If you need a taste (or rather, a sip) of France in New York, you’ve come to the right place. New York is full of wonderful French ex-pats who have opened equally wonderful French wine bars, which all oenophiles, Francophiles and turophiles can enjoy. (That last word means cheese lovers, and yes, it is a fantastic term!) So for those seeking ambiance, French charm, and a few glasses of your favorite regional vin, check out our favorite French wine bars in NYC.
Vin Sur Vingt
201 W 11th St, West Village & Various Locations
This French wine bar has several New York locations, but we scoped out the charming West Village one and thought it was a huge win. This tiny enclave feels like the “classic” French wine bar—brick interiors, wood tables, and bouteille upon bouteille-adorned surfaces. The wine is great, the service simple and unpushy (oh how French!), and the space feels laid-back. It’s perfect for a small get together with friends or a date night, as they dim the lights and turn up the tunes around dinnertime. The wine offerings are bountiful, and you can pair with classic French dishes like casoulettes, tartines, or a fromage and charcuterie platter.
Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
249 Centre Street, NoLita
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This popular Nolita spot is everything you would imagine a wine bar to be: kind of cozy, kind of cool, and full of great wine. Low lights, low tables and music that feels a tad clubby puts a distinctly New York twist on the beloved French wine bar. Although this is a moderately sized place, the bar and tables fill up quite quickly; get there early not only to secure a spot, but also to enjoy their insanely affordable happy hour deals (well…affordable for Nolita).
Jacques Brasserie
204 E 85th St, Upper East Side
https://www.instagram.com/p/BddzoyAlTFR/?taken-by=jacques_brasserie
Although Jacques isn’t exclusively a wine bar—it’s a brasserie, above all—this Upper East Side restaurant feels thoroughly French and is a great place to grab a glass or two. Old French posters (think Moulin Rouge) line the walls and red leather booths and woven wicker chairs make this bistro feel like Paris. And the best part? If you and your companion don’t want to leave, you can always relocate to a table to keep la fête going.
Vanguard
Upper West Side & Kips Bay
Vanguard is decorated like an old-timey French wine bar, with eclectic wall decor, plentiful wine bottles, and a lively atmosphere. Aside from their amazing wine selection, their clear winner is the cheese & charcuterie plate: at $20, this hefty portion is undoubtedly the best value you’ll get at at any NYC wine bar.
Amélie Wine Bar
Greenwich Village & Upper West Side
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdd8BzqFjqT/?taken-by=ameliewinebar
Amélie puts a modern twist on your ordinary French wine bar, with with bright red stools, funky lights, and a steady soundtrack of rock(ish) music. It’s super popular with both French transplants and Francophiles alike, making weekend reservations a must. This is the kind of place where half of the tables will have a roman en français casually splayed out for all to see. It’s okay, we’re obsessed with France too.
St. Tropez Wine Bar
304 West 4th Street, West Village
This West Village newcomer is a lovely addition to the French wine bar scene of New York. St. Tropez opened in 2017, and delivers all of the chic, laid-back promises of its namesake with none of the pretension. At long last, here’s a French spot with reasonably priced wines ($9 options, in NYC?!) and equally affordable dishes. Welcome to NYC, St. Tropez, and please reserve us a table for two.
Le Pif
Chelsea & Upper West Side
This lovely, upscale wine bar is a place to treat yourself with quality wine. Head over for an evening apéro of cheeses, charcuterie and relaxed French waitstaff, or enjoy the Prix Fixe brunch, which offers up a wide variety of classic dishes, including escargot and croque monsieur.
