Sometimes it feels like Beijing is all about craft beer. There are so many craft brew joints and brewpubs popping up that we have to do a lot of beer drinking to keep up. Not that we're complaining. We have nothing against you, craft beer. We thoroughly enjoy you, in fact. But we like a little variation in our drinking diet.
Lucky for us (and those of you who share our affinity for wine) quite a few wine bars have popped up around Beijing recently. Wine bars are becoming such a growing trend that there have been five notable openings this year alone. So if you're in the mood to take a break from beer and sip on a glass of wine, we recommend you sample one (or all) of these excellent Beijing wine bars.
1. InVino
InVino is located in Xingfuyicun Qixiang (the alley opposite Worker’s Stadium, past Bodhi Spa – massage and wine, anyone?). Their wine selection is basically a round-the-world tour that will really get you InVino (‘in the wine’): reds span Argentina to Australia, Bulgaria to France, whereas white label countries include Italy, Germany, New Zealand and Spain. You’ll have no problem spending hours sampling all the different varieties (which is exactly what we did). They also serve items such as steak tartare, hand-cut fries, oysters, cold cuts and cheese platters.
See a listing for InVino & Read our full restaurant review
2. Buona Bocca
This is the hippest thing to hit Xindong Lu since, well, anything. Huge windows ensure loads of natural light, and design is arty in a quirky, colorful way. As the name might imply, the wine selection focuses on Italian. In the expansive pantheon of grape varieties, it’s helpful to have a specialty. Lest wine is not your thing – Aperol and Campari spritz are on hand as well. The grub here is designed with wine in mind – platters feature cold cuts (they’re Italian, duh), and the complementary bread and olive oil is a nice touch.
See a listing for Buona Bocca & Read our full restaurant review
3. Vin Vino
Vin Vino is located in Maizidian on a street full of tiny Japanese restaurants. This aesthetically pleasing, wood-paneled little shop wouldn’t be out of place in New York City. It has a solid, curated selection meant to please and not overwhelm. The French-Japanese tapas are so delightful that the wine almost takes a backseat. Try the octopus carpaccio (RMB58). Glasses from RMB48, bottles from RMB200; small plates range from RMB30-RMB100.
See a listing for Vin Vino & Read our full restaurant review
4. Vesuvio
Bottega rocks. But now it rocks even harder. Vesuvio is located upstairs at Bottega. Think of Vesuvio as Bottega’s hip little loft – a great place to go before a meal at Bottega, or after a meal at Bottega or, you know, in between meals at Bottega. Maybe this isn’t a wine bar, per se – Vesuvio also specializes in customizable Negronis. But the hefty wine options, presented alongside an adorable map of Italian wine regions, offer something for almost every budget and palette.
See a listing for Vesuvio & Read our full restaurant review
5. Fú Tapas & Wine Bar
There’s been a bunch of new wine bars opened this year, but Fú is the only one with a completely organic selection. As well as new- and old-world wines, this chic and unexpectedly intimate three-story hutong joint also serves tapas, salads and cold cuts.
See a listing for Fú Tapas & Wine Bar
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