said it was good. It had harder shell which is good news and soft interior. Calistoga crunch was absolutely delish for me. The dried fig was a pleasant surprise and I liked figs. It wasn't too sweet for my taste. Recommend this dessert if you have a sweet tooth like me. Service was excellent. Friendly, courteous and helpful. They served with positive energy and cheerful attitude. The attention to details was noted and the hospitality was appreciated. The interior store was tastefully designed with bright lightings, wooden floor and counter and paint strokes of soft pastel yellow hue on wall. Indoor seating was very limited so we sat in their patio, which was clean and quiet. We enjoyed the food and service at under-study and will return in the future to try other items. Thanks guys for making our experience one of a kind! read more
5 months ago
this is a sweet spot in the area! i'm not familiar with helena and discovered the cafe online. didn't think too much of the food but if u like this type of pastry it will hit more (it's not rly up my alley). the honeycomb latte was pretty good but just a little sweet. we found out they had an entire patio section facing the vineyards and got to sneak a peek right before they closed. IT LOOKED SO COZY read more
My wife came here for a cooking class. As long time PRESS fans, we were very excited to visit and wanted to give it some time to settle so we could have the best experience. My wife loved her truffle making class (and I liked the box of candy she walked out with!). While I waited, I ordered a double espresso machiato and a couple of pastries. The space was beautiful and we even saw Vinny from last season's Top Chef (he works at PRESS) so that was cool. For some reason, they didn't have tables set up on the patio by the entrance but there were signs directing folks to the PRESS patio which is wonderful. I walked over and a few minutes later, a nice person came with my coffee and pastries. One thing I've always appreciated about PRESS is the maniacal attention to detail and Under-Study did not disappoint. It was just a delightful experience all the way around. I saw a couple of comments here about portion sizes or "leaving hungry." My take is that Under-Study is providing Michelin star-level bites and snacks that you can configure into a very pleasant light meal. If you're looking to strap on the ol' feedbag, check out Big Bear Diner but this ain't it. read more
8 months ago
7 months ago
The Everything but the Bagel Croissant filled with cream cheese is worth calling home about. If you're a fan of the seasoning, you gotta try this! read more
8 months ago
4 months ago
We walked in right at 11 when they stopped serving breakfast so we opted for a ham and cheese croissant and avocado toast which I'm kinda glad we missed breakfast because those two were so good! The croissant was crispy on the outside but soft and buttery on the inside. The avocado toast was citrusy and delicious. My husband ordered a drip coffee which he absolutely loved and I ordered a dirty chai with oat milk which was so good not watered down or milky by any means. We chose to sit at the outside patio which is located at their sister restaurant Press. So cute and the set up is perfect. They have a little bar with water, cups, utensils, napkins literally anything you need, but they also have servers out there. Bringing your food, taking your trash, making sure you have everything you need. I thought because we opted to sit out there we would need to go to the front of the restaurant to get whatever we needed so it was pleasant surprise when we didn't have to. All in all 10/10 would be back again! read more
9 months ago
Wow! We had an unexpected lovely lunch today at this special addition to the Napa Valley! Each dish we had exceeded our expectations. The service from each staff member was friendly, responsive and fast! The lovely Kate was delightful! We appreciate meeting the events coordinators, Brigette and Vanessa to inquire about brining a women's Daytrippers group for a monthly outing in November. They were receptive to requests and after taking my contact information to help us plan a lunch for 10-12 people before or after visiting the MAC museum next door. We really enjoyed being able to sit on the Press patio, such a lovely shaded location. We are looking forward to our return soon!! read more
2 months ago
9 months ago
9 months ago
This is a very good place to get a quick bite, coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch bites. Breakfast items until 11am. We were in and out within 30 min at 11:30am in a Tuesday. Adjacent is the MAC museum. High stool seating side and covered bench seating outside. Plan to go back and try breakfast. read more
1 year ago
I was so excited to try this place. I already knew that I wanted to order a lobster caviar corn dog. it sounded amazing in my mind but I don't think I was in love with the taste. Im not sure if it was the sauce or the combination just didn't go together for me. My husband had a hard time choosing what he wanted from the menu because so many things sounded good. we both ordered iced teas. They were very flavorful, and they were Earl Grey. it had a distinct taste. the desserts all looked beautiful and I had a hard time deciding whether I was going to get the dessert with a Ferrero Rocher or the Mandarin mousse dessert that looks exactly like a mandarin. I decided to go with the Mandarin because it's almost summer. I loved it because the inside was not too sweet. it tasted kind of like a sponge cake with a tiny bit of mandarin jelly/puree. My toddler loved it.This is such a chic place to stop by when you're driving through wine country. Also, there is a new art museum right next door! read more
9 months ago
Food was soooo delicious! Got the tuna crudo (mindblowing) , a latte and a chocolate chip cookie. Everything was perfect. Clean and well decorated, polite, professional and friendly staff. Loved the outdoor seating! Have had the lobster corn dog at bottlerock and it was also to die for. Will definitely be returning soon! Only took a picture of the cookie because I was so hungry I forgot to take more! read more
5 months ago
The most unusual bakery and coffee spot imaginable. Make it a destination stop. Nothing else like it. Great architectural design with to each loaf of bread and brioche. Stretches the imagination. You get to see the operation. The graphics and brilliant. Service is "real". No "have a nice day" or "welcome in" monotony. read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
1 year ago
We've had tickets to The MAC to visit the Julia Child exhibit and we were thrilled when Under-Study opened so we could give it a try! We were especially excited when we saw the Julia Child 3-course prix fixe menu item. We visited on day 3 of being open! Everyone in our party of 5 were ready to order this fun theme item, only to find out that this is now served on the weekend only (please update the menu to avoid disappointment). We each scrambled to order something different and shared a few of the desserts. The chicken sandwich was prepared well, served hot and perfect portion. All items were served on silver trays- including shared and not shared items. The fries came hot, but quickly got cold as they were served on the silver tray. All 4 desserts (mandarin mouse, lemon tea cake, chocolate Rocher Choux and Pistachio Financier and we also added Pain au Chocolate) were wonderful & easy to share. We will come back to try breakfast and will make sure we're there on the weekend for Julia's menu! All of the servers were very attentive. read more
11 months ago
Epic food, epic service, epic coffee... what else can you ask for ? It was like being in an episode of "The Bear" but like a happy episode haha read more
7 months ago
4 months ago
More info about Under-Study
595 St Helena Hwy
Saint Helena, CA 94574
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(707) 286-0070
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https://www.under-study.com
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Do they have gluten free anything?
Yes, we have several gluten free options available, including a miso chocolate chip cookie, gluten free avocado toast, beet jar, duck rillettes, steak tartare, trout rillettes, crispy pigs ears, salad, and charcuterie. We hope to see you soon!
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Under-Study - bakeries - Updated May 2026
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