Wine & Dine in London’s Finest Wine Bars

Oh wine, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways…

There are very few issues in life that can’t be solved tucked away in a cosy London wine bar with a glass of full-bodied red, a funky slab of cheese and a chat with your bestie or lover on Valentine's Day. Wouldn’t you agree?

And while we love kicking back at the pub (especially when the holy day of Sunday Roasts rolls round), sometimes it’s an evening at a wine bar that we crave after a long, hard day at work.

In our mind, wine bars are the equivalent of sweet shops for adults – they have bottles of the stuff we love and they serve up some of the tastiest food around. We’re talking cheese boards, antipasti platters, charcuterie, freshly baked bread, olives and all other kinds of small plates. In fact, there’s been many a time when the food on offer at said wine bars has saved a hungry soul who hasn’t had a scrap to eat since their soggy sandwich at lunchtime. Not that we’re speaking from experience or anything…

So when it comes to wine bars across London, we’re not particularly fussy and we like to mix it up every now and then. No matter your budget or how swanky you want to go, natural wine nerd or thirsty for anything, wanting to drink alfresco in the summer or snuggle up inside in the winter – we’ve got a list of the best wine bars, from Covent Garden to SoHo, that are sure to tickle your fancy.

You can toast to us later – with a glass of Cab Sav!

9 Must-visit Wine Bars in London

Noble Rot

Don’t just take our word for it. Noble Rot’s atmospheric restaurant and wine bar has an overflowing shelf of awards, from claiming the wine list title at the World Restaurant Awards 2019 to taking out Wine List of the Year at the National Restaurant Awards 2018, 2017 and 2016. Yeah, these guys are a big deal. As well as wines by the glass, there’s a full cellar loaded with hard-to-find drops from the world’s leading winemakers. Noble Rot is undeniably one of the most romantic spots for a glass of wine and we recommend popping into the restaurant for swish Franglaise food too.

51 Lamb’s Conduit St, Holborn, LondonFind out more

The Wine Place Covent Garden

This Covent Garden gem lives up to its bold name as the place to go for wine, wine and more wine. Italian at heart, you can expect wines straight from the homeland paired perfectly with authentic food and seriously friendly service. Your body might still be in London, but The Wine Place will definitely send your soul to the fields of Italy.

33, The Market Building Piazza, LondonBook now

Dirty BonesKnown around town as a top cocktail destination, this NYC-inspired bar’s selection of wines should not be overlooked. Dirty Bones has five branches across the city, from Carnaby to Shoreditch and SoHo – and each one is as good as the next. Grab a gal pal (or a bro) and while away the evening over glasses of white, red, rosé or fizz from regions reaching as far as Argentina and New Zealand.

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Humble Grape

Natural wines are so hot right now, and the folk at Humble Grape are doing them very well indeed. So well in fact, they’ve had to open five joints, including in Battersea and Islington to keep up with the demand. Expect all different kinds of natural, biodynamic, organic and sulphite-free wines that taste like an absolute dream. With 400 organic and sustainable wines and 30+ by the glass, you name it and chances are they’ve got it!

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Gordons Wine Bar

Hailed as London’s oldest wine bar, established way back in 1890, tradition is stitched into the very fabric of this place. While they must be applauded for the wide range of wines on offer, it’s truly the build-your-own cheese board that draws us down into Gordon’s cave the most. Don’t you dare miss it.

47 Villiers St, Charing Cross, London

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Cork & Bottle Wine Bar

Adding plenty of cheer to our days since 1971, this institution was first founded in Leicester Square before opening up in Paddington and Hampstead. Make friends with Cork & Bottle Wine Bar and you’ll be granted access to an international selection of the world’s most exclusive vintages. Pick and choose between fifteen cheese varieties and you’re in for an excellent time.

