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Swirl and sip your way through our guide to the best Miami wine bars, boasting top-notch rich reds, oaky whites and more
January 2020: New year, same wine habits! What can we say? There’s just not a whole lot that can top a generously poured glass of wine at the end of a long day. To that end, we’ve updated our list of Miami’s best wino-approved watering holes. Enjoy your adult grape juice with a bucolic view at Glass & Vine in Coconut Grove, wander into the world of natural and biodynamic varietals at Boia De and more with our latest picks, below.
The only place to go for a quality glass of vino is a wine bar. Miami, fortunately, is home to many more designated places than before—charming nooks where oenophiles can uncork new varietals, discover boutique labels and unwind with a rare vintage. More than basic watering holes, these Miami bars, as well as several of Miami’s best restaurants, offer the area’s die-hards plus those just graduating from the boxed stuff places to comfortably swirl and sip all sorts of varietals.
What is it? The Coconut Grove shop/restaurant (with a sister location in West Miami) sells affordable wines (we’re talking $7 for cava) and offers a menu of delicious tapas should you want to stay and taste there.
Why go? The words wine and happy go together like chorizo and rioja do at Happy Wine. Beyond its reds and hard-to-find Spanish labels, the shop is known for it’s crazy specials like it’s daily $5 happy hour (hours vary) and beat-the-clock pricing on champagne Sunday through Thursday.
What is it? Vinos in the Grove returns to the neighborhood with a new location on McFarlane Road, a larger patio and a fresh selection of wines by the glass and bottle.
Why go? Weekday happy hour runs from 5 to 7pm, featuring $6 glasses of tasty reds and crisp whites. And with more room outdoors, Fido can join you for a post-work drink.
What is it? Pumping gas has to be one of the most tedious tasks associated with driving, except when your neighborhood gas station doubles as a charming little wine bar. Make a beeline past the energy drinks and you’ll find this hidden gem just beyond the registers.
Why go? Bring a DD with you to El Carajo and choose from more than 1,500 bottles to uncork and savor for just $10 (corkage is the same if you bring your own and half-bottles are just $10 to uncork). There’s a full Spanish tapas menu available to pair with your vino.
What is it? It’s all about Italian styles at the Coral Gables restaurant. Its sprawling enoteca is stocked with thousands of bottles, so there’s never a reason to sample the same varietal twice.
Why go? Tuesday is lobster night, featuring tails and claws served up in pizzas, pastas and other iterations for just $25. Each dish is presented with an optional wine pairing for a truly delicious meal.
What is it? One step above cracking open a bottle of wine in your yard, Lagniappe’s outdoor patio is a chill laid-back to Miami’s more buttoned-up wine bars.
Why go? There’s no sommelier telling you what pairs with what, but there are several large coolers stocked with familiar labels and small-production wineries you can afford to discover—bottles are sold at retail price instead of the usual bar markup.
What is it? This upscale Design District wine boutique stocks rare labels and limited production wines, which you sift through on iPads.
Why go? Don't let the bougie exterior full you; Abaco hosts all sorts of fun, interactive events such as Salty Donut pairings and rosé tastings.
What is it? This trendy hole-in-the-wall sits on the edge of Little Haiti in a small but serviceable shopping center that’s flanked by a mom-and-pop grocery store and a laundromat. The retro-designed Italian spot helmed by two Michelin-trained chefs only has 24 seats, so reservations are a must.
Why go? General manager and sommelier Bianca Sanon curates the 80-bottle wine list which stars an ever-rotating lineup of natural, low intervention, certified organic and biodynamic wines for more adventurous sippers.
What is it? Rustic and cozy, Bunbury brings a slice of Argentinean vino bar culture to Wynwood.
Why go? It’s one of the better values on wine in Miami, especially during happy hour when glasses are just $5. Pair your malbec with a tabla of assorted meats and empanadas and you’ve got yourself a meal. Feeling something lighter? Try one of the refreshing wine-based cocktails, like a mojito or sangria featuring fresh fruit and herbs.
What is it? Liza Meli’s eponymous wine bar stocks mostly natural Mediterranean labels, all of which are artfully displayed on the wall and clearly labeled for easy picking.
Why go? Oenophiles interested in a deeper dive are invited to Meli’s monthly wine dinners on the first Sunday of each month, when she brings in winemakers from around the world to chat about their product over wine and tapas.
What is it? Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s Peacock Park spot is a landmark in Coconut Grove’s gastronomic resurgence, filling the decade-long void for a trendy, kid-friendly destination with a lush outdoor bar and solid wine list.
Why go? Those familiar with New York’s Tavern on the Green will find Glass & Vine captures a similarly bucolic feel to the Central Park staple, but that’s where the park-dining comparisons end. Here, elegance is trumped by a laidback food and drink experience more in line with the bohemian ’hood.
What is it? A tiny wine bar tucked inside the Midtown Miami Shops, offering a quiet respite from the busy retail neighborhood.
Why go? Wine Vault offers a healthy variety of reds, whites and rosés, plus a selection of charcuterie and cheese boards to pair with your vino.
What is it? Get your olive oil and vino straight from the source at this recently opened wine shop in South Miami. Owned by boutique producers from the hillsides of Provençe, Domaine Souviou serves its own reds, whites and sparkling wines as well as varietals from other European producers.
Why go? Assorted olive oils, jams and other French-made products are available for sale, plus there’s a small menu of snacks and small plates designed to pair with all the wines you’ll find inside. Part store and part restaurant, wine enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to discover and try new labels and bring them home.
What is it? This sprawling, shop-turned-restaurant boasts more than 700 labels. Find something you like on the wall and enjoy it with dinner for a $10 corkage fee.
Why go? Bacco places equal emphasis on the food as it does its wine selection. Head to the Mediterranean spot to pair your boutique red with a delectable spread of tuna tartare, stuffed dates and more.
Sip on something freshly shaken or gingerly stirred and made just for you
