Tiki vibes, short ribs, and natural wine surprises
Downtown Jersey City · Jersey City · Progressive American with Asian Influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Cellar 335’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You descend into a dimly lit basement that smells like tropical cocktails and sesame oil, and the wine list is the last thing you expect to be interesting — but it is. Forty-something bottles that lean natural and global rather than the usual Napa safety net. The room is loud, the energy is fun, and the list has something to say.
Cellar 335 isn't building a cellar for the ages, but what they've curated has a point of view. You've got South African Syrah, New Zealand white, California Pinot, and a Lebanese red blend from Wardy — that's a more adventurous geography than 90% of Jersey City's restaurant scene. The Wardy 'Les Terroirs' (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cinsault, Shiraz) is the kind of wine that makes you stop mid-bite and wonder why Lebanon doesn't show up on more lists. Gaps exist — depth is thin, there's no Champagne or grower sparkling to speak of, and the Old World coverage beyond that Lebanese outlier is sparse. But for a cocktail-forward tiki spot, the fact that they're pouring Whole Bunch Syrah from South Africa at all is worth something.
The by-the-glass program runs 8 to 14 options depending on the night, which is respectable for a place where the bar program is clearly the headline act. Selections skew toward natural and low-intervention producers — Hunky Dory and Bloodroot both show up, which signals someone behind this list knows what they're doing. Rotation feels more static than dynamic; don't expect a weekly pour swap.
Whole Bunch Syrah (South Africa) — $60
At roughly 100% markup over retail, this is the least punishing bottle on the list. South African natural Syrah has serious texture and smoke — it holds its own against the Short Rib Fried Rice and doesn't feel out of place in a tiki room.
Wardy 'Les Terroirs' Red Blend (Lebanon)
Lebanese wine rarely gets a seat at the table, and Wardy is one of the Bekaa Valley's most serious producers. A Cabernet-Merlot-Cinsault-Shiraz blend from Lebanon in a Jersey City basement bar is the most interesting sentence we've written all month — and the wine backs it up.
Broadbent Vinho Verde
Broadbent Vinho Verde retails for around $10. At $60 on the list, that's a 500% markup — the most egregious pricing on the menu. It's a fine, breezy wine, but you're paying six times what it's worth. Order the Syrah instead.
Bloodroot Pinot Noir (California) + Korean Style Wings
The savory-sweet heat of Korean-style wings wants something with bright fruit and enough acidity to reset the palate — Bloodroot Pinot fits that brief without fighting the spice. It's not a delicate pairing, it's a practical one, and it works.
The Bottom Line
Cellar 335 is a cocktail bar that accidentally has one of the more interesting wine lists in Jersey City — a Lebanese red blend and South African natural Syrah in a tiki basement is exactly the kind of weird we're here for. The markups need work, but the spirit of the list is right.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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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
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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.
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