14 best wine bars in Boston for variety and vibe

Tinned fish, charcuterie and other luxurious small plates set the stage for unique wines at this Downtown Crossing wine bar. Responsibly sourced, small production wines—with little to no additives and typically funkier flavors—are the stars of the list at haley.henry, which earned a 2024 James Beard Award semi-finalist nod for Outstanding Wine Program. Sample the selection of wines by the glass, or—if you’ll commit to two glasses—they’ll open any available bottle for you. For your non-wine-drinking friends, there’s also a solid craft beer list here.

The wine program at Grill 23 has held Wine Spectator's Grand Award since 2017, a coveted honor granted to fewer than 100 restaurants in the world. Revel in it at the upstairs bar, which can feel like an intimate oasis in the always-buzzing, two-story spot. This celebrated steakhouse has more certified sommeliers on staff than any other restaurant in Boston. Hugo Bensimon, the restaurant’s beverage director and an Advanced somm, works personally with private collectors to secure rare finds among the 1,900 selections offered here. Think: magnums from the 1940s and bottles that fetch more than $20K. For the truly dedicated, the restaurant’s newly reimagined wine cellar hosts special wine dinners for up to 10 guests.

Take a seat at one of Krasi’s peacock-blue booths or perch yourself at the stunning bar for what feels like a Greek getaway without leaving Back Bay. This highly lauded hot spot has the largest Greek wine selection in the country. Sound intimidating? Servers are well-versed to help navigate the natural, biodynamic and exclusively Greek list, whether you’re looking to enjoy a glass or bottle, or pairings with a meal. Take a deeper dive on Symposium Wednesday, when wine director and sommelier Evan Turner shares the stories behind the bottles, usually highlighting a fun theme.

Somerville's no-rules natural wine bar is tucked away in Bow Market, but the tiny bar has a big following—especially after being recognized by the James Beard Awards not once, but thrice. Owner and sommelier Lauren Friel is passionate about wine and making it approachable. Her team is happy to eschew the best-known big brands for small producers, many of whom are women-led. The decidedly unapologetic space—with its "sex, money, power" wallpaper" and frequent fundraisers for progressive causes—evokes hints of European wine bars, where conversation and a relaxing vibe are palpable.  

The 45-plus page wine book at Troquet on South is testimony to the French restaurant’s reputation for having one of Boston’s best wine programs. The list leans heavy on French reds, and starting your night with one of the many Champagnes by the glass is always celebratory. Pours are offered in two-, four- and six-ounce increments as well as flights, so wine-lovers may easily cover more ground. And don't miss the opportunity to savor exceptional pairings with the French-New American menu. (Cocktail enthusiasts, meanwhile, should check out sister-lounge Offsuit.)

This beloved, compact spot in Somerville’s Davis Square has a small but well-curated wine list. The team works closely with winemakers to offer a diverse and thoughtful wine list that’s sophisticated but not snobby, and pairs well with the seasonally influenced New American menu. There’s also an intriguing selection of wine-adjacent aperitifs and vermouths. Special wine dinners offer guests the chance to learn more about specific wine regions.

There's a good reason why Food & Wine magazine named owner Haley Fortier as one of its 2019 Sommeliers of the Year. At this spot (named for her grandmother) as well as the restaurateur’s solo debut, haley-henry wine bar, Fortier highlights sustainable, responsibly made wines by small-production—and frequently female—winemakers. A standout in the vibrant Fenway neighborhood that feels like a Chappel Roan song brought to life, nathálie pours pricey varietals alongside easily approachable picks.

This totally chill bar in Southie takes its wine list seriously, despite the holiday lights illuminating the checkered-tile backsplash and dining-room disco ball. An ideal spot to wind down the day with a glass or bottle, servers here can wax poetic about their well-curated list whether patrons seek wine by the glass or a bottle. Pair your picks with a selection of small plates or heartier dishes, like the iconic Gray’s burger.

The gorgeously appointed upstairs restaurant may be a paean to French fine dining, but it’s the downstairs bar that will evoke your Paris yearning/nostalgia. Wines from France, Italy and the U.S. make up the list, which includes half-bottles and many a wine by the glass. But by all means settle in with a friend and order a full bottle; the insanely well-stocked cellar includes some amazing finds from Burgundy and Bordeaux and at least one $1,000 bottle.

Best known as a hard-to-score-reservations restaurant with a gorgeous setting, Contessa presents an equally compelling wine list. Complementing the cuisine, it's no surprise the wine list covers mainly Italy, but has strong representation in top-tier French and American wines, as well. You’ll find Barolo and Barbaresco from the Langhe Valley in Piedmont to representation from the foothills of the Alps, as well as no shortage of whites, sparkling wines and rosé.

This South End hot spot is dark and moody with a seasonally-driven menu, but oenophiles are drawn to Barcelona Wine Bar for its carefully curated wine list. With nearly 400 bottles, including wines made organically with little intervention and pleasant pét-nats (a sparkling wine bottled before fermentation has fully finished), Barcelona has an extensive selection. Varietals here can be mixed and matched with tapas shaped by Mediterranean, Spanish and South American influences.

"In Vino Veritas" glows on the wall at this neighborhood wine bar in the heart of the South End. In wine we trust, indeed, at Frenchie, with by-the-glass options and a 50-plus bottle list covering all of Europe, not just France. Pair your picks with a charcuterie board, French comfort food or weekend brunch, and check out the menu of sweet wines for dessert. The bistro’s comfortable atmosphere is both chic and welcoming, especially the aesthetic greenhouse room in the back.

After shopping along Newbury Street, Piattini is the perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine. With dozens of offerings by the glass and an even larger selection of bottles, the selection here will please just about all  palates. Each glass of wine is presented with a card detailing its origins and tasting notes. The $16 wine flight, with a trio of selections, is an ideal way to discover new favorites. In warmer months, the petite, Tuscan-inspired patios make for an intimate date matching wines with tapas-style Italian small plates.