Middle East in a Glass, Philadelphia on Your Plate
Old City · Philadelphia · Israeli · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed March 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Zahav reads like a passport stamp collection from regions most American wine drinkers have never seriously considered — Israel, Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Palestine. It's immediately clear this isn't a list someone phoned in; it's a program built with a point of view. Whether you're ready for that point of view is another question, but we respect the conviction.
The core of the list is Israeli, and it goes deep — Vitkin, Yatir, Clos de Gat, Jezreel, Recanati, Flam, Dalton, Golan Heights, and Pelter all show up, covering the Galilee, the Judean Hills, and beyond. The 100-150 bottle range sounds modest until you realize how much ground it covers geographically, with Lebanon's Massaya and Château Musar representing Bekaa Valley alongside Palestinian producers. There are also smart left-field additions — an Iñaki Gorrido Listán Blanco from Tenerife and I Vigneri's Nerello Mascalese from Etna suggest a sommelier who understands volcanic terroir has a moment. The gaps are intentional: you won't find a wall of Napa Cabernets here, and that's the whole point.
Eight-plus pours means you can explore the whole region without committing to a bottle, which is exactly how you should approach this list on a first visit. The Cinsault Rosé from Massaya's Bekaa Valley and the Galia Grenache Blanc from Vitkin both appear on glass pours, giving you genuine regional context. Prices run $15-$20 a glass, which is on the higher end but reflects the tasting menu format and the sourcing effort.
Galia Grenache Blanc 2021, Vitkin, Galilee — $67
A Grenache Blanc from Israel's Galilee region is not something you stumble across every day. Vitkin is one of the most respected producers on the list, and at the low end of the bottle price range, this is your most interesting entry point — especially against the richer dishes on the tasting menu.
Iñaki Gorrido Listán Blanco, Tenerife 2020
A volcanic white from the Canary Islands hiding in an Israeli restaurant wine list is genuinely bizarre, and we mean that as a compliment. Listán Blanco grown on Tenerife's black volcanic soil produces something saline and alive that most diners will walk right past. Don't.
Cinsault Rosé Massaya Bekaa Valley 2023
Massaya's rosé is a fine wine at its $20 retail price. At $67 on the list — a 235% markup — it's the most aggressively priced bottle relative to what's in it. There are more interesting bottles at this price point on the same list.
Galia by Zahav Marselan/Syrah/Carignan, Galilee 2021 + Lamb Kebab
Zahav's own-label red — a Marselan, Syrah, and Carignan blend from the Galilee — was clearly built for this menu. The dark-fruited, herb-driven profile of that blend hits all the right notes against the char and spice of the lamb kebab. It's not subtle, but it doesn't need to be.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Zahav's wine program is as committed to its thesis as the kitchen is — this is a genuine deep dive into Israeli and Levantine wine, guided by real expertise. The markups are real and you'll feel them, but if you've never seriously explored this part of the wine world, this is the best possible classroom.
Philadelphia · Philadelphia · American
Vernick Fish is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants quality Chardonnay and Burgundy alongside serious seafood — just know you'll pay for the privilege. Send a friend here, but tell them to avoid the trophy bottles and lean into the French side of the list.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Rittenhouse Square · Philadelphia · French
Parc is a reliable, France-first wine list that fits the room perfectly — you won't discover anything new here, but you also won't go wrong. If you're eating onion soup and steak frites in a beautiful Parisian-style brasserie, this list does exactly what it should.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Rittenhouse Square · Philadelphia · American, French
a.kitchen+bar is the real deal — a deep, well-curated list run by sommeliers who actually know what's on it, earning that Wine Spectator badge honestly. The markups sting on the high end, but the depth and staff knowledge make this one of Philadelphia's best rooms to drink serious wine.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Center City · Philadelphia · Italian
Vetri Cucina is the Italian wine list Philadelphia deserves and rarely gets — stacked with producers that serious collectors chase, staffed by people who can actually talk you through it. Yes, the markup stings on the trophy bottles, but the depth here earns every bit of that Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Old City · Philadelphia · Italian
Panorama has been one of Philadelphia's most credible Italian wine programs for three decades and the list backs that up with producer-level specificity and fair pricing. If you're eating in Old City and wine matters to you, there's no better seat in the neighborhood.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Philadelphia · Philadelphia · Italian
Osteria is one of the best Italian wine programs in Philadelphia, full stop — the depth of producers alone earns the Rager badge. Budget for it, skip the obvious names, and let the list take you somewhere you haven't been.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.