When you think of Austin, chances are you can’t help but think of its incredible music scene, finger-lickin’ BBQ, and addictively good Tex-Mex. And let’s not forget the city’s plethora of cold brews — of both the caffeinated and hoppy variety.
But sometimes you just want a glass of vino. Maybe you’ve had a long day and just need to wine down. (Yes, we said wine down.) Or maybe you’re an oenophile on a quest to savor some of the finest vintages in town.
Whatever you fancy, the capital city of Texas has no shortage of spots to swirl, sip, and repeat. Read on for the best wine bars Austin has to offer.
10 Can’t-Miss Austin Wine Spots
Whether you want to share a bottle of wine and cheese plates with friends or you just need a spot to enjoy a glass of wine after work, these Austin wine bars will do the trick. (FYI, if you’re wondering why beloved spot Vino Vino isn’t listed, it’s because this Hyde Park favorite has been temporarily closed since July 2019. Only time will tell when — and if — it reopens.)
Apt 115
2025 E. 7th St., Apt. 115, Austin, TX 78702
Want to feel like you’re heading to a friend’s place for a drink? Head to the aptly named Apt 115, a relaxed and intimate wine bar housed in a former apartment. Open nightly from 5 pm to midnight, this cozy spot is where you can sidle up for a little wine and daily changing menu of cheeses, cured meats, and light bites.
The wine and beer list aren’t as extensive as others in this guide, but it’s well-edited and includes reds, whites, and oranges, a variety of sparkling options, plus a selection of brews on tap and hard cider.
Wine Belly Tapas & Vino
519 W. Oltorf St., Austin, TX 78704
Wine lovers, rejoice. Winebelly Tapas & Vino in South Austin is one of the most popular and acclaimed neighborhood spots for good reason. (It’s been named among the “Top Wine Bars in the US” by Food & Wine magazine and “Top 20 Wine Bars in America” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.)
Not only will you find one of the best international wine lists in the city (and the country), but you can enjoy your vino served alongside delicious Spanish-Mediterranean small plates with a cool, laidback vibe. You’ll also have your choice of wine-based cocktails and beer.
The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen
Multiple locations
With a welcoming outdoor patio and a mission to “help you eat and drink exceptionally well — anytime, every day,” The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen is an Austin favorite for drinkers and eaters of all persuasions.
Whether you stop at the Domain, Lakeway, Westlake, Downtown, or Cedar Park location, you’ll find locally sourced New American fare with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Plus, along with an impressive wine selection, each restaurant has an adjoining Lola Savannah Coffee Lounge so you can grab your morning latte on the go.
Aviary Lounge
2110 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. C, Austin, TX 78704
Your taste buds will be flying high at the Aviary Lounge where the wine flows and dinner is served nightly. This fun South Lamar spot offers a daily happy hour from 4-6 pm with $5 bar bites, $10 off select bottles, and $2 off all glasses of wine and beer. You can also get half-price bottles of wine from 4-6 pm on Saturdays.
Of course, you can soak up all that vino with everything from oysters, shrimp tostadas, and ceviche to charcuterie and cheese boards, and entrees that include New York strip, carrots al pastor, and Italian favorites like chicken Milanesa and lasagna.
Cru Food & Wine Bar
Multiple locations
Created as a place to enjoy and explore the enticing world of wine, Cru Food & Wine Bar offers a great wine list with over 300 wine selections from around the world. Touted as the first wine bars in Texas to offer 30 wines by the glass, each location offers a casual, approachable vibe and Napa-style bites to pair with your vino. Happy hour specials, wine flights, brunch, lunch, and dinner options by location, so be sure to check online for details.
Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar
1014 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78703
A longtime Austin favorite, Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar doubles your pleasure with a full-service dining room and a more casual wine bar. While rezzies are recommended for the restaurant, you can always grab a seat at the cozy first-come, first-served wine bar where you have the option to order from the extensive wine list and full restaurant menu. Expect locally driven cuisine, several chef’s tasting menus (including vegetarian), wine tastings, and special events.
House Wine
408 Josephine St., Austin, TX 78704
Wine and cheese. It’s a match made in gastronomic heaven and House Wine is where you can enjoy this perfect pair. A charming Zilker Park gem, House Wine is where you’ll find 100 wines by the glass along with countless cheese options and plenty of other tasty bites.
Explore weekly wine tastings (which come with a cheese board) as well as a happy hour every hour, daily specials, free Wi-Fi, and live music every night. Oh, and don’t forget the dog-friendly outdoor patio seating.
Lenoir Restaurant
1807 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704
With its romantic, boho-chic atmosphere and creative Mediterranean-meets-locally sourced Texas cuisine, Lenoir Restaurant features a great wine selection to complement their seasonal fare. Perfect for date night or a meal out with friends, don’t miss the “outdoor happy hour” in the lovely backyard wine garden (replete with oak trees and twinkling lights) and half-price bottles of wine for bottles that are priced $80 or less.
Max’s Wine Dive
207 San Jacinto Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin, TX 78701
Far from a dive bar (or wine dive, as it were) and more like a bistro, Max’s Wine Dive is a fun and fuss-free joint where you can indulge in wines from all around the world with “gourmet comfort food” that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The menu includes everything from crispy deviled eggs and beer cheese fondue with pretzel bread to wings and waffles, an assortment of tasty sandwiches, a Kobe beef “haute dog” and their signature Southern fried chicken. This is the only Austin outpost of Max’s (for now), but you can find locations in San Antonio, Houston, and Denver, Colorado.
Paris in a Bite
3801 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. D-180, Austin, TX 78746
Macarons, caviar, champagne, and fine chocolate? Oui, oui! For a little taste of France in the heart of Texas, Westlake’s Paris in a Bite is a cute and bustling French cafe offering homemade desserts and a full menu of French favorites. Think cheese and charcuterie selections, baguette sandwiches, and plenty of French wines and bubbles. There are also private and public tasting nights, so be sure to check their website for details.
Cheers to the Best Wine Bars, Austin!
You don’t need to be a master sommelier to appreciate a wine bar and have a good time. From date night with a special someone to brunch with friends or a solo sip after a hard day’s work, the best wine bars in Austin are sure to show you a good time. So grab a glass, raise a toast, and get ready for fun.
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