Lisbon has changed dramatically since I first started visiting the city regularly in 2002. At the time, in the aftermath of the Salazar years and then the Revolution, it was still rather rundown, with many buildings in poor repair. These have since been renovated and the city has become a very popular tourist destination.

It is easy to understand Lisbon’s popularity. Even in December the temperatures stay in the mid-to-late teens, and close proximity to the Atlantic means the searingly hot summer temperatures of the Douro or Alentejo are rare.

Lisbon is a city to walk, although it is very hilly so it helps to be reasonably fit. The city is a delight, with many beautifully tiled buildings, cobbled (and sometimes slippery!) pavements, little squares and frequent vistas across the Tagus estuary.

Despite its popularity, it is still great value. The Portuguese are friendly and welcoming, and importantly the city feels safe.

Food and drink

Three important Portuguese culinary passions are: good bread, tasty pastries and coffee. There are myriad cafés, both traditional and modern, the latter serving an international clientele who expect wifi and charging points as well as coffee.

Gleba is a bakery that makes an excellent range of sourdough breads and now has several outlets, including in the neighbourhoods of Alcântara, Amoreiras and Campo de Ourique.

Restaurants and bars:

Seafood is a speciality in Lisbon, especially wonderful shellfish and delicious grilled fish dishes. Portuguese cuisine has long been shaped by outside influences, particularly from its former colonies – Angola, Mozambique and Goa, for instance.

However, over the past decade or so, with the huge increase in foreign visitors, the Lisbon restaurant scene has become increasingly cosmopolitan.

Corrupio

Corrupio restaurant. Credit: Decanter / Jim Budd

A great place for lunch, Corrupio, in the vibrant Cais do Sodré district near the Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira), is a small and informal restaurant which opened in September 2022.

The central feature is a horseshoe-shaped bar with stools around the counter. Chef Daniel Ferreira creates delicious dishes which are perfect for sharing. The wine selection is fairly short but well chosen. Open from midday to midnight.

Rua da Moeda 1, F/G, 1200-275 Lisbon
+351 21 396 1585

Ibo

Views of the Tagus from upstairs at Ibo restaurant. Credit: Ibo Restaurant.

Also situated in the Cais do Sodré district, Ibo is a long-established and elegant restaurant with magical views over the Tagus. It opened in 2008 in a former salt warehouse. It is best to book a table upstairs, preferably by the window, where there are great views of ferries coming and going in the Tagus estuary.

João Pedrosa, owner and chef, comes from Mozambique, and this heritage is reflected in the fusion of Mozambican and Portuguese food.

Although the menu does not change much, the food is consistently good and the wine list well chosen, while the service is professional and attentive.

Compartimento 2, Cais do Sodré Armazem A, 1200-450 Lisbon
+351 961 332 024

Atira-te ao Rio

Evening views of the Tagus from Atira-te ao Rio restaurant. Credit: Decanter / Jim Budd.

On the south side of the Tagus and with great views across the estuary to the city, the Atira-te ao Rio restaurant is the perfect spot for lunch. There are few things better than sitting outside by the water’s edge on a Sunday with a chilled glass of white or rosé, admiring the view and watching the boats on the river while contemplating what to eat. Summer evenings watching the sun go down are also magical.

The cuisine is Portuguese with some international touches and the wine list is reasonably priced. Booking is advisable, especially at the weekends. To get there, take the short ferry ride from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré district across the Tagus to Cacilhas.

Rua do Ginjal 69, 2800-284 Almada
+351 21 275 13 80

Taberna da Rua das Flores

Taberna da Rua das Flores. Credit: Taberna da Rua das Flores.

Located just off the Praça Luís de Camões square, the perennial queues outside this small, cramped restaurant are testament to its popularity and the magic of Angola-born André Magalhães’ brilliantly inventive fusion cooking. The idea is to share a number of petiscos (tapas). No reservations and cash only, but it’s still well worth any waiting time to get a table.

