Looking for a list of the best wine bars in Toronto? The making of a true wine bar is an extensive selection of wines by the glass, a fun atmosphere and a limited food menu. Sounds easy enough, but it’s actually quite hard to find a proper wine bar in Toronto! Make no mistake – we have plenty of great restaurants with impressive wine lists, but that doesn’t cut it when you’re just looking for a laid-back night with a glass of vino and some small nibbles.
After a lot of first-hand research, we’ve come up with our list of the best wine bars in Toronto:
Midfield Wine Bar & Tavern
1434 Dundas St W | Website
Midfield consistency ranks as the top wine bar in Toronto – and for good reason! The laid-back atmosphere is shockingly comparable to a typical wine bar you’d find in Italy, and their by-the-glass selection ranges all the way from Germany to Nova Scotia. Check out their website to view their calendar of events. A recent popular event was called “Grapes We Can’t Pronounce” – where attendees sampled different wines and learned how to pronounce each of them. During summer months, Midfield also gets bonus points for their outdoor patio!
Archive
909 Dundas St W | Website
The only thing better than Archive’s huge selection of wine, is the fact that they’re all available by the glass! With 3oz glasses starting at just $5, there’s really no excuse to not try a few new ones. Thanks to their convenient location on Dundas Street West, this is also a great place for a pre-drink before you head out for dinner at any one of the nearby restaurants. Archive does a remarkable job of making this space feel like a cool neighbourhood bar – the kind of place you want to become a regular at!
Bricco Kitchen & Wine Bar
3047 Dundas St W | Website
We were pretty heartbroken when Crush Wine Bar (King Street West) closed its doors, but Eric Gennaro filled that void when he opened Bricco Kitchen & Wine Bar in The Junction! The wine list is carefully crafted, and features many small-batch artisanal wines from Italy that you won’t find anywhere else. The selection is constantly changing, so if you see something on the menu you’d like to try don’t hesitate – it might not be there next time you visit. Hot tip: don’t be afraid to ask your server for suggestions! The menu doesn’t provide much of a description for each wine, but the staff are very knowledgable and happy to help!
Salt
225 Ossington Ave | Website
Looking for a wine bar with a selection that expands beyond France and Italy? Salt’s menu features bottles from Spain and Portugal that are sure to please any wine connoisseur. With dim lighting and plenty of rustic wood, this cozy wine bar is the perfect place for a romantic date or an intimate gathering with a small group of friends.
Honourable mention goes out to Cibo Wine Bar. Although we’d have to classify them as a restaurant, not a wine bar, they do have a great selection of wine to pair with their authentic Italian cuisine. The burrata is a Fox Marin Favourite, and it’s flown in from Italy every week!
