On a recent visit to New Haven to see an exhibition at the Yale Center for British Art, we hoped to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (Barcelona Wine Bar), but they were fully booked with a Yale event. In a display of restaurant solidarity , they recommended that we try Vinas Wine & Tapas. As it turned out, we have a NEW favorite in New Haven! We arrived a bit early and were cheerfully greeted by Mike G, our server. The atmosphere was welcoming and relatively quiet, since their musical offering does not start as early as our 5:00-7:00 PM time slot on a Tuesday. We had asked for the waiter Christian because he had been mentioned in several of the Yelp reviews, but Mike proved that the service compliments should go to everyone. First, the tapas: We enjoyed all five of the tapas we chose. The "Calamares" were lightly battered and crispy. The Vinas salad was fresh, with tomatoes, cheese, corn, and croutons. The pork belly was delicious and more meaty than expected . The oyster mushrooms were presented with onion crisps. The baked birria empanada was stuffed with brisket style beef. Each of these "courses" was a unique delight to the palate, and for me and my partner, it was completely satisfying. In keeping with the spirit of a "wine bar," Vinas offered a flight of 4 wines in 3 ounce glasses, and after hearing about our food choices and wine preferences, Mike chose the wines for us, giving us a chance to taste some less familiar offerings. We had the Felino Malbec 2024 (Argentina), which became our favorite for its full-bodied and deep flavor. Our second wine was a unique Don Abel (private label) from Wallingford CT, made by one of the relatives of the owner, specially for Vinas. This one reminded us of the local wines one might receive in a B&B in the Loire Valley in France. The final two wines were both from Chile: Reserva Carmenere 2023 and Cabernet Sauvignon Marques de Casa Concha 2022. Both were excellent wines. It was great fun to have Mike choose the wines for us, and we really enjoyed the variety that the flight offerings gave to us. Of course, we had to try a dessert, and Mike recommended the Toffee Cake. We had heard that the owner claimed that some people cried with joy after eating it. Although we restrained ourselves, we had to agree that this was an extraordinary conclusion to a fabulous meal. Overall, this was a great experience for us, and we heartily recommend Vinas Wine Bar and Tapas for a relaxing and welcoming dinner. Some reviews I had read suggested that the portions were too small for the price. I have to disagree. My partner and I love food, and this was plenty. And the price was reasonable. Including tip and tax, we spent about $75 each. read more

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We stopped in for apps on a Saturday afternoon. We ordered a glass of wine, ceviche, and skewers. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly, full of energy, and efficient. The ceviche was excellent, everything was cooked throughout by the citrus. The portion size is small for $19 and it could have used a side of bread or tortillas to soak up the delicious citrus based broth. The skewers were also excellent. They were cooked perfectly, super tender, juicy and flavorful. They cooked them with a seasoning and had a delicious chimi on top. read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Skewers - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Came here on a rainy night because our original restaurant was closed and this was within walking distance. I didn't realize it was Chilean before walking in the door and looking at the menu, so that actually raised my hopes that the food and experience was going to be good. I was REALLY disappointed with the wine selection, both by the glass and by the bottle. The restaurant claims to be a wine bar ("wine" comes before "tapas" in its name after all), so why was the wine menu so underwhelming? We wanted a bottle of white that night, yet all of the offerings were sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. Sure, those are the two major white grapes grown in Chile, but surely they could have found some other white varietals to list on the menu. We kind of gave up on the whites, but then found the reds were limited too. The list had just a handful of producers, but then listed the gamut of grapes those producers make. I didn't see any small Chilean producers. It felt like the owner looked at their distributor's offerings, picked a couple producers and said "give me everything they make". It didn't feel curated at all. That's not what I expect from a place calling itself a wine bar. The food was a little more interesting. The pastel de choclo was... unique. The flavors didn't quite work for me (the cinnamon or clove was weird), but I was happy to try it since it was different. The rest of the food (empanadas, churrasco sandwich, seared tuna) was not memorable. It turned out to be an expensive meal, but not at all worth the money. read more

