Updated By Sadra Sumner
Being a gastronomic capital, Paris counts, perhaps unsurprisingly, an astounding number of places to taste high-quality wines. Many of the city’s better restaurants have extensive wine lists with “crus” and vintages from all over France– Burgundies, Bordeaux, Loire Valley whites– you name it. While this is a longstanding tradition in the Paris culinary scene, the wine bar– a place devoted almost exclusively to the appreciation of wines– is a relative newcomer in the city of light.
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Initially serving simple cheese and charcuterie platters with fresh baguette to accompany a good bottle, Parisian wine bars have stepped it up in recent years, hiring chefs to create increasingly sophisticated small plates and competing with traditional restaurants. It’s become a particular way to explore gastronomic Paris, so for the foodies among you, or even if your wine vocabulary is limited but you want to expand your palette, exploring some of these favorite bars à vins is something I really recommend.
Some Favorites
Many of my favorite wine bars in the city are located in the areas around the Bastille, in districts that have been traditionally gritty and working class but has been reshaped in many places to become a favorite stomping ground for artists and hipster types. Close to the Canal St Martin, Au Verre Volé is a tiny but excellent choice for a good glass paired with small or larger gourmet plates. I once was blown away by pan-seared octopus (crispy and then tender, and not at all rubbery) paired with a crisp white Sancerre. Their cheese plates are also excellent. Reservations are a must.
📍 Location: 67, rue de Lancry; Metro Jacques-Bonsergent or République; Tel: +33 (0) 1 48 17 34
Heading to the neighboring 12th arrondissement and closer to Bastille, Le Baron Rouge is much coveted for its wines paired with raw oysters. It gets very lively as the night progresses, with patrons often spilling into the street.
📍 Location: 1 rue Théophile Roussel; Metro Ledru-Rollin; Tel: +33 (0)1 43 43 14 32
Calling the Marais home, Le Barav (short for bar-a-vin) offers wine by the glass, small plates, and a cave where you can purchase a bottle to take home and enjoy or pay a small corking fee and have it sur place. This is a great address if you’re not sure how your night should progress; it’s close to plenty of other great restaurants if you’re seeking a more formal meal after your wine, and the lively Republique area boasts concert venues, clubs, and quite honestly, it will just be cool to tell your friends that you spent your evening in this hip part of town.
📍 Location: 6 rue Charles-François Dupuis; Metro République; Tel: +33 (0)1 48 04 57 59
Close to the old stock market (Bourse), Frenchie Bar à Vins is another of my picks, featuring delicious fare, a very strong international wine list, a pleasant, intimate seating area, and a laid-back atmosphere. Plates from chef Grégory Marchand have won a strong following among the foodie set, with classics including pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce and a tomato-cherry salad. It does get very crowded, and seats only 15, so get there early if you can– there are no reservations.
📍 Location: 6 rue du Nil; Metro: Sentier; Tel: +33 (0)1 40 39 96 19
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For the true minimalists out there, you’re guaranteed to rub elbows with a fellow wine-lover at this small but authentic wine bar in Pigalle. Terre et Sel is run by the enthusiastic Paolo, sommelier and passionata of food. His one-man show includes excellent wine suggestions and bites such as burratina, sopressata, or anchovies on tartines with lemon zest. Simplistic, delicious, and intimate.
📍 Location: 42 rue Condorcet; Metro: Anvers; Tel: +33 (0)1 83 96 12 84
The most instagrammable wine-bar of the bunch might be L’Ebeniste du Vin located in the up-and-coming 17th district of Paris. This wine shop/bar, and sister restaurant to a seafood joint and beer bar owned and operated by the same group makes for an easy night of wining and dining in Batignolles. You’ll find all of the classics here – charcuterie, cheese plates, and chocolate fondant to wash it all down. Their wine collection is stunning, and bottles can be purchased for take-away enjoyment.
📍 Location: 72 rue Boursault; Metro: Rome; Tel: +33 (0)1 42 28 80 43
The left-bank may be best known for the Latin Quarter and St. Germain de Pres districts, but they also feature burgeoning foodie and wine oases. Freddy’s is the latest creation from the owners of La Boissonnerie & Semilla; two surefire addresses for excellent fare. Freddy’s boasts a wine bar in the front that slowly fades into a modern kitchen in the back. The kitchen is actually the star of the show as it’s located in the middle of the restaurant, expanding bar-seating throughout the cozy space. There are no reservations, but turn-over after 20-30 minutes is likely.
📍 Location: 54 rue de Seine; Metro: Mabillon; No phone number
The talented Franco-Japanese chef, Atsushi Tanaka, has transformed the true cave of his swanky but minimalist left-bank A.T. restaurant into a wine bar that’s the perfect place for excellent wine by the glass. This space often hosts winemakers from all over the world during special events where Atsushi pairs bite-sized, finger-food versions of some of his classics, like foie gras and meringue or a host of various charcoal creations. His constantly changing menu paired with the revolving door of famous natural winemakers creates the perfect harmony of great food and wine.
📍 Location: 4bis rue du Cardinal Lemoine; Metro: Maubert-Mutualité; Tel: +33 (0)1 56 81 94 08
