A table at a co*cktail bar or rooftop bar in Shoreditch with views that look across the capital are welcome any day, but there's nothing quite like nabbing a the table at one of London’s best wine bars with a friend and nattering over a glass of Pinot Noir and a cheese board.
While research shows that dry white wines, such as Savignon Blanc, and full-bodied rich reds, like Shiraz, regularly come out on top as the UK’s favourite wines, we love how some of London’s most popular wine bars are pushing the boat out to sell orange, organic and locally-produced wines nowadays.
What’s more, several London wine bars offer the chance to partake in wine tasting experiences with expert Sommeliers and have copious food options too, whether it’s small plates like burratas and caramelised nuts, or heartier dishes such as pasta and charcuterie boards with meats, cheeses and relishes to share with loved ones.
Before you crack open a bottle of vino at home this week, take a look at our round up of the best wine bars in London to visit with a friend in 2023:
1
Sohaila
It’s a truly rare moment for diners in London to visit a restaurant and immediately want to call all of their friends and family to share the news that they need to book a table there ASAP, so incredible is Sohaila.
Opened by social entrepreneur duo Nathalie Moukarzel and Meg Doherty in 2022, Sohaila is a Lebanese-inspired restaurant and wine bar which works with its parent company Fat Macy’s (a social enterprise supporting people moving from temporary accommodation, hostels and homelessness) to create a bustling environment that celebrates the best of Middle Eastern cuisine and low-intervention wines. It’s no wonder The Observer’s restaurant critic Jay Rayner described the restaurant and wine bad as ‘charming’ and deserving ‘to flourish’. We couldn’t agree more.
Sohaila is all about sharing plates, with highlights including a refreshing honeymoon melon, served with cucumber, za’tar, Alepp chilli and mini, juicy Vesuvius tomatoes, with borlotti beans and sumac onions, fried Cornish sardines and shout, roasted poussin, served with peppers, lentils and a herb salad, and a tender lamb shoulder and apricot tagline, with toasted almonds and yoghurt. Finish your visit with a plate of almond sfouf, roasted apricots and whipped yoghurt paired with a healthy pouring of Georgas aged weed Savatiano Attica wine from Greece, and you’ll wonder why it’s taken you so long to visit Sohaila.
232 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ
2
Oranj
Stop everything you’re doing right now because we have an announcement. In a city that boasts over 3,800 pubs, it’s not exactly hard to find a drinks establishment to quench your thirst over a glass of house red. But it takes a true oenophile to know the capital’s best wine bars, and we’ll let you into a little secret: we think we might have found it. Since its opening in November 2022, the natural wine bar and kitchen Oranj has quickly become a Shoreditch favourite – think wax-dripped wine bottles on tables and loft-inspired red strobe lights in a Victorian warehouse – following its early days as solely a wine delivery service during lockdown–and for good reason. In addition to serving natural wine from the likes of South Africa, Portugal and Germany, diners have recently been treated to tongue-tantalising food from Ha’s Đặc Biệt, a Vietnamese pop-up from NYC New York, and are currently being treated to lip-smacking dishes from Michael Bagnall of Dudley’s in Walthamstow (wait until you try the scallops, white asparagus with clams, buffalo chicken hearts...). From the décor and food, to the wine and incredibly knowledgeable staff, Oranj is sure to be your new go-to in the East End. Cheers to that.
14 Bacon St, London E1 6LF
3
The Cellar, Kings Cross
An expansion from its first opening in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds last September, brand new The Cellar in King’s Cross is the brainchild of founders Mike White and Michael O’Sullivan. Known as a ‘sustainable viticulture’ bar, this place sells low intervention wines – by the glass, carafe or bottle - from across the world and a range of charcuterie, bread and cheese plates from the likes of Neil’s Yard Dairy and Saltpig that you can nibble on while catching up with friends. Located a stone’s throw away from the station, this is an ideal wine hub for those who love their Malbecs and rosés and are in need of a chilled vibe before hopping on a train home.
