Boston’s wine culture is thriving, with numerous wine bars and restaurants offering exceptional wine experiences. Here are some of the must-visit spots in and around the city.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Spanish wine lover’s paradise
Located in Brookline, Washington Square, and South End, Barcelona Wine Bar features an impressive selection of Spanish wines, including traditional and modern riojas. The bar also offers a tapas menu, where you can pair a glass of rosé with patatas bravas and salsa brava. With three locations in the Boston area, Barcelona Wine Bar is a great spot to indulge in a full Spanish treatment. • 1700 Beacon St., Washington Square, Brookline, 617-264-8900; 525 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-266-2600; 1688 Massachusetts Ave., between Porter and Harvard squares, Cambridge, 617-468-2200; barcelonawinebar.com
Bar Pallino
Intimate wine bar with a Parisian flair
Located in the Back Bay, Bar Pallino is a speakeasy-style wine bar that offers a curated selection of organic and biodynamic wines. The bar is inspired by modern Paris wine bars and features a carefully curated soundtrack. Choose from over 70 selections curated by the restaurant group’s longtime beverage director Jodie Battles. • 278 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-991-1080, facciabruttaboston.com/bar-pallino
Bubble Bath
Champagne and food pairing
Located in the Best of Boston food hall, Bubble Bath is a 13-seat wine bar that offers a unique champagne experience. The bar is paired with a delightful highbrow/lowbrow mix of food, including caviar, hot dogs, and popcorn. The wine list features a range of reds, whites, oranges, and rosés, including a selection of small-batch wines. • 100 High St. (High Street Place), Downtown Boston, 857-250-4645, bubblebathboston.com
Dear Annie
Quirky and natural wines
Located in Cambridge, Dear Annie is a super-local pescatarian spot that offers a quirky and natural wine program. The bar is known for its unusual wine list, which features a range of small-batch wines and natural wines. The menu offers a selection of vegetable plates, seasonal crudo, and seafood tartare. • 1741 Massachusetts Ave., between Porter and Harvard squares, Cambridge, dearanniebar.com
Frenchie Wine Bistro
Classic wine-and-cheese combination
Located in the South End, Frenchie Wine Bistro is a wine bistro that offers a classic wine-and-cheese combination. The bistro features a decorative ceiling tile and ornate floral wallpaper, transporting you to Paris. The wine list is conveniently organized by color and taste profile, making it easy for wine newbies to choose the perfect glass. • 560 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 857-233-5941, frenchieboston.com
Fromage Wine Bar and Restaurant
Fromage and wine pairing
Located in South Boston, Fromage Wine Bar and Restaurant offers a selection of cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as international wine flights. The menu features a range of comforting entrees, including lobster mac ‘n’ cheese and garlic butter Tuscan shrimp. The wine list features a range of reds, whites, and rosés. • 401 W Broadway, South Boston, 617-464-4300, fromageboston.com
Georgie’s Wine Bar
Low-intervention wines
Located in Downtown Boston, Georgie’s Wine Bar offers a selection of low-intervention, small-production wines. The bar features a small bites menu, including nuts, olives, and baguette slices topped with manchego and quince paste. The wine list is curated by the owner, who will open almost any bottle that’s in stock. • 100 Summer St., Downtown Boston, 617-800-6189, georgieswine.com
Gray’s Hall
Seasonal menu
Located in South Boston, Gray’s Hall is a natural wine bar that offers a seasonal menu. The menu features a range of dishes, including tuna crudo, arancini, and smoked mushrooms and squash ricotta. The wine list features a range of small-batch wines from local New England farms and fisheries. • 615 E Broadway, South Boston, 617-269-1001, grayshall.com
Haley.Henry
Intimate wine bar with a focus on natural wines
Located in Downtown Crossing, Haley.Henry is an intimate wine bar that offers a focus on natural wines. The bar features a range of small-batch wines from local and international producers. The menu offers a range of snacks, including tinned fish, charcuterie, and bay scallop ceviche. • 45 Province St., Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-208-6000, haleyhenry.com
Krasi
Greek wine list
Located on Newbury Street, Krasi offers a unique Greek wine list. The bar features a range of traditional Greek wines, as well as modern selections. The menu offers a range of cured meats, rustic meze, and seafood dishes. • 48 Gloucester St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-536-0230, krasiboston.com