First time visiting - it did not disappoint. We went on a Friday night; it was a little slow but we didn't mind at all. The vibe was relaxed. Our waitress was super attentive. Our tapas took a bit to come out, but again we didn't mind. The owner even came out to check on us and our food. Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection. We even ordered dessert and it was well worth the $18. This is the perfect spot for a date night or to get together with friends. read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Toffee cake - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Stopped in for some light bites and was thoroughly impressed by these fun tapas! Known for their empanadas, we tried the buffalo chicken, which came with 4 smaller ones, and the vegetable, which were 2 large ones. Overall the buffalo chicken had more flavor since the vegetable was dominated by melted cheese. The outside of the vegetable was also more on the par cooked side. Papas bravas were perfectly salty and paired well with the aioli. Guacamole was nice and citrusy! read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Guacamole and Papas Bravas - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

This place is a great downtown location with its proxy to other shopping locations and foods. The food and the drinks were really good. The fried potato was excellent! The drinks were also tasty and creative. The staff were so welcoming and nice. The bathrooms were also very clean and had lotion dispenser (very much appreciated for this time of the year.) The only thing that could be improved is the sound system. I was sat under the speakers which made it hard to talk to others at the same table. And once the music was over and the live music started (which was great by the way) we could not talk at all because we could not hear each other since the music was so loud. read more

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Incredible flavors; fresh and tantalizingly ceviche and seafood and tapas... you won't be disappointed!

Food is pretty good quality and service is nice but portions are way too small for the price. I know tapas are usually small servings, but food was expensive considering, especially for new haven. I left feeling like I had spent a lot but was still hungry. It's unfortunate because the space is quite nice. I really enjoy their spacious patio on a street that's mostly closed to cars. That said, would totally come back for a drink, especially on a nice day. Just might not do food here again. read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Outside seating - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Great spot! Super friendly and have wonderful recommendations from the staff. We also had a taco appetizer that succulent and full of flavor. Definitely recommend read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

While I generally avoid New Haven dining due to parking hassles, I would make an exception and revisit Vinas Wine & Tapas. The modern, clean interior, upbeat music, and friendly service create a good energy and welcoming atmosphere. The TVs were showcasing items from the menu, which added to the anticipation. It wasn't busy when we came in on an early Saturday night. The space can probably sit around 40-50 people in the dining area and even more if you include the bar seating, making Vina's ideal for couples, small to medium groups or solo diners. I uploaded a picture of their latest menu since I saw a lot of outdated menus online, and it looks like they added a few more tapas from previous iterations. Since it was our first time there, we decided to go with some of the popular dishes based off other reviews. The empanaditas was definitely our favorite tapas, with the aioli sauce complementing the dish perfectly. I feel like a little more seasoning for the ribeye would elevate the dish to another level, but that's just my personal taste. The pork belly was definitely flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth, but the richness of the fatty meat might be overwhelming for some palates. The calamares with the creamy cilantro was good as well, although the tentacle parts were quite oily. The sauce for the chicken pimiento was fantastic, and the potato crisps were a great accompaniment. However, the chicken was a bit on the drier side, which detracted from what could have been a perfect dish. From a presentation standpoint, I think placing the potato crisps on top of the chicken might not be the most visually appealing, but I understand why they avoid putting them underneath to prevent the sauce from making them soggy. While the toffee cake took a bit longer to arrive, it was absolutely worth the wait. I'm not typically a dessert person, but this one made my taste buds very happy and was a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, my first visit was a positive experience. I appreciate pairing delicious food with great drinks, and their pisco sour and mojito were excellent. I'm absolutely eager to explore more of their menu and drink offerings in the future! read more

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A sensational addition to 9th Square dining. South American tapas! A great place to bring a crew, to share their fabulous octopus a la plancha, a great salumi and cheese antipasto platter with fig jam, and a gorgeous slab of beef to share. Save room for the sticky toffee pudding! Super friendly staff, very attentive. Reasonably priced wine list with a wonderful unoaked chardonnay that we always order. Live music on weekends! It can be noisy, but you're here to have a good time. Open late, a huge bonus for us night owls. read more

Had early dinner and HH on our night in New Haven The space is very nicely done and a good vibe. The service was friendly and efficient. Good drink, beer and wine selection - but the star of the show was the food. Empanadas, shrimp, haddock and ceviche all very tasty. It was my first time in a Chilean restaurant- will not be last read more

Absolutely no notes. Fantastic. Apps, wine, dinner, dessert, server, music, etc. amazing all around.

