The best wine bar in the Netherlands is in Amsterdam
During the annual ‘Wine Bar of the Year’ competition, which has existed since 2014, we investigated for you what the best wine bar in the Netherlands is. After almost 10,000 public votes and fifteen unannounced jury visits, from Leeuwarden to Maastricht, we announced the ‘Wine Bar of the Year 2019’ today at Horecava. And the winner is…
Based on a points system assessing atmosphere, wine selection, glassware, service, wine knowledge, food selection and interior design, Shiraz in Amsterdam—drumroll, please—received the highest score. Shiraz was already a contender in 2018 and this year was the absolute and unanimous number 1. Second place went to 1574 in Leiden, and third place to Meesters in Wijn in Maastricht.
A wine bar where everything is just right
Why did Shiraz become the rightful winner of the Wine Bar of the Year competition? This is what we wrote in the jury report: ”Everything is just right here. Upon arrival, you receive an enthusiastic welcome from trained sommeliers, a clear explanation of the wine list, and all the time you need to choose. The interior is very atmospheric, with high tables alternating with low seating areas and a lovely bar. It is striking how many locals come here, in what is nevertheless a very international setting in our capital, near Leidseplein. Both hip millennials and experienced wine lovers of all ages know where to find Shiraz—and return regularly. The dishes on the menu are exciting and fantastically prepared. The wine list is wonderfully clear, with icons for all flavor profiles, the selection of wines by the glass is extensive, and there is also an enormous range of wines available by the bottle, with a sympathetic fixed markup. An additional plus is the in-house wine shop.”
Top 5
Because the quality of wine bars in the Netherlands is exceptionally high, it was a neck-and-neck race. The runners-up are all places with an exuberant selection of open wines and staff who know what they are talking about. So you can simply enjoy a drink with a good glass of wine instead of plonk.
- Wijnbar 1574 in Leiden: “A beautiful, atmospheric building that breathes wine, a passionate owner, an impressive wine list with a lovely small menu and a few dishes prepared by a chef.”
- Meesters in Wijn in Maastricht: “What a discovery: 469 wines by the glass, excellent wine knowledge, delicious bar bites and a wine experience from here to Tokyo.”
- Most in Utrecht: “An impressive establishment with By The Glass walls containing more than a hundred open wines, fantastic bites and an enormous amount of wine knowledge.”
- Paskamer in Amsterdam: “A place to sit and eat all evening. Wonderful wines and exquisite glassware. Be sure to ask the owner for advice—a walking wine guide.”
Finalists Wine Bar of the Year 2019
The top 15 wine bars we visited are (in alphabetical order):
- Alex+Pinard in Amsterdam
- Bij de Mannen in Leeuwarden
- Het Wijnhuis in Zwolle
- Meesters in wijn in Maastricht
- Nic & Ik in Zutphen
- Proeflokaal 1574 in Leiden
- QV Winebar in Amsterdam
- Shiraz in Amsterdam
- Vindom in Oldenzaal
- Wijnbar GIJS in Someren
- Wijnbar Most in Utrecht
- Wijnbar OAK in Zwolle
- Wijnbar Paskamer in Amsterdam
- Wijncafé Lefebvre in Utrecht
- Winehouse SOMM in Amsterdam
Previous winners
Previous winners of the Wine Bar of the Year competition are: Lefebvre in Utrecht, Bouzy in The Hague, VinVin in Utrecht, Wijn bij Stijn in Den Bosch and Barrel in Groningen.
Got a taste for it?
Round up your wine squad! Here you’ll find the best wine bars in the Netherlands. From Groningen to Zierikzee and from Amsterdam to Maastricht. Chin, chin!
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