Cave A’ Vin

If your seeking that little Parisian wine bar with great company, super charcuterie, and live casual & jazz music, Cave A Vin is must visit in New Haven. Car il est ce qui rend la vie magnifique!

The atmosphere is very relaxed with a decent size bar and some leather chairs if you get there early enough to claim. The staff here are all very helpful and friendly. Can’t go wrong with a great cheeseboard and bottle (or two) of wine. If you aren’t sure what you want a glass or bottle of, or just want to try something new, you can get a flight of three 2oz pours.

I came here with a rather large group last night and the staff was very accommodating putting together an area for use to chill and have wine. They have a substantial wine list, good options both by the glass & bottle. It was dark and cozy and a really nice place to sit, eat drink & be merry on a cold New England evening. Our server was attentive, but not over bearing. I’m sure I will be back again sometime soon & will perhaps try some of the food next time.

We are consistently looking for great food and wine near the train station for when I’m traveling. This did not disappoint! We stopped in for happy hour and had an amazing selection of cheeses along with a happy hour dip. The $ 5 wine was good too! Service is attentive and helpful and location is very cozy. We will be back!

A true hidden gem of a wine bar. Great service and great atmosphere. One night I was there a customer spontaneously got up and started singing jazz with the band that was playing. This is a great place for a first date or a ladies night, plus they have a fantastic selection of wine with very reasonable prices.

My boyfriend researched Cave a Vin for a Friday evening date night for the two of us. We enjoyed how cozy the atmosphere is, as well as the friendly and attentive nature of the staff. The wine selection is great. I located a bottle of wine on the menu that I haven’t had in years. As for the food, I must say, everything we ordered was fresh and very good. We were both pleasantly surprised. We relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere for a while after finishing our meal.
The only con I have for Cave A Vin would be the parking. There isn’t a designated lot and given the other close neighborhood choices for food and wine in the vicinity, the street parking is a bit scarce. I would not, however allow this to deter me from returning.

Cave A Vin is a hidden gem in New Haven. Come as you are and enjoy a great selection of wine that won’t break your budget. Given this place is a wine bar and not a restaurant, their food is creative, delicious and amazing, you would think the food came out of a Michelin starred restaurant. As to the staff, they are knowledgeable, polite and hard-​working. Do I need to say more? Highly recommended! :D

One of the best places to go in New Haven, great selection of wine, wonderful music, knowledgeable staff. The street is charming with people passing by as you sip wine. They have a nice menu and when you go, you should try the pizza, they’re all unique and sooo good. I recommend it highly

I had a good time listening to music which is always free. the food was very fresh. actually been going here for years a large assortment of wine also

The service by Jack was great. Met both owners they pointed out beautiful details of the architecture I has missed. This place is beautiful. The wine selection is to amazing.

Incredible food made with love. I bring all of my friends here because the drinks are outstanding. There are great wines. The deserts and the décor are cozy and well thought out. By far, my favorite place in New Haven.

Interior: Really cool vibe. Love the décor. Except for the TV that was inexplicably playing sitcoms. What?
Patio: Lovely, except the music from across the street was cranked way too high. Poor form, Dempsey’s.
Wine: Pretty well-​organized selection. Reasonably-​priced bottles. The tasting flights are not only a great idea but are presented ADORABLY.
Food: I had the caprese salad. It was so-​so. Despite ordering some very simple items on a slow day, food took a disproportionately long time to arrive.
Service: A bit slow, a bit impersonal, but certainly polite and quick with the check.
Bottom line: B+, nice place to sit and sip on a summer weekday.

Having lived in New Haven for 25 years, this is hands down one of my all time favorite spots New Haven has ever had. There is nothing like it open in town. Incredible wine list, inventive food and deserts, and a very attentive and knowledgeable staff. Cozy, comfortable, and my «go to» spot every time!

I came here with two friends on a Friday night. There was a live acoustic guitar player who was singing — not really what I was in the mood for but a nice offering.
The venue was super casual. There weren’t a lot of people coming in and out even though it was late night. Our waitress kind of disappeared at times.
Wine menu is definitely substantial with helpful descriptions.
I know it’s a small thing, but this is the only place I’ve ever been where they’ll bring you the single-​serving wine carafe and not pour it in the glass for you. I found that a little odd.

I got microwaved olives here. That was odd. Their wine was nice and the server was well informed about it. The little tiny bread like things they have in wine glasses at the table are really sweet and gross but I couldn’t stop eating them for some reason. The interior is pretty. Sip a gruner veltliner and check out the foot traffic on state street.
Their wine list is pretty enormous! Cool.
They had a TV on at the bar which seemed an odd choice for a wine bar.
This place is alright.

I really really (yes double really) like this place! It’s a great place to go on a date or to have a relaxed drink with a couple of friends. The wine selection is extensive and the bartender is always very good at helping you find something you will like. I always order wine here so I’m not sure what other alcoholic beverages they have, if any. It has a relaxed feel, there are some high tables, a couch area and bar tables so you can find any sort of seating arrangement you’d like. It’s kind of a quiet place and the lighting is dim. It’s a good place to talk, but you don’t feel like the whole place can hear you. Also, the food is delicious! The pulled pork nachos are deeelicious.

This place has a great atmosphere. There was a good band and the food was good. We will go back, likely for a glass of wine and appetizer.

Looking for a wine bar lacking pretentiousness? Look no further than Cave a’Vin.
With an incredibly warm and relaxing atmosphere, this place greets you like a comfy hug. It’s tiny, with limited lounge-​type seating and a bar that accommodates maybe 10, so I imagine reservations are required on Fridays and Saturdays if you want to eat at a decent hour.
I love that the wine list is broken out by style rather than region or varietal — it makes choosing a bit easier for those who may not be super into wine. They also offer flights and 2 ounce pours in addition to the usual glass and bottle, which is great if you want to experiment and try multiple wines without getting drunk and breaking the bank.
I haven’t had the opportunity to try food beyond the happy hour hummus (which, let’s be honest, it’s pretty hard to fuck up hummus), but the menu looked awesome — traditional italian small plates /​panini /​pizza. Reminds me a lot of my old watering hole Bin228 in Hartford.
I will definitely be back — whether it’s alone, with a date or a friend, this place is pretty much perfect for all occasions.

I like this place. It has a very nice atmosphere, very intimate. The service is very friendly. The wine selection is decent. We had the happy hour special wine which was pretty good. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about were their wine glasses, they seemed clunky and not good quality! Get some good wine glasses!
I would go back though, and try their food and different wines.

After a final exam, followed by 6 hours of clinical, my friend and I were starving and eager to unwind. This establishment was a place I had not yet visited, however my friend is essentially a regular here. It’s a cute little spot, with both tables and armchairs — quaint and quiet, but not pretentious.
My friend and I ordered both the warm fig Brie (appetizer) and Mac n Cheese pizza (entrée) to share. I must stay, the food here was delightful.
It could be considered a moderately costly dinner (nothing outrageous), but Cave a Vin offers good food, good service, and a nice atmosphere.
Verdict:
I’d return!