On a recent visit to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas, I took a seat on a leather stool at the polished mahogany bar, my mind set on a class of champagne and an order of oysters on the half shell. As I scanned the menu, sommelier Ben Reynolds approached with a glint in his eye. “Before you settle on that glass of bubbles, let me pour you something special,” he said, producing a glass of golden sauternes, a sweet white wine from Bordeaux. Certainly not the pairing I was expecting, but when a wine professional suggests something intriguing, who am I to decline?
As I savored the honeyed wine complimented by the briny oysters, Reynolds shared his insight on the Dallas wine scene.
“Dallas has long had a ‘cab and a slab’ mentality, but that is changing,” he said of the residents’ preference for big red wines and steak. He’s noted an increased interest in a broad range of red wines, from lighter domestic and imported pinot noir to spicy Syrah, and premium high-elevation Argentine malbec.
White wines also have a seat at the table, even at steakhouses, as evidenced by my sauternes.
“I think increased media coverage of wine, from the Somm documentary to the Apple TV+ series Drops of God, has heightened public awareness,” Reynolds adds.
In compiling this list of great places to drink wine in Dallas, I considered venues that have a thoughtful approach to wine and employ passionate sommeliers who enhance guests’ experiences.
55Seventy
If you really, really know your wine, 55Seventy is the place for you. Of course, you’ll have to drop a pretty penny in this Preston Center spot—or even spring for a club membership (about $299 monthly) if you can swing it. Sommelier Jeff Gregory and his team—a team!—have created a diverse list that spans continents, including lesser-known wine territories such as Lebanon, Slovenia, and Georgia (the country, not the state). Everything is chosen to accent chef Josh Sutcliff’s dishes, such as the tuna tartare and prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin.
Bodega Wine Bar
For affordable wines, Bodega Wine Bar, in Lakewood, is the place to go. Owner Amier Taherzadeh curates everything from natural wines to classics such as Barolo and Bordeaux in this wine cave–inspired shop and bar. Here, you can sip a glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc or dig deeper with a flight of a few selections while sampling charcuterie or cheese. Regular tasting events offer immersive experiences.
Brass Ram
Located downtown, Brass Ram has a gorgeous, nostalgic art deco–inspired space that’s what you always imagined a steakhouse would look when you were a kid. Sommelier Brandan Kelley’s list balances old-world elegance and new-world boldness, as with the pairing of beef Wellington and a Chianti classico Gran Selezione (aka pure Tuscan Sangiovese).
Carbone
In the Design District, Carbone brings mid-century Italian American glamour from New York to Dallas. Sommelier Cameron Cronin and his team curate an impressive Italian wine list, ensuring perfect pairings like crisp verdicchio with table-side Caesar salad or juicy Dirupi Valtellina nebbiolo with veal Parmesan.
The Charles
It seems like “Charles” is being whispered all over Dallas these days with three brother restaurants—the Charles, Mister Charles, El Carlos Elegante—getting attention. The Charles is the sibling who fled to Italy on his study-abroad trip and brought that sophistication back home. Try the house-made burrata with a glass of Etna bianco or savor the short rib ravioli alongside a rich and earthy Bolgheri blend.
Coupes
As the name suggests, Coupes, in Highland Park, is all about the bubbly. Whether you prefer to sip from a coupe glass or a tall, elegant flute, sommelier Madeleine Thompson has the sparkler for you. Everyone hypes up oysters and champagne, but try Coupes’ oysters with a glass of crisp blanc de blancs. Other light bites on the menu include a burger and truffle popcorn. Have something really special to celebrate (like winning the lottery, for example)? Splurge on the caviar service with champagne.
Gemma
Husband-wife team Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder’s bistro Gemma is where France and Italy meet Dallas. This intimate space in Knox-Henderson offers a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe with a seasonally driven menu and a thoughtful wine list featuring European favorites as well as some from Napa Valley, where they once lived. The earthy French Loire Valley cabernet franc is a highlight, especially when paired with duck leg confit.
Goodwins
The latest addition to Greenville Avenue, Goodwins, features a welcoming bar and a main dining room with massive booths, dark wood, and warm lighting. It’s the perfect place to cozy up to comforting dishes such as the roasted chicken or French dip sandwich with equally warming wines—including Loire Valley chenin blanc and robust Sicilian Nero d’Avola—curated by Brian Busch.
Hillside Tavern
When it comes to trusted wine sources, you can’t beat the dynamic brothers Brooks and Bradley Anderson. At Hillside Tavern, in East Dallas, their expertise shines in a cozy, wood-paneled space. The menu offers typical pub-style fare such as chicken wings and cheddar fries, while the wine list ranges from approachable to adventurous. Pair its famous smashburger with a fruity Beaujolais or the sweet chile salmon bowl with a crisp Chablis.
Lucia
In Bishop Arts District, the highly lauded Lucia offers an intimate Italian experience helmed by chef David Uygur. Renowned for rustic, handmade pastas, it boasts wine list by sommelier—and David’s wife—Jennifer Uygur. The ever-changing selection favors small Italian producers, featuring rare gems and beloved classics. Pair duck liver mousse with Piedmont barbera or house-made salumi with lively lambrusco.
Neighborhood Cellar
Owner Ian Montgomery’s passion for small producers shows itself in his eclectic wine list at Neighborhood Cellar that features everything from classics to funky “natty” wines and of-the-moment skin-contact whites. Enjoy a Provence rosé on the charming Oak Cliff patio with light snack offerings such as a charcuterie board. Montgomery and his staff delight in sharing stories behind each bottle.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
This iconic Texas steakhouse boasts the single most extensive wine selection in North Texas—a head-spinning 3,900 offerings, from Spain to New Zealand. Wine director Jon Walker guides guests through the leather-bound wine list for suggestions on steak pairings or rare vintages. Though Pappas’s origins may be in Houston, it doesn’t get more Dallas than this.
Sachet
Mediterranean flavors and wines are at the forefront at Sachet, another joint from Rogers and Yoder. The coastal-centric list tours Southern Europe, focusing on selections from Greece, Italy, and even Lebanon in this bright Oak Lawn space. Crisp Santorini Assyrtiko pairs with grilled octopus, while Spanish tempranillo complements wood-grilled dishes. Don’t miss lamb skewers with Sicilian frappato.
Trova Wine + Market
Owner Michelle Bonds, inspired by experiences in Chicago and Argentina, created this sophisticated space with a visible temperature-controlled cellar. Part wine shop, part casual dining space, Trova in Preston Center lets you either stop in to grab a bottle or sit down for a meal, like roasted chicken, and a glass. The list emphasizes small producers and sustainable practices and is particularly strong in Burgundy and Bordeaux.