Excellent food and wonderful service. Highly recommended for creative tapas and great drinks. Was a little quiet when we were there , so I hope it's busier at other occasions! read more

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My first visit with my bf was impressive. We sat at the bar and were warmly greeted by Mario who informed us that they had a wine special. We were here for the wine and tapas and a little quiet time together. We tried a taste of the Montes Alpha Carmerère from Chile and decided to go for a bottle to share. For tapas we had the Pulpo a la Plancha which is Grilled seasoned octopus, herbed bean salad, creamy cilantro sauce. The octopus was done perfectly and the sauce and beans made it even better. Next we tried the Seared Tuna, Bluefin tuna, cucumber and avocado citrus salad, ponzu gel. It was delightful. Next Camarones al Ajillo Shrimp sautéed in garlic sauce - all so tender. So in summary, it was a great meal and we are planning on coming back for the wine dinner. read more

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Went there for a friends birthday and can say that the drinks were great! I had the Santiago City Sour and their version of an espresso martini which both were made perfectly. The majority of tapas I ordered were really good as well, the lamb chops blew me away. The overall tapa bar was really pretty, I love seeing an open kitchen which they also had. The only thing i would recommend and hope is that they have more servers at some point. Our server was great, but she was working so hard and also had majority of the tables on our side of the tapas bar. Would definitely recommend if you are in the New Haven area and are looking for great drinks and small bites! read more

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Our family had a wonderful time at Vinas Wine & Tapas. The service was great, they were especially kind and accommodating to our two young children. While we found it to be a great family venue at lunchtime, it's definitely a great date night/after work cocktail kind of place too. The food was fantastic but we were not prepared for the big portions! A couple smaller plates or one big plate are probably enough for most people. We especially loved the steak. read more

Food was good. Another instance of almost getting double charged when Mario rang us up for another tables bill.

Vinas Wine & Tapas is a new wine bar on Orange street so I had to check it out. Went on a Tuesday evening around 9pm and we received a warm greeting by the staff. We sat at the high tops by the wall and perused through the menu. I wasn't hungry so I went with the sparking wine and my friend got a glass as well, and ordered the octopus. As we waited for our drinks, I walked around and took some pictures, while also making note of the things I liked and areas they could improve on. Keep in mind they are new so I took that into consideration in my notes below. Likes -The staff is personable and so is the owner. Being kind to your patrons is almost a guarantee that they will continue to support you -The octopus, according to my friend was really good -They are able to dim the lights to set the mood -The space is very cozy but still spacious -I think they stayed open later for us (we were there close to 11pm but I think they close at 10pm) -It's very clean -They have live music on certain days Areas of improvement -The menu is not overly extensive but I'm sure as time progresses, they'll add more to it -I really dislike the chairs. They belong in a diner and not a wine bar so I highly recommend they get swapped out asap. -Always keep the lights dim Can't wait to come back and see how much they improve overtime. read more

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This was an unexpected DELIGHTFUL surprise. I don't know if it's because they are a new restaurant who is trying to make a good impression or if they intend to always be this good but I had a wonderful experience. My wife and I just celebrated our anniversary and we happened to be on a walk as we passed this place. They were training for their grand opening. My wife was asking them questions and next thing you know, we were sitting at a table in our casual walking clothes. We speak to the owner Mario and it turns out he is also a musician who plays in his own band at the restaurant. Service: 10/10 Food ratings: Beef empanadas: 8:3 Seared Tuna: 7.9 Chicken Pimiento: 9.3 Toffee Cake: 9.7 I highly recommend you try this place out. I definitely recommend the chicken pimiento and the toffee cake. It was one of the best desserts I've had in recent memory. read more

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I went in to get some much needed me time and sat at the bar. The bartender Daniela was so nice and she made me 2 rum punches that were excellent. I had the empanaditas and they were so good I could eat 10. Will definitely be back soon read more

Great food, awesome patio. Everything we ordered was just fabulous...waiter left us but the fill in did a great job. Would come back for more! read more

