London Wine Bars Worth Popping Into

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

The wine lists are focused, the food is chef-driven and the mark-ups are low. Here are five wine bars the pros recommend checking out in London.

Mission | Photograph courtesy of Mission

Mission

Newly opened from the Sager + Wilde folks, the focus here is all about California. The list is extensive and ranges from Arnot Roberts to Kistler to Scholium Project. If you’re not a New World fan, they do have an Old World list as well. If you get hungry, the menu changes daily and features dishes like Crispy Pig’s Head, Duck Pappardelle, and Grouse with liver toast and figs.

“We love what Michael and Charlotte have done at Sager + Wilde, so we are expecting great things at Mission.”
FED Pro > Tom Bell and Ed Wyand (Verden)

250 Paradise Row, London E2 9LE
T: +44.(0).20.7613.0478 | www.missione2.com

P. Franco

Wine bar meets retail store with just 12 seats. Browse the shop, buy a bottle or two and then sit down, hang out and drink. They source the best salumi and cheeses to nibble on while you’re sipping. Owner Liam Kelleher says, “the wines are built for drinking, low alcohol, fresh, nimble, glou-glou wines.”

“This is the recently opened sister shop to Noble Fine Liquor. Not only can you buy wine to take out, but you can sit at the communal bar table and have a glass of wine with some cheese.”
FED Pro > Wine Director Courtney Stebbings (formerly of Lyle’s)

“It’s a great little bottle shop / bar on Lower Clapton Road. Well worth popping into.”
FED Pro > Tom Bell and Ed Wyand (Verden)

107 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 ONP
T: +44.(0)20.8533.4660

Photograph courtesy of Bubbledogs

Bubbledogs

Who needs caviar when you can have hot dogs with your Champagne? A wine bar with an emphasis on Champagne.

"Amazing, extensive list of grower Champagne and hotdogs. High brow mixed with low brow. There is no where else in London where you can get tater tots."
FED Pro > Wine Director Courtney Stebbings (formerly of Lyle’s)

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

Terroirs

Opened in 2008, they source wine from small growers who work sustainably, organically or biodynamically.

“If you are in the centre of town and in need of a thirst quencher then you must stop at Terroirs. It and its sister restaurants and bars are leading lights in the London wine scene.”
FED Pro > Tom Bell and Ed Wyand (Verden)

5 William IV Street, London WC2N 4DW
T: +44 (0) 20.7036.0660 | www.terroirswinebar.com

40 Maltby Street | Photo Credit: Ewan Munro [Flickr]

40 Maltby Street

When the critics started writing about this Bermondsey wine bar, the locals weren't happy. They wanted to keep it a secret. Only open a few days a week and no reservations, they serve natural wines at affordable prices.

“This is a fantastic wine bar. The chef, Stevie Williams, is really good and one of my favorite chefs in London. He changes the menu every week and does a lot of British food, some retro dishes, but you feel like they're a new invention. The place has a really nice small and independent vibe.”
FED Pro > Chef James Lowe (Lyle’s)

“A fantastic place to eat. It should be called the Richard Olney restaurant because they are so heavily influenced by the man's approach to simple Provençal cooking. The combination of Steve's meticulous cooking and the natural wines of Europe mean every bite is a taste experience without being fussy or overly rich. You leave feeling sated, not stuffed.”
FED Pro > Pastry Chef Claire Ptak (Violet Cakes)

“The food is great and the wine even better, always something I’ve never heard of. Owner Raef Hodgson is one of the best in the business and it is always a pleasure to talk wine with him.”
FED Pro > Liam Kelleher (P. Franco and Noble Fine Wines)

40 Maltby Street, London, SE1 3PA
T: +44.(0)20.7237.9247 | www.40maltbystreet.com

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