37 Best Wine Bars in San Diego

“It’s too bad that a patron enjoying the excellent cuisine is “rushed” to finish the dining experience. They obviously want as many table “turnovers” as possible. It ruins the relaxing enjoyment a patron expects with fine dining. Such a shame…“

“We’re frequent patrons of Postino Wine Cafe on South Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Love the ambiance, food, wine & service. Last night we experienced them at their finest! Ray & Mark went above and beyond in making our daughter-in-laws 50th birthday celebration special. The 50th balloons, cake accessories, & gift card were unexpected & appreciated. This is a place to go for a special celebration! Chef Joseph prepared a variety of delicious boards & more. They truly give top notch attention to detail & service. Highly recommend!“

“We’re frequent patrons of Postino Wine Cafe on South Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Love the ambiance, food, wine & service. Last night we experienced them at their finest! Ray & Mark went above and beyond in making our daughter-in-laws 50th birthday celebration special. The 50th balloons, cake accessories, & gift card were unexpected & appreciated. This is a place to go for a special celebration! Chef Joseph prepared a variety of delicious boards & more. They truly give top notch attention to detail & service. Highly recommend!“

“Friendly quant restaurant a real deal neighborhood restaurant, chef comes out and talks to you real casual neighborhood vibes good food good wine what more can you want, there may be a wait for a table because it’s a pleasure to eat there :)“

“If you are looking for a true Italian experience in San Diego, look no further than Vinarius! We worked with Giuseppe (owner) to host our wedding celebration here back in March, 2023. From the beginning, he was amazing to work with. Incredibly positive and accommodating from the start, we couldn’t have asked for more. The wedding ceremony was planned to be outside and of course, it rained that day. Guiseppe and his staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, allowed us to have the small ceremony inside the restaurant on short notice and made an incredible meal to follow. Our guests were blown away and we couldn’t have been happier. We recommend Vinarius to everyone we know and that is thanks to Giuseppe and his awesome staff. Grazie mille!“

“I am delighted with my experience at this Italian restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was transported to Italy with a warm ambiance and friendly staff. The food was extraordinary; each dish burst with authentic flavors that joyfully made my taste buds sing. The attention to detail in every plate was evident, showcasing the chef's expertise and dedication to traditional Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, sauces were rich and flavorful, and the ingredients were fresh and high-quality. Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and made the entire dining experience even more delightful. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego. In my opinion, this establishment undoubtedly deserves the title of the best Italian restaurant in town.“

“My wife and I went to this cozy place for dinner based on a recommendation. GOOD CALL! Our server was pleasant and checked in on us to make sure we were happy. The food was delivered fast and hot. We shared the 16 oz. T-bone steak. It came out pre cut, ready to share. We also ordered a wonderfully great big salad and a wonderful empanada with beef. The empanada was pleasantly spicy, but not overly. The steak came with lovely potatoes. We also ordered a side of broccolini. I’m not a big veg guy, but I have to say the broccolini was delicious. All said the meal wasn’t the cheapest, but was worth every bite.“

“Such a great inviting atmosphere to taste some amazing wines! Each month there are new and different wines to taste. The wine tenders are very personable, friendly, and knowledgeable about each wine! They add to making this a fun and enjoyable wine tasting experience! Don’t forget to pair your wine tasting with some tasty appetizers! The music and big screen videos will take you away to that enjoyable place. Wines poured from the barrel! Bring your growler home today, then bring it back for a refill at your next visit! Become a Wine Club member to take advantage of some sweet discounts. Love their “zero waste lifestyle” concept!!!!“

“Love love love this place! The decor is super cute, the drinks are affordable and incredibly tasty, plus the staff is super friendly. I like the variety too, from mimosas, to coconut pineapple sparkling wine, to Prosecco like, to super dry. Something for everyone. I'll definitely be back here!“

“We absolutely loved our dinner at Monzu in the Gaslamp! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff struck the perfect balance of being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We started with the tartare di tonno, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful—an excellent beginning to the meal. The housemade focaccia deserves a special mention: airy, perfectly seasoned, and quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. For the main course, I enjoyed the bucatini all’amatriciana. The pasta was clearly house-made, cooked to perfection, and the sauce had that authentic depth of flavor that only true Southern Italian cooking delivers. We finished with an affogato, which was the ideal ending—simple, rich, and satisfying. Monzu offers authentic Southern Italian fare with genuine hospitality, and everything we tried reflected both freshness and craftsmanship. I would 100% return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego.“

“what a wonderful experience. they are so well cared for. beautiful cats that are so friendly and need so much love very clean and the cats have so much to climb on, play with, see and sleep. the hosts were amazing and even let me stay a bit longer. I had the best time. I'm coming bk!!!!!!“

“cordialità,buon cibo e ambiente raffinato“

“2nd visit and again food and service were great. only complaint was they cleared my dessert when I wasn't finished without asking. took that as hint to leave.“

“Excellent food and the service was splendid.“

“Great food. Fantastic spot inside UTC“

“Long Play HiFi is pure magic. You wait outside until the owner welcomes you in, kind of like a secret show for caffeine heads. Instant VIP energy. Inside it’s warm light, vinyl spinning something you’ve never Shazam’d, and the air smells like perfectly roasted beans.Tokyo ice that hits like a chilled daydream. Heads-up: if you’re in a hurry, skip it. This spot is for people who want to post up, talk, and let the records run.“

