New Orleans has no shortage of culinary delights, from po’ boys crammed with fried shrimp to rum-drenched Hurricane cocktails to beignets that disappear in a puff of powdered sugar. For the first time ever, Wine Spectator is bringing its Grand Tour—an evening of more than 200 outstanding wines—to the Crescent City, holding the walk-around tasting event on April 26. For those looking for yet more wine and local flavor, we reached out to nine star sommeliers—all of whom run not-to-be-missed Wine Spectator Restaurant Award wine programs—for their favorite places to drink around the city when they’re not on the job.
“There are so many places to explore in New Orleans!” says Logan Hallmark, wine director for Award of Excellence winner Jack Rose. “Firstly, I would encourage anyone new to, or visiting the city, to research and explore its neighborhoods. New Orleans is a city that overflows with romance and charm, deeply rooted in a long and storied history within the realms of food and wine.”
Their picks span everything from a garden party-like live music joint in the Bywater to a sparkling wine-obsessed spot in the French Quarter, from a natural wine hideaway in the Garden District to a new wine bar within the revamped Emeril’s, as well as a … German beer hall? Wherever you land, you’re sure to “pass a good time” at these picks.
18 Top Wine Bars and Restaurants in New Orleans
- Pluck Wine Bar
- Emeril’s Wine Bar
- The Four Seasons’ Chandelier Bar
- Chemin à La Mer
- Patrick’s Bar Vin
- Effervescence
- Coquette
- Tell Me Bar
- Bouligny Tavern
- Really Really Nice Wines
- Delachaise
- Bacchanal
- The Country Club
- Deutsches Haus
- The Independent Caveau
- Osteria Lupo
- Crescent City Steaks
- Vincent’s
Get tickets now at grandtour.winespectator.com!
Warehouse District
Pluck Wine Bar
“Some fantastic wine bars have been popping up in New Orleans over the last few years. Pluck Wine Bar was opened in 2021 by Skye LaTorre and is an amazing place to gather with fellow wine colleagues and enjoy a glass or bottle. Skye always features a ‘Pluck of the Day’—a glass of something the sommelier team is excited about. Her wine list has a great selection of sparkling wine, and [French wines], specifically Burgundy, are highly represented. The wines sway toward the natural side of things, with plenty of pét-nat and orange options.” —Braithe Tidwell, corporate beverage director for Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, including Grand Award winner Brennan’s
Emeril’s Wine Bar
“Emeril’s is a New Orleans institution. Chef and owner E.J. Lagasse [son of Emeril Lagasse] and his team have created a newly revamped “Michelin-style” concept that has a wine bar that is extremely elevated and polished. Reservations are encouraged, and it is a do-not-miss for the serious and curious wine professionals alike. The wine list has boasted the Grand Award from Wine Spectator for a very long time, and I have enjoyed some of the most incredible bottles in my life off this list. The list is a tome of selections with age, off-the-beaten values of the highest quality and grandes marques of the entire wine world. It is a wine bar for meditating and conversing about wines while enjoying fantastic cuisine.” —John Mitchell, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner the Grill Room at the Windsor Court Hotel
Central Business District
The Four Seasons
“When I’m in the mood to dress up and splurge, The Four Seasons is my current favorite. You can hang out and people-watch in the opulent Chandelier Bar on the first floor or head upstairs for some amazing views of the river in one of their restaurants. Be sure to ask for head sommelier Emily Kitzmiller; she always has some hidden gems to tempt you with. Her wine program is among the very finest in the city and all of this is wrapped up in Four Seasons hospitality. Definitely worth dressing up for.” —Dan Davis, wine director for Grand Award-winner Commander’s Palace
Chemin à La Mer
“For moments when I’m seeking something more cerebral or intimate, Chemin à La Mer [from chef Donald Link and located inside the Four Seasons] holds a special place in my heart. Their wine list is extensive, elegant and meticulously curated. The wine is incredible, and the ambiance fosters an environment that encourages guests to immerse themselves in these sensory pleasures, enhancing the experience of wine tasting. Additionally, they feature my favorite oyster happy hour, and what could be better than oysters and Champagne?”—Logan Hallmark, wine director for Award of Excellence winner Jack Rose
The French Quarter
Patrick’s Bar Vin
“I really enjoy going to Patrick’s Bar Vin, which is right down the street from GW Fins. They have a varied wine-by-the-glass selection, so there isn’t that pressure to commit to an entire bottle. I love the ambiance at Patrick’s; the bar itself is beautiful and they have comfortable chairs and sofas, making it a great place to unwind after work. When the weather is nice, I also really enjoy sitting in their courtyard.” —Terrance Green, wine director of Award of Excellence winner GW Fins
Effervescence
“One of my favorite places in New Orleans to drink wine is [Award of Excellence winner] Effervescence. It’s a beautiful Champagne bar with a large selection of sparkling and still wines from all different regions. They have a wide range of price points, sparkling by the glass and bubbly flights, so there’s a little something for everyone. They also offer chilled seafood, cheese and caviar that pairs perfectly with their bubbles! Such a fun place for a celebration!”—Gabrielle Sonnier, owner and wine director of Award of Excellence winner Gabrielle Restaurant
Garden District
Coquette
“When I moved down to New Orleans, I went to lunch at this casual fine-dining restaurant, Coquette, and it inspired me to go into the food industry. Not only is my childhood friend the sommelier, but it is also affordable, and the wines are always changing. Just go and see what happens on Tuesdays in the summer!”—Ed Gardiner, lead sommelier for Grand Award-winner Emeril’s
Tell Me Bar
“There is a lot of history in the build-up to the brick-and-mortar version of Tell Me Bar. Uznea Bauer, the creative director and owner, started the idea of Tell Me Bar [as a pop-up]. The original speakeasy-style concept poured wine and educated the community on artisan producers. This passion and drive has turned into a French Quarter-style wine garden. Uznea creates a world where wine drinking is approachable, fun and desired. Tell Me Bar has an electric vibe with live music and food by way of craft pop-ups. The selections range from crushable to serious and thought-provoking for a wide variety of guests.”—John Mitchell
Uptown
Bouligny Tavern
“I look forward to seeing the current wine list at Bouligny Tavern, located on Magazine Street. [With their] excellent selections, I am always pleasantly surprised to discover hard-to-find bottles or varieties from a beloved producer. Care and attention to detail are paid. And they are open late at night!”—Morgan Fouss, beverage director for Best of Award of Excellence winners Galatoire’s and Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak
Really Really Nice Wines
“Really Really Nice Wines, located on Magazine Street, is another great new venue. It is a wine shop with a gorgeous bar in the front featuring natural wines by the glass. It’s an incredible spot to hang out, gather with friends and grab a cheese or charcuterie board. There is a $10 service fee to open bottles you purchase in the store, if you want to pick something out yourself, or you can ask the super knowledgeable industry vets, Miriam and Darrin, for a by-the-glass recommendation.”—Braithe Tidwell
Delachaise
“When the occasion calls for a larger group or socializing, I gravitate towards Delachaise. They offer an extensive selection of wines by the glass alongside bottle options, all at very approachable prices. This versatility makes it easy to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences or to venture into trying something new. The building itself ignites conversation, and their wine list is eclectic and fun. It’s an excellent spot to share a few bottles and engage in lively discussions.”—Logan Hallmark
Bywater
Bacchanal
“If you’re out with a group of friends, I highly recommend stopping at Bacchanal in the Bywater neighborhood. It’s a far-reaching, bottle shop–meets–live music venue. It feels like you’re hanging out in a New Orleans friend’s backyard. Wine selections cover all the classics, but their passion is the eclectic. They have a very knowledgeable staff to assist you in finding the perfect bottle to enjoy with their top-notch charcuterie.” —Dan Davis
The Country Club
“A tropical oasis in the Bywater, The Country Club [an Award of Excellence winner] has a wine menu that is not to be overlooked. Whether it is their private-label wines, selections perfect for poolside or “Bubbles and Fries” [a bottle of Roederer Estate Brut served with fries and aioli for $47], The Country Club is my go-to for an afternoon in the sun, wine glass in hand.”—Morgan Fouss
Bayou St. John
Deutsches Haus
“This one might be a hot take, because it’s considered more of a ‘beer place,’ but I love ordering wine at Deutsches Haus. For being a beer garden, they have a great selection of inexpensive German wines. I usually order a Grüner or a dry Reisling, my husband will get a nice German beer on draft (he’s more of a beer drinker) and, bonus, they let us bring our three-year-old! They have a large outdoor space where kids can run around and a beautiful view of Bayou St. John. It’s one of our favorite Sunday afternoon activities.”—Gabrielle Sonnier
Lagniappe: More Great Spots for Wine in NOLA
“In terms of education, The Independent Caveau is an amazing shop, wine bar and main hub for various classes and WSET certifications. They will have bar ‘takeover’ nights by importers like Selection Massale or Kermit Lynch and pour exclusives by the glass. Osteria Lupo also has an excellent list, with standout by-the-glass selections from Bisson, Alois and Foradori.” —Jaime Szczepanski, wine director of Award of Excellence winner Josephine Estelle
“If I want a delicious steak and a great red to go with it, I will head over to Crescent City Steaks on 1001 North Broad St. It’s totally old-school vibes, complete with portioned booths. If I want Italian, I head over to Vincent’s on St. Charles Ave. They have some delicious wines that always complement a great meal with family and friends.” —Ana Tusa, wine director of Award of Excellence winner Briquette
