Excellent wine bar! We had a few hours to spare before a wedding party so decided to stop by. First off the place is cozy, with cool wine barrels with glass tops as tables. The waiter was really nice and was helpful when my gf and I were choosing wines. They offer an enormous selection of wines and fair prices. My girlfriend got the Riesling which was solid and I opted for a flight. In the flight came a wine called "vinotag". If you like smokey flavors this wine is for you. It was incredible! My girlfriend who doesn't usually like reds also loved it We also ordered a smoked Gouda cheese plate. It had a large amount of delicious cheese paired with different varieties of bread, grapes and strawberries Only disappointment was that the waiter forgot about our order of the cheese plate. Mistakes happen but it would've been nice if it was taken off of our bill as we were almost done w the wine by the time it came out. That being said, great place with really nice employees. If I'm back in the area, will definitely be stopping by read more

Cave A' Vin - Wine flights come in a cool three tiered holder - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

We arrived on a Saturday night around 6:30, we sat right down. It was such a cute place. We wanted to sit outside but it was chilly so we went with the high top/barrel seating by the window. The place reminded me of France, very sweet. But then I sat down at the table. So uncomfortable! You either had to spread your legs out so far it hits, or put your legs to the side of the barrel or sit Indian style. It was a struggle! Very cute looking but not practical at all! Our server was a delight, very informative about the menu and wines. Let us try wines as well. She did inform us right away that all food takes 35 minutes to come out and it doesn't matter what it is because kitchen is so small. Being a chef I wanted to go back there and see the kitchen since I have worked in many small kitchens...we ordered wine, cheese board and nachos. And yes it took 35 minutes for it to come out. But we were in no rush, plus we got live music which was lovely. We did have a lot of annoying nats near our wine all night which I wasn't sure if it was from the lines being dirty or because the door was open. It was annoying, one landed in my wine. my cheese board was excellent! I appreciated all the varieties of sides and plenty of cheese! My husband said the nachos were just ok. We also ordered dessert. I chose fondue which was awesome! My hubby got lava cake which was awful, inedible like rubber and dry. Overall it was a nice evening they have some kinks to work out. I will give it a try again and hope I can give it a better review next time! read more

Cave A' Vin - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Very fun experience here on a Saturday night. The wine selection was awesome and the descriptions are very helpful to pick out something you might like. You can do 2 oz flights if you're not sure what you want but we went with full glasses. The food was great here too. They may have served our favorite cheese plate to date. You have a slip and you check off the meats/cheeses that you want and it's served up like a cornucopia of food - there's bread and crackers and fruit all stacked around the cheeses. Nice presentation and it was all tasty. We split a bunch of sandwiches and a personal pizza after the cheese. The homemade chips that come with the sandwiches are excellent. It's a fairly small kitchen so I'm not sure if everything is made in-house. I found the curved serving dishes fun but a little annoying if you put any pressure on them since they roll sideways. It's away from downtown the secluded location can be nice if you want to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle. Street parking is easy too. We were leaving as they were setting up music and there was a large crowd coming in to hear it so I'd like to come back and try that out (but get there early from the look of it). read more

Oh this place is cute, food and drinks are just fine! Their only mistake: they switched my glass of wine. The panini was messy, but oh so delish- so I'd suggest the bacon one if you wish. They have comfy chairs for you to sit and chat. And it wasn't too busy- imagine that! And only $5 for happy hour delights? If you come to Cave A' Vin, see me you just might! read more

Update: Went back a few times. Ordered food on one occasion - it was good. Went with another couple and tried an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie. Everything was really good, with interesting accompaniments. My partner went back recently after they advertised a Sangria special, but was disappointed in the Sangria.... better to stick to the wine... ---------- Plusses: New Haven has a wine bar! It's an important addition to the nightlife scene here. A nice alternative to the usual bars, it's small and cozy, with friendly staff. It has an extensive wine list, with many offerings by the glass or taste, and you can design your own flight. We didn't taste the food, but rumor has it that it's good. There were a number of good options on the cheese and charcuterie list, and everything that went by us looked good. There are some very good wines on the menu, no more expensive by the glass or taste than some of the less expensive ones. If you know what you are doing, you can get some good values. What would make it better: One of the downsides of a big wine list is that some of the wines just aren't that great. We tried a malbec from the "fruity menu" that was utterly astringent. Not well described, and just not that good. It didn't help that we paired it with another "fruity" zinfandel - this one was an excellent wine (retails for $30/bottle, we found out later), and made the malbec seem even worse by comparison. So, some suggestions for flight combinations would be helpful. The combination we ordered should have been good based on descriptions, but did not go well together in actuality. There was live music when we were there, one guy and a guitar, which was a nice idea, but in such a small space it would have been better to have him be acoustic, or at least turn down the amp. It was very difficult to hear people next to you. The place can get crowded on weekends. Good to try it later in the evening or on a weeknight. Looking forward to returning to try the food. read more

