Tap a pin to view venue details · Gold pins are 3 Glass venues
San Francisco has long been one of America's most wine-literate cities — a place where the proximity to Napa, Sonoma, and the broader California coast means exceptional wine is woven into everyday life. Whether it's a glass of rare Burgundy by the Bay, a biodynamic Languedoc poured at a candlelit Polk Street bar, or a sommelier-led tasting menu in a Korean-Californian dining room, San Francisco offers extraordinary wine-by-the-glass experiences for every level of curiosity.
Curated by the Coravin Guide, here are 10 of the best wine bars in San Francisco — spanning neighbourhood gems, destination dining rooms, and specialist wine bars leading the way in how we enjoy wine by the glass.
3 Glass Rating: Exceptional
Over 60 wines by-the-glass · 2 venues
01. Amélie San Francisco
Wine Bar · 1754 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Amélie San Francisco is the original location, a bustling French wine bar and bistro that has been in operation since 2006 — its success inspiring sister locations in New York, Marin, and Washington, DC. Co-owner Germain Michel is the proprietor of a biodynamic winery in France, and the list represents his vision of winemaking. The result is a programme of more than 70 wines by the glass, rooted in biodynamic, low-intervention, orange, and organic wines that feels both principled and genuinely pleasurable.
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02. Indie Wine & Beer Bar @SF Wine Center
Wine Bar · 175 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
A hidden gem nestled in San Francisco's Levi Plaza, Indie boasts a spacious indoor tasting bar and lounge complemented by a 100-foot heated and enclosed patio featuring cosy fire pits and panoramic views of the Bay Bridge. The wine-by-the-glass programme is extensive, covering everything from Barbaresco and Barolo to aged wines and cool-climate Champagne. For wine collectors, the adjacent San Francisco Wine Center offers 8,000 square feet of temperature-controlled storage.
View Full Details2 Glass Rating: Outstanding
40–60 wines by-the-glass · 1 venue
03. San Francisco Wine Society
Wine Bar · 408 Merchant Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
Located in downtown San Francisco, the San Francisco Wine Society offers an inviting, sophisticated space for wine lovers. Inside, plush seating and warm lighting create an intimate, TV-free lounge, while the brick patio and bocce court add relaxed charm. A society composed of members who share a passion for wine and its culture, making it a perfect destination for those looking to explore California's finest alongside off-the-beaten-track finds from around the world.
View Full DetailsGreg's Hidden Gem
Standout selection · 1 venue
04. SSAL
Restaurant · 2226 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
SSAL is a modern Californian restaurant with Korean roots, serving a single tasting menu nightly in an intimate dining room with access to an open kitchen. The menu changes constantly and spontaneously — the kitchen simply serves food that excites them, incorporating Korean aesthetics, flavours, and techniques into modern cuisine. The award-winning wine list offers over 600 selections dedicated to classic wines, with an emphasis on Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône, Germany, and Austria. Both mature and current vintages are offered, making this one of San Francisco's most serious and rewarding wine experiences.
View Full Details1 Glass Rating: Excellent
20–40 wines by-the-glass · 6 venues
05. Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
Wine Bar · 1 Ferry Building, Shop 23, San Francisco, CA 94111
A wine shop and wine bar in the heart of San Francisco's landmark Ferry Building, featuring a carefully curated international selection. Thirty wines are offered by the glass in 2oz and 5oz pours, carafes, and bottles, with any of the 900 shop selections also available at retail price plus corkage. Ten Coravin selections ensure rare and prestigious bottles remain in perfect condition. The sourcing team — including Debbie Zachareas, Sarah Knoefler, and Peter Granoff, Master Sommelier — brings over 130 years of combined professional wine experience.
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06. Penny Roma
Restaurant · 530 Page Street, San Francisco
Penny Roma brings the simplicity and conviviality of traditional Italian dining to the Mission District, with an inviting dining room and indoor/outdoor courtyard. Beverage Director Samuel Bogue has created an eccentric yet unpretentious wine list balancing classic and natural wines from Italy, California, and unique growing regions from around the world. Biodynamic bottles sit alongside cool-climate Italian gems and under-the-radar producers that reward the adventurous drinker.
