20 Best Wine Bars In The US, Ranked

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Declaring the best wine bars in America is as difficult as naming the best restaurants or best rooftop bars because it's all about how a person feels in the space, their particular palate, and the amenities they're searching for. That being said, we've narrowed the search down to 20 wine bars across the country offering a variety of experiences, fostering a love for wine, and creating a hunger to learn more about it in their respective communities.

This list runs the gamut from chic, upscale wine bars in a city's most expensive zip codes, to quirky and cozy neighborhood spots, and laidback patios that feel more like a friend's backyard party than an actual dining establishment. Of course, the menus in many of these hip bars are centered around natural wines, but don't let that scare you off. Whether you've spent decades collecting and studying wine or you're simply interested in building your confidence to know what to order at a restaurant, these wine bars deserve a spot on your next night out or on your weekend getaway itinerary.

This beautiful natural wine bar in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood is all in the details. Created by illustrator Cerise Zelenetz, along with OddFellows Ice Cream founder Mohan Kumar, The New York Times notes, the design of this wine destination is inspired by Zelenetz's upbringing in Vermont, her time in Paris as a college student, and her Lower East Side apartment that was first decorated by her grandmother in the '50s (via Vogue). While the bar has been featured by Architectural Digest and Eater for its aesthetics, Cherry on Top is much more than just a pretty face.

The wines at Cherry on Top were chosen as thoughtfully as the tiles and fabrics. There is no specific region or country that the selections focus on, which allows patrons to be transported to vineyards around the world as you sip through the evening. You'll find a natural wine selection that ranges from popular bottles like La Bascule's Babushka rosé to quirkier picks from Spain and Austria, all of which pair excellently with a small plates menu that pulls from flavors around the world. Plus, you simply can't beat a rooftop garden in the city, and Cherry on Top has just the one for drinking wine when the weather is right. It's only been open since August 2021, but we look forward to seeing how this wine bar impacts Brooklyn's lively natural wine scene.

Times Ten Cellars is an urban winery, tasting room, and wine bar in the heart of Dallas's vibrant Lakewood neighborhood. It shines a light on the Lone Star State's burgeoning wine culture. Owner Rob Wilson first started Times Ten Cellars in 2005 to create a traditional tasting room experience for guests to enjoy a grape-to-glass experience with fruit grown at the winery's west Texas vineyards, and experience varietals beyond cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

Eventually, Times Ten Cellars' neighborhood patrons began lingering long after tasting experiences were over, and Wilson realized he was also running a bar. Times Ten Cellars has since evolved in its many years of operation to become a wine bar that also features bottles from other Texas wineries, plus some favorite California bottles. It also has a full kitchen that makes Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Wilson's mission to make wine more approachable and comfortable certainly succeeded, and Visit Dallas names it one of the top wine bars in the area for its stylish digs and education on local wines. 

Miami's Lagniappe is a far cry from the outrageously priced, sleek cocktail bars nearby. Thanks to its laid-back vibes, diverse nightly music lineups, and the city's balmy weather, you may enter Lagniappe wondering if you've been transported to New Orleans or a quirky seaside bar on the Mediterranean coast. GAYOT describes the wine bar as a hidden gem for locals looking to get away from the stuffiness of the city's overly trendy drinking and dining destinations, while still being able to enjoy a fantastic wine list and a memorable meal for a good price.

This Midtown jazz haven is the perfect place to unwind with a glass of vino paired with big, bold Cajun, Spanish, and Creole flavors, plus some fresh-caught fish from the nearby Atlantic. They do not take reservations, so come early to get the best seat in the house and a bottle of your favorite label or a new-to-you small-production wine, because Time Out considers Lagniappe an elevated backyard hangout, and it fills up night after night.

Dedalus is all about storytelling, and the Vermont-based wine bar is dedicated to bringing the local community to their table by telling the story of wine in an uncomplicated way. The company seeks to define a new wine culture that bridges the gap between drinkers and growers while building the confidence of patrons across all experience levels to help them best enjoy one of life's simple pleasures.

Like many of the wine bars on this list, Dedalus looks to uplift the wines of small producers and cooperatives who make their wine sustainably and with minimal intervention. There's also an indoor market with a world-class selection of cheeses, charcuterie staples, and pantry goods that is as thoughtfully curated as the wine list, according to Edible Vermont. The best part about Dedalus is that there is always a special event, tasting, or wine education event happening across its three locations in Burlington, Stowe, and Boulder to give patrons the excuse to pop back in, chat with the knowledgeable staff, and discover a life-changing, new-to-you bottle. It won't take long to discover why Eat This, Not That! calls Dedalus the best wine destination in the state, if not the Northeastern U.S.

Seated in San Antonio, Texas's buzzy, historic Pearl neighborhood, High Street Wine Co. has helped establish the city as a premier destination for wine enthusiasts. The inviting bar and bottle shop was a James Beard semifinalist for "Outstanding Wine Program" in 2022, and High Street has prided itself on providing a hospitality-driven destination for people to explore the wonders of wine since 2016.

