The 11 Best Wine Lists in New York City

In the heart of the Theater District, Gallaghers Steakhouse has been satisfying New Yorkers’ cravings for perfectly grilled meat since the end of Prohibition and their thirst for a good glass since its origins as a speakeasy. The front window that lets passersby look directly into the beef aging room tells you exactly what you’re in for before you enter the large space with dark wood-beamed ceilings, red leather banquets, and vintage sports photos. The traditional steakhouse menu is accompanied by longtime wine director Brian Jontow’s 30-page list that is strong in Napa Cabernet. Standout bottles are from the likes of Harlan, Abreu, Screaming Eagle, Hundred Acre, Dominus, and Quintessa and selections also features a variety of “second labels” from well-known Bordeaux houses such as Echo de Lynch Bages, La Dame de Montrose, and La Croix de Beaucaillou.

Open just four years, Dowling’s at the Carlyle seems like a timeless New York City classic, especially with its high ceilings, dark walls covered with eclectic artwork, curved banquettes, and a room filled with a mix of global tourists and in-the-know New Yorkers. Executive chef Sylvain Delpique’s interpretations of timeless New York favorites and throwback dishes from another era including tableside preparations such as steak Diane and bananas Foster which are visually exciting and illuminate the room with every order. The 500-bottle list dives deep into Champagne, with one page of half bottles and eight pages of full bottles, and features wine from 25 regions in 16 countries with a special emphasis on Burgundy including well known producers such as Leflaive and Leroy and low-intervention specialists like Patrick Piuze and Julien Altaber.

Recently opened in the former Veritas space in the Flatiron District, Saint Urban marks chef and owner Jared Stafford-Hill’s return to the spot in which he honed his craft early in his career and to New York City five years after opening the original Saint Urban in his hometown, Syracuse. Tucked inside an almost anonymous storefront you will find a small casual front room leading to a long bar and a jewel box of a dining room with high ceilings, soft neutral tones, and white brick walls that feels simultaneously modern and classic. Seven- and four-course tasting dinners are on offer, with the theme and dishes changing monthly. Following May’s inaugural Burgundy menu, June brought diners cuisine and wine from Spain, while July will feature Tuscan plates such as line caught bluefin tuna tonnato and grilled Bistecca Fiorentina. Four levels of pairings are offered, and can include Vermentino, Chianti, and Brunello or at the top level seven different pours from Ornellaia to Massetto 2001. In addition to the suggested pairings, there is a massive 4,000 bottle list on a tablet that goes deep on vintages at surprisingly affordable prices.

A destination for lovers of high-style, French-inspired Italian cuisine, Ai Fiori is a welcome respite from the bustle of Fifth Avenue. Italian for “among the flowers,” Ai Fiori’s floral-themed decorating scheme in the bar and main dining room are like a breath of fresh air in Midtown. A la carte or four-course prix-fixe offerings include stunning dishes such as raw Atlantic fluke with caviar and lemon, house made veal breast and reblochon ravioli, and grilled New York strip with charred onion and salsa verde. Wine director John Canvin has assembled a wide-ranging list that, of course, runs heavy into Italian choices including seven pages of Barolo broken out by commune. But lovers of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the rest of the world will not be disappointed.

Under the same roof as sister restaurant Bōm in the Flat Iron District, Oiji Mi’s modern interpretation of Korean fine dining earned chef Brian Kim a Michelin star. The young crowd at the front bar can enjoy a la carte selections while diners in the high-ceilinged main room feast on a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings available to match. With a list that spans 100 regions in 20 countries, beverage director Chris Clark focuses on small producers, and with a menu that steers more towards seafood than meat it is no wonder he has stocked an ample selection of Champagne and Burgundy that will scratch your itch for high acid pairings plus 200 wines from Germany alone including Riesling and Pinot Noir. Clark’s collection of bottles from largely unknown biodynamic producers who farm less than 25 acres results in one of the most adventurous lists you are likely to encounter anywhere in the world.

Penned into novels such as Bonfire of the Vanities and American Psycho and featured in a cameo in Billions, Harry’s Hanover Square is a Wall Street institution. Founded in 1972 by Harry Poulakakos, this just-below-ground-level spot with dark walls and an original tin ceiling attracts a buzzy, young after work crowd and is still going strong well into the evening. Those who don’t have the patience or inclination to peruse the 2,700-strong bottle list will appreciate wine director Jacob Dougherty’s carte du jour offering 80 bottles including familiar faces from around the globe peppered with interesting gems. Harry’s classic steakhouse menu is livened by the addition of a trio of terrific pastas, each of which makes a perfect midcourse, and the iceberg wedge is not for the faint of heart.