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07. Hôtel Biron Wine Bar & Art Gallery
Wine Bar · 45 Rose Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
An intimate, candlelit wine bar with walls adorned with rotating local artwork, Hôtel Biron has been open for 24 years on a tucked-away San Francisco alley. The list offers 20–25 wines by the glass alongside an exclusive Coravin list accessible through a special password shared with Instagram followers. Events support local winemakers and bring guests together around discovery, with highlights ranging from Rias Baixas Albariño to California wines with a Kenyan accent.
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08. DECANT SF
Wine Bar · 1168 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
DECANT Bottle Shop & Bar is a cool and cultured wine space founded by sommeliers Cara Patricia and Simi Grewal, with a passion for bringing people together through classic hospitality, approachable education, and an inclusive community vibe. Around 20 wines are offered by the glass, including Coravin selections to highlight special and high-end bottlings. The wide focus on classic wines from both established and emerging regions makes DECANT an ideal starting point for curious drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
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09. Boulevard
Restaurant · 1 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
A classic downtown restaurant overlooking the Embarcadero and San Francisco Bay. Opened in 1993 by Chef Nancy Oakes and Designer Pat Kuleto, Boulevard has won numerous awards including the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2012. The wine list features 1,000 selections, with particular strengths in California, Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Italy. Over 30 years of relationships with the finest addresses throughout California and Europe are poured, glass by glass, every evening.
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10. Flour + Water
Restaurant · 2401 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
An Italian-inspired restaurant in the Mission District, Flour + Water serves hand-crafted pastas and seasonal fare rooted in Northern California ingredients. An ever-changing pasta tasting menu, dynamic wine list of micro-producers, and celebratory vibe make it perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Twenty wines by the glass span a wide range of styles, with a focus on small-production producers from Italy, California, France, and beyond — a list that rewards repeat visits as much as first impressions.
View Full DetailsSan Francisco Wine Bars: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best wine bars in San Francisco?
San Francisco's most celebrated wine destinations include Amélie (70+ wines by the glass, biodynamic focus on Polk Street), Indie Wine & Beer Bar at the SF Wine Center (extensive programme with Bay Bridge views), and Boulevard (James Beard Award winner with a 1,000-selection list overlooking the Embarcadero). This guide covers 10 venues across every style and price point.
Where can I find natural and biodynamic wines by the glass in San Francisco?
Amélie San Francisco leads the way with a programme rooted in biodynamic and low-intervention winemaking. DECANT SF champions emerging regions alongside classic styles, while Penny Roma and Hôtel Biron both feature biodynamic producers as part of their curated lists. San Francisco's natural wine scene is one of the most vibrant in the United States.
What price should I expect for wine by the glass in San Francisco?
Expect $15–$25 for well-chosen everyday pours at neighbourhood bars, rising to $30–$75+ for rare or prestige selections at destinations like SSAL, Boulevard, and Indie Wine & Beer Bar. Coravin technology makes premium wines more accessible by the glass at several venues in this guide.
Where can I find the most wines by the glass in San Francisco?
Amélie offers more than 70 wines by the glass — the largest programme in the city. Indie Wine & Beer Bar at the SF Wine Center also offers an extensive by-the-glass selection spanning classic regions worldwide. Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant offers 30 wines by the glass plus access to 900 shop selections at corkage.
Are there wine bars near the San Francisco waterfront?
Yes. Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant sits inside the landmark Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. Boulevard overlooks San Francisco Bay from 1 Mission Street. Indie Wine & Beer Bar at Levi Plaza offers panoramic Bay Bridge views from its heated patio. All three are within walking distance of the waterfront.
Discover More San Francisco Wine Destinations
San Francisco's wine culture is shaped by its extraordinary geography — with Napa, Sonoma, and the broader California coast on its doorstep, the city drinks like nowhere else. From biodynamic wine bars on Polk Street to James Beard Award–winning dining rooms on the Embarcadero, every glass reflects a city that takes wine seriously without ever taking itself too seriously.
The Coravin Guide is updated regularly as new venues join and programmes evolve. Whether you're a Burgundy devotee, a natural wine explorer, or simply looking for a great glass with a Bay view, San Francisco's 10 listed venues offer something for every palate and occasion.