Really lovely little wine bar with a homey feel and fun live music. The wines by the glass list is perhaps the most extensive you'll find in New Haven; what stands out is the sheer variety of wines you can taste. This might seem a given for a wine bar, but too often it seems, small-city bars don't want to take chances, and their lists feature permutations of the same old same old crowd pleasers. This is not the case with Cave a' Vin. Their wines are priced honestly, and it's nice to give the knowledgeable staff an idea of your tastes, and have them put together a flight or two. You are bound to be pleased and often surprised by their choices. The small plates served are surprisingly good (I say that because the 'kitchen' looks as big as a closet...and like the clowns at the circus that spill out of the VW Beetle, they keep bringing out good food from a seemingly magic little box!) The hummus is excellent, a generous portion accompanied by warm pita; the artichoke dip is tasty and satisfying; and the crab cakes are a really nice consistency, the perfect light summer dinner. The staff (I think they are a family?) are all pleasant and helpful; this sounds hokey, but it really does feel like you are a guest in their home. You can tell that this is a labor of love, and it's one that they do very well. All in all, a perfect and inexpensive date night (or friend night, or treat-yourself night...!) read more

4 stars seems fair considering the menu is rather pricey for food. Wine flight is a great idea, the pours are decent and you can try three wines for about $10. The wine list is very extensive! Watch out for going over-board on the cheese board. This is where you can really spend a lot. You pick the cheese, meat (extra charge) and other yummy treats for your board and they come out with a big spread for you. It did take a bit of time for it to come out, however the homemade fig jelly is INCREDIBLE. Do not get the chocolate covered oreo. It wasn't that great and was $2. read more

Cave @ Vin is a lovely spot that opened up on State Street. I have been here twice and just had to take the time to say. " What ambience ~ the music ~ service and the best " tomato bruschetta " I ever tasted. Along with this we had the hummus and olives. A glass of Malbec from Argentina I went on a rainy night with a friend. There's local ART on the wall, a friendly bar, a piano ~ delightful owners & chef . Entertainment on Thursday, Friday & Saturday@ 8:00. Reservations excepted. Parking takes a little patience but the reward awaits you. read more

intimate cozy af polite staff art! live music! DANK wine and small plates Come here if ya wanna cheeeeeel the eff out read more

The atmosphere is very relaxed with a decent size bar and some leather chairs if you get there early enough to claim. The staff here are all very helpful and friendly. Can't go wrong with a great cheeseboard and bottle (or two) of wine. If you aren't sure what you want a glass or bottle of, or just want to try something new, you can get a flight of three 2oz pours. read more

Cave A' Vin - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Interior: Really cool vibe. Love the decor. Except for the TV that was inexplicably playing sitcoms. What? Patio: Lovely, except the music from across the street was cranked way too high. Poor form, Dempsey's. Wine: Pretty well-organized selection. Reasonably-priced bottles. The tasting flights are not only a great idea but are presented ADORABLY. Food: I had the caprese salad. It was so-so. Despite ordering some very simple items on a slow day, food took a disproportionately long time to arrive. Service: A bit slow, a bit impersonal, but certainly polite and quick with the check. Bottom line: B+, nice place to sit and sip on a summer weekday. read more

I like this place. It has a very nice atmosphere, very intimate. The service is very friendly. The wine selection is decent. We had the happy hour special wine which was pretty good. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were their wine glasses, they seemed clunky and not good quality! Get some good wine glasses! I would go back though, and try their food and different wines. read more

I can only review the wine on happy hour, but I thought it was great. It's a cozy little place, great for a date! Would be tough for a group larger than 4. Staff is friendly and never pushy. I've been twice for the happy hour ($5 glasses of pretty decent wine) and never felt like I was a burden to the staff, even though I was clearly just getting my cheap deal on. Nice option on State street. I haven't tried there food, but wouldn't be surprised if I indulge myself the next time I go. read more