Located in the Art Deco-style Evelyn Hotel in NoMad, Brass offers a contemporary brasserie menu and live music in a space filled with references to the Jazz Age. It has an old-school supper club vibe with a packed bar—known as the Tusk Bar—and live music via the grand piano in the center of the dining room. A young, hip crowd enjoys chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian Von Hauske’s modern takes on classics like skate wing and steak au poivre, and the golden Amish chicken roulade for two or more is not to be missed. Wine director Nic Garcia has curated an accessible list from 13 countries with special breakout sections such as “Wines with Friends,” “What We’re Drinking,” and “Wines of Salinity.” Brass gets a special shoutout for having the lowest priced “Most Expensive Bottle” of all the restaurants we visited.

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Although Benjamin Prime is said to be the more modern and casual sibling of nearby Benjamin Steakhouse, it doesn’t stray too far from tradition in décor or menu except for an infusion of seafood. Lots of wood, tufted leather and soft lighting offer a pleasing backdrop to parties large and small who are in the mood for world-class aged beef alongside a great bottle of wine. Director of operations Victor Dedushaj, who runs the beverage program, visits Premier Napa Valley, Bordeaux En Primeur, and other industry events to keep the cellar stocked with the best, including exclusive bottles. While the list runs deep on Bordeaux and Napa Valley, there are a surprising number of offerings from lesser-known regions around the world. And although in many two-story restaurants the upper level can feel like you are dining in Siberia, two glass-fronted walls of wine, an open chai, and a dedicated wait staff make the second floor here every bit as attractive and lively as the main level.

Named for its address within a Jean Nouvel-designed residential tower next door to the Museum of Modern Art at 53 West 53rd Street this modern Asian fusion eatery’s dining room is two floors below the space age style bar near its entrance. While at lunchtime light streams in from the street level windows high overhead, a giant rainbow-inspired frieze brightens the dimly lit, clublike room during dinner service. Celebrated chef Akmal Anuar keeps the heat on with appetizers such as crispy salt and pepper squid and lobster spring rolls with cabbage and chili or main dishes like Hainanese chicken with ginger and scallop or kung pao quail. Although the spice level may keep you on the white side of the wine list, wine director Nikki Ledbetter is always able to suggest a softer tannin, slightly chilled red guaranteed to please the palate. Her offerings explore Austria, Spain, Italy, France, South Africa, Hungary, Portugal, and Germany as well as locations within the U.S. like Oregon, California, and Washington, with a wide range of lesser-known wine regions and varieties plus a full page of sake by the bottle and a deep dive into Japanese whisky.

This contemporary seafood restaurant is tucked into the side of the Met Life Building and Grand Central Station on Vanderbilt Avenue. The front dining room and bar feature aqua-colored chairs, banquets, and tile that give a seaside feel, while the larger dining room just up a few steps is a study in elegance with its beige and navy scheme and aquatic-inspired light fixture that looks like it is about to take flight. The sushi program is by Morimoto alum Robbie Cooke, and executive chef and partner Franklin Becker’s starters like grilled octopus and anchovy toast with butter and entrees such as crab spaghetti with sea urchin and Baltimore-style crab cake can be paired with a multitude of inspired choices selected by beverage director Luke Boland and sommelier Michael Furletti. Offering extensive value across Burgundy, Champagne, the rest of France, California, and Italy, Point Seven honors those who are not rushing to catch the train home with its “.7 wine program,” offering most bottles at 30 percent off after 8 pm every evening.

Launched in Midtown in 2022, Fasano is Brazilian-Italian restaurateur Gero Fasano’s first foray into the United States. Chef Nicola Fedeli interprets northern Italian recipes passed down through the Fasano family since 1902; his three-course prix fixe menu for $145 includes Italian style crudo, salads, handmade pasta, and a mouthwatering selection of seafood and meat. The journey through a hopping, boisterous bar area and down a long, dramatic hallway leads you to a subdued and spacious dark wood temple of Italian cuisine with dividers between tables for space and privacy. Upstairs bar Baretto is loved for its live jazz and Bossa Nova on Friday and Saturday night. Wine director Denis Ballaera has assembled a list of 1,500 bottles that of course goes heavy on Italian yet manages to highlight the best of Burgundy and Champagne with forays into the world beyond.