Rogue Wave Wine Bar — Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach

We were warmly greeted by Nate, who told us to sit wherever we liked. The inside is elegant and beautifully decorated with glass tiles on a floating bar, warm colors, and brick behind the service area. Even the bathrooms were spotless and thoughtfully designed.

We chose the outdoor patio, which is lovely and well-organized with comfortable furniture, outdoor sofas, and tables and fans to keep things cool. The music playing was tropical house with a pop crossover and completely appropriate. A perfect spot for us to have a game of cribbage. Nate brought over the wine list, which offers a thoughtful selection by the glass or bottle, along with a small food menu. We were thrilled to find a Susumaniello which is a rare wine from Salento in Puglia, Italy. Nate provided tasting notes. He shared that he and his wife have been running the place for about a year, transforming it from a former flower shop into this inviting wine bar. His professionalism and service stood out all evening. When it started raining, he went out of his way to escort patio guests inside under an umbrella so they wouldn’t get drenched.

The wine was excellent, and we appreciated that it was served in worthy long-stemmed crystal glasses. Unfortunately, the charcuterie board didn’t measure up to the rest of the experience. We ordered it because a charcuterie board is the measure of how good a wine bar really is and it should show the same thought and care as the wine list. At $20, it felt uninspired and mismatched with the otherwise thoughtful wine program. Instead of artisanal selections, we were served cubes of mild cheddar that had the texture of grocery store block cheese, along with rectangular slices of smoked Gouda that clashed badly with the wine, smoked cheeses rarely pair well. The meats were limited to capicola and pepperoni, both of which had the look and taste of deli counter cold cuts rather than curated charcuterie. Having two spicy, fatty meats with no balancing option (like prosciutto, speck, or a pate) made the plate one-dimensional.

The accompaniments didn’t help elevate it: spiced pretzels, rice crackers, and wheat crackers felt like pantry snacks rather than intentional pairings. Bread or a simple baguette would have been a far better base. While there were some fruits and nuts on the board, they felt like filler rather than thoughtfully matched elements. For the same price, even one or two carefully chosen upgrades like an aged cheddar with milk crystals, a creamy Camembert or goat cheese, prosciutto or speck, and proper bread would transform the board into something worthy of the wine list and setting. If that upgrade happens, this is a solid 5-star wine bar in every respect.

One small note: there’s a $2.50 surcharge for using a credit card. It’s understandable for a small business. We didn’t know this going in. Bring cash if you want to avoid the extra fee.

That said, everything else about Rogue Wave was excellent: the service, the setting, the wine list, and the atmosphere. It’s in a great location and we will definitely return to explore more of the menu. My recommendation is to skip the...

I stopped in for a glass of wine before meeting some friends at another establishment for dinner. I was immediately greeted and asked to sit wherever I wanted. I asked for the staff member to put on the college football game and he was more than accommodating. The waitress came over and was very pleasant and service oriented. I asked for a Cabernet and a menu. They have a nice, small bites menu. The waitress came back and suggested the meatballs. I was not sure about them due to the fact that they had venison and wild bore in them. She said, "If you do not like them, I will take it off your bill." Now that is confidence in your chief and the quality of the food. The meatballs were incredibly good.

I stayed longer than I had anticipated due to the open atmosphere which enables the customers to interact and share their stories and wine. I went alone and left feeling like I had made some new friends. I will definitely go back and...

Just sharing that we enjoyed an incredible evening at the Rogue Wave Wine Bar last evening and feel compelled to share the wonderful experience. Our server, Christi, was attentive and kind as well as aware of the temperature and fluctuation in clientele so she was aware when we needed heaters and blankets as well as asking us for additional drink/food orders before it became extremely busy. The atmosphere is chill, the food offering is fantastic and the beverage options are extensive. We were fortunate to experience live music provided by Janet LaVigne and love her vibe. You are missing out if you don’t treat yourself to a fabulous evening at the Rogue...