Ask a New Yorker, and they’ll likely tell you that wine bars in New York City have exploded over the past decade. A flurry of spots to sip classics from Bordeaux, Tuscany, and Napa Valley, alongside juice from lesser-known regions like Languedoc, Douro, and the Finger Lakes, dot many of the city’s neighborhoods. Essentially, there’s probably an NYC wine bar within a short walk—and even more spots only a subway ride away.
Is your palate craving a fruity pinot noir right now? If you adore wine as much as we do, you won’t want to miss these great wine bars in NYC.
Terroir
If one place deserves credit for the trend of wine bars in NYC, it may be this one. Founded in 2008, Terroir was initially an East Village hole in the wall but has occupied a larger space in Tribeca since 2010.
The bar prides itself on a laid-back approach to vino yet features a serious list of 83 wines by the glass, representing various regions and styles, with witty comments and explanations on its menu. The bottle line-up is also impressive.
Owner Paul Grieco is so passionate about riesling—he jokes that he’s in therapy and his doctor advises more chardonnay—so you’ll find 26 choices of this variety. Wines are served in 3-ounce and 6-ounce pours, with discounts available at happy hour. Don’t be afraid to ask the knowledgeable staff for food pairing suggestions.
Sofia Wine Bar
Tucked away in a townhouse, this Italian-themed wine bar is situated in an unassuming location in Midtown East. Mottled brick walls and rustic wood set the scene in the homey space where patrons can choose from over 25 wines by the glass and many more by the bottle. A primarily Italian list highlights wines from Piedmont, Sicily, Puglia, Alto Adige, and other regions of Italy, and a few selections from Chile, California, and France.
The menu at Sofia Wine Bar focuses on Italian cuisine, so pizza Margherita, burrata, bruschetta, ricotta gnocchi, cannoli, and more deliciousness from the boot abound.
Vin Sur Vingt
Modeled after a bar a vin you’d stumble upon in France, this bar offers four Manhattan locations: Riverside, Upper West Side, NoMad, and the West Village. Vin Sur Vingt rotates its entirely French selection from Burgundy, Alsace, the Loire Valley, Provence, and other regions while championing small producers, so you’ll likely find lesser-known wines here.
To accompany your glass of Sancerre or Beaujolais, the drinkery serves charcuterie and cheese boards as well as sandwiches, tartines, cassoulets, and other French fare. Arriving late afternoon or early evening? Ask about the happy hour specials.
Kaia
Travel across the globe if only for an evening and experience the food and wine of South Africa on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. At Kaia, you’ll notice the country’s widely planted chenin blanc and the flagship pinotage, plus chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon—available by the glass—and several “pet-nat” (natural sparkling wines) by the bottle.
An inventive food menu celebrating the flavors of South Africa accompanies the wine options. Pick from elk carpaccio, a medium-rare lamb burger, and South African hominy, all noted in English alongside Afrikaans.
Insider’s Tip: Looking for other wines in this style? Check out our article on the best natural wine bars in NYC!
Black Mountain Wine House
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and be transported to a rustic mountain getaway between Carroll Gardens and Gowanus. The casual cabin vibe—there’s a wood-burning fireplace making it all cozy inside—is a draw on its own, but the well-priced glasses of cava, gamay, and grenache attract plenty of locals to this Brooklyn wine bar.
At Black Mountain Wine House, satisfying small plates range from a decadent macaroni and cheese with mushrooms, gruyere, and truffle oil, to pork meatballs soaked in marinara to goat cheese tart. Yum. When the fire isn’t roaring, opt for a seat outside instead.
Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
A cousin of Paris’s famed Experimental Cocktail Club, this Soho wine bar highlights French wine but also uncorks juice from other regions such as Campania (Italy) and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels’ dimly lit, moody tasting room is marked by rough-hewn wood, dark leather, and brass fixtures, promising plenty of atmosphere for an evening of wine and chit-chat.
Overwhelmed by the choices? Seasoned sommeliers are happy to recommend selections by the glass or a bottle from the 55-page list. Meanwhile, munch on cacio e pepe popcorn while you drink, followed by Mediterranean dishes such as squid ink spaghetti with sauce bouillabaisse and wild mussels.
Aldo Sohm Wine Bar
Le Bernardin’s Master Sommelier steers his eponymous wine bar in a chic, New York-inspired space mere steps from the restaurant in Midtown West. Pouring more than 40 wines by the glass and offering a 200-bottle collection, the bar mainly showcases wines from France, Italy, Austria, and Germany, with a handful from Spain, Portugal, and California.
At Aldo Sohm, shareable plates of avocado bruschetta, baked camembert, crispy duck confit, and braised short rib complement the rotating wines. This upscale New York wine bar also accommodates tastings, classes, and parties for up to eight guests. Cheers!
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Tracy Kaler is a freelance journalist focused on travel, food, wine, and design. She fell in love with New York as a child and began writing about the city when she moved there in 2007. When Tracy’s not glued to her laptop, she’s likely planning her next food-filled adventure, uncorking a bottle of red, or wandering the streets of NYC.