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Ardoa by Vinothec Compass

Buckle up – we’re going to Spain. Ardoa is a colourful and contemporary Basque kitchen and wine bar with a list that celebrates innovative growers from emerging regions all over the world as well as the classics. A grand selection of gourmet tapas completes the quick Spanish excursion, featuring Iberico ham, suckling pig, octopus and more. Located in the O2 arena with waterfront views, it’s the perfect spot for a pre or post-event tipple.

Unit 2, 16 Cutter Ln, Greenwich Peninsula, London

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Davy’s Wine Vaults Greenwich

A mind-boggling selection of over 100 old and new world wines makes this Greenwich spot an absolute dream for vino lovers. It’s best to arrive peckish as you’ll be wanting everything from the food menu, where the best of British cuisine is put on show. Get in on grass-fed, aged steaks, ploughman’s platters of home-baked ham, cheddar cheese, black pudding, Scotch eggs, bread and pickles as well as club sandwiches to beat the band. Plus, your dog is welcome too.

161 Greenwich High Rd, Greenwich, London

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Peg London

From the team behind London’s P.Franco, Bright and Noble Fine Liquor, Peg is an effortlessly cool wine bar and restaurant in Hackney. An ever-changing line up of interesting wines from small producers means you’re always in for a surprise at this Morning Lane hideaway. Add in a set lunch menu and small plates in the evening, and Peg’s honest yet hyper-creative food creations will blow your mind.

120 Morning Ln, London

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Got a favourite wine bar we need to know about?

Spill the beans in the comments below! And if you’re still thirsty, check out our post about hot and boozy cocktails to keep cosy during London winter. Cheers, everyone!

The Brackenbury Wine Rooms

This swanky Hammersmith spot offers a wine pairing suggestion with every dish on the menu. And, we reckon you should put it high on your to-do list! How can you argue with that?

The George

The George is one of the last remaining pubs on the Isle of Dogs. With a vine-covered beer garden, a sultry and relaxed saloon space and a menu of British cuisine classics alongside hand-selected wine, we really think you’re going to love The George on Glengall Grove.

The Kensington Wine Rooms

You will be absolutely spoilt for choice at The Kensington Wine Rooms where you can enjoy over 150 wines by the bottle and 40 wines by the glass. Just make sure you order a portion of the ricotta gnocchi with wild mushrooms and truffle sauce for extra soakage!

Hollands Wine Bar

The bar bites at Hollands Wine Bar in Shenfield are the stuff that dreams are made of. Plus, it has a big screen for all your favourite sporting events. Talk about a winner for date night!

Champagne Charlies

How could you not fall in love with a place called Champagne Charlies? Expect bubbly and lots of it served up under the The Arches of Charing Cross. Enter a bygone era in this low-ceilinged, old-world wine bar with antique furniture and low lighting.

Davy’s Wine Vaults Greenwich

The food menu at this delightful spot on Greenwich High Road showcases the absolute best of British cuisine using fresh and seasonal ingredients. We’re talking traditional grass-fed, aged steaks; ploughman’s plates of home-baked ham, cheddar cheese, black pudding, Scotch eggs, bread and pickles; and club sandwiches to beat the band. Plus, a mind-boggling selection of over 100 old- and new-world wines. Get in.

Humble Grape

Natural wines are so hot right now, and the Humble Grape are doing them very well indeed. Expect all different kinds of natural, biodynamic, organic and sulfite free wines that taste absolutely amazing. You name it, they’ve got it!

Momento Lounge Bar

This relaxed bar on Shoreditch High Street has a lively atmosphere that you will absolutely love. Plus, there’s a huge heated garden that’s perfect for whiling away the hours with a glass of your favourite wine in hand, obvs. Weekends are particularly lit at Momento Lounge Bar, and their cheese board is perfect for sharing.

Gordons Wine Bar

Hailed as London’s oldest wine bar, established way back when in 1890, tradition is stitched into the very fabric of this place. While they must be applauded for the wide range of wines on offer, it’s truly the build-your-own cheese board that appeals to us most. Don’t miss it.