The Goat & Vine — Restaurant in Temecula

The Goat and Vine, located in Old Town Temecula, California, offers a vibrant and modern dining experience with a rustic touch. The interior features a blend of industrial and cozy elements, such as exposed light bulbs above a tiled bar, wood-paneled walls, and string lights draped over branches, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

My friends and I ordered the "breadsticks and house sauce" and the "charcuterie board" as appetizers. The breadsticks and marinara sauce were the best breadsticks i've ever had in my life and the cheese was extremely stringy. They don't play with their cheese here. It's for real. The charcuterie board was really tasty as well and had the usual staples for a board. They provide slices of bread as the cracker substitute you usually have with a board and we wish we had more bread and more meats for how pricey the item is ($32) but we didn't ask for more.

I ordered “The Roast Turkey Bacon Avocado Melt” and it’s a flavorful and satisfying sandwich that brings together a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and fresh elements. The tender, roasted turkey provides a hearty base, while the smoky, crispy bacon adds a satisfying crunch and a burst of umami. The creamy, mild Swiss cheese melts beautifully, complementing the rich, buttery avocado slices.

The basil aioli introduces a fresh, herby kick that pairs nicely with the juicy, slightly tangy Roma tomato. The mixed greens add a light, crisp texture, balancing the richness of the other ingredients. All of this is enveloped in a soft, slightly salty pretzel bun that brings a hint of sweetness, rounding out the flavors.

Each bite offers a delightful combination of textures—from the crunch of bacon to the creaminess of the avocado and the chewiness of the pretzel bun. It’s a well-rounded, indulgent sandwich with a satisfying, fresh finish.

My wife ordered the The Spicy Italian sandwich and it’s a bold and flavorful experience that packs a punch with every bite. The combination of Calabrese, Fra’mani soppressata, and pepperoni creates a savory, spicy, and slightly smoky trio of cured meats, delivering a rich, meaty depth. The provolone cheese adds a mild, creamy contrast, melting just enough to meld with the other ingredients.

The garlic aioli brings a smooth, garlicky warmth that complements the spicy kick from the meats, while the tangy pepperoncini slices add a zesty, slightly crunchy pop. Red onions introduce a sharp, pungent bite that cuts through the richness, while the crisp romaine adds freshness. The oregano vinaigrette ties it all together with a hint of herbaceous acidity, balancing the intense flavors.

All of this is sandwiched between a soft, chewy pretzel bun (same as my sandwich) that adds a subtly sweet and salty finish, perfectly harmonizing with the robust, spicy elements. The Spicy Italian is a hearty, zesty sandwich that leaves a lasting impression with its layered textures and bold, vibrant flavors.

The drink selection includes seasonal sangrias, regional wines from Temecula and Sonoma, and craft beers from local Southern California breweries. Guests often commend the friendly and knowledgeable staff, as well as the relaxed yet lively ambiance, making it ideal for family dinners or date nights.

Due to its popularity, especially during busy hours, it’s recommended to use the Google/Yelp waitlist to minimize waiting time. We were a party of five and waited nearly 90 minutes or so before we...

It took us many tries, but we finally got to visit Goat & Vine recently and I must say, it was worth the wait! We’re fairly new to Temecula’s restaurant scene and there’s a reason G&V always comes up as a top pick when you ask around! And of course, it’s no surprise that it received the Local’s Choice Award for Favorite Restaurant for the last 2 years.

G&V does not take reservations and instead, uses Yelp’s wait list system. On previous tries, the wait was always way too long or the wait list was closed. This particular time, I accessed the wait list for 2 people at 3:30pm on recent Saturday and was pleasantly surprised at an initial estimated time of 6:20. With people ahead of us dropping off, we got a text to be there at 5:30. Note that you can use online access to the wait list for parties of 1-5. If you’re a party of 6-8, you need to call to get manually added. Their largest table seats 8.

Once we arrived and were told it would be 10 minutes or so, we asked if we could sit at the bar and get a drink while we waited. The bar area is first come first serve and you can order meals there. It was our first time at G&V and we mistakenly sat at the lower table area attached to the bar. When we told the server we were waiting for a table and just wanted a drink, she may have alerted the hostess who was extremely gracious in letting us know that we were at an actual table and not the bar area, and she proceeded to seat us immediately at another table close by. We only had interaction with the hostess and our waitress, but both were excellent – very personable, helpful and just the right amount of attentiveness!

The interior layout and décor is gorgeous and the vibe is upscale. The restaurant is much larger than it appears from the street.

Ok, onto the fantastic food! After a Manhattan and a glass of Zin, we shared Mother’s Meatballs and a steak gorgonzola pizza. Despite being very busy, our food came out quickly. The meatballs starter was to die for – so yummy and beautifully presented in a cast iron skillet and served with their house-made Parmesan garlic sourdough. Here’s an awesome tip: order some extra marinara to dip your pizza crusts in! The pizza was delicious, as well.

Goat & Vine gets 5 stars for ambiance, service and food! We can’t wait to return, and are looking forward to their next venture, Two Travelers Wine...

I used to love Goat & Vine, but after my last two visits, I honestly don’t know if I can ever come back. Both times I visited — to celebrate birthdays — we were treated shockingly poorly, and it completely ruined what should have been joyful celebrations.

The first experience was by far the worst. We had joined the waitlist, received a notification that our table was ready, and arrived excited — only to find out there was no table for us at all. No one from the restaurant offered a solution. We had to take it upon ourselves to ask another party — who had a large table — if we could share. Thankfully, they were incredibly kind and welcoming, especially when they realized it was for a birthday celebration. Shockingly, instead of the staff appreciating that a solution had been found, they scolded us and told us we weren’t allowed to do that — and basically asked us to leave.

We were absolutely stunned. We had done nothing wrong but try to celebrate a birthday, and the restaurant’s mistake left us without a table, then treated us like we were the problem. If not for the kindness of the other table, we wouldn’t have been able to stay at all. It was humiliating, and honestly, infuriating.

Fast-forward three weeks later, I returned for another friend’s birthday with a different group. We had a reservation for five, but ended up with one extra guest. We explained that we were ordering just two pizzas and two salads to share, and that space wouldn’t be an issue. Yet again, the same older woman — who I believe is a manager — made the situation uncomfortable, telling us we couldn’t stay seated like that. While this experience was still upsetting, it wasn’t nearly as bad as being told to leave the first time.

After two celebrations were nearly ruined, it’s impossible not to question whether the way we were treated was about more than just “policy.” It’s hard not to wonder if discrimination played a role, especially seeing how differently other guests were treated compared to us. Both times I was with people of color.

Goat & Vine may have great food, but hospitality and respect are just as important. I truly hope management seriously reconsiders how they are treating all their guests, because no one should ever leave a birthday dinner in tears — or feeling like they...