Rua das Flores, 103, 1200-194 Lisbon
+351 213 479 418

Antiga Camponesa

Grilled snails with mustard sauce at Antiga Camponesa. Credit: Antiga Camponesa.

André Magalhães’ new venture opened in autumn 2022. Unlike his very successful Taberna da Rua das Flores, this is a more spacious and stylish restaurant with 15 tables offering a more traditional format – starters, main course and dessert – sharing or not, as you wish. The cooking is just as inventive and delicious, while the wine offering is more extensive. Reservations and credit cards are accepted.

Rua Mal. Saldanha 25, 1200-259 Lisbon
+351 21 347 1515

BAHR

The terrace at BAHR restaurant. Credit: BAHR.

The upmarket Bairro Alto Hotel on the Praça Luís de Camões square in central Lisbon was renovated in 2019. Open from breakfast through to dinner, BAHR is its elegant and stylish restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine in an international style. Just adjacent to the restaurant is a rooftop terrace bar with spectacular views over the lower part of Lisbon and the Tagus – great for an aperitif or digestif.

Praça Luís de Camões nº 2, 1200-243 Lisbon
+351 213 408 253

Senhor Uva

Senhor Uva restaurant. Credit: Senhor Uva.

Close to the Jardim da Estrela, Senhor Uva opened in January 2019. It started as a wine bar with food but is now a restaurant serving highly inventive, plant-based dishes created by chef and co-owner Stéphanie Audet.

Senhor Uva specialises in organic, biodynamic and natural wines, with a wide-ranging list mainly focused on Europe, particularly Georgia, plus a few from Australia and the USA.

The knowledgeable staff complement the intriguing wine selection. Its other dining room – Senhor Manuel – is just across the street. Book online to avoid disappointment.

Rua de Santo Amaro 66A, 1200-804 Lisbon
+351 213 960 917

Cervejaria Ramiro

Credit: Cervejaria Ramiro

Lisbon’s most famous shellfish restaurant, founded in April 1956, is an excellent destination spread across three floors. Justifiably popular, booking is strongly recommended.

Avenida Almirante Reis 1 H, 1150-007 Lisbon
+351 21 885 1024

A Praça

Credit: A Praça

Situated in the district of Beato and housed in a converted military building, this brilliant, informal food and wine space opened in September 2022, and is both a restaurant and retail outlet. There are cheese and charcuterie boards to share, plus very good petiscos.

Olavo Silva Rosa is responsible for the strong wine selection which features Portugal, Italy, Spain and France. Corkage fees from the retail wine store are imaginative – €10 for the first bottle, €5 for the second, and no charge for the third! A Praça is rather out of the way, so a taxi is the best option to get there and back.

Tv. Grilo 1, 1950-145 Lisbon
+351 912 421 223

A Casa Dos Passarinhos

Credit: A Casa Dos Passarinhos.

Founded in 1923, Passarinhos is a lovely, traditional Portuguese restaurant on the eastern edge of Campo de Ourique. Very good grilled fish and meat is the restaurant’s mainstay, with daily changing specials.

Offering great value, including reasonably priced wine, Passarinhos is deservedly popular with a largely local clientele. There are often queues outside the restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Rua Silva Carvalho 195, 1250-249 Lisbon
+351 21 388 2346

Close to Lisbon:

Restaurante da Adraga

Credit: Restaurante da Adraga

This restaurant is the only building at Praia da Adraga, a small, unspoilt cove just 3km north of Cabo da Roca (40km west of Lisbon) – the most westerly point of mainland Europe (this surely must qualify as mainland Europe’s most westerly restaurant).

Come here for great shellfish – the crab is highly recommended – to be followed by brilliant grilled fish partnered by a bottle or so of Vinho Verde. Try to get a table by the window overlooking the beach and out across the Atlantic.

The restaurant is understandably popular, especially in summer, so best to book.