258 Pentonville Road, N1 9JY
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4
Carousel
There’s arguably nothing worse that booking a night out with friends for dinner only to find yourselves panicking the night before having failed to make a restaurant reservation. For that reason, and many more which we’ll detail, Carousel should be one of your go-tos for delicious dining and scruptuous wines.
Carousel is one of London’s most popular wine bars, but also plays host to guest chef collaborations, workshops, exhibitions and award-winning events. The wine bar serves everything from orange, pink, red, white and fortified wine to organic and sparkling alongside seasonal dishes. We recommend booking a table for two to sample its fried chicken, habanero and honey dish, potatoes, pickled onions and ‘nduja bowl and the smoked mushroom flatbread with parmesan, washed down with a Frida’s Margarita and a carafe of chilled Pinot Noir (Joiseph).
19-23 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RL
5
Fare Bar & Canteen, Old Street
Wine. Check. Greenery in plant pots. Check. Marble counter top. Double check. One for foodies and wine lovers alike, Fare sells Italian and French wines that come in a range of hues and flavours including orange, rosé, white, red… the list goes on. Better yet from 3.30pm – 6pm every day you can nab Fare’s £10 pasta deal, which includes a bowl of handmade fresh pasta, a glass of house white, red or negroni.
11 Old St, EC1V 9HL
6
Gordon’s, Charing Cross
If you haven’t been taken on a first date to Gordon’s while living in London in your twenties, then you have to make up for lost time. Known as London’s oldest wine bar and established in 1890, this is truly a cove of wine and candlelit beauty. Old photographs and newspaper clippings adorn the walls inside, which is dimly lit thanks to the odd ceiling light and candles. Gordon's takes some good navigations skills given the low coves you walk through. Now with an outdoor seating area, a menu offering charcuterie and cheese, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, we couldn’t think of a better place near Charing Cross station to grab a quick bev and a bite.
47 Villiers Street, WC2N 6NE
Walk-ins only. FIND OUR MORE
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7
Sager + Wilde, Hackney
This Hackney spot (there’s another venue which is a restaurant) is the best place in East London if you’re into grilled cheese sandwiches and a glass of Sancerre. Nibbles on offer include burrata, charcuterie plates and truffle and pecorino nuts. If you know your wines, then you’ll be pleased to know this wine hub has plenty to choose from, whether it’s a 2018 Domaine Luneau Papin or a 2019 Sylvain Bock. Bright, airy and with vintage interiors, we’d drink here every night if we could.
193 Hackney Rd, E2 8JL
8
Oeno House
If you want seriously impressive vino, then it's time to head to Oeno House. The site is London's flagship wine boutique, tasting room and terrace bar located slap bang in the heart of The Royal Exchange. Wine lovers have the chance to chat to Oeno's in-house experts and purchase a bottle of wine (or two) from its impressive wine list of 700+ bottles, or simply sip on their favourite tipple with friends in Oeno's courtyard as the sun sets. Our favourite bit? The honeycomb-like wall at the back of Oeno House displaying its luxe wines.
Oeno House, The Royal Exchange, Unit 16-17, Cornhill, London EC3V 3LL.
9
The Mulwray
Another Soho must-visit if you're in the neighbourhood and love all things vino is The Mulwray.
Located above The Blue Posts this is a wine bar making a name for itself as a specialist in fine and natural wines thanks to its award-winning experts and ex Noma Mexico sommelier Honey Spencer and Sarah Wright.
Whether you go for wines from the categories of 'firm favourites', 'the path less trodden' or 'wild things', you're sure to find something for you.
28 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DJ
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10
Bar Douro, Borough Market
Head down to London Bridge and take a seat at the bar at Bar Douro, located under the railway arch in London’s Flat Iron Square. One second in here and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Libson, Portugal thanks to its blue and white tiled interiors, marble counter-top, Portguese wines and food. The cellar list (yep, there’s one of those) is bursting with options to try, from sparkling and rosé to white, red and sweet wines.
Arch 35B, 85B Southwark Bridge Rd, SE1 0NQ
11
Noble Rot & Restaurant, Soho
A wine bar and eatery, Noble Rot is a Soho legend thanks to its pages of wines, whether it’s a Chardonnay and Riesling or Pinot Noir and Tempranillo. With more sparkling champagnes than you can think of, as well as English sparklings from some of the country’s best English sommeliers, this is truly one not to be missed.
2 Greek St, W1D 4NB
12
Independent Wine Specialists 28°-50°, South Kensington
A wine workshop and kitchen with a new late-night license, you’ll find it hard to pull yourself away from this wine bar after a couple of night caps. With co*cktails and a champagne trolley, as well as traditional wines, cognacs and whiskies, we can’t think of a better place in South Kensington to enjoy a tipple or five. They also have a wine and platter pairing menu for groups of up to four people. If that wasn’t enough, there’s even a guided tasting masterclass from head sommelier Xsenia Karpenko on offer.
96 Draycott Avenue London SW3 3AD
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13
Bottles, Spitalfields
Champions of sustainable, independent, organic and bio-dynamic wine producers, this is the place to be in Spitalfields come Friday night after work. The experts behind Bottles choose all of the wine, mostly Italian, and create delicious platters of dishes to complement your beverage, whether it’s meat and cheese, or breads with pots of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We’re big fans of its orange Zampaglione Don Chisciotte Fiano wine and homemade potato crisps with garlic and rosemary powder.
67 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA
14
Vagabond Wines, Shoreditch
Vagabond is up there with our favourite wine bars in London. Since its beginnings in a small shop in Fulham in 2010, Vagabond has since grown into a mammoth wine bar chain with its own urban winery in Battesea Power Station. With numerous locations to choose from dotted across the capital, we’re making its newly-opened Shoreditch spot our go-to this summer thanks to its rustic workshop interiors and dozens of vino bottles lining its shelves (it sells over 100 wines by the glass, FYI). You can even join Vagabonds at its ticketed wine tasting events (they’re virtual too) and shop its numerous wine bundles.
The Pavilion, 4 Principle Place, Worship St, EC2A 2FA
15
WC, Clapham
Sipping on Merlot and chomping down on a charcuterie platter in a former Victorian toilet might not sound like a great date, but rest assured your doubts will be put to rest once you step down the staircase into WC next to Clapham Common tube stop. With original features (fortunately, not the toilets), this is an adorably quaint wine bar which sells fizz, white, rosé and orange wines (co*cktails and other drinks are on offer, too), as well as snacks and small plates like smoked trout pâte and tartiflettes.
Clapham Common South Side, SW4 7AA
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16
The 10 Cases, Covent Garden
You’ll no doubt have walked past this Covent Garden institution for years and not realised the wonders inside. 10 is the theme of everything in this small wine bar – its owners only ever buy a case of 10 wines to encourage guests to try out new tipples and there’s just 10 tables to book, whether it’s for lunch or dinner (an outside terrace, bar counter and Cave á Vin wine bar and shop is next door). You can buy wine to take away or enjoy it in-house for just £12 corkage.
16 Endell St, Covent Garden
17
The Remedy, Fitzrovia
Wine might not be what the doctor ordered but it sometimes helps after a crummy day at work. With a name cheekily inspired by the 'soothing' effect of wine, The Remedy is a neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant opened by two friends who love hearty grub and vino. A cosy place which sells wine from small producers, you’ll find just over 20 wines on offer here, which change on a weekly rotation, in addition to London-brewed craft beers. Drink, eat and be sure to be merry.
124 Cleveland Street, W1T 6PG
18
The Black Book, Soho
A boutique basem*nt bar and kitchen founded by two Master Sommeliers? Sign us up. Previously home to a member’s club for the hospitality industry, which had a ‘Black Book’ of hand-scribed fine and rare wines, this place is the wine spot to visit if you’re driven to learn more about special wines that have been expertly and lovingly chosen for your pleasure. You can also book a wine tasting with friends and a personal Sommelier, or book a party for a small gathering.
23 Frith St, W1D 4RR
Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
