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Have & Meyer
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Have & Meyer
7.9
This candlelit natural wine bar offers 100+ Italian wines by the glass alongside slow-food-inspired plates. The intimate, unpretentious setting features live jazz some evenings, while pasta and charcuterie provide ideal pairing companions for orange wine exploration.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi, Grilled Octopus, Charcuterie Board
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: 90+ natural Italian wines by the glass with slow-food philosophy
Who should go: Natural wine curious and intimate date seekers
When to visit: Weeknight evenings for live jazz
What to order: Gnocchi, any wine your server recommends
Insider tip: They'll open any bottle just for your glass; don't hesitate to ask
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Havemeyer St and surrounding streets; standard Williamsburg parking challenges evenings and weekends
Dress code: Smart casual - the candlelit wine bar vibe encourages looking polished without being formal
Noise level: Intimate and conversational on weekdays; can feel cramped and lively on busy Saturday nights with birthday parties
Weekend wait: 15-30 min even with reservation on Saturdays; space is small (4 tables, 15 barstools) and gets packed
Weekday lunch: Dinner only - opens at 5pm; Tuesday-Thursday evenings are quieter with easy seating
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including burrata, seasonal salads, artichoke toast, and pasta dishes
Vegan options: Limited - some vegetable-forward plates available; ask server for current options
Gluten-free options: Yes - GF pasta and bread available for charcuterie; items marked on menu; staff knowledgeable but not a dedicated GF kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Ideal - OpenTable guests specifically call it romantic and intimate with soft candlelight and live jazz some evenings. The wine-by-the-glass format encourages exploration and conversation. Go Tuesday-Thursday for quieter ambiance; weekends can feel cramped with birthday parties.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes - The Infatuation notes you can get a seat any night. Weekends are trickier; the tiny space (4 tables, 15 barstools) fills fast. Bar seating is your best walk-in option on busy nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not recommended - this is a wine-focused establishment with candlelit ambiance, live jazz, and late evening hours (5pm-11pm). The intimate space and adult atmosphere make it better suited for date night than family dining.
Best For
Better for: Orange wine exploration with 90+ natural Italian wines by the glass; servers who'll open bottles just for your glass; unpretentious wine education for curious beginners; intimate dates with live jazz
Skip if: You want a proper dinner destination (food is supporting cast to wine); you need a quiet Saturday night (gets packed with birthday parties); you prefer choosing from a traditional wine list (they use a mood-based recommendation approach)
Have & Meyer
8.1
Have & Meyer is a snug natural wine bar and Italian kitchen where candlelight, shareable plates, and a deep list of small producers make lingering over a bottle feel effortless. It leans more intimate than grand, ideal for dates built around conversation, pasta, and discovering a new favorite wine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi cacio e pepe, Pappardelle with beef ragu, Ricotta and seasonal vegetable crostini
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Natural-wine-focused Italian spot where the bottle list is as central as the pasta.
Who should go: Wine-loving couples who enjoy sharing plates and conversation.
When to visit: Early evenings or late second-seat dates at the bar.
What to order: Gnocchi cacio e pepe, pappardelle ragu, a seasonal crostini.
Insider tip: Let the staff pick a glass-pairing flight across a few different regions instead of sticking to one bottle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable before 7pm, tighter late-night on weekends. Metered spots on nearby avenues.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning stylish — jeans are fine, but most guests dress date-night chic.
Noise level: Moderate-low — candlelit, intimate energy where you can easily hold a full conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — primarily an evening wine bar and dinner spot.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pasta, vegetable-forward small plates, and crostini options.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable dishes can be adapted, but not a dedicated menu section.
Gluten-free options: Limited — naturally gluten-free small plates and salads available, but pasta is mostly wheat-based.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the candlelit setting, shareable plates, and focused wine program create an easy, conversation-driven first-date atmosphere without feeling stiff or flashy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on early weeknights or very late seatings; otherwise expect a bar wait or short hold during peak Friday and Saturday hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really — the space, menu structure, and late-night wine-bar vibe are better suited to adults than families with kids.
Best For
Better for: Intimate wine-focused dates, sharing small plates, and discovering lesser-known Italian and European bottles in a cozy setting.
Skip if: You want a big, lively Italian dining room, large group seating, or a classic red-sauce, entrée-driven experience.