The Best Wine Bars in Toronto (2026)

No.1

Archive Wine Bar interior photography from archive909.com

Bar• Little Portugal / Dundas West

Grape Witches Dundas

“Natural-wine clubhouse on Dundas — drink the shelves, Sunday corkage-free, patio when warm.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Grape Witches Dundas?** Founded by sommeliers Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben, Grape Witches is an education-forward natural wine boutique and clubhouse at 1247 Dundas Street West. The cheerful interior features pastel accents, warm lighting, and floor-to-ceiling bottle racks, leading out to a secret, weather-covered back garden patio anchored by an ornamental fountain. Seating ranges from front tasting bar counters to communal garden tables built for breezy daytime sipping and evening hangouts. **Grape Witches Dundas Menu & What to Order** Beyond a rotating list of pét-nats, skin-contact orange wines, and small-producer Ontario pours, guests can crack any of the 350-plus retail bottles on site for a flat $20 corkage fee (waived every Sunday). The snack menu features bright, wine-friendly grazing plates like seasoned marinated butter beans, fresh market crudité with savoury dip, and grilled shrimp skewers. Premium tinned seafood—such as José Gourmet sardines in butter—rounds out the spread alongside ample plant-based and vegan pantry bites. **Know Before You Go** Seating is almost exclusively walk-in friendly, with patio table reservations reserved only for larger parties of 8 to 12. The 505 Dundas streetcar stops right outside, while street parking can be found along Dundas West and neighboring side streets. Doors open daily at noon, so stop in early for a quiet afternoon pour or swing by after dark when the room hits peak energy.

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No.3

Bar• Bloorcourt Village

Paradise Grapevine

“Bloorcourt patio until 2 a.m. — walk-ins, PGV happy hour, browse the bottle shop on the way out.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Paradise Grapevine?** Set along Bloor Street West just west of Shaw, Paradise Grapevine is the relaxed Bloorcourt wine bar and bottle shop that established a new standard for casual, low-intervention drinking in Toronto. Founded by Bar Volo veterans Christian Davis and Dave Everitt, the space unfolds from a bottle shop up front past a low-lit bar into a lush backyard patio shaded by decades-old grapevines. It moves effortlessly from a relaxed afternoon retail shop into an atmospheric late-night hangout. **Paradise Grapevine Menu & What to Order** The beverage program highlights low-intervention, natural, and biodynamic producers alongside house-fermented cuvées made at their Geary Avenue sister winery. Sip refreshing pet-nats, textured skin-contact orange wines, or house pours like the Nightcall Zweigelt alongside local ciders and rotating craft draft beers. The kitchen focuses on refined, zero-fuss snacks: assemble a spread of artisan cheese and charcuterie, Iberico conservas (tinned fish) served with crusty sourdough, and bags of imported jamón or truffle chips. **Know Before You Go** Paradise Grapevine operates on a strict walk-in policy where you seat yourself and order at the bar, meaning prime patio spots fill rapidly on sunny afternoons and post-dinner peak hours. Daily happy hour runs from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with $10 house wine and $7 draft pours, and the back patio stays heated and tented during winter months. Located between Ossington and Christie subway stations, transit is the most convenient route.

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No.4

Restaurant• Kensington Market

Grey Gardens

“Kensington oysters-and-wine date — OpenTable Mon–Sat, ask for the oddball bottle.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Grey Gardens?** Anchored at 199 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market, Grey Gardens is acclaimed restaurateur Jen Agg’s polished seafood room and wine bar. The breezy, light-filled space blends pastel plaster walls, soft lighting, and delicate botanical murals with marble chef's counter seating, cozy dining banquettes, and a hidden seasonal patio. It effortlessly bridges the gap between an unpretentious neighborhood hangout and a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized culinary destination. **Grey Gardens Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out an evolving, produce- and seafood-centric menu that elevates simple ingredients with sharp culinary technique. Kick off the meal with freshly shucked oysters or the velvety smoked fish dip before moving into standout house-made pastas like the savory mackerel XO spaghetti and pillowy gnocchi sardi. Pair your plates with selections from their stellar, low-intervention and Old World-heavy bottle list, curated by sommeliers who are always ready to guide you to unusual and exciting pours. **Know Before You Go** Dining room tables fill up fast, making advance reservations on OpenTable essential for prime dinner hours, though early walk-ins can often snag bar stools up front. Kensington Market's narrow streets offer limited street parking, so arriving via the 510 Spadina or 506 Carlton streetcars is the easiest transit route. Grey Gardens operates for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and remains closed on Sundays.

