The Vineyard Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Dream That Opened Its Doors in 2009

The Vineyard Wine Bar began as a dream in early 2004. After years of careful planning, it opened on North Washington Street in October 2009 with a clear purpose: to share that dream with the community. Situated in the heart of Havre de Grace's historic district — among antique shops, art galleries, bed & breakfasts, and marinas — it has since drawn wine lovers and food enthusiasts from across the region.

What's on the Table

The bistro menu is built around the wine, not the other way around. Tapas-style dishes, light salads, flatbreads, artisanal cheese selections, fresh pâté, and specialty desserts are all composed to complement whatever is in the glass. The seasonal approach keeps the menu purposeful rather than sprawling — every item earns its place alongside the wine list.

Speaking of which: the retail shop carries over 300 fine wines from around the world, ranging from Airén to Zinfandel, with a focus on bottles that over-deliver for the price. Wine Spectator recognized the list with its Award of Excellence, citing it as one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world — a distinction that places The Vineyard Wine Bar in rare company for a Maryland establishment.

A Different Philosophy of Hospitality

The house rules here are worth knowing before you arrive. When you book a table, it is yours for the entire evening — no second seating, no crowd waiting at the door, no subtle pressure to wrap things up. The philosophy is deliberate: life slows down inside these walls. Guests are encouraged to settle in, explore the seasonal menu at their own pace, and stay as long as they like.

No children are permitted after 5:00 pm, which reinforces the quiet, grown-up atmosphere that regulars clearly appreciate. Guests have praised the knowledgeable staff, the beautiful presentation, and — more than once — the cream of crab soup and chorizo flatbread as standouts worth returning for.

Voted Harford County's Best

Beyond the Wine Spectator recognition, The Vineyard Wine Bar holds the title of Harford County's Best Restaurant and is one of only five restaurants in Maryland to have received the DiRoNA award — a distinction that evaluates service, culinary execution, and atmosphere together. For a wine bar in a small historic waterfront town, that is a meaningful measure of consistency.

Whether you stop in for a midday glass and a flatbread or settle in for a full dinner, the experience is shaped by the same conviction that started it all: wine and food, done right, in a place where you are in no hurry to leave.