Columbia

Cherry Street Cellar

Downtown · Columbia · Wine Bar & Bistro

The Wild Card

Cherry Street Cellar is doing something genuinely uncommon for Columbia — an Old World-focused wine program in a space that actually feels like it belongs in a bigger city. We'd send a curious friend here on a Tuesday at 5:59 p.m. without hesitation.

Günter Hans

Downtown / Alley A · Columbia · European beer garden and café

The Lazy List

Günter Hans is a fantastic spot for beer, waffles, and atmosphere — the wine list is an afterthought wearing a Canyon Road uniform. Order a craft beer, enjoy every minute of the pretzel, and come back when they decide wine deserves the same love as everything else on the menu.

Campus Bar & Grill

Near Campus · Columbia · American Sports Bar

The Lazy List

Campus Bar & Grill is a great place to watch a Mizzou game and drink a beer — and that's exactly what you should do. The wine program is an afterthought from a restaurant that has no interest in wine, and we respect the honesty of that even as we wave you toward the tap list.

Bleu Restaurant & Bar

Downtown · Columbia · Contemporary American

The Reliable

Bleu is the kind of wine list that works well if you already know what you want and want it done properly. It's not pushing any boundaries, the markups are on the steeper side, and there's no real discovery to be had — but for a night out in Columbia, it's a solid, well-stocked option that won't let you down.

Sophia's

South Columbia · Columbia · Upscale globally influenced cuisine with Italian-inspired fare, seafood, pasta, steak, and gourmet pizzas

The Reliable

Sophia's is doing more with wine than almost anywhere else in Columbia, and we'd happily send a friend here — with a warning to navigate carefully around the commodity wines and go straight for the reserve list. The ambition is real; the markup discipline just hasn't caught up yet.

Sycamore Restaurant

Downtown Columbia · Columbia · New American

The Wild Card

Sycamore is doing something genuinely unusual in Columbia: running a tight, thoughtful wine list with real producers and fair prices, backed by someone on staff who knows what they're talking about. Come on a Wednesday and it's a no-brainer.

Chris McD's Restaurant & Wine Bar

Forum Boulevard / south Columbia · Columbia · American and international; steak and seafood-focused

The Reliable

Chris McD's is doing more with wine than almost any restaurant in Columbia — 35 by-the-glass pours and some genuinely interesting cellar selections earn it real credibility. Markups run steep and the list leans heavily on California safe bets, but as a neighborhood wine bar that also happens to serve a good steak, it punches above its weight class.

Glenn's Café

Columbia · Columbia · American, Creole

The Reliable

Glenn's Café is a dependable wine destination by mid-Missouri standards — not flashy, but fairly priced and backed by a legitimate Wine Spectator track record. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well without any nasty surprises on the bill.

CC's City Broiler

Columbia · Columbia · American

The Reliable

CC's City Broiler is the kind of reliable, well-run steakhouse wine program that a mid-sized college town should be proud to have — a real sommelier, recognizable bottles done right, and a list that won't embarrass you. The markups and California tunnel vision keep it from being a destination, but if you're in Columbia and want a great Cab with your ribeye, this is your spot.