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No.5

Bar• Davisville Village

The Daughter

“Davisville natural-wine chat bar — tell them the vibe, steal the patio first-come.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Daughter?** Positioned on the corner of Bayview Avenue and Belsize Drive in Davisville Village, The Daughter is a boutique natural wine bar and retail bottle shop founded by chef Marissa Goldstein, an alum of New York's Blue Hill Stone Barns. Designed with a calming blend of Nordic and Japanese minimalism, the space features a striking polished limestone bar, pale oak cubbies lined with low-intervention bottles, and a breezy sidewalk patio. By day, sunlight floods the airy retail shop; come evening, dim lighting transforms the room into a warm, intimate midtown refuge. **The Daughter Menu & What to Order** Rather than navigating an encyclopedia wine list, beverage director Lauren Wilkins and the staff curate by conversation—tell them your palate preference, desired funk level, or budget, and they will pour the exact right glass. The food menu focuses on Ontario farm-to-table ingredients with an emphasis on Jewish comfort staples and shareable snacks: the warm challah drizzled with hot honey over whipped ricotta is essential, followed by towering mortadella sandwiches, lonza charcuterie, and seasonal Ontario vegetable plates. Pair your bites with rare orange varietals, biodynamic pet-nats, or one of the bar's ice-cold classic martinis. **Know Before You Go** Table reservations carry a two-hour limit and are strongly recommended for evening service, though walk-ins can usually grab a seat along the limestone bar counter. The outdoor sidewalk patio operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis in warmer months, and the retail bottle shop allows takeaway purchases until 11:00 p.m. Street parking lines Bayview Avenue, while the 11 Bayview bus from Davisville subway station drops you right at the front door.

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No.6

Restaurant• Yorkville

Bar Reyna

“Yorkville patio wine date — Golden Hour 4–6, halloumi and a crisp white out back.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Reyna?** Set inside a two-storey Victorian townhouse at 158 Cumberland Street, Bar Reyna is restaurateur Nicki Laborie's stylish Mediterranean cocktail and wine-forward snack bar in Yorkville. The space marries jewel tones and intricate Moroccan lanterns upstairs with an intimate front dining room and a lush, heated year-round back patio. It functions as a relaxed, lively neighbourhood hub that eschews Yorkville stiffness in favour of upbeat hospitality and shareable plates. **Bar Reyna Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out pan-Mediterranean small plates and skewers that easily transition from afternoon snacking to a full evening spread. Start with the signature lamb shank baklava drizzled with burnt honey aioli, crisp Manchego croquettes, and a bowl of seasoned Reyna frites. Charred octopus and Lebanese tacos round out the savoury side, while plant-forward diners will appreciate the tahini-dressed Reyna salad and crispy falafel. Drinkers can pair plates with a glass from the curated Mediterranean wine list or order house cocktails like the Mezcal Smokeshow. **Know Before You Go** Patio seating is in high demand year-round; book well in advance via OpenTable, especially for weekend dinner and Sunday brunch. Walk-ins have the best luck scoring bar counter seating or front tables on Tuesday through Thursday afternoons during the 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Golden Hour. Bay subway station is a two-minute walk away, and underground parking garages line Cumberland Street.

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No.7

Restaurant• Queen West

Henry's Restaurant and Wine Bar

“Queen West dinner-and-shop — reserve the room, buy the bottle next door after.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Henry's Restaurant and Wine Bar?** Stationed just west of Trinity Bellwoods at 920-922 Queen Street West, Henry's is a Michelin-recommended restaurant, sleek wine bar, and retail bottle shop founded by hospitality veterans Ben and Roxanne Hodson. The room blends soft lime-washed walls, globe lighting, and plush forest-green banquettes arranged around a curved front bar and an open kitchen, extending out back to an herb-lined garden patio. **Henry's Restaurant and Wine Bar Menu & What to Order** The kitchen turns out an inventive, globally inflected bistro menu tailored to an expertly curated wine program. Start with the warm milk buns served with fermented honey butter alongside the crisp sesame shrimp toast with lemongrass aioli. For mains, the skate wing swimming in a vibrant green coconut curry with chili oil is a perennial standout, while plant-forward diners can look to bright plates like the refreshing lychee ceviche. Wrap up with the ancho-chili chocolate mousse, and let the sommeliers guide you through rare European labels and low-intervention pours. **Know Before You Go** Reservations are strongly recommended for prime evening services and the popular Tuesday family-style prix-fixe dinners, though early walk-ins can often find a stool at the front bar. The 501 Queen streetcar stops steps from the front door, while street parking along Queen West fills quickly on weekends. The dining room operates Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, while the adjacent retail wine shop is open Wednesday through Sunday for takeout bottles.