Amazing place love the ambiance all the staff are so friendly and helpful, they know what food they serve and the food is so good. I'll recommend this to anyone. Try it yourself and tell us your experience. read more

We popped in here randomly (no reservation). The service was great, but the food was not traditional tapas. It had a South American flavor (choclo, ceviche, etc). The gambas al ajillo had paprika and an overwhelming flavor of jarred garlic. The patatas bravas were more roasted potatoes with a salsa gold (not "brava" sauce). It was "fine, definitely not what we were expecting and expensive for what you got ($9 for 4 medium shrimp?). read more

Food was delicious, with the exception of the churros. It was pretty dry and did not really taste like much of anything. Service was not great, but they were very busy. Waitress was friendly, but it took so long in between orders. The place was lively and had live music. This is a great date spot! read more

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We came here as a party of 2 on a Friday around 5pm for happy hour. They have a great deal where it is 4 half glasses of wine and one tapas from a given selection for $35. We thought it was a great way to try some new wines. Of course we also had to try their Pisco Sour which was amazing. Definitely will come here again to try more of their food! read more

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Vinas was an amazing experience all around!! The staff is so friendly and makes you feel so welcome! I went on a Wednesday night and they had live music, it was so much fun and an overall good vibe. The food and drinks left me wanting more of everything. Overall this was such a great place and I will be back! They also have lunch and happy hour specials! For further review, check out @gbennieats on Instagram read more

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Okay for South American good style tapas. Went in for happy hour specials and it was just the right portion to try out some short listed menu. read more

The bartender Sam was great. Sam recommended the Papaya Marrini since I don't like sweet drinks. We had fried calamari as well but forgot to take a picture. All our food was good. We will definitely go back. They had a dj come in Saturday night, and he definitely had a good playlist. read more

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10/10 recommend. Great service. Great food. Reasonable prices. Clean. Looking forward to coming back! read more

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Whenever I'm in CT I come here with my family and it's always a pleasure. Food is delicious, drinks are on point and the service as well. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a 5 star restaurant read more

We had a great experience at Vinas! The food, atmosphere and staff were all top notch. Looking forward to dining there again!

Nice empanaditas that were tasty. They have a great cocktail menu with menu pisco drinks. Great service! The Santiago City Sour was a both flavorful and light. read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Empanaditas & Santiago City Sour - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

If you are looking for a review confirming you should eat here. This is the one the food is amazing I suggest the American empanadas, lamb chops, anticuchos, chicken pimento and the delicious toffee cake ( you'll never be the same lol) the service is fast and the ambiance is amazing they often have local music. Last but not least if you are a pisco fan you're in the right place! read more

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Vinas has a wonderful selection of tapas which will have your taste buds happy. From amazing drinks, beer on tap and a wonderful professional and happy staff. Vinas will have you smiling with you family and friends as you enjoy their fun classy staff and beautiful atmosphere. read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - a plate of food - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Loved it! First tried Vinas on a NH taco food tour, two weeks prior to this visit for dinner. Loved the tacos we sampled, especially the birria tacos, and knew we'd be back. Early dinner before heading to the Shubert, four of us sampled both types of birria tacos, Empanaditas, pulpo (octopus), and pork belly; everything was outstanding. Delicious spicy margaritas and mojitos, as well as excellent wine selection, added to our bliss. Our charming server also contributed to our wonderful experience, with his thoughtful suggestions, warmth, and good humor. We will definitely be back and thank everyone at Vinas! read more

Great food! Great service! We've been a few times and we get the pork belly and empanadas every time. Christian's been our server a couple of times and has been phenomenal! Looking forward to next time! read more

Excellent food and service! Recommend the Birria tacos, empanadas, and strawberry mojito.

The service was FANTASTIC! The food was RIQUÍSIMO! I would really recommend going outside because of its nice atmosphere. I would also suggest the calamari there (close to PERFECTION) and the Toffee cake, which was soft and sweet. The band that performed was "" Would 100% come here again! read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - The calamari (soooo good) - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Excellent meal, excellent service. Would highly recommend, great new spot in New Haven. Everything was great, but favorites were the seared tuna (whatever is in the salad it is on is outrageously good) and toffee cake. We will be back! read more

Vinas Wine & Tapas - Toffee cake - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut