South Tampa's Quiet Overachiever
South Tampa · Tampa · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed 717 South Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
717 South flew completely under the wine radar online, which nearly earned them an undeserved burial. Then we saw the actual list. This is a well-curated, no-nonsense wine program that does exactly what a South Tampa neighborhood restaurant should — gives you real options across every category without pretending to be a wine bar. Sparkling, whites, reds, glass and bottle, all at prices that won't require a second mortgage.
The list covers its bases with intention. Sparkling options go beyond the obligatory Prosecco, whites span from crisp Sauvignon Blanc through Pinot Grigio to properly rich Chardonnay, and the reds run from lighter Pinot Noir through Malbec to full-bodied Cabernet. Nothing here screams 'we ordered from the Sysco catalog.' Somebody is actually thinking about what pairs with the menu and what their regulars want to drink. The variety-to-size ratio is smart — enough options to keep it interesting without overwhelming a casual diner or padding the list with filler.
Solid glass pour lineup that actually gives you a real tour of what's on offer. You can work your way from bubbles through whites to reds without committing to a bottle — and the pours are priced to encourage exploration rather than punish it. This is a program built for the Tuesday night regular and the Saturday date night alike.
Glass Pour Malbec — $13-15
The Malbec by the glass delivers the best bang for the buck — enough weight for South Tampa steaks without the Cab markup. Crowd-pleasing and fairly priced.
Ask About Off-Menu Bottles
A restaurant this dialed in almost certainly has a few bottles not on the printed list. The staff knows the regulars' preferences — ask what they'd drink themselves and you'll likely find something interesting.
Don't Default to the Most Expensive Cab
The mid-range reds here punch above their weight. Going straight to the top-shelf Cabernet skips the sweet spot of this list.
Chardonnay (By the Glass) + Seafood Entrée
South Tampa plus seafood plus a properly selected Chardonnay is the play. The list's Chardonnay options are chosen to complement rather than overpower — this kitchen knows what it's doing.
The Bottom Line
717 South is the South Tampa neighborhood gem that doesn't need to shout about its wine program because the regulars already know. A tight, thoughtful list with fair pricing and real variety. Skip the chains on Dale Mabry and drink here instead.
Water Street · Tampa · Seafood, Steakhouse
Driftlight is doing something real here — a dedicated sommelier, a properly sized list, and a Wine Spectator credential earned in its first year of eligibility. Pricing will run hotel-restaurant steep, but if you're eating on Tampa's Water Street and want a bottle that was actually chosen by someone who cares, this is your best bet in the neighborhood.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Tampa · Steakhouse
Bern's is a legend for a reason, and even this sparkling-focused slice of its list shows a house that genuinely cares about what's in the glass. The grower Champagne presence alone makes it worth a visit — just steer clear of the Korbel section and spend a few extra dollars where it counts.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Tampa · Tampa · American
The Rez Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the casino steakhouse thing better than it has any obligation to — a real sommelier, a Thursday half-price night, and a list that knows its lane. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and leave before you hit the slots.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Élevage is the kind of place that does California wine correctly without doing anything unexpected with it — the list is dependable, the setting earns it, and the Wine Spectator nod is deserved. Send a friend here if they love Napa Cab and a good steak; redirect the wine geeks to somewhere with more range.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Shore · Tampa · American, Steakhouse
Union delivers a reliable, California-heavy wine list that makes sense for a buzzy Tampa steakhouse with rooftop ambitions — just don't come looking for surprises. Send a client here; take a wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Tampa · Tampa · Seafood, Floridian
Ulele is a great restaurant that happens to have a competent wine list — not a wine destination that happens to serve great food. If you're in town for the waterfront, the smoked mullet dip, and a solid glass of California Chardonnay, you'll leave happy; just don't expect the list to keep up with the ambition of the kitchen. Wednesday's half-price wine night is genuinely worth planning around.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Downtown Atlanta · Atlanta · American
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta's wine list is a Lazy List by every measure — grocery store brands, steep markups, no specials, and a rotating staff with little incentive to know what's in the glass. If you're here for the memorabilia and the atmosphere, lean into a cocktail or a beer. If wine is non-negotiable, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Columbia Crest Cab will get you through the night without regret.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · American
The real headline here is Friday: half-price bottles under $250, which is a legitimately good deal in any zip code. Add a sommelier in a neighborhood grill context and Tin Cup earns a look that most Cumming restaurants don't. We'd go in on a Friday, ask for a recommendation, and let the staff do their job — that's what they're there for.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
· Wichita · American
Dave & Buster's Wichita is not a wine destination — and the list makes no attempt to pretend otherwise. Fourteen labels of grocery-store standbys, no pricing transparency, and a venue where the primary business is flashing screens and redemption tickets means the wine program is essentially decorative. Order the cocktail, feed the machine, save the bottle for literally anywhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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