The Best Wine Bars in Sydney for a Delicious Drop

There's something so romantic about a nice wine bar. The gleaming glassware, the rows of wine stacked up the walls, the chalkboard menus and low leather booths... So, if you're in the mood for some pinot and people-watching, or some grenache and gastronomic goodies, grab the gang and head to your nearest wine bar. 

The good news is, our harbour city is jam-packed with amazing options, so keep reading as we plunge into the very best wine bars in Sydney. 

Dear Sainte Eloise

As George Orwell said in 1933, ‘Dear Sainte Eloise, if you exist, please send me some money. I don’t ask for much – just enough to buy some bread and a bottle of wine.’ Answering old George’s prayers, Potts Point’s Dear Sainte Eloise is the perfect spot for some bread and a bottle (or two!). On the booze front, you can expect everything from delicate balances to mystery wines (guess the grape and country of origin and the glass is free!). On the food front, you can expect everything from oysters to goats curd, pasta and pannacotta. They also have two set menus available so you can treat yourself!

Shop 5, 29 Orwell Street, Potts Point

Bar Copains

With Copains meaning friends in French, it's the perfect place to catch up with your besties over a glass of vino. The wine list is a mix of natural and traditional drops with a few off-beat options thrown into the mix. And with chefs Nathan Sasi (ex-NOMAD, Mercado) and Morgan McGlone (Belles Hot Chicken) at the helm, the menu is small but mighty. 

67 Albion Street, Surry Hills

Lokal

This cosy and intimate bar offers up an impressive selection of wines from all over the world, with a particular focus on small-batch and natural wines. In addition to the excellent wine selection, Lokal's menu features a range of share plates and charcuterie boards, making it the perfect spot for a casual night out with friends or a romantic date. 

104 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills

Gildas

Gildas pays tribute to the original pintxo, created in San Sebastian with just three simple ingredients - a guindilla pepper, an olive, and an anchovy. This classic Basque snack, which was founded by the owner and chef, Lennox Hastie, after his time spent in the foothills of the Basque country, was the inspiration behind Gildas. Here, you'll be able to sip on rosés from the Barossa Valley and red from Ribera del Duero but it's their collection of Sherry that's well worth a dance on your tastebuds.

As the Gildas' team explains, "Sherry is an incredibly versatile wine with food, and should be enjoyed in the true Iberian spirit - seated at the bar, surrounded by people, with shared, simple, delicious food." Take your time exploring the menu and savouring the different expressions of the Sherry spectrum, from a delicate fino to the richer varieties. 

46-48 Albion Street, Surry Hills 

Love, Tilly Devine

With a hint of Melbournian magic, this lovely little wine bar is tucked down a Surry Hills laneway. Arrive early and secure a spot in the window, order a pét nat, pinot or a natural wine from some of the best up-and-coming local winemakers and enjoy a side of people-watching.

On the food front, Love, Tilly Devine is currently offering a $60 and $80 set menu. 

91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst

Coogee Wine Room

Wine by the beach. How good is that? Coogee Wine Room is an intimate spot that marries the charm of intimate European wine bars with coastal chill. Their repertoire of 400 wines from around the world is married with a seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired menu from Head Chef Sandro Di Marino. 

222 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee

Sella Vinoteca

In Randwick’s bustling Newmarket Dining Precinct, you’ll find Sella Vinoteca, a wine shop and Italian restaurant. With chic interiors, a terrazzo floor, and accents of blue and light-filled spaces, Sella Vinoteca is a love letter from restauranteur Fabio Dore to his childhood and the time he spent in Sardinia. While you’re welcome to just drop in for a glass of vino, in our opinion, the food is too good to miss out on. Chef Marco Masotti, formerly of A Tavola, flexes his creativity by creating menus inspired by the wine. From small tapas plates to hearty main meals, you can easily spend a whole evening here.

Shop 6, 162-164 Barker Street, Randwick

The Wine Library

Drinks and charcuterie make every visit to the Wine Library an indulgence of the best kind. With over 500 wines to choose from, you’ll be popping bottles from an array of international vineyards and also a hand-picked selection of organic wines from small vineyards. The latter are much less likely to leave you with a pounding headache come morning.

18 Oxford Street, Woollahra

De Vine Food & Wine

De Vine Food & Wine, as well as offering a unique pun, is an absolute wonderland for wine lovers. Established in 2003, the wine bar on the corner of Market and Clarence Street offers carefully considered food, Euro-centric wines and the biggest collection of Amaro in the Southern Hemisphere.

32 Market Street, Sydney CBD

Lil Sis

Looking for a late-night wine bar that exudes Parisian charm and good vibes? Look no further than Lil Sis! Enter through the wine shop downstairs and browse the curated selection of organic and sustainable wines from around the world. If you're not sure what to choose, pull up a chair at the communal tasting table and sample a few by the glass. For those looking to settle in for the night, head upstairs to the moodily lit wine bar and get comfortable in a booth or at the bar. There is a fabulous selection of wines available by the glass, carafe and bottle. 

But Lil Sis is not just about the wine - the grazing-focused bar menu is a delight in itself. From local cheeses and cured meats to Gildas and Ortiz anchovies, there's something to suit every palate. And for a nostalgic kick, don't miss the jaffles - the triple cheese and Heinz spaghetti with cheddar is sure to hit the spot.

Sitchu Tip: Drop by on a Sunday and you can grab a bottle from the shop downstairs with free corkage. 

Ground Floor of Abercrombie Terraces, 100 Broadway, Chippendale

Famelia 

This female-run wine shop and bar specialises in women winemakers, women-led wineries and wife and husband teams. Ahem. Could a wine shop get any more perfect? Each month Famelia feature 12 wines with a story and offer them up for tastings. Swing by for a wine flight and pair it with a rotating selection of grazing dishes. 

55 Enmore Road, Newtown 

Where’s Nick

A great spot to start your wine education, Where’s Nick is owned by brothers, Julian and Dominic Abouzeid. Named after their third brother, Nick, as a fun way of reminding him that he’s conspicuously missing from the family venture. Choosing their drops for drinkability above all else the 150 bottles of wine are chosen by Julian while Dominic mans the kitchen. Decoration includes a mural by the eponymous Nick and a piece by sculpture and multi-medium artist Ian Swift. 

236 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Did you love this edit of the best wine bars in Sydney? If you're the sort of person who likes to know about the best-kept secrets in town, check out our round-up of Sydney's best hidden bars. Then, why not take a look at our guide to Sydney's newest bars?