I wrote this review 2 years ago---it's just showing now. ??? I still love the place and have enjoyed it many times since I wrote this. Hope you enjoy it too! Cave a'Vin opened only a few short weeks ago in a neighborhood of New Haven that I love and once lived in. Being curious about the new place it became the destination for an after work-week outing for colleagues and their spouses. What a wonderful choice! This is a true wine bar in the European tradition. A manageable but impressive list of wines by the flight (2oz sample size snifter), glass, or bottle in many styles from all around the world. Of the wines we tried none disappointed and two are now on my personal favorites list. They also offer sharable size appetizers served on a barrel stave such as fresh hummus or salsa with chips. I loved the hot olive sampling but the best choice available is the cheese or meat and cheese with crackers plate. You choose from a blackboard of delicious options. If you are a cheese lover this is not to be missed! The interior is warm and inviting. It has a bar, tables (regular tables with chairs as well as some high tables with stools made from wine casks) scattered around, and a couch area. As our group went from 4 to 8 to 12 we were accommodated well by the different sitting options. There is also music weekend evenings. This is a great place to use as a meet-up place pre dinner or event. It also works for happy-hour or a nightcap. It works as well for groups as it does for a couple out for a little intimate romance and I would feel comfortable coming here alone to have a glass of wine. read more

Creamy tomato basil soup hit the spot on a chilly night and the ZinPin is my new favorite red wine. read more

Cave A' Vin - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Amazing service! My boyfriend and I shared the Margherita pizza and it was delicious. We both did a wine flight and were not disappointed. The atmosphere is lovely for a date night or even a solo night at the bar. I absolutely love this place and hope to become a regular with my time spent in Connecticut. read more

Cave A' Vin - Wine flight - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Perfect atmosphere. Lovely owner and employees. Great appetizers and desserts. Mmmmmm....... Love the happy hour sangria!

Thursday Instrumental Piano has been cancelled - but please call... ... ... Cave a' Vin - Wine Bar ... ...for upcoming excellent music events.... ... ... Wine and music read more

Been back since my first review. Always a friendly and knowledgeable staff, food is great. The wine menu was awesome, Loved the live music. Cozy atmosphere, I would definitely recommend for a great time. read more

I came here a couple weeks ago with some friends, I was pleasantly surprised. Small, but cute. There is live music on Fridays which I personally love since I am a singer/musician myself. The drinks are great, they have such a great and extensive selection. The food took me by surprise! Everything was delicious. Everything from the spinach and artichoke dip, to the pizza, was awesome. The lighting is very low, so if you're like me and have any 'night blindness,' it could get a little, for the lack of better words, bothersome? The service was ok. Our server was a nice girl but I think she was the only one around, so waiting for her to come around was a little frustrating, but nothing too horrible. Overall, good experience. It is a really cute and mellow place to go after a long week and just unwind. I recommend this place to everyone I know. read more

Great summer spot, especially for Happy Hour. The sangria and spinach and artichoke dip were phenomenal. Definitely a great place to stop on your way home from work. read more

Cave A' Vin - Gorgeous outside seating! - Wine Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Excellent jazz duo tonight. The bar is very welcoming with its massive varnished wood table. Wine by the glass at a very reasonable price and nice deserts to share. A good place for an evening with your best half or friends read more

We are consistently looking for great food and wine near the train station for when I'm traveling. This did not disappoint! We stopped in for happy hour and had an amazing selection of cheeses along with a happy hour dip. The $5 wine was good too! Service is attentive and helpful and location is very cozy. We will be back! read more

I came here with a rather large group last night and the staff was very accommodating putting together an area for use to chill and have wine. They have a substantial wine list, good options both by the glass & bottle. It was dark and cozy and a really nice place to sit, eat drink & be merry on a cold New England evening. Our server was attentive, but not over bearing. I'm sure I will be back again sometime soon & will perhaps try some of the food next time. read more

What a find! Our son recommended this wine bar to us. Great selection of wines, and the one recommended to us was perfect. They also offer a variety of food and desserts. We opted to relax in overstuffed chairs with oir wine and cannolis. It's located in a section of State St that attracts millennials. Tin ceiling, genuine wainscotting and old wood floors add to the warmth. Can't wait to go back with friends. read more

This is the worst place I've ever been to in my life. I ordered take out they told me it would take 35 minutes. I showed up 40 minutes later and they had me wait another 20 minutes. We ordered a personal pizza and a salad with chicken. They forgot to add chicken to the salad and we waited over an hour for everything. Horrible service. You couldn't pay me to go here again. The food was mediocre at best! And if you write a bad review be aware that the cook will harass you read more

