There are few cities better than London in which to drink wine. There’s an outdated stereotype that these haunts are the stomping grounds of crusty codgers sniffing rich clarets alongside their bangers and mash, but in reality, they’re much more than that.
The city that was politically responsible for the fortunes of Bordeaux, Port and (in a lesser sense) Champagne now boasts exceptional vinous diversity.
One can drink from as broad a selection of wines as producers that make them. The foundational level of wine knowledge is impressively high, and a glass of the good stuff can be found everywhere from the most modest of watering holes to the glitziest of establishments.
The past 10 to 15 years have ushered in a particularly exciting and democratizing era for wine drinking in London. The proliferation of natural wine bars has enlivened a once notoriously stuffy English wine scene. Meanwhile, hyper-focused, single-origin venues like the all-Spanish Barrafina or Portuguese Bar Douro treat drinkers to a delicious dose of armchair travel. Combine this with the maturation of gastro-pubs, and the line between what’s a restaurant, bar or even pub gets blurry.
And if you need one more reason to get your drink on in Londontown, consider the remarkable growth in quality and quantity of English wine. Many labels are only found within British borders. Try them in wine bars around London, then plan a day trip to visit the wineries in person: the majority are located within a 60-mile radius from the city and boast excellent tasting rooms and other experiences.
Here are eight top wine bars to quench your thirst in London:
Noble Rot
Bloomsbury
Photography by Juan Trujillo Andrades / Tom Cockram
Located in an early 18th-century townhouse along historic Conduit Street, Noble Rot is the kind of place where you can order anything from the menu with the confidence it won’t disappoint.
Founded in 2015 by the dynamic wine duo of Mark Andrew and Dan Keeling, who also founded a successful indie magazine of the same name, Noble Rot puts wine front and center.
The multi-award-winning 44-page wine list is a love letter to the fermented grape. There’s an obvious devotion to France (swoon-worthy Champagne and Burgundy offerings, for one) but there’s also strong support for local English labels. You’ll also find thoughtfully curated bottles from producers large and small—and vintages young and old—around the world.
The wines are expertly paired with an à la carte menu of “Franglais” cuisine led by executive chef Stephen Harris. This, plus the restaurant’s cozy-yet-classy interior—think forest-green wainscotting, red leather booths and banquettes and flattering lighting—and friendly staff, and Noble Rot achieves a world-class wine experience sans pretension.
“It’s like going to church,” says Dan Belmont, director of online U.K. wine retailer Good Wine Good People. “You’re on hallowed ground.”
