.png)
Fine dining goes hand in hand with different varieties of wine with high quality. This is why many fine dining restaurants have long wine lists filled with unique wines. If you own such an establishment, you know how important having a well-stocked beverage inventory is for the customer satisfaction and success of your business.
Places that offer casual dining should strive for a top wine list nevertheless. It’s crucial to work on your beverage program and not only your food menu if you want people to return. We strongly believe in the power of well-curated beverage menus and high-quality drinks, and that’s why we frequently cover this topic.
Talking about a restaurant wine list and actually building a successful one are two different things. We believe that getting inspiration and good examples can help tremendously on the journey to stock your wine storage with great bottles that would also make the best wine pairings with the cruise you serve.
Did we catch your attention? If we did, let’s look at these top 10 New York establishments and the amazing restaurant wine list each of them has!
Top 10 New York Restaurant Wine Lists
New York City is renowned for its culinary diversity and exceptional dining experiences. Many restaurants in The Big Apple feature impressive wine lists. A great restaurant wine list, like each one we will mention, can serve as a great inspiration to other business owners in the city or other parts of the world. If you are curious to learn which restaurants’ wine selections we chose for our top 10, just keep reading!
Key Takeaway: New York City has plenty of amazing restaurants, but not all of them stand out from the competition because of their wine list. However, those who are different than the rest and offer great selections of quality wine have many return customers and provide a one-of-a-kind experience for guests. It’s inspiring to see what the restaurant wine list of each place has!
1. Eleven Madison Park
This restaurant is renowned for its fine dining and elegant ambiance. The cuisine served at this place is contemporary American. Eleven Madison Park boasts a wine list that features an extensive selection of both Old and New World wines. They are all curated to complement their tasting menu.
2. Le Bernardin
A restaurant that is for all French seafood cuisine lovers. This is a place that has not one or two, but three Michelin Stars! The restaurant wine list at Le Bernardin focuses on French wines, particularly Bordeaux and Burgundy. These wines are a perfect match with all of their exquisite seafood dishes.
3. Gramercy Tavern
Gramercy Tavern is a restaurant serving American cuisine that is known for its warm hospitality and seasonal menu. The restaurant’s wine list includes a diverse selection of American wines along with carefully chosen international options.
4. Daniel
Everyone looking for a great restaurant with French cuisine will enjoy dining at Daniel. Chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship restaurant features an extensive wine list, too. The restaurant wine list puts a heavy emphasis on French wines, especially ones from Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhône Valley.
5. Per Se
Another restaurant with contemporary American and French cuisine in New York City is Per Se. The location is in the Time Warner Center. This restaurant offers a wine list that is as sophisticated as the dishes. They focus on premium selections from around the world.
6. Jean-Georges
A restaurant with French cuisine with Asian influences you can find in New York is Jean-Georges. It’s a place with a great restaurant wine list and two Michelin Stars. Their wine options are a balanced mix of classic and contemporary wines from prestigious regions worldwide.
7. Marea
An amazing place to enjoy Italian seafood is Marea. This restaurant is known for its crudo and pasta and offers a wine list rich in Italian wines. There is a strong representation of Tuscany, Piedmont, and Southern Italy.
8. Del Posto
Another restaurant focusing on Italian cuisine but located in New York City is Del Posto. This upscale Italian restaurant, co-founded by Mario Batali, offers an extensive wine list with an impressive range of Italian wines. The wines people can enjoy there are mostly from the key regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto.
9. The Modern
This is a restaurant that serves delicious contemporary American cuisine. It’s located at the Museum of Modern Art. The restaurant features a diverse wine list that spans across various regions and wine styles. They have a strong selection of both European and American wines.
10. Aldea
Great Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine can be enjoyed at Aldea in New York. This restaurant combines some modern culinary techniques with traditional Portuguese flavors. Their restaurant wine list is thoughtfully curated to focus on Portuguese wines. The selection is unique and rich.
Dining at these restaurants not only provides an exceptional culinary experience but also allows enjoying some of the best wine lists New York City has to offer. Whether you prefer Old World classics or New World innovations, these establishments offer something for every wine enthusiast.
The high-class service and the delicious, unique meals, combined with the perfect wines is going to be an unforgettable experience. The sommeliers or wine directors at these restaurants carefully select each bottle and make sure their inventory is always well-stocked.
These professionals have lots of experience in the field and always know what wine will go best with a particular dish. This always elevates the experience of customers and restaurants everywhere striving to stand out should get inspired by this.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Restaurant Wine List
Do you want to learn more about restaurant wine lists in general? If you don’t want to be focused only on New York City’s best wine lists, we have more helpful information for you. Below, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in!
How Does a Wine List Change with the Seasons?
Many restaurants update their wine lists seasonally to complement their seasonal food menus. For example, lighter, crisp wines might be featured in the summer, while richer, fuller-bodied wines might be more prevalent in the winter. A bigger range of wines would be suitable for the spring and fall seasons.
What Should I Know About Wine Pricing in Restaurants?
Wine prices in restaurants are typically higher than retail prices due to markup, which covers storage, service, and other costs associated with offering the wine. Markups can vary but are generally 2-3 times the retail price. Some restaurants with exquisite cuisine that keep a smaller but unique wine collection could have a higher markup for their wines.
Which Restaurant Has the Biggest Wine List in America?
Bern's Steak House in Tampa, Florida, boasts one of the largest wine lists in America. It features over 6,800 different selections and a wine cellar with over half a million bottles, offering an extensive range of vintages and regions. Visiting this restaurant is a truly incredible experience for all wine lovers.
What Makes a Wine List Long?
A wine list is considered long when it includes a vast selection of wines, often spanning multiple regions, varieties, and vintages. Factors such as the number of unique labels, the diversity of wine-producing countries represented, and the inclusion of rare or high-end bottles contribute to the length of a wine list.