Ramen first, wine second — somehow works
Downtown Jersey City · Jersey City · Japanese ramen and izakaya · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ani Ramen House Jersey City’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Nobody walks into a ramen shop expecting a wine list, so credit to Ani for having one at all. It's short, approachable, and priced like they actually want you to order a bottle. Don't come here hunting for Burgundy — but don't write it off either.
The list runs about 10–20 bottles with a clear New World lean: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Washington Cab, California Pinot Noir, Italian Pinot Grigio. There's no Old World depth, no natural wine flirtation, and no regional storytelling to speak of. What you get instead is a tight, crowd-friendly lineup of recognizable bottles that won't confuse a table of ramen-first, wine-curious diners. Gaps are obvious — nothing sparkling beyond the house pour, nothing to bridge the umami-heavy broth situation — but for a ramen joint, the effort is real.
Seven pours by the glass is a genuinely solid number for this format, and at $9 a pop, the barrier to entry is low. You get the house trio (white, red, sparkling) plus four name-brand options covering the main bases. Rotation appears nonexistent — this is a set-it-and-forget-it program — but the pricing keeps it from feeling like an afterthought.
House Sparkling (by the glass) — $9
Nine bucks for bubbles at a ramen counter is the right call. Cracks open easy, cuts through fatty tonkotsu broth, and nobody's mad about it.
Crossings Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a ramen bar sounds like a mismatch until it isn't — the grassy, citrus-driven profile actually holds its own against lighter shoyu-based broths. Most people will reach for the red and miss this.
Charles & Charles Cabernet
A big Washington Cab is fighting every flavor on this menu. Tannic and fruit-forward against rich umami broth is a clash, not a conversation. The wine isn't bad — it's just the wrong tool for the job.
Barone Fini Pinot Grigio + Pork Bao Buns
The bao buns are rich and porky but not as heavy as the ramen — Pinot Grigio's light body and clean finish keeps the plate feeling fresh rather than overwhelming.
The Bottom Line
Ani Ramen isn't a wine destination, but it's a wildcard worth knowing: fair prices, enough variety to find something that works, and the rare ramen spot that actually put some thought into the glass. Send your wine-curious friends here — just make sure they order the tonkotsu too.
· Jersey City · Japanese
For a Japanese lounge with a 21-bottle list, Stingray is doing more work than it has any reason to. The Grüner, the Loire whites, and that Grand Cru Champagne are all legitimate finds at prices that won't sting. If you're nearby and want something better than the usual sushi-spot house white, this is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · Italian
Laico's has been doing this for over 30 years, and the wine list isn't why people keep coming back — the Chicken Francese and the neighborhood warmth are. If you're looking for a deep cellar or adventurous pours, this isn't your spot. But if you want a solid glass of something Italian to wash down a classic red-sauce dinner without getting gouged, Laico's delivers exactly what it promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Amanda's isn't going to make a wine lover's heart race, but it's doing the honest work: fair prices, enough variety to match a proper New American menu, and a by-the-glass program deep enough to drink your way through a multi-course meal without getting stuck. If you're in Jersey City and want a reliable bottle without a markup argument, this list delivers.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · American Bistro
Court Street's wine list is functional and fair — no embarrassing markups, a couple of genuinely good pours hiding among the Coastal Ridge, and glass prices that won't wreck your dinner tab. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but it's a perfectly fine neighborhood spot where you can drink the Rioja or the Sancerre and have a good night. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them away from the mystery Champagne.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jersey City · Jersey City · Italian
Il Tavolo isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's a reliable Italian spot with fair pours, sensible pricing, and enough range to keep the table happy. If you're in Jersey City and want a glass of Chianti that won't cost you a car payment, this is a safe and honest bet.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Anthony David's wine list is reliable without being exciting — it does the job for a casual dinner without making you work too hard or feel gouged at the lower price points. The by-the-glass program is legitimately strong for a list this size, and the Crémant de Loire is a smart pour. If you're a wine-first diner, this isn't your destination, but if you're coming for a neighborhood meal and want a decent glass to go with it, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
