6 London Wine Bars Every Wine Lover Should Visit

Climate change is terrible—erratic weather, extreme temperatures, ecosystems in chaos. But there's one tiny, unlikely silver lining: England can now make sparkling wine that rivals Champagne. A two-degree temperature rise since the 1970s transformed southern England's chalky soils from marginal vineyard territory into legitimate wine country.

We planned to visit English wineries to taste this climate-change success story firsthand, but most were closed during our visit. So we pivoted: we hunted down English sparkling at London's wine bars instead. Turns out, London's wine scene has exploded right alongside England's winemaking renaissance.

First observation: Londoners didn't get the memo about any wine-drinking slowdown. Every spot was packed.

There are many wonderful wine bars to visit (and I encourage you to visit them all), but here are our favorites.

Wine Bars

Clémence Bar (Mayfair District) 

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Tucked into Shepherd Market, Clémence Bar is an intimate, cozy restaurant and cocktail bar specializing in Italian comfort food. (Clémence Bar is a sister bar to the renowned Shepherd Market Wine House)  The atmosphere is quietly elegant, without feeling formal, making it an ideal stop for a relaxed evening in Mayfair. All decked out for the holidays, it was truly a delight!.

Details:

🛏️Address: 46 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, W1J 7QS

☎️Phone: 020-7307-0869

🌐Website:  www.clemencebarlondon.com

Bar Crispin (Soho)

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Bar Crispin on Kingly Street is effortlessly cool. All day restaurant and natural wine bar focuses on seasonal plates and low‑intervention wines, and less common wines. They had me at the offer of a free glass of Beaujolais Noveau! Enjoyed a terrific mulled wine and a Refosco (a wine from Northern Italy) in their small but engaging dining room. The kitchen delivers great, shareable dishes. 

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Details:🛏️Address: 19 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PY

☎️Phone: 20 8050 0373

🌐Website:  www.crispinlondon.com

Noble Rot (Lamb's Conduit Street)

Named after the fungus responsible for creating some of the world's most famous sweet wines, Noble Rot was launched originally as a cult wine magazine.   As it aptly calls itself a "shrine to the vine," Noble Rot expanded into one of London's most respected wine‑driven restaurants. You'll be tempted to stay for hours (we did) in their very clubby, comfortable tasting salon, working your way through both its extensive wine lists and satisfying noshes. This place is a must‑visit for serious wine lovers. 

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Details:

🛏️Address: 51 Lamb's Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB

☎️Phone: 20 7242 8963

🌐Website:  www. noblerot.co.uk

Brooks Mews Wine House (Mayfair)

Opened in 2021 near Claridge's, Brooks Mews Wine House successfully combines wine retail with a memorable tasting experience. I was extremely excited about their wine list, which features less common wines. Great charcuterie plates are available and a nice complement to the wines. Curious wine drinkers seeking new tasting experiences should put this on their list.

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Details:

🛏️Address: 24 Brook's Mews, London W1K 4EA

☎️Phone: 20 3198 1597

🌐Website:  www. brooksmewswinehouse.com

Lady of the Grapes (Covent Garden)

Founded by Parisienne Carole Bryon, Lady of the Grapes' mission is to support and highlight wines from female winemakers. The list leans toward organic, biodynamic, and natural options, while the food delivers classic French comfort with a modern edge. Try the Weischriesling "DT" Concrete for a different tasting experience. Wine Spectator agrees with my assessment – they awarded Lady of the Grapes their prestigious "Award of Excellence". 

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Details:

🛏️Address: 16 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7NJ

☎️Phone: 20 7836 4152

🌐Website:  www. ladyofthegrapes.com

Antidote Wine Bar and Wine Shop

The bar's name reflects its mission to provide a sanctuary or antidote to the bustle of London and to appeal to those seeking something different from the usual glass of wine; hence the focus on organic and biodynamic wines from small producers. Uber-modern tasting salon serving delectable cheese and charcuterie to pair with interesting wines makes for an afternoon or evening well spent.

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Details:

🛏️Address: 12A Newburgh St, W1F 7RR

☎️Phone: 020 7287 8488

🌐Website:  www. antidotewinebar.com

We did sample copious amounts of English sparkling wine. English sparkling wine, while produced in the same method as Champagne, doesn't exhibit the same yeasty components you find in Champagne. It's terrific, easy to drink, with lots of citrus notes, good acid, and a lot less fruit-forward than California sparkling wines, which is very appealing. I think it forges its own path, and there's certainly room in the world for another sparkling wine.

Restaurants

Fortnum & Mason - Caffè Concerto

Okay, you come to London, of course, you're going to want tea, preferably a high tea experience. We had two! Fortnum & Mason is the gold standard for amazing cakes, scones, and, well, tea. Running a close second with an Italian twist was Caffè Concerto, which offers a groaning table of amazing sandwiches, scones, pastries, teas, and Prosecco to wash it all down with in an elegant setting. 

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Details:

Fortnum & Mason

🛏️Address: 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER

☎️Phone: 20 7734 8040

🌐Website:  www.fortnumandmason.com

Caffè Concerto (several locations throughout London)

🛏️Address: 29-31 Piccadilly, London W1J 0LF 

☎️Phone: 0207 494 6844

🌐Website:  www.caffeconcerto.co.uk

Rules

We had an amazing lunch at Rules—London's oldest restaurant. A venerable old restaurant serving classic English fare like grouse (which wasn't available the day we were there), but we managed to do a pretty credible impression of old King Cole by devouring  Braised Venison, Chicken Pie, Bread & Butter pudding, Ticky Toffee Pudding, washed down with an Elderflower Fizz and Pinot Noir. Everyone should try this place.

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Details:

🛏️Address: 35 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7LB

☎️Phone: 20 7836 5314

🌐Website:  www.rules.co.uk

Fenchurch Restaurant

We were lucky enough to get a reservation at Fenchurch Restaurant in the Sky Garden London, the most extraordinary public garden at 20 Frenchurch Street in London’s financial district.  Positioned 155 meters (that's 508 feet) above the city, it offers 360-degree spectacular views of London landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, St. Pual’s Cathedral and the River Thames.  Fenchurch, with its take on British cuisine with a Caribbean twist delighted us both.  Do try to make a visit, if not to the restaurant, the public garden.  Sky Garden also has a bistro and bars to relax in and really enjoy the view.

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Details:🛏️Address: Level 37, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF

☎️Phone: 333 772 0020

🌐Website:  www.sevenrooms.com (reservations)

Hard Rock Cafe

Last but not least, Hard Rock Café! Crammed to the rafters with rock memorabilia spanning generations, it really is a fun place to visit. This is the original Hard Rock Café, so you do feel like you're entering a museum. Great place for a burger!.

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Details: (this is the original, but there are other locations too)

🛏️Address: 150 Old Park Ln, London W1K 1QZ

☎️Phone: 20 7514 1700

🌐Website:  www.cafe.hardrock.com/london

Places to Visit:

The Churchill Ware Rooms

The Churchill War Rooms should be on everyone's must-see list. A fascinating look at the subterranean, top-secret bunker used in London by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government to direct WWII operations between 1939 and 1945. We had planned to spend about 45 minutes originally touring; 2 ½ hours later, we stumbled out—time well spent.

Details:

🛏️Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ

☎️Phone: 20 7766 0135 or 20 7930 6961

🌐Website:  www.wm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms