Where to drink well in Paris: the 5 best Italian Wine Bars chosen by Gambero Rosso

Feb 9 2025, 13:25
From the most elegant bar à vin to informal wine shops, Paris has fallen in love with Italian wine. Here are the addresses where you can find great labels, small producers, and well-curated wine lists

In Paris, people drink French wine. On this, there has never been any doubt. But while in the past finding a worthy Italian bottle meant stepping into the most prestigious Italian restaurants and paying an exorbitant price, today the situation has changed dramatically. The French capital has embraced the quality of Italian wine – and food – as demonstrated by the growing number of wine bars and enotecas offering the best labels from Piedmont to Sicily, without forgetting the artisans of natural wine so beloved by Parisians.

But beware: drinking Italian in Paris does not mean settling for predictable choices. The places that focus on quality know how to tell the story of Italian wine with a carefully curated and never banal selection. And while it is true that France remains fiercely loyal to its own wines, it is equally true that Parisians and their visitors have learned to appreciate the Italian wine scene – something evident from the increasing exhibition space dedicated to Italian wineries at the sixth edition of Wine Paris (10–12 February 2025), organised by Vinexposium.

So, where should you go for a good glass of wine? Which wine bars are worth visiting for their selection of Italian wines? We explored the city in search of the best spots, from elegant caves à vin to more informal addresses, creating an essential guide to Italian wine in Paris.

The 5 best Wine Bars in Paris chosen by Gambero Rosso

Anna

Tasty recipes and great Italian wine... in Paris. Anna is the brainchild of Giuseppe Craparotta and Alessandro Allegri. More than just a restaurant, it is a little corner of Italy transplanted into the French capital, successfully conveying the essence of Italian cuisine with a modern touch. Pasta, of course, but also a variety of dishes that serve as inspiration for selecting the perfect bottle from a natural-wine-focused list (whether Italian or not). And vice versa.

Anna - Rue Vertbois, 13 - 75020 Parigi - Tel. +33973889606 - sito

CiaoGnari – Italian Enoteca

After losing his job in Brescia, Mirko Bosio, together with his partner Roberta Massetti, reinvented himself in France with the enoteca CiaoGnari (‘hello guys’ in Brescian dialect). Since September 2012, they have been offering the best Italian products, from cured meats and cheeses to a wine selection that includes both the most representative bottles and those from small, tradition-rich regions. Their goal is to share Italy’s winemaking heritage, its diversity, grape varieties, and producers, without constantly comparing it to French production. Located in the vibrant Belleville district, just steps from the metro, the shop hosts wine-themed evenings curated by emerging Italian brands and artists.

CiaoGnari - 333 Rue des Pyrénées - Parigi - Tel. +33143152961 - sito

Dilia La Cave

A small wine shop where you can find both renowned Italian bottles and lesser-known gems. More than just a place to buy wine, Dilia La Cave is dedicated to wine culture, offering time and space for experimentation. Specialising in natural, organic, and biodynamic wines, it is the enoteca of the restaurant Dilia, led by young chef Michele Farnesi, renowned for his high-quality Italian cuisine. The wine cellar is managed by Michele and Federico, the same sommelier from the restaurant, who personally curates the selection, featuring labels from small producers and age-worthy wines. Although it doesn’t fall into the category of wine shops with a kitchen, it deserves a mention as one of the best wine stores in the city.

Dilia la Cave - Rue Etienne Dolet, 30 - 75020 Parigi - Tel. +33173710305 – Instagram

L’Enoteca

Beyond the double doors framed by black columns lies an intimate space with an old-world charm: a ground floor featuring a medieval beam, a secret cellar housing 10,000 bottles (ranging from Italy’s greats to small, unexpected winemakers), and a cosy upstairs area. This cave à vin is a small corner of France that honours Italian food and wine culture. The desserts are excellent, from basil panna cotta to hazelnut ice cream served with hot chocolate, and, of course, the classic tiramisu. For those who love surprises, the candied aubergines with a touch of cinnamon are an experience not to be missed.

L'enoteca - 25 rue Charles V – Parigi – Tel. +33142789144 - Instagram

Passerina Cave à Vin

Giovanni Passerini, a Roman now settled in Paris, has redefined bistronomie with an Italian touch, blending the elegance of the French bistro with the warmth of a Roman osteria. After his time at Rino, he opened Restaurant Passerini, alongside Passerina, a pasta shop and wine bar. It is here, around a majestic mahogany counter adorned with mosaics, that wine lovers – both French and Italian – gather, pairing their glasses with flavourful small plates. From the menu: fennel-flavoured pork, melt-in-your-mouth veal tongue in tuna sauce with crispy turnips and chicory, and canederli – bread, ham, and guanciale dumplings served in a tarragon-infused duck consommé. Not to be missed: cacio e pepe risotto. Naturally, all of this is accompanied by a lively and intriguing selection of Italian wines.

Passerina Cave à vin - 44 Rue Traversière – Parigi – Tel. 0156612361 - Instagram

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