You’re walking through Frogtown, maybe following the LA River path, and you see a bakery. It looks normal. But if you duck behind Just What I Kneaded, you find this dark, weirdly beautiful room filled with glowing orbs and asteroid-looking lights. That’s Justine’s.
Honestly, the Justine's wine bar menu used to be the city’s best-kept vegan secret. But things changed recently. In late 2024, they started adding meat to the menu, which was a huge shock to the local plant-based crowd. It’s still very much a veggie-friendly spot, but it’s no longer the strict vegan sanctuary it used to be. You’ve gotta double-check with the server now if you're strictly plant-based.
What’s Actually on the Justine's Wine Bar Menu?
The food is sort of Italian-ish with some Moroccan curveballs thrown in for fun. It’s meant for drinking. You aren’t coming here for a four-course formal dinner with white tablecloths. You’re coming here to eat something salty while you drink orange wine from Austria.
The Pizza Situation
The pizzas are personal-sized and blistered. The dough is chewy, which is basically the most important thing.
- Margarita Pizza ($15): The classic. You can’t really mess this up, and they don't.
- Sausage and Mushroom ($15): Very popular. The earthiness of the mushrooms hits right with a red wine.
- Angry Grandma ($15): It’s got a bit of a kick.
- The Works ($15): When you just want everything on there.
Small Plates and Snacks
If you just want to pick at things, the "Moroccan Cigars" are the move. They’re basically crispy, savory rolls that go incredibly well with their cocktails. They also do a Caesar Salad ($15 during happy hour) that people used to rave about because of the vegan dressing, though some folks find the addition of dill a little polarizing.
And then there's the Mushroom Calamari. It’s made from oyster mushrooms. If you closed your eyes, you might actually think it’s squid. It’s crispy, salty, and way better than most actual calamari in the neighborhood.
The Drink List: Natural Wine and More
The Justine's wine bar menu is heavy on natural and organic stuff. You’ll see a lot of "BTB" (Behind the Bar) bottles. They love a good Moroccan Sauvignon Blanc or a funky orange wine.
If you aren't a wine person, the cocktails are surprisingly solid.
- HH Espresso Martini ($14): People love this one. It's rich, not too sweet, and perfect for when you're starting your night.
- HH Margarita ($14): Standard but well-executed.
- The Salty Skin ($16-$17): A non-alcoholic option that actually feels like a real drink. It’s salty, refreshing, and doesn't make you feel like you're sitting at the kids' table.
They also have a "Girl Beer" for $5 during happy hour. It’s cheap. It’s cold. It works.
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Sake Night and Jazz Sundays
Justine’s does these specific nights that change the vibe completely. Sunday nights are usually for Jazz and Lasagna. The lasagna is basil-heavy and usually sells out fast. It’s one of those "if you know, you know" things.
Then there’s Sake Night. They do a Sake Tasting + Cat Snax for $20. You get things like:
- Okonomiyaki ($13): Savory Japanese pancake.
- Potato Croquette ($13): Served with a curry sauce that is genuinely comforting.
- King Trumpet Mushroom Scallop Hand Roll ($9): Another one of those "wait, is this vegan?" moments because the texture is so spot on.
Finding the Value
LA is expensive. We all know it. A glass of wine and a small salad can easily run you $35 or $40 once you add tax and tip.
The Happy Hour is really the only way to do Justine’s without feeling a sting in your wallet the next morning. It runs daily from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You can get a Cheeseburger and Fries for $15 (they have an Impossible version too), or a pizza and a draft beer for $18. That’s a steal for Frogtown.
The Vibe Check
It’s dark. It’s moody. There’s a giant mural of blue women and leopards. It’s the kind of place you take a date if you want to look like you have cool, obscure taste in music. They play a lot of dream pop on a vintage sound system.
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The service is "order at the bar" style. Don't stand at the door waiting for a host to seat you, because you’ll be standing there a long time. Just walk up, grab your drink, and find a spot. There’s a patio if it’s nice out, but the indoor lighting is where the real magic is.
Is the Justine's Wine Bar Menu Still Worth It?
Even with the addition of meat to the menu, it remains a standout. The focus on independent wine producers and the creative use of mushrooms makes it more interesting than your average neighborhood bar.
If you’re planning to go, aim for a Sunday. The combination of live jazz and that basil-heavy lasagna is arguably the best way to end a weekend in Los Angeles. Just get there early; the place is tiny, and it fills up fast once the music starts.
Next Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Calendar: Look for Adam Levy or other jazz sets scheduled for 2026 to time your visit with live music.
- Happy Hour Timing: Arrive exactly at 4:00 PM if you want to snag a seat inside under the "asteroids" before the post-work crowd hits.
- Dietary Check: If you are strictly vegan, ask the bartender specifically about the "Moroccan Cigars" and the pizzas, as the recipes have been known to shift slightly with the seasonal menu updates.