A true hidden gem of a wine bar. Great service and great atmosphere. One night I was there a customer spontaneously got up and started singing jazz with the band that was playing. This is a great place for a first date or a ladies night, plus they have a fantastic selection of wine with very reasonable prices. read more

Great happy hour and a cozy interior. Drinks and eats run about $5 during this time. Went on Veterans day and a veteran jumped on the piano to play a tune he wrote just for the occasion. Can't wait to head back. read more

Service was great, food was acceptable and affordable. What sealed the three stars instead of for for me was their cheese list. It seemed like the type of stuff you see in the blah cheese section of a run down market (e.g. pepper jack, no-brand cheddar). That's not cheese for a cozy wine bar, it's cheese to bring to a super bowl party when you don't feel like cooking or spending money. read more

We love this place! Perfect for a light meal or sharing snacks. Wine selection is great. Atmosphere is nice and casual and has a real neighborhood cafe feel. You can sit on the couches or grab a high top table and listen to the live music. read more

Love the ambience, the food and a great collection of wine. Perfect for a dinner / late dinner. Usually have live music too

Warm cozy atmosphere- front door open, string lights, large leather couches, tables made of wine barrels, rustic wood bar, exposed brick walls, artwork hanging.. A very mature and sophisticated vibe. Friendly staff, delicious wine with a huge variety (also flights available to try diff kinds). Went on a Friday night, sat at the bar while there was a live acoustic guitarist and violinist playing. For food tried the eggplant/ricotta pizza which was so good and for dessert did the Nutella fondue! I highly recommend the fondue-- diff kinds and comes with strawberries, bananas, pretzels, cake bites, and wafer cookies. Perfect spot for a girls night out, happy hour, and great for a date night! A very intimate place altogether. read more

What a lovely spot. I stopped in for a quick drink before dinner, and really enjoyed my Soave Classico, a crisp white listed under the "Interesting and Intriguing" section of the wine list. The food looks yummy too -- can't wait to go back and try a pizza and/or some of the cheeses. read more

I almost don't want to rave about this place because I don't want it getting out what a gem it is, but I love it so much and the owners deserve much credit. Great atmosphere--soft lighting, comfortable seating, huge and thoughtfully curated wine selection, courteous staff, delicious food pairings. It is on the pricey side, but if you come for happy hour it's a deal. Flights are also a pretty good deal. Love their live musicians. Love everything about this place, period. read more

I LOVE loungy places. Not nearly enough in CT in my opinion. This wine bar is the perfect place on a snowy, cold evening. Great wine options, salads are huge, and pizza is good. Sofas and cigar chairs abound. All thats missing is a fireplace. Not a fan of the coffeehouse Pandora station, but thats just me... read more

I had a good time listening to music which is always free..the food was very fresh ..actually been going here for years a large assortment of wine also read more

Great recommendations. Arrived with no expectations. Leaving very happy. Music wine and cheese.

A cute wine bar on State Street. It is small, laid back, and cozy. My lab mates and I love to hang out here and unwind after work. They only have a few small tables, some couches, and the bar. They have quite a few wines on their list, but I admit I have only tried a couple. They do not have beers on tap, but there is a small selection of bottles available. For food they have some small plates charcuterie boards, baguette slices with goat cheese and blueberries or spinach artichoke dip. Not main courses, but you will find something delicious to curb your appetite. On Fridays they usually have live music (blues, jazz). read more

I really really (yes double really) like this place! It's a great place to go on a date or to have a relaxed drink with a couple of friends. The wine selection is extensive and the bartender is always very good at helping you find something you will like. I always order wine here so I'm not sure what other alcoholic beverages they have, if any. It has a relaxed feel, there are some high tables, a couch area and bar tables so you can find any sort of seating arrangement you'd like. It's kind of a quiet place and the lighting is dim. It's a good place to talk, but you don't feel like the whole place can hear you. Also, the food is delicious! The pulled pork nachos are deeelicious. read more

$5 happy hour wines are good. Wished there was more variety in wines though.We came in on Cave a vin's birthday and got free cake and enjoyed an awesome live show. They have good music, nice ambience for a date or leisurely dinner, and huge, delicious salads. Their other food is so-so, I mostly love this spot for music and outdoor seating. read more