The Best Wine Bars in Paris
There’s a perfect Paris wine bar for everyone, whether you really know your wines or are just looking to have a good time. The capital’s caves and bars à vins range from budget-friendly, student-favorite spots to plush, private tasting rooms offering rare bottles and premium vintages. That’s why we’re giving you a quick overview of a few of our preferred places in Paris so you can find the oenological option that’s right for you.
The Best Natural Wine Bar in Paris
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels in Saint Germain. Great for a nice night out with friends or a relaxed but romantic date, this intimate, upscale wine bar lets you taste excellent natural wines and rare vintages by the glass.
Looking to celebrate a special occasion with a bit of bubbly? Try one of the Best Champagne Bars in Paris.
The Best Wine Shop in Paris
Caves Legrand near the Palais-Royal. A historic wine shop and tasting room in the 2nd Arrondissement, this 140-year-old wine cellar and gourmet grocer is a must for any wine lovers in Paris.
The Best Wine Bars in Paris if You’re on a Budget
Serving sangria by the pitcher in the Latin Quarter, Le Bar Dix is an inexpensive wine bar and popular hangout for university students studying at the nearby Sorbonne.
Not a student? Try Les Vins des Dames in Batignolles. This French wine bar and restaurant offers an authentic local experience away from the more touristy areas of the 18th Arrondissement. Warm, welcoming, and rustic, this friendly Parisian gem is loved by locals in the know.
Scroll down to see all of our favorite places to drink in the charm of the City of Light, one glass at a time.
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What to Know About the Paris Wine Scene
Looking for a good wine bar in Paris may seem straightforward, but once you start searching, you’ll see terms like “bar à vin”, “cave à vin”, and “cave à manger”, and you might find it more confusing than you first thought. Here’s what to know when choosing where to go for wine in Paris.
What is a Bar à Vin ?
Bar à vin translates literally to “wine bar”. Bars à vins serve wine by the glass and by the bottle, to be consumed there (sur place).
What is a Cave à Vin ?
Meaning wine cellar, a cave à vin is more wine shop than wine bar, selling wine by the bottle, in general, not to be consumed on site. Many wine cellars do also have tasting rooms (salles de dégustation) where patrons can taste wines by the glass or by the bottle.
What is a Cave à Manger ?
The translation of this one’s a bit trickier — word-for-word, it means “eating cellar” (not very appetizing, we know), but essentially, a cave à manger is a wine shop with a tasting room where they also serve snacks.
Halfway between a wine cellar and a tapas bar, the main focus here remains selling wine by the bottle, with the small dishes serving just to better appreciate the wine.
Due to liquor licensing rules, you can’t drink your wine at a cave à manger unless you get something to eat, so you will have to order food if you want to taste wines by the glass or bottle at the bar.
The concept’s fairly simple: order some charcuterie (or another item off la carte), then order a glass of wine or buy a bottle at caviste prices — meaning much cheaper than you’d normally pay for a bottle of wine at a restaurant or bar. You usually also have to pay a corking fee though, ranging from 3-8€.
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