The best wine bars in Miami for solid sips, moody vibes and great tapas, too

After decades of working with natural wines, NIU Wine's Karina Iglesias knows labels and their makers as well as she does drinkers. “I consider myself a wine medium; I can tell you what to drink because I can see it, I know what’s going to make you happy.” And we trust her to show us the way. Stop in before your next reservation at NIU Kitchen next door, or take your time here exploring new varieties over hot and cold tapas—they're all good. Don't be shy about asking for recommendations; it's sort of Iglesias' thing. And be sure to purchase a few bottles to go; they're sold at retail price. 

One step above cracking open a bottle of wine in your yard, Lagniappe’s outdoor patio is a chill alternative to Miami’s more buttoned-up wine bars. There’s no sommelier telling you what pairs with what, but there are several large racks and coolers stocked with familiar labels and small-production wineries you can afford to discover—bottles are sold at the retail price instead of the usual bar markup. Build your own meat and chase platter and enjoy live music most nights of the week.

This relaxed yet refined Key Biscayne brasserie, marketplace and tasting room features a large central bar and walls of coolers filled with bottles from all over the world and in all price ranges. Allegra Angelo, Vinya’s sommelier, is the driving force behind the impressive selection and the brand’s commitment to value. “I ask myself, ‘is there something more delicious for less?’ and sift and source to pass on the savings to our customers,” she says. A second location on Miracle Mile, Vinya Table, functions a bit more like a restaurant, though it also boasts a comfy front bar plus a smaller, curated market with wine, liquor and gourmet provisions.

Decked in warm blush and nude tones, this edgy downtown spot is unapologetically feminine and feminist, paying tribute to great women everywhere with its art, moniker (it was named for Hemingway’s granddaughter) and playlist, among other details. At Margot, you’ll get to choose from more than 75 different natural wines, including biodynamic and those sourced from small producers. It’s an intimidating list but any of the wildly knowledgeable staff members will be happy to guide you through.

Unpretentious and inviting, Ruka Winewood is a private oasis away from Wynwood’s typical hustle and bustle. Here, you’ll find indie wines sourced from every corner of the globe and bites perfect for sharing, like the much-loved Wagyu pastrami sliders, homemade focaccia and charcuterie, not to mention a divine homemade Basque burnt cheesecake adorned with local orange jam and strawberry wine jam. The vibes are lowkey and weekly live music on the patio is a guarantee.

Krüs Kitchen is the airy, light-filled loft suspended above Los Félix, Coconut Grove's Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant. A full meal at either is never a bad idea, but Krüs' retail wine shop makes for a sweet spot to browse bottles and sip glasses of natural, organic and biodynamic wines curated by co-founder Josh Hackler. His program is based on seasonality, with a focus on the industry's up-and-coming tastemakers and innovators. The wines are also available to shop online, with weekly newsletters, wine events and a subscription wine club fostering Coconut Grove's next-wave community of grape enthusiasts.

Barcelona Wine Bar brings up a fundamental Miami dining scene question: Does it matter anymore if a restaurant is local? It used to be that foodies, critics, pretty much everyone had a bias for supporting local chefs. Lately, though, Miami has seen an influx of boutique “chain restaurants” from out of town, and Barcelona Wine Bar in Wynwood is making a very good case for them. The indoor-outdoor space is industrial and minimalist, warmed up with lots of greenery, moody lighting and, of course, racks on racks of wine. Find your spot in the lush courtyard (or squeeze in at the bar during the buzzy $7 happy hour) to enjoy your pours with classic tapas like albondigas meatballs, paella, bocadillos and more.

Magie is Little River's answer to Lagniappe in Midtown, a cozy and casual wine bar where you can pair your bottles or single-serving cans of vino with aperitivo-style snacks like cheeses, meats, olives, tinned fish and other victuals easily accessed from a self-service fridge. Carry your loot up to the counter to check out, then find your place at one of the low-slung seats inside or out in the garden. Like its neighborhood, the atmosphere here is decidedly more grown up and laidback back than Lagniappe, which consistently pulls in a more raucous crowd. Magie hosts fun programming as well, like a monthly Somm Club, a full moon party with tarot and flash tattoos and hi-fi listening sessions, along with cool culinary pop-ups with the likes of Bar Gilda and Pizzella.

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. 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). There’s a full Spanish tapas menu available to pair with your vino.

This modern and moody aperitivo bar in Downtown emphasizes Italian spirits, boasting an expertly curated menu of fortified wines like vermouth and sherry. The project is a collaboration between Jaguar Sun's Will Thompson and Carey Hynes, who preside over food and service, along with Bombay Sapphire Most Imaginative Bartender winner Valentino Longo, a cocktail master best known for his work at the Surf Club. Since it's a full bar, your night can graduate from wine to stirred and shaken concoctions like the Brucio in Bocca, a twist on a spicy margarita made with Barolo wine and marmalade, Cocchi vermouth torino and tequila. You'd do well to come hungry, too: pasta, charcuterie and fresh catches for the raw bar feature on the food menu.

This Wynwood vegan institution boasts a bright, open floorplan and colorful, modern-casual atmosphere, with a big dedicated wine bar featuring natural and organic bottles, local brews and "healthy" cocktails and mocktails made with things like Blue Majik and cold-pressed juice. Aside from it being a fun place to hang out (the oh-so-cool Dante's Hi-Fi listening bar is right next door), Love Life has the social responsibility factor that makes you feel like a better person just being inside its welcoming space.

The family-owned West Miami shop sells affordable wines and offers a menu of delicious tapas should you want to stay and taste there. 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 its crazy specials and weekly wine tastings plus live music every night. 

Rustic and cozy, Bunbury brings a slice of Argentinean vino bar culture to the performing arts district. It’s one of the better values on wine in Miami, especially during happy hour when house glasses are just $8. 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.

ZeyZey looks like it could be a friend’s bohemian bungalow—if your friend had their own natural wine gazebo, custom sound system and vinyl listening room, shipping container cocktail bar and mainstage for live performances. The more nontraditional hangout comes courtesy of Grassfed Hospitality (the team behind Los Félix and Krüs Kitchen) and local tastemaker Tigre Sounds. Expect to find an eclectic lineup of community-driven programming and outdoor performances on Fridays and Saturdays, vinyl DJs and electronic dance parties inside, plus monthly residencies featuring Miami mainstays and DJ collectives from around the world.