Nathálie
Women’s wine program
Located in Fenway, Nathálie is a wine bar that offers a focus on women’s wine producers. The bar features a range of natural wines, as well as a selection of small-batch wines. The menu offers a range of snacks, including red snapper crudo, fried chicken skewers, and lamb meatballs. • 186 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, 857-317-3884, nathaliebar.com
Rebel Rebel
Natural wine bar with a focus on social justice
Located in Union Square, Somerville, Rebel Rebel is a natural wine bar that offers a focus on social justice. The bar features a range of small-batch wines, as well as a selection of snacks, including olive oil potato chips. The bar is known for its advocacy efforts, with regular events and activities. • 1 Bow Market Way (Bow Market), Union Square, Somerville, 617-721-7773, rebelrebelsomerville.com
Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen
Wine and food pairing
Located in Downtown Crossing, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen offers a unique wine and food pairing experience. The bar features a range of small-batch wines, as well as a selection of globally-inspired dishes. The menu offers a range of options, including Italian, Asian, and American cuisine. • 581 Washington St., Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-956-0888, sipwinebarandkitchen.com
Spoke Wine Bar
Wine bar with a focus on restaurant-level wine
Located in Davis Square, Somerville, Spoke Wine Bar offers a focus on restaurant-level wine. The menu offers a range of options, including sunchoke doughnuts, deviled burrata, and grilled venison. • 89 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-718-9463, spokewinebar.com
Super Bien
South American wine bar
Located in Brighton, Super Bien is a South American wine bar that offers a unique selection of wines from Chile, Argentina, and beyond. The bar features a range of snacks, including empanadas and Momofuku instant noodles. • 525 Western Ave. (Charles River Speedway), Brighton, Boston, thesuperbien.site
Taberna de Haro
Sherry lover’s paradise
Located in Brookline, Taberna de Haro is a sherry lover’s paradise. The bar features a range of sherry varieties, as well as a selection of small plates, including jamon croquetas and marcona almonds. • 999 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-277-8272, tabernaboston.com
Tilde
Coffee and wine
Located in North Cambridge, Tilde is a coffee shop and wine bar that offers a unique coffee and wine experience. The bar features a range of domestic wines, as well as a selection of coffee drinks and tea. • 2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, 617-945-1037, tildecambridge.com
Troquet on South
French wine bistro
Located in the Leather District, Troquet on South is a French wine bistro that offers a range of classic French dishes, as well as a selection of international wines. The bar features a range of sherry varieties, including some rare and expensive bottles. • 107 South St., Downtown Boston, 617-695-9463, troquetboston.com
Zurito
Pintxos and wine
Located on Beacon Hill, Zurito is a pintxos bar that offers a range of traditional Spanish wines, as well as a selection of modern selections. The menu features a range of small plates, including anchovy preparations and Spanish ham. • 26 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 857-305-3177, zuritoboston.com
Zuzu’s Petals
Wine and dessert bar
Located in Inman Square, Zuzu’s Petals is a wine and dessert bar that offers a range of natural wines, as well as a selection of sweet treats. The bar is known for its unique ambiance, with a focus on phone-free dining. • 1456 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Boston, 617-623-7000, zuzuspetalsonline.com
Other notable mentions
* Acton’s Marzae winery offers a range of domestic wines, including a selection of small-batch orange wines. * The Boston Wine and Food Festival is a annual event that showcases the best of Boston’s wine scene. * The Massachusetts Wine Education Association offers wine courses and certifications for those interested in learning more about wine.
Conclusion
Boston’s wine culture is thriving, with numerous wine bars and restaurants offering exceptional wine experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of wine, there’s something for everyone in Boston. From intimate wine bars to full-service restaurants, the city offers a range of options to suit every taste and budget. So why not take a trip to Boston and experience the city’s thriving wine culture for yourself?