- Lovin ‘Winebar & Bistro – Hidden in a quiet alley in the Dorobanti area (entrance Tudor Ștefan 26), Lovin’ became the hub of wine enthusiasts in the capital. Founded by the Dumitrescu brothers (Radu – known chef – and Alexandru), the place offers an impressive selection of wines from around the world, in an intimate and welcoming setting. More than 450 labels stand out on the shelves on the walls, waiting to be discovered. Recommendation: Let yourself be guided by sommelier – whether you want a Chardonnay de Bourgogne or a Black Girl Collection, here you will find top options. Prices: wine for glass 20-50 lei; wine bottles from 60 lei up. The gastronomic menu is short and well thought out, with seasonal preparations designed to compliment wines (mussels, beef tartar, gourmet cheeses and charcuteria). Lovin ‘frequently hosts tastings and oenological events – a further reason to come back. “And they won the well-deserved place among the best wine bars in Bucharest” confirms a specialized presentation, highlighting frequent tasting and selection of rare wines. The elegant cassual atmosphere and extremely well-trained staff make every evening with wine memorable at Lovin’.
- Mosto (Natural Wine Bar & Bistro) – The first natural wine bar in Romania, Mosto (Str. Nicolae Filipescu 61, Rosetti area) is the meeting place of those who appreciate authentic wines, without chemical additions. With a bohemian and friendly air, Mosto bathes you after work or weekends to drink a glass of wine and eat something good in a relaxed environment. Recommendation: Try an Orange Wine (white wine vinified as a red, shell, amber) – Mosto often has something like this in a glass, along with bio, biodynamic or unfiltered wines. Prices: wine for drink 18-40 lei; bottles for 70 lei. Mosto’s atmosphere is a mix of wine bar and cultural hub: sometimes they host small acoustic concerts, book launches or exhibitions, creating a sense of community. “It’s a place to go after work or weekends, drink and eat well, listen to good music in a friendly environment… a place where you can communicate with people who are passionate about wine.” The food menu focuses on artisanal snacks: organic cheeses and vegetables, bruschettes, panini. At Mosto, less means more – fewer intervention, more expression: natural wines capture with their original flavors, and the experience itself is about enjoying wine as a wine cellar, in the company of good people.
- Corks – Cozy Bar – Located at kilometer 0 (Băcani Street, Old Centre), Corks is a wine bar reference, one of the first to appear in the Bucharest landscape and still very loved. Little and intimate, with brick vault and candles on the tables, Corks has that classic wine bar charm, no pretensions, but with a lot of soul. Recommendation: If you don’t know what you want to drink, participate in one of the thematic tastings that they often organize – you can find new wines, presented by sommeliers or producers. Prices: wine for 15-35 lei; bottles starting with 50-60 lei, with the option that any glass under 130 lei will be opened if you order at least two glasses. “Corks are among the first and longest wine bars in Bucharest. There are often various tastings… It is, beyond a source of wine at affordable price, and a source of valuable information.” Corks staff is friendly and eager to tell you about wines. The culinary menu includes hot tartines, quiche or cheeses, perfect next to a glass of Pinot Noir. With shelves full of bottles and good music in deaf, Corks remains the place where you feel at home – only “home” you have to choose from dozens of wines around the world.
- Bread and Vin – An absolutely charming wine bistro concept in the University area (Actor Ion Brezoianu 4 str.). As the name suggests, here the wine is the star, and the “bread” comes in the form of delicious artisanal fotoccia / pizza, baked on the hearth in the open oven from the inside. The place has a rustic-chic air, with massive wooden tables and brick walls, and the aroma of ripe bread contributes to the warm atmosphere. Recommendation: choose their version of typing: you can order 3 mini-glasses of different wines (50 ml each) to experience various Romanian varieties before deciding your favorite. Prices: artisanal pizza 30-45 lei; wine for 15-30 lei. Wine selection focuses on Romanian labels (with dozens of options from all regions of the country), as well as several imports. “Bread and Vin is celebrated for its delicious traditional pizzas and flavoured flatbreads, extensive selection of Romanian wines and its welcoming atmosphere, as in fairy tale.” A client said that here he felt inspired “to be creative with the selection of wine, because you can try 3 different types.” Basically, at Bread and Vin you can make your own tasting. Do not miss the pizza with truffles and burrata, associated with a glass of White Feteaza – you will understand why this place has become a hotspot on the gastrowine scene in Bucharest, offering simple, authentic pleasure: good food and good wine in a fairy tale atmosphere.
- Tasting Room by Ethic Wine – Discreetly located in Floreasca, just behind the shop Ethic Wine, Tasting Room is an elegant mix between wine bar and gastronomy. Owners, passionate with experience in the wine world, have created a coqueted space where wine combines with gourmet food. Its shelves accommodate more than 800 wines (Romanian and imported), and the restaurant menu is designed to offer fine dishes that value the chosen liquors. Recommendation: book a table at their wine picking dinner events – an experience in which the sommelier and the chef carry you through 5-7 carefully matched with the right wines, explaining the story of each glass. Prices: wine for drink 20-60 lei; menu tasting wine + food (at events) ~ 250- 400 lei / person. Otherwise, you can order à la carte – from tuna tartare to matured antricot – the kitchen is international modern. “Tasting Room is an interesting blend of wine bar and gastronomy… a cozy place where you can serve over 800 wines.” The atmosphere is intimate with just a few meals, so you’ll get all the attention of the staff. Whether you are connoisseurs or just eager to learn, here you will find an elegant but relaxed environment where you can taste rare or premium wines served impeccably. Tasting Room by Ethic Wine brings together the best of two worlds – wine and fine dining – offering a complete experience for the senses, from the first nose of wine to the last dessert enjoyed with a glass of late harwest.
This article is an English translation and adaptation of the original Romanian article on Lista Scurtă. Read the Romanian version.