Praia da Adraga, Sintra, 2705-063
+351 219 280 028

Terroso

Credit: Terroso.

Pedro and Vitalina Marques used to be involved in a popular restaurant and wine bar in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. They have now set up Terroso in Cascais, a seaside resort on the Tagus estuary about a 45-minute train ride from Lisbon.

Vitalina is a great chef, specialising in high-quality traditional Portuguese cuisine. Pedro, a professional wine taster, is front of house and will always find interesting wines for customers to try. The restaurant is quite small, so do book.

Rua do Poço Novo 17, 2750-467 Cascais
+351 21 486 2137

Non-Portuguese:

Three top restaurants that reflect Lisbon’s increasingly cosmopolitan restaurant scene:

Kabuki

Credit: Kabuki

This is the Lisbon outpost of the Kabuki Group, which opened its first restaurant in Madrid in 2000.

Kabuki Lisbon is in the renovated Ritz Galleries overlooking Edward VII Park. It opened in late 2021, was awarded a Michelin Star within a year, and offers high-end, exquisite Japanese food matched by a remarkable wine list put together by wine director Filipe Wang – for instance, there is a vertical of Clos Rougeard running from 2016 back to 2009.

Rua Castilho, nº 77- 77E, 1070-050 Lisbon
+351 212 491 683

Ruvida

Credit: Ruvida

With its small attractive terrace, Ruvida is a friendly Italian restaurant in Alcântara run by Valentina from Bologna and her partner Michel.

Valentina’s homemade pasta is very special, the cooking inventive and the wine list features both Portuguese and Italian wines.

Valentina and Michel recently opened Pausa & Crescente, a wine bar/café also in Alcântara but closer to the Tagus. Booking is advised.

Praça da Armada 17, 1350-027 Lisbon
+351 21 395 0977

The Old House

Credit: The Old House

This is an excellent and very popular large Chinese restaurant in the Parque das Nações, the site of the world fair Expo 1998. I have enjoyed some of the best Chinese food ever in The Old House. Try to get a table upstairs with views over the Tagus. Booking is advised, especially at the weekends.

Rua da Pimenta 9, 1990-254 Lisbon
+351 218 969 075

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For the UK’s third edition of the Star Wine List of the Year Awards, held in partnership with trade title The Buyer, a jury of top sommeliers was brought together to judge over 100 wine lists from restaurants and bars across the UK.

Spanning 12 categories, the winning establishments [see below] were picked by consultant sommelier and wine director at Ten Trinity Square Jan Konetzki, Piotr Petras MS, Ronan Sayburn MS and Ruth Spivey, wine consultant and Star Wine List’s UK Ambassador.

‘In the last two decades things have changed in the UK. Wine is not only the add-on to the fancy meal of the celebrity chef; wine has become the main feature of many restaurants and bars, creating destination places, and a real reason to go somewhere now,’ said Konetzki.

The UK’s wine-focused restaurants, bars and hotels leave wine lovers spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking out great bottles alongside top quality food.

Sayburn, who is also co-chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards, said: ‘Historically the UK hasn’t made a lot of its own wine. Because of that, wine merchants had to travel all over the world, buying wines to bring in. So the UK wine trade has been strong for hundreds of years. That’s reflected in the wine lists you find in UK restaurants nowadays. Sommeliers have the pick of the best of the best.’

Gareth Ferreira MS, beverage director at Core by Clare Smyth, collects the Grand Prix award. Ruth Spivey says of the list: ‘While grand in length, it still feels alive and dynamic. Arguably unimprovable!’ Credit: Thomas Skovsende.

The winners:

About Star Wine List

Started in 2017, Star Wine List is an online guide to the best wine bars and restaurants in 36 countries worldwide, ‘from bistros to fine dining, natural to classical’ according to Star Wine List founder Krister Bengtsson. The Star Wine List Awards were initiated shortly after, as a way to celebrate great wine restaurants, judged by a top sommelier jury. The awards take place in Denmark, Norway, Finland, South Africa, Australia, New York, Germany, Sweden, Singapore and the UK.

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Italy is famed for its superb cuisine, and Bologna is its foodie capital. The specialities of the city really do have the power to exhilarate, and food is taken so seriously here that the authentic versions of over 30 traditional recipes are registered at the Chamber of Commerce.

The first of these, tortellini (tiny pasta parcels filled with pork, prosciutto, mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano) was supposedly inspired by the perfect beauty of Venus’s navel, while tagliatelle – typically served with meaty ragù as the real version of what the world has transformed into ‘spaghetti bolognese’ – was first created to resemble Renaissance noblewoman Lucrezia Borgia’s long, wavy golden hair.

Both dishes are evergreen favourites on menus at the city centre’s many typical trattorias, together with green lasagne, ricotta-filled tortelloni and platters of exquisite charcuterie served with baskets of traditional bakery specialities.

Bologna’s wines are finally gaining traction on wine lists too, especially the fruity white Pignoletto from the Colli Bolognesi hills – sparkling or still – and Romagna Sangiovese, but also some of the region’s lesser-known varieties alongside the many versions of Lambrusco.

Top restaurants and wine bars in Bologna

Antica Drogheria Calzolari

This standing-room-only wine shop/bar boasts a 2,000-strong wine list. Credit: Antica Drogheria Calzolari.

Stumbling across this traditional corner store-cum-wine bar among the colourful multicultural fast food outlets near the university district comes as a real surprise. There’s standing room only, and a jovial atmosphere where the many regulars, mostly local professionals, are always happy to chat in the compact interior among the Liberty-style wooden shelves that have furnished the place since it opened in the early 20th century. Owner Stefano Delfiore and his team supply a number of local restaurants and they’re pleased to advise on wines from their 2,000-strong selection; they’ll open anything, even just for a glass.

Botanica Lab

This vegan restaurant provides a refreshing alternative to Bologna’s often rich and meat-heavy cuisine. Credit: Sarah Lane

A meal of inspired, flavoursome and colourful dishes at this exceptional vegan restaurant makes a refreshing alternative to Bologna’s often rich and meat-heavy cuisine. Vintage tableware, marble-topped bistro tables and year-round outdoor seating set the scene for dishes combining organic produce like home-made pasta with a creamy filling of macadamia, cashew and artichoke in a smoky potato sauce, spinach and oat burgers, or cauliflower burritos. The wine list, largely from Emilia Romagna and Italy’s northeast, includes a choice selection that suits the menu perfectly, while the desserts, such as chocolate and berry cheesecake, are well worth leaving room for.

Bottega al Pappagallo

An authentic feel with pasta handmade daily. Credit: Sarah Lane

Michele Pettinicchio and partner Elisabetta have recently transferred the historic Al Pappagallo team from its central location to Bologna Golf Club restaurant and to this city-centre pasta store with tables, where all pasta is made by hand daily for both locations. They’ve succeeded in recreating an authentic feel thanks to the enticing aromas from the open kitchen. Come for a lunch of typical pasta dishes such as tagliatelle with friggione – a traditional onion and tomato sauce – or balanzoni – green pasta filled with mortadella and ricotta – served with pistachio and butter. Pair your lunch with one of the small but well chosen selection of local wines.

Camera a Sud

Camera a Sud offers a laid back vibe, with an impressive wine list. Credit: Camera a Sud

There’s a laid-back vibe at this popular wine bar/eatery furnished with mismatched sofas, tables and chairs, and shelves overflowing with books. The impressive and ever-changing wine list, sourced largely from small producers throughout Italy but also beyond, reflects the curiosity of owners Lorenzo and Roberta. Snacks such as erbazzone (spinach and chard pie) are available all day, while the mealtime menu includes regulars’ favourites, vegetarian couscous or lasagne, as well as daily specials. It’s worth trying the house cocktails, such as Milano-Bologna (Barbera chinato and Campari) or a spritz made with Pignoletto from the Bologna hills.

Cantina Bentivoglio

Candlelit dinner, wine and jazz at Cantina Bentivoglio. Credit: cantinabentivoglio.it

This being Bologna, even the city’s premier jazz venue – an atmospheric vaulted basement of a Renaissance palazzo where live jazz is held six nights a week – is well known for its pitch-perfect menu of traditional recipes including fresh egg pasta made by hand daily. The choice is seasonal and dishes can include pappardelle ribbon pasta with porcini mushrooms and chestnuts, or tortellini in a creamy sauce of Parmigiano Reggiano topped with black truffle. The impressive wine list of over 500 labels from Italy and beyond, including large formats, is curated by Yannis Xanthakis, one of the four partners running the show.

È cucina Leopardi

This colourful restaurant is owned by celebrity TV chef, Cesare Marretti. Credit: Sarah Lane

With décor as eccentric as the Tuscan chef-owner (Cesare Marretti, a former regular on television cookery shows) this restaurant in an anonymous city-centre side street with bicycles suspended from the ceiling and newsprint wallpaper, has a character all of its own. Dishes look as good as they taste, with the season’s best ingredients combined in imaginative ways, and own produce including olive oil from Sicily and flour for the homemade bread. The all-inclusive daily menu makes for a tasty lunchtime treat – be prepared to queue – while the evening tasting menu incorporates vegetarian, fish and meat dishes.

Enoteca Italiana

Enoteca Italiana is one of the city’s deepest rooted and most highly respected addresses for wine lovers in Bologna. Credit: Enoteca Italiana / Facebook

Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, Enoteca Italiana is one of the city’s deepest rooted and most highly respected addresses for wine lovers in Bologna. Located just off the main shopping street, Via dell’Indipendenza, it has a faithful following of regulars who come to seek out a particular wine to take home, or relax over a glass and a light snack, surrounded by bottles. Wines are arranged by region and there are some from outside Italy too. Speciality chocolates, olive oil and other foods are also sold, and tastings and themed events are held regularly.

I Portici hotel restaurant

I Portici is Bologna’s only Michelin-star restaurant. Credit: Ristorante I Portici

The city’s only Michelin star restaurant, part of the exclusive I Portici hotel, is hosted in a former café-chantant decorated with Liberty-style frescoes. There are some tables available (on request) in the atmospheric surroundings of the domed 14th century ice-house, where part of the restaurant’s 900-plus collection of wines is stored. Chef Nicola Annunziata, here since January 2023, aims to convey simplicity in dishes which combine seafood and other flavours from his home near Salerno. Local traditions, such as linguine with clams and Parma ham consommé and beef tartare with eel form part of the Salerno/Bologna tasting menu with optional paired wines.

Il Rovescio

Il Rovescio makes ‘scrumptious’ sourdough pizzas, among many other dishes. Credit: Il Rovescio

The atmosphere at Il Rovescio is warm and friendly, with country-kitchen style décor, coloured plates and cookery books.  It features three separate dining rooms linked by an external portico at this characterful eatery near the heart of the buzzy though laid-back Via del Pratello nightlife. The monthly menu leans heavily towards the vegetarian, with suppliers – many of them organic – helpfully listed. There are daily specials and a handful of tasty meat-based dishes too, and the tagliatelle al ragù is a regular favourite. Sourdough pizzas, made with speciality flours that fully merit the description ‘scrumptious’, are available in the evenings only, and there’s an interesting selection of wines from small-scale Italian producers.

InCantina – Enoteca nel Ghetto

Try some under-the-radar wines at InCantina. Credit: InCantina – Enoteca nel Ghetto

At the heart of Bologna’s 16th century ghetto district, this attractive wine bar is the perfect place to try a selection of the less