Best Wine Bars in London: Honest Picks (2026)

London's wine bar scene is large enough to be confusing. There are tourist-facing spots with good design and mediocre lists, serious restaurants that happen to have a bar, and a handful of places that are genuinely worth going out of your way for. The ones below are in the last category.

40 Maltby Street — Bermondsey

The benchmark. 40 Maltby Street is a railway arch wine bar and kitchen that has been consistently one of the most interesting places to drink in London for years. The list is short and changes constantly — producers from the Loire, Jura, Savoie, and beyond — with an emphasis on things you haven't tried. Food is good and priced reasonably. Saturday lunch is the best time to go: it opens at noon, fills up quickly, and the crowd is a mix of producers, sommeliers off-shift, and regulars who treat it like a weekly ritual.

Go for: Ask what arrived this week. The list is built around what's interesting right now, not what sells consistently.

Ducksoup — Soho

Natural wine by the glass, cooked food that actually works alongside it. The Soho location means it's always busy, but the room is set up for drinking at the bar rather than waiting for a table. The list covers the expected natural wine geography — Loire, Beaujolais, skin-contact whites — plus enough from outside France to stay interesting. The kitchen closes earlier than the bar; go before 9pm if you want to eat.

Go for: Ask what's open. The by-the-glass list is curated around whatever's showing well that week.

Bar Crispin — Soho

Kingly Street, a short walk from Carnaby. Sommelier Alexandra Price built the list around sustainable terroir-driven producers from the Loire, Beaujolais, Savoie, and Jura — the most coherent natural wine list in Soho in terms of what it's actually trying to say. The room is small and bookings are recommended for evenings. Good for a focused night with one or two bottles rather than a bar crawl.

Go for: Ask about the Loire whites. The Chenin Blanc selection is usually the strongest part of the list.

Luna — Bermondsey

35-person capacity, biodynamic wine list, booking essential on weekends. Luna is the smallest spot on this list and the most focused — everything on the menu is chosen around what works with the wine rather than the other way around. The Bermondsey location puts it off most tourist routes, which is partly why the atmosphere stays consistent. Book a week ahead for Friday and Saturday.

Go for: Whatever the staff recommend. With a list this focused, they know exactly what's drinking well.

The Black Book — Soho

Co-founded by Master Sommeliers Xavier Rousset and Gearoid Devaney. The list runs to 25+ wines by the glass, including Burgundy and Champagne alongside the natural wine staples — more range than most Soho spots. The room is darker and later than the others on this list, which suits it for a second stop rather than a first. Open until 1am on weekends.

Go for: A glass of something from Burgundy if the budget allows. The by-the-glass Burgundy selection is the main differentiator from comparable spots.

What to know

London wine bars are expensive compared to the rest of this series — £10–16 per glass is standard at good spots. Bermondsey is worth it for the atmosphere and seriousness; Soho for convenience and later hours. Book anywhere small (Luna, Bar Crispin) for weekend evenings. 40 Maltby Street doesn't take bookings — arrive when it opens.

Last verified: April 2026

Frequently asked questions

What neighbourhood has the best wine bars in London?

Soho for density and convenience. Bermondsey for serious natural wine and a quieter crowd.

Are wine bars expensive in London?

Yes — £10–16 per glass is standard. 40 Maltby Street is on the cheaper end for the quality. Expect to pay more than Barcelona or Rome.

What wine should I order at a London wine bar?

Loire, Beaujolais, and Jura appear on almost every good list. Ask what's from outside France for something less expected.