Osteria del Bugiardo ★ 4.7
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
A Veronese institution on Corso Porta Borsari, open until midnight. The Veneto wine focus tilts heavily toward small producers and natural winemakers. Cicchetti and cheese plates complement the glass pours.
The list: Rotating list of around 300 bottles with a strong Veneto and natural wine emphasis; 15-20 by-the-glass pours daily
Tip: The Bugiardo is the meeting point for Verona's wine community; the staff change the by-the-glass list daily and are happy to pour a comparison between a classic Valpolicella and a natural-leaning expression.
Enoteca Segreta ★ 4.7
25 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
A narrow-alley enoteca near Piazza dei Signori, specialising in Verona and Veneto wines. An unusually deep Amarone back-list; the by-the-glass selection rotates to showcase new arrivals against classics.
The list: Over 500 labels in the cellar with a curated 25-by-the-glass rotation; specialist in Amarone and aged Valpolicella verticals
Tip: Ask the sommelier for an Amarone vertical going back five to ten years; the list runs from fresh Valpolicella Classico through Ripasso to prestige Amarone Riserva.
Il Mercante ★ 4.4
15 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
Verona wine bar and restaurant on the historic Piazza dei Signori, with a strong Veneto wine focus and late-night hours in the summer season.
The list: 350-label list focused on small Veneto producers; 15 by-the-glass pours at any time; open terrace on Piazza dei Signori until midnight in summer
Tip: The terrace directly on Piazza dei Signori is one of the best outdoor wine spots in northern Italy; summer evenings start with Prosecco Superiore and pivot to Amarone as the night progresses.
Ristorante Il Desco ★ 4.9
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
A landmark Verona fine-dining institution with two Michelin stars, housed in a 16th-century palazzo near the Anastasia church. The cellar's Amarone vertical is among the most comprehensive in the Veneto and the candlelit rooms provide a definitive luxury wine evening.
The list: One of the finest Veneto cellars in a restaurant; 1000-plus labels including deep Amarone verticals, prestige Soave single-vineyards; two Michelin stars
Tip: Book the sommelier-led Amarone tasting menu for a candlelit journey through prestige Valpolicella from young Ripasso to aged Quintarelli-level Amarone.
Locanda 4 Cuochi ★ 4.5
10 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
A candlelit stone-walled restaurant in Verona centro storico with an artisan-wine focus and a thoughtfully curated short Veneto wine list. The four-chefs concept rotates the menu seasonally.
The list: Short but precisely curated list focused on Veneto artisan producers; candlelit stone interior; 10 by-the-glass pours
Tip: The tasting menu pairs regional Veneto dishes with small-producer wines not typically available in larger restaurants; the Valpolicella and Soave section is particularly interesting.
Palazzo Giusti Wine Bar ★ 4.3
14 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
The wine bar of a boutique historic hotel near the Arena, offering a curated Veneto and Italian selection in a refined setting. A more intimate alternative to the crowded Arena-district bars.
The list: Hotel wine bar in a 16th-century palazzo; focus on Amarone and Valpolicella; evening tasting menus available
Tip: Palatial Veronese setting for an Amarone evening; the palazzo wine bar is quieter than Piazza Bra and favoured by trade visitors during Vinitaly.
Enoteca di Piazza delle Erbe ★ 4.3
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
A broad-stocked enoteca near Piazza delle Erbe with one of the better Recioto and Italian passito selections in central Verona. The fortified specialists category is focused on the regional Recioto styles alongside imported Marsala and Barolo Chinato.
The list: Broad Italian wine list including Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto di Soave DOCG and other passito styles; some fortified Italian bottles including Sicilian Marsala and Barolo Chinato
Tip: Ask for the Recioto della Valpolicella alongside Barolo Chinato for an end-of-evening pairing; neither appears on many Veneto wine lists.
Antica Bottega del Vino ★ 4.7
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Verona
One of Verona's oldest and most respected wine venues, the Antica Bottega del Vino on Via Scudo di Francia operates a 3000-label cellar with particular depth in Amarone and Recioto. The Recioto collection is among the most comprehensive in the city.
The list: Historic cellar of 3000-plus labels including a deep Recioto della Valpolicella collection; also stocks aged Amarone as a dessert wine equivalent; grappa and Barolo Chinato available
Tip: The Antica Bottega's Recioto della Valpolicella selection runs to multiple vintages; ask the sommelier for the Quintarelli Recioto vertical if available.