9 great wine bars in Edinburgh
A night of vino is always on the cards at these vibrant locations
Good Brothers Wine Cellars
34 Northumberland Street
Are the team at Good Brothers super knowledgeable about wine? 100%. Are they wine bores? Far from it. There’ll be no judgement if you walk in and ask for a crisp sauvignon blanc on a hot day. And if you want to geek out on vintages, they’re here for it, especially on Thursdays when you can try something special from the cellar at cost price.
One20 Wine Café
120 Dundas Street
One of the few places on Dundas Street where you can sit outside, One20’s selection of Slovenian, Sicilian and Loire Valley whites are perfect on sunny days. Family-run, there’s more than nibbles on offer, too. Yes, there are the inevitable sharing boards, but also a cicchetti menu with pan con tomate and gooey burrata, charcuterie boards, and full, Italian-focused lunch and evening menus.
Pickles
60 Broughton Street
Once a basement hideaway that topped Tripadvisor lists, Pickles has grown into its larger rooms at street level without losing any of the romance. Dimly lit and atmospheric, charcuterie boards are piled high with locally sourced cured meats, cheeses and (of course) homemade pickles to accompany a vast wine list.
Smith & Gertrude
26 Hamilton Place & 254 Portobello High Street
These gorgeous neighbourhood wine bars in Stockbridge and Portobello have a relaxed vibe, with expert staff and interesting wine choices. While you can simply pop in for a glass, the real fun lies in the wine flights with artisanal cheese pairing. These change monthly and are a brilliant way to expand your palate.
Spry
1 Haddington Place
The calm minimal interior of Spry sets the scene for a laid-back visit, where the focus is on natural and organic wines by the glass. Pull up a stool at the bar or find a cosy corner; there’s a little snug at the back, too. Elegant small plates can be built into a five-course tasting menu if you’d like to make an evening of it, with matching wines.
Zero Zero Wines
18 South Clerk Street
Natural wine and funky ferments are the order of the day here. The name is a nod to the amount of intervention, so it’s definitely one for wine adventurers. Don’t be put off by its unassuming street frontage: all are welcome. Try something unusual and settle in with charcuterie, olives and prettily packaged tinned fish to snack on. 18 South Clerk Street
Also try... Leith Wine Kitchen, a new kid on the block but all the signs are good, brilliant neighbourhood spot Little Rascal in Corstorphine and Bacaro42’s Venetian focus makes it worth a visit in Stockbridge.
This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital.