Wine bar
Unclaimed profileTria Cafe Rittenhouse
Philadelphia, PA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
A long-running wine bar that has operated since 2004, Tria Cafe Rittenhouse treats wine as the main event rather than a backdrop. The by-the-glass list runs from Prosecco and Brut Champagne through Riesling, Gamay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with descriptive tasting notes throughout. Cocktails, beer, amaro, and a Zero Proof section round out the menu. The Wine Club offers monthly curated selections handpicked by the Wine Director, with perks including takeout bottle discounts and first access to rare wines.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Brut Champagne, Montaubret NV, or the Riesling "Elektrisch," Kabinett, Seehof '23 for a white with lime and mineral notes. The Gamay "Glou Glou" from Duperray is a lighter red option, and the Cabernet Sauvignon "Los Lingues Vyd." from Casa Silva brings blackcurrant and plum. For a cocktail, the Vieux Carré mixes cognac, rye, apple brandy, and bitters.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- People who want a wine list with genuine by-the-glass range across sparkling, white, rosé-orange, and red. The Wine Club appeals to regulars interested in curated monthly selections, takeout bottle discounts, and first access to rare wines. Cocktail drinkers, beer drinkers, and those seeking non-alcoholic options will also find dedicated sections.
- When should I go?
- A suitable stop for an evening drink when you want to compare several wines by the glass or settle into an amaro.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Wine by the glass ranges from 12 to 22, with the Prosecco at 12 and Brut Champagne at 22. Cocktails run 12 to 18, beer and cider 7 to 24, Zero Proof drinks 7 to 12, and amaro 11 to 22. The range supports both a single glass and a broader tasting across categories.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Tria Cafe Rittenhouse has operated as a casual wine bar since 2004 and runs a Wine Club with two or three curated selections monthly, handpicked by the Wine Director. Perks include 10% off takeout bottles, a complimentary wine class ticket per year, first access to rare wines, and members-only events. The amaro section lists individual selections with tasting notes, and the Zero Proof section covers non-alcoholic cocktails, wines, and beer.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail list moves from spritzes to classics to spirit-forward drinks. The Hugo Spritz uses mint, elderflower, and prosecco; the Tria Old Fashioned is built on fat-washed bourbon, madeira demerara, and bitters; the Vieux Carré combines cognac, rye, apple brandy, and bitters. El Borracho mixes añejo and blanco tequila with falernum and lime. Prices run 12 to 18.
Menu strengths
- — Covers spritzes, classics, and spirit-forward drinks across a 12-to-18 price range
- — Named classics like the Vieux Carré and Tria Old Fashioned show range beyond wine
Standout selections
- — Vieux Carré — cognac, rye, apple brandy, and bitters at 16
- — Hugo Spritz — mint, elderflower, and prosecco at 15
Pricing: 12-18
Wine
Wines by the glass span sparkling, white, rosé-orange, and red. Sparkling includes Prosecco, Dry Lambrusco di Sorbara Rosé, Nebbiolo/Ruché Pét-Nat Rosado, and Brut Champagne. Whites range from Verdicchio di Jesi and Saumur Blanc to Riesling and a Field Blend. Reds cover Gamay, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Garnacha/Graciano, Perricone, Tempranillo, Minervois, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Wine Club offers monthly curated selections.
Menu strengths
- — By-the-glass coverage across sparkling, white, rosé-orange, and red with descriptive tasting notes
- — Wine Club with monthly curated selections and perks including rare-wine access
- — Operated as a casual wine bar since 2004
Standout selections
- — Brut Champagne, Montaubret NV — green apple, brioche, toasty at 22
- — Riesling "Elektrisch," Kabinett, Seehof '23 — lime, nectarine, mineral at 14
- — Gamay "Glou Glou," Domaine Jean-Baptiste Duperray '24 — raspberry, violet, carefree at 16
Pricing: 12-22
Beer
The beer and cider section offers draft and bottled options. Draft includes New Trail Lazy River Pils and Tired Hands Alien Church Hazy IPA. Bottles range from Schneider Weisse Bavarian Wheat Beer and Saison Dupont to Allagash Tripel, Lawson's Sip of Sunshine Double IPA, and Russian River Intinction Wild Ale. Cider options include Cider Belly Strawberry Fields and Domaine Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut.
Menu strengths
- — Local Pennsylvania drafts alongside Belgian and American craft classics
- — Cider options include a local cider and a French brut cider
Standout selections
- — Tired Hands Alien Church Hazy IPA DRAFT — juicy, tropical at 8
- — Saison Dupont — the farmhouse classic at 11
- — Cider Belly Strawberry Fields Cider — dry, fresh local strawberries at 10
Pricing: 7-24
Nonalcoholic
A Zero Proof section covers non-alcoholic cocktails, wines, and beer. Options include the N/Aperol Spritz with Lyre's Italian spritz, the Mexican Peacekeeper with pomegranate, and the PalomN/A with grapefruit and hellfire bitters. Non-alcoholic wines from Leitz include a sparkling rosé in a 250ml can. Athletic Free Wave Hazy IPA is also listed. Prices run 7 to 12.
Menu strengths
- — Zero Proof section spans cocktails, wines, and beer rather than a single token option
- — Prices from 7 to 12 keep the non-alcoholic list accessible
Standout selections
- — N/Aperol Spritz — Lyre's Italian spritz, fever-tree ginger ale, club soda at 12
- — PalomN/A — grapefruit juice, simple syrup, lime juice, hellfire bitters at 9
Pricing: 7-12
Spirits
An amaro section lists individual selections with descriptive tasting notes. Averna brings orange zest, mocha, and caramel; Cardamaro shows honeysuckle, almond, and burnt honey; Cynar offers artichoke, toffee, and baking spices; Fernet Branca is intense, herbaceous, and menthol; Nonino brings apricot, caramel, and saffron; Ramazzotti shows dark chocolate, blackberry, and cola. Prices range from 11 to 22.
Menu strengths
- — Amaro section lists individual selections with descriptive tasting notes
- — Range of styles from bright and herbal to dark and bitter across an 11-to-22 price range
Standout selections
- — Nonino — apricot, caramel, saffron at 22; Cynar — artichoke, toffee, baking spices at 12
- — Fernet Branca — intense, herbaceous, menthol at 16
Pricing: 11-22
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