Updated in 2026, originally published in February 2025
It’s always wine o’clock in Paris.
In Paris, wine bars typically pick up pace right around 5 or 6 p.m., when work just ended and dinner will start in a few hours. Before meeting friends for dinner, it’s not abnormal that groups of copains meet first to grab apéro before dinner.
Pre-dinner drinks are generally accompanied by a few snacks, while the location is somewhere near the dinner reservation. In case you’re in need of a place to chill and sip on delicious wine right before dinner time, here’s a list of wine bars in Paris, ideal for a quick glass.
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Septime La Cave
The 11th arrondissement is a local-favorite, thanks to gems like Septime La Cave – a small wine bar, so charming that it’s worth trying to find a place to stuff your jacket or standing shoulder to shoulder with the next visitor in town.
The cave (cellar) to the famous restaurant Septime is a wine bar, quite impressive with a comprehensive collection of natural wine. Choose a bottle, grab a glass, munch on fragrant saucisson. Then, head on over to either Septime or Clamato for an unforgettable dinner.
PHOTO Wendy Hung
La Buvette
At this pont, La Buvette has become an institution all on its own. Even if tourists have been flooding this alluring spot in recent years, Buvette’s affordable but beautiful wines and delicious snacks are reasons to keep going back.
Owner Camille Fourmont enures that the snacks menu is always well stocked with her iconic white beans, along with traditional and flavorful charcuterie. Get there early, La Buvette tends to fill up quickly!
INSTAGRAM @la.buvette.parisLe Barav
For a small but lively ambiance in the middle of Le Marais, head over to Le Barav (short for “bar à vins.”) With a chill vibe and numerous seating on the terrace, this wine bar tops the list since it also has an outstanding selections of natural wine. If the bartender gives you a glass and you can guess what it is, then it’s your lucky day since that glass will be on the house.
FACEBOOK Le BaravLes Vins Du Matin
The 18th arrondissement frequently offers a fusion of touristic and local vibes, depending on which streets you decide to walk down. If you have dinner plans in Montmatre and need a place to enjoy an apéro, then grab a glass at Les Vins Du Matin where distributors of natural winemakers Julien Mercier and Aurélien Salomé have altered their wine storage into a cool little neighborhood joint. There are some snacks available, but it’s essentially a come-as-you-are, no-fuss charm that make discovering Paris evermore satiating.
INSTAGRAM @lesvinsdumatinCave Canaille
Explore the 11th arrondissement where a residential, local setting is truly ideal for foodies and biodynamic wine lovers.
For a cool spot to sip and shop for natural wine, check out Cave Canaille. It makes the perfect pre-dinner pitstop since it also offers organic snacks and some grilled cheese sandwiches. The setting is under-the-radar, and informal. It’s has all the ingredients of a pre-dinner apéro gem. Typically Parisian.
INSTAGRAM @cavecanailleGoûte
Nestled in the bustling and central Montorgueil area is Goûte, another quaint little nook well stocked with natural wine. There are tables on the outdoor patio, perfect for warmer evenings. There are always around 10 bottles, ready to be served by the glass. Meanwhile, the bar also serves up delicious tapas style snacks, like: grilled peppers, fragrant cheese, pork terrine, and thinly sliced charcuterie.
INSTAGRAM @goute.parisGiclette
The beloved rue Charonne features the popular Giclette wine bar where bottles selected to be poured by the glass – changes daily. Giclette is a cycling slang, meaning: overdrive. The pre-dinner snacks are unique with Japanese-influenced sushis wrapped in seaweed, maki (hand rolls) and inari (sushi stuffed inside sweet and salty deep-fried tofu pockets.)
INSTAGRAM @giclettekellerAU TOUR DU VIN
AU TOUR DU VIN is perfect for those ready to catch a train at Gare du Nord but don’t want to hang out in a random bistrot by the station. This wine bar is relaxed and laidback, whether you go in for a quick glass or have some time to spare for a whole bottle.
Food isn’t the star player here, but there are some cheeses for those yearning for a tiny taste. The staff is friendly while the ambiance is cozy, making this a delightful stop right before a long train ride.
FACEBOOK Au Tour du Vin