“Place is fire. So many beers to choose from you don't even know where to start. I'd say ask the bartenders to pick your drinks for you. It's funner that way.“

“Can't say enough positive things about Clos! I've been coming to Clos for years--not only do they have an excellent, global selection of wines, but the owners and employees are all fantastic, friendly people that help anchor a sense of community in University Heights. Every wine on offer has been tasted by the team, so they'll be able to give you specific tasting notes and match you with a bottle to your liking. They also offer charcuterie boards, tinned fish, and other snacks, and even opened a basement annex where they sell local artist's crafts along with other quality goods. Would highly recommend their wine club membership, as well--excellent selections every month! Please check them out if you've never been!“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“This charming part of town is the prime hang out spot for a unique selection of wines, amazing food, great music, and lively conversation with a diverse local community. During my visit here, I spoke with people from Macedonia, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Ireland, and San Diego locals all within one delightful evening - it's like getting to travel vicariously through exchanging fascinating stories within a homey safe space! The different personalities you can meet amongst this destination for tourists and neighbors alike with good energy keeps the environment exciting, e.g. - I even met an international harpist who offered to help improve the technique on my lyre (mini harp) which has been collecting dust, but now I am inspired to bring it with me at the next meetup with her!
I would highly recommend a visit any time of the year, as the indoor space stays warm and the outdoor space has several heat sources including gas lit table-center fires. There are also plenty of comfy pillows, throws, and other cozy decor to keep you warm when the beautiful California sun sets. I found my favorite new Rose of all time (Colibri), sourced nearby from Monterrey, Mexico only a couple hours drive! It is so fresh, light, and made in small batches. 10/10 would go again for everything listed above and to support the fantastic business owners and talented chefs who have a strong love and passion for their craft! Check out the fun events they do daily to support other small businesses and the spread of cultural experiences (picture attached of this month's musings.) Or wander around their shop to see other ways to get involved and immersed in the best of what the San Diego scene has to offer. :)“

“Wonderful place to get great information“

“Best wine dinners in town. Food and wine pairings are amazing.“

“I went as a solo traveler and sat at the bar. The staff was so sweet and friendly. They cleared extra space for me so I could order food (it is a pretty small bar area and I get the feeling food is not often served there) the house wine and eggplant parm were so good and again the staff were so mind and warm. Will definitely go again ❤️“

“Super recomendable, la comida deliciosa y muy buen servicio 👌“

“What an amazingly beautiful experience! We had Edgar as our waiter and he was attentive and accommodating. Made great suggestions and even brought out a birthday celebration for all of us to share for my sisters birthday! Between the wedding about to start in the courtyard and the ocean breeze it was very memorable!“

“I've been going for about a year now. I have a yoga membership and then join the restaurant probably about once a month or so. I love the yoga classes, there is a great variety with knowledgeable instructors. The food is amazing as well along with it being locally owned. Overall a fantastic addition to Clairemont, highly recommend!“

“Splendid and oh so cozy dining room…where you are surrounded by rows and rows of outstanding bottles of wine…the food is absolutely delicious…the baked Brie was amazing…short rib sliders fantastic…goats milk cheesecake yum!! Enjoy!!“

“They have a white sangria that the wife just LOVES. Have to stop in every once in a while and grab a glass“

“A must try the fig Flatbread. So good!!!“

“I loved the Alice in wonderland theme“

“We stopped here just by chance and what a lovely experience we had. The place has a cozy indoor seating area and a delightful patio. Both areas have a nice atmosphere but different. The patio is more casual and relax. They have heaters and blankets for chilly nights and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The musicians we had were very good: a couple of acoustic guitar players with chill selection of songs. We only had a couple of wine glasses and olives. The wine selection is pretty good, not too big but good variety and quality. Service was nice too, two young ladies very attentive but not intrusive.
A nice detail was the ladies bathroom. It’s so cute, with decoration of flowers and butterflies. A nice touch and I had to take a picture :)“

“Wonderful atmosphere, great service!“

“So cozy. Bar staff is so helpful.“

“LOVE the energy and the beautiful colorful spirits who brought this collective together! Some of the most considerate and dynamic artists I know! Everything revolves around culture, growth, unity, and progress. All of the artists they've brought through their doors, where musicians, artisans, and/ or painters have been amazing.“

“The bartender at the time (sommelier and cicerone), whose name I unfortunately did not catch, was amazing! Put together a perfect wine flight based on my preferences and a flight of beer for my partner. Great conversation, super welcoming and affordable. Must do in old town if you like to try a variety of beverages.“

“Wowww its a very large open restaurant and it feels great to hang out in 😎❤️ because the rest of liberty market is busy or closer together , in the restaurant they have beer on one side and bbq pork or pizza on the other side 😂❤️😎 they have a large selection of beer on tap or in cans , so have fun exploring new kinds of beer 😎“

“Great Wine Shop with a ton of wines that you don't find in most liquor stores or grocery stores. You can even pay a reasonable corkage fee and enjoying the wine in side or on their patio. One thing that bugs me though, when purchasing a wine the tip screen prompt defaults to 28%. I'm sorry but that's just a shady and amateursh practice.“