Torontonians love their wine, and luckily there are many wine bars and restaurants in the city that share that passion. Whether it’s a massive wine cellar, or a meticulously curated wine list, restaurants across Toronto take their wine lists seriously. Here are the best wine cellars and wine lists in Toronto.[Photo credit: iStock]
Opus Restaurant’s wine cellar is one of the biggest in the city, and holds more than 50,000 bottles. The cellar is underground and is one of the top 100 wine cellars in the world. In 2015, it was awarded Wine Spectator’s top honour - the Grand Award.
When Harry Barberian’s son Arron took over the restaurant, he decided to expand the wine offerings at the famous steak house. After three years of design and construction, the underground wine cellar was complete! The cellar houses more than 15,000 bottles and is temperature controlled. The cellar is open for private dining experiences for groups of 16 to 30.
Located in the Windsor Arms Hotel, The Living Room is home to a luxe wine cellar. The wine selection comes from all parts of the world, from Italy to France to our very own Niagara region. The wine is paired with The Living Room’s eclectic menu.
Italian restaurant, Enoteca Sociale has one of Toronto’s best Italian wine collections. The wines span across the Mediterranean country featuring red wines from Northern, Central and Southern Italy. Enoteca Sociale offers a Roman Feast for eight to 14 people in the private wine cellar.
Open since 1966, Bardi’s is modeled after a classic New York-style steakhouse. In contrast the wine cellar, located on the upper floor, is very modern. Encased in glass, it features 10,000 bottles to chose from. Bardi’s wine collection includes varieties from Tuscany, Greece, New Zealand and the Niagara region.
Little Sister is an Indonesian restaurant that keeps its wine list to a minimum. A little grandiose, with a lot of top wine is the best way to describe this wine list. It’s seasonal and showcases wines from around the world that are expertly paired with the authentic Indonesian food.
Kensington Market doesn’t seem like a likely place for a wine bar, yet Grey Gardens calls it home. The wine list is massive and is the focus of the establishment. There is a small dinner menu for some nibbles while you sip your award-winning wine.
Archive has been a Toronto favourite since it opened its doors in 2012. The bar highlights award-winning wines from around the world. When it comes to food, the small plates found in wine bars throughout Venice inspire the menu.
Bar Buca’s wine list may be on the smaller side, but it’s quality over quantity. The list is on rotation and features authentic Italian wines that perfectly complement the small plates menu.