No matter the time of year, you can never go wrong with a bottle of vino and a huge platter of meat and cheese. But London’s wine bars really come into their own as the winter nights set in, providing cosy, candlelit shelter from the rain outside.
Whether it’s a winter date night or a pre-Christmas meet up with your wine-loving pals, here’s our pick of London’s best spots to get your fill of wine, cheese and charcuterie.
Gordon’s Wine Bar
We’re big fans of Gordon’s. As the city’s oldest wine bar, serving Londoners since 1890, there’s a certain historic charm about this place that can’t be beaten.
Candlelit, low-ceilinged and totally romantic, they offer hearty cheese boards, charcuterie and vegetarian and vegan options to complement their extensive selection of wines from around the world. Most are sold by the glass, all are available by the bottle, and prices are incredibly good value. Just make sure to arrive early – they don’t take bookings and the queue can get busy at peak hours.
WHERE: 47 VILLIERS ST, LONDON WC2N 6NE
WEBSITE: WWW.GORDONSWINEBAR.COM
Noble Rot
This late-night spot in Bloomsbury and Soho is a “shrine to the vine”, so they say, as well as an award-winning restaurant. The kitchen oversees an à la carte menu of fine ‘Franglais’ cooking in the restaurant, and small dishes in the bar, including a cheese plate made up of Cantal Laguiole, Camembert de Normandie AOP and Regalis, as well as nibbles like Salame della Rossa; smoked mackerel pate and sourdough toast; and octopus, chorizo and aioli.
Never ones for snobbery, the wine list is inclusive and inspiring enough to expand your horizons – from undervalued wines by the glass to rare bottles from great estates.
WHERE: BLOOMSBURY / SOHO
WEBSITE: WWW.NOBLEROT.CO.UK
Port Noire
An evening at a wine bar owned by Idris Elba? Um, yes please – where do we sign up? Aside from the fact the place was founded by the Luther star, the intimate space is inspired by the wine bars of continental Europe, and its seemingly endless selection of hand-picked wines is pretty impressive – including the critically acclaimed Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru vintage Champagne which was a joint venture between Idris and wine connoisseur David Farber.
The cosy bar also plays host to an accompanying list of sharing plates, including mushroom arancini with sundried tomato pesto, cheese boards and charcuterie plates.
WHERE: GASHOLDER 10, UNIT A, LONDON N1C 4BY
WEBSITE: WWW.PORTENOIRE.CO.UK
Vagabond Wines
It wouldn’t be Vagabond without their super-fun wine machines – allowing you to taste over 100 wines by the glass. Handy tasting notes guide your selection, so grab a Vagabond card from the bar and go on a wine tasting adventure.
The menu also boasts a host of delicious dishes like rosemary-brushed Lebanese flatbread, padron peppers and of course, cheese sharing platters including Coastal West Country cheddar, Fourme d’Ambert creamy French blue, Somerset Brie, Rosary British Goats cheese and French Raclette. The perfect pairing for a glass of wine – or five.
WHERE: MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
WEBSITE: WWW.VAGABONDWINES.CO.UK
WC Bloomsbury
Public toilets, cheeseboards and charcuterie should never go together. Except, that is, when you’re in Bloomsbury and the public toilet is WC Wine and Charcuterie, in which case we’ll make an exception.
The former underground loo block has been converted into a wine and charcuterie joint, and once you’ve gotten your head around the fact this was a loo for a century before they started serving brie, it’s a delight. The wine list is decent while the cheeses served with sourdough are a selection from the UK and Europe.
WHERE: FORMER PUBLIC CONVENIENCE, GUILFORD PL, LONDON WC1N 1EA
WEBSITE: WWW.WCBARS.CO.UK
The Swan At The Globe
One of the city’s best riverside restaurants, the bar at The Swan at The Globe has the perfect cosy corners to share their Neal’s Yard cheeseboard alongside a glass of vino. On the menu right now is a selection from their neighbours at Borough Market, including a St Jude, Westcombe Cheddar and Brunswick Blue that comes with a pear, date and ale chutney, and artisan crackers.
They also serve an irresistible Camembert with date and ale chutney and toasted London sourdough. It’s a crucial wine and cheese spot on a London riverside pilgrimage.
WHERE: 21 NEW GLOBE WALK, BANKSIDE, LONDON SE1 9DT
WEBSITE: WWW.SWANLONDON.CO.UK
Kindred
This private members’ club and West London dining destination is the definition of trendy – you only have to look at their Instagram page to see that.
They bring a fresh take to an evening of wine and cheese, serving low-intervention modern European wines, charcuterie from Cobble Lane Butchery, and a cheese course made up of cheese from Neal’s Yard.
WHERE: BRADMORE HOUSE, QUEEN CAROLINE ST, LONDON W6 9BW
WEBSITE: WWW.WEAREKINDRED.COM
The Richmond Club
The wine and nibbles offering at The Richmond Club is a great way to unwind and enjoy sharing plates with friends or colleagues after a long day’s work. Here you’ll experience the best selection of cheeses, including Brie, English Stilton and Mature Cheddar in the luxurious surroundings of Richmond’s first private members’ club.
Not a member? You can still taste what the club has to offer by booking a day pass for £25 – the perfect plan for an indulgent day’s work.
WHERE: 115-117 KEW RD, RICHMOND TW9 2PN
WEBSITE: WWW.THERICHMONDCLUB.UK
The Lanesborough Grill
The wine and cheese offering is so good at The Lanesborough Grill, they don’t even need a cheese menu. Instead, your request for cheese is answered with a cheese trolley. Yep, a whole trolley of cheese will be rolled to your table, explained to you, and you can take your pick of the finest selection of British cheese supplied by The Fine Cheese Co.
Of course, your cheese has to be complemented with a full glass (or bottle) of wine from their extensive offering.
WHERE: HYDE PARK CORNER, LONDON SW1X 7TA
WEBSITE: WWW.OETKERCOLLECTION.COM
By The Handbook