The bar was opened by Scott Ota, who was deemed "Texas's Best Sommelier" by Texas Monthly in 2013 and the current beverage director Austin Tabbone seeks to continue High Street's mission of amplifying the best small producers from across the world. High Street's extensive wine list features everything from English sparkling wine to Indian Chardonnay, plus plenty of Old and New-World favorites. And if you want to keep on sipping through the evening, the food menu is filled with a variety of snacks, flatbreads, chocolates, and build-your-own cheeseboards to satisfy any craving. High Street Wine Co. is also home to a rotating list of wine classes throughout the year that highlights emerging producers and iconic regions alike.

Los Angeles' highly lauded a.o.c. stands for the acronym for ​​Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, a French term for sets of rigorous standards for making wine and spirits in the country. Three-time James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and James Beard Foundation's "Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year" 2018 Caroline Styne are the perfect pair behind this popular wine bar that has two gorgeous locations in West Hollywood and Brentwood.

The destination itself is also a three-time James Beard award nominee and was a 2015 semi-finalist for "Outstanding Wine Program." But a visit to the highly acclaimed a.o.c. isn't about the awards, it's about the atmosphere. While the two locations vary vastly in design, they both share a common ground in highlighting seasonal California cuisine through small plates that pair fantastically with an equally thoughtful menu of wines by the glass. It's a perfect place to visit for oenophiles who love food as much as wine, which makes it one of the best (and most romantic) restaurants in LA, according to Los Angeles Magazine.

Flight Wine Bar's owners Swati Bose and Kabir Amir first set out to create a cozy neighborhood bar inspired by their vast European travels in 2014. However, the bar is no longer Chinatown's best-kept secret: Flight was a 2020 James Beard Semifinalist for "Outstanding Wine Program." It has also received Wine Spectator's award of excellence in 2018 for its staggering 505-bottle wine list (don't worry, the team's knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect one).

While Flight is now a highly lauded wine destination, Bose and Amir still focus on lesser-known varietals and regions that offer excellent wines at great values. Bose says that some of the most popular flight orders from its menu include skin-contact, Austro-Hungarian, and high-acid wines from under-the-radar destinations like Monrovia, Czech Republic, and Huntly, Virginia. Plus, according to Open Table reviewers, it offers some of the best ambiance in the District of Columbia.

A 2022 James Beard semifinalist for "Most Outstanding Wine Program," Philadelphia's a.bar is part of a.kitchen + a.bar, a renowned food and wine destination that offers sweeping views of Rittenhouse Square from its prime location in Center City. It's a must-visit destination for foodies coming to the City of Brotherly Love as it is highly lauded for its culinary, wine, and spirits programs.

A.kitchen + a.bar was listed as one of Wine Enthusiast's "50 Restaurants We Love" in 2021, and it is also one of the publication's Top 100 Wine Restaurants. Guests will find a pleasant mix of storied and under-the-radar regions and varietals so that there's something for every kind of drinker — adventurous or risk-averse. Every wine served at a.kitchen + a.bar is organic and/or natural, and the dining destination has recently expanded into a wine shop, so you can take home your new favorite label at the end of the night — or pick up one before a dinner party that will really wow your guests.

New Orleans's Bacchanal Wine has become as much of a household name as Commander's Palace and Café Du Monde for its incredible wine selection, ultra-laid back atmosphere, and excellent music lineup in the city's artsy Bywater neighborhood. The three-time James Beard nominee, and semifinalist in 2017, is also known for its low-key, backyard-style party vibe, transportive wine shop, build-your-own cheese plates, and, naturally, an eclectic wine list.

Bacchanal Wine is inspired by both Mediterranean living and the culture of the vibrant city where it resides. Popping in for the afternoon is reminiscent of a day party and just might keep you for hours longer than you anticipated. It won't take long to discover why The Infatuation considers it one of the coolest places to spend the evening in NOLA, which is no small feat amid the sea of bars and attractions. Since its opening in 2002, Bacchanal is just like the wines it serves: It just keeps getting better with age.

Haley.henry is the passion project of owner-operator Haley Fortier, who was one of Food & Wine's "Sommeliers of the Year" in 2019. Her wine bar and shop is also highly lauded; haley.henry was a back-to-back James Beard semifinalist in 2019 and 2020 for "Outstanding Wine Program." But accolades aside, this destination is actually a laid-back, inclusive spot for friends, neighbors, and visitors alike to deepen their passion for vino.

The wines served at this effortlessly cool Financial District destination highlight small-production, natural, and responsibly sourced labels from all corners of the world. There are also lunch and dinner menus that are driven by equally responsibly sourced tinned fish, regional seafood, and exciting cheese varieties. The Boston Globe considers haley.henry the city's best wine bar for the thoughtful staff, excellent deals, and chic-but-not-uptight digs, while Condé Nast Traveler considers it an "essential stop" for wine aficionados living in or visiting the city.