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No.8

Bar• Little Italy

Martine's Wine Bar

“Little Italy dinner wine bar — Resy the mezzanine, or steal a walk-in bar seat.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Martine's Wine Bar?** Situated just off College at 293 Palmerston Avenue, Martine's Wine Bar is an intimate, wood-clad haunt in Little Italy from hospitality veterans Grant van Gameren and Hailey Burke. Set inside the former Woodlot brick-and-timber space, the interior pairs a glowing wood-fired hearth and lively bar counters on the ground floor with a cozy mezzanine dining room upstairs. Seating spans bar stools, a chef's counter overlooking the open kitchen, and a compact front patio for warmer evenings. **Martine's Wine Bar Menu & What to Order** Head chef Luke Haines translates seasonal harvests from van Gameren's Prince Edward County farm into a vegetable-forward, European bistro-style menu. Standout starters include the spicy beef tartare served over grilled sourdough and the plump mussels in a fragrant green sambal broth. From the wood oven and pasta station, order the house-made chitarra pasta and the roasted chicken, accompanied by an extensive natural and classic wine list curated by sommelier Hannah Holmes. **Know Before You Go** Tables in the mezzanine dining room should be booked ahead on Resy, though bar stools and counter seats on the main floor are saved nightly for walk-in guests. The front patio is uncovered and weather-dependent, and the second-floor dining area requires stairs and is not wheelchair-accessible. Service runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m., with transit access right off the 506 Carlton streetcar line.

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No.9

Bar• Bloorcourt Village

The Wine Thief

“Bloorcourt garage-door wine bar — walk-in patio, European growers, take the bottle home.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Wine Thief?** Occupying the former Fall Bright Tavern space at 840 Bloor Street West in Bloorcourt, The Wine Thief is a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop founded by industry veterans Peter Wearing and Emily Craig. A roll-up garage door opens the dining room directly onto the street, anchored by a Turkish black marble bar counter and French glassware. Out back, a sheltered, leafy patio offers a tranquil retreat for lingering over regional European pours. **The Wine Thief Menu & What to Order** The bottle selection leans into place-driven, classically styled European wines from family growers across Spain, France, Italy, Austria, and Greece. The kitchen keeps pace with a tight lineup of Mediterranean small plates, turning out Spanish-style pintxo skewers, high-end tinned seafood, artisan cheeses, and sliced charcuterie boards. Order a mineral-focused white or regional amaro alongside savoury bites, or have staff pack a chilled bottle into a cooler bag for a picnic down at Christie Pits. **Know Before You Go** Indoor seating accepts limited reservations via Resy, but the marble bar and the dog-friendly back patio are reserved for walk-ins. The bar sits steps from Ossington subway station; street parking along Bloor fills quickly on weekends. Note that the heritage space is not wheelchair accessible.

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No.10

Bar• Corktown

The Rosebud

“Corktown chef's-counter wine bar — OpenTable, watch the marble pass, closed Mon–Tue.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is The Rosebud?** Occupying the storied shell of the former Kingsbrae Diner at King Street East and Sumach, The Rosebud brings polished, French-leaning bistro fare to Corktown. Co-owners chef Eric Valente and Tam Phan preserved the vintage diner spirit—keeping the original exterior signage and black-and-white checkerboard floors—while softening the 28-seat room with walnut accents, cranberry velvet banquettes, and an open marble chef's counter. Counter stools offer a front-row view into the compact kitchen, making the intimate room feel vibrant rather than cramped. **The Rosebud Menu & What to Order** The kitchen balances classic French foundations with seasonal, creative flourishes across an à la carte selection and a popular five-course tasting menu. The warm, house-baked potato bread served with honey truffle butter is an essential starter. Follow it with the yellowfin tuna tartare dressed with marinated daikon and wasabi aioli, pan-seared scallops, or tender braised lamb before finishing with the banana tart. The sommelier program leans into old-world selections and biodynamic bottles, complemented by rotating pours by the glass and dialed-in cocktails. **Know Before You Go** Given the tight 28-seat capacity, securing a reservation via OpenTable is strongly recommended, especially for weekend dinner slots. Walk-in counter spots can sometimes be claimed right when doors open at 5:30 p.m. Street parking is available along King Street East, and the 504 King streetcar stops just steps away at Sumach Street.

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No.11

Bar• Dundas West

Pinot Grouchio's

“Dundas West late-night of sorts — 5 p.m.–2 a.m., ask what is open today, don't take it personally.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Pinot Grouchio's?** Occupying a former Dundas West nail salon near Brock Avenue, Pinot Grouchio's is an unpretentious, low-key wine haunt spearheaded by seasoned industry vet Gary Dylan. The moody, candlelit room feels like a weathered salon that's been around for decades, outfitted with vintage church pews, salvaged timber tables, exposed brick, and a sleek poured-concrete bar backdropped by an audiophile sound system. **Pinot Grouchio's Menu & What to Order** Rather than pushing an intimidating, encyclopedic cellar list or dogmatic natural-only rhetoric, the chalkboard roster shifts constantly across funky skin-contact bottles, crisp classic whites, and small-batch reds. Pours are offered flexibly by the ounce, meaning you can easily sample esoteric low-intervention pours before committing to a full glass or a bottle. Pair your selections with straightforward bar snacks and pantry bites designed for casual sipping well into the night. **Know Before You Go** Operating on a strict walk-in policy with no phone on-site, the room fills up swiftly after 8:00 p.m. with neighborhood locals and relaxed date-nighters. Hop off the 505 Dundas streetcar right outside the door, and check their Instagram for spontaneous daily bottle drops and by-the-glass features.

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No.12

Bar• Little Italy

Bottega Volo

“Little Italy bottle-shop wine stop — 606 College, ask for a natural pour or takeaway gem.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bottega Volo?** Run by the Morana family behind Bar Volo and Birreria Volo, Bottega Volo anchors College Street alongside the historic Royal Theatre as an Italian caffè, curated pantry, and natural-wine bottle shop. Inside, floor-to-ceiling shelves are stacked with rare amari, craft brews, artisanal conservas, and low-intervention wines, anchored by a polished order counter and a breezy warm-weather street patio out front. It functions as a neighbourhood community hub, shifting seamlessly from daytime espresso spot to evening aperitivo bar. **Bottega Volo Menu & What to Order** Begin early with a rich Ruffino espresso and fresh bakery pastries, then shift to the savoury kitchen menu for hefty Italian panini on crusty bread. The mortadella panino—heaped with fior di latte, crushed pistachios, peperoncini, and arugula—is a runaway favourite, matched only by Sicilian ragù arancini and gourmet tinned seafood served with crusty bread. Pair your lunch or pre-theatre bite with a crisp pour of house-made Volo Spuma pilsner, a vermut-heavy Spanish Fizz, or an adventurous natural orange wine plucked straight from the bottle shop wall. **Know Before You Go** Seating is entirely walk-in across the café high-tops and seasonal patio, so expect short rushes when ticket holders arrive for showtimes at the Royal next door. The 506 Carlton streetcar drops riders at the corner of College and Grace, making public transit far simpler than finding street parking along College. Concessions and bottle shop sales operate until late evening, but lobby café availability occasionally flexes around the theatre's private events and screenings.

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No.13

Bar• Little Italy

Chez Wa

“College St wine-and-sake shoebox — confirm @chez.wa, window table if you can.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Chez Wa?** Taking over 617 College Street in Little Italy, Chez Wa is a natural wine and sake bar founded by Tianchen (Tia) Zhang and Kevin Guo following years of acclaimed pop-up dinners. The intimate 30-seat room balances sleek stainless steel countertops with warm walnut millwork, anchored by an open kitchen led by chef Zheng (David) Wei and a prime communal round table overlooking the street. Marked by its playful hand-drawn frog mascot, the room operates as a specialty bottle shop by day before transitioning into an energetic, candlelit evening drinking den. **Chez Wa Menu & What to Order** Chef Wei's menu delivers modern coastal Chinese small plates engineered to stand up to low-intervention wines and new-wave sakes. The standout starter is the crispy Laonai smashed potatoes served with house chili oil, dill sour cream, and savory preserved vegetables. Move on to the floral drunken shrimp infused with Shaoxing wine and green Sichuan peppercorn, followed by the Hongsuantang mackerel in a Guizhou fermented tomato-chili broth and the umami-packed mapo tofu campanelle. Finish with the sweet, refreshing sticky rice slush steeped in red wine and macerated berries. **Know Before You Go** Tables can be reserved via Resy, though early walk-in diners can easily snag a stool at the bar before the 8 p.m. dinner rush picks up. The 506 Carlton streetcar drops off directly outside along College Street, saving you the headache of scarce street parking. The room operates Wednesday through Sunday from noon until midnight, and remains closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

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No.14

Wine glasses — Unsplash placeholder for Bossanova (no usable official interior CDN)

Bar• Roncesvalles Village

Bossanova Wine & Beer

“Roncesvalles screen-free bottle bar — pét-nat, walk-in stools, confirm hours by phone.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bossanova Wine & Beer?** Located at 101 Roncesvalles Avenue, Bossanova is the relaxed sit-down sister venue to the strip's cherished independent bottle shop next door. Founded by beer sommelier Dan Grant and wine specialist Ben Plisky-Somers, the room deliberately skips televisions and loud music in favour of salvaged tin ceilings, warm lighting, and good conversation. Seating is concentrated around an inviting timber bar lined with walk-in stools and a handful of intimate small tables. **Bossanova Wine & Beer Menu & What to Order** The rotating glass list features dozens of pours, highlighting low-intervention natural wines, grower Champagnes, funky pét-nats, and rare European farmhouse ales alongside Ontario craft heavyweights. Pair a skin-contact orange wine or a chilled fino en rama sherry with Catalan-style tinned seafood splashed over salted crisps, or snack on warm cod-and-caramelized-onion croquetas. Grazing boards are thoughtfully sourced, featuring cheeses from local purveyor The Thin Blue Line, alongside plant-based vegan cheese selections and gluten-free cracker alternatives. **Know Before You Go** Half the room is held for walk-ins, though reservations can be booked online for groups up to six. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up quickly with neighbourhood regulars, making an afternoon or early evening visit best for snagging stools. The bar operates Wednesday through Saturday, and taking the 504 King streetcar right to Roncesvalles makes transit effortless.

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No.15

Wine pour — Unsplash placeholder for Ladybug (no official venue CDN photo found)

Bar• Corktown

Ladybug Wine Bar

“Corktown unpretentious wine bar — Resy dinner, brunch weekends, confirm hours on Resy.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Ladybug Wine Bar?** Anchoring 514 King Street East in Corktown, Ladybug Wine Bar channels the welcoming, easygoing warmth of a London neighbourhood pub into a stylish wine bar and bottle shop. Conceived by partners Jessica Blewett and Charles Co—a Le Cordon Bleu London-trained chef and St. Lawrence tavern veteran—the room features soft lighting, curved alcoves, and accessible wine racks where patrons can browse labels directly. Seating extends from the lively front bar and dining room out to a sunny sidewalk patio and a tucked-away courtyard fitted with umbrellas and bench seating. **Ladybug Wine Bar Menu & What to Order** The kitchen serves a shareable menu of punchy dishes inspired by sunny culinary traditions, engineered to pair seamlessly with approachable wine flights and by-the-glass pours. Start with the hot garlic tostones brightened by a cumin-lime mojo verde alongside the whipped feta and pomegranate tartine, then advance to rich roast pig cheeks, seasonal croquettes, or spiced Portuguese chicken. Weekend mornings pivot to a solid brunch featuring eggs Benny and colourful tartines, with plenty of designated gluten-free options across the board. **Know Before You Go** Corktown locals pack the space for weeknight pours and the popular Tuesday prix-fixe deal, making a Resy booking wise for prime dinner times, though walk-ins can often snag bar seats early. Sunday service offers retail bottle pricing for in-house drinking, and weekend brunch operates from late morning through the afternoon. The 504 King streetcar stops steps from the front door at River Street, with metered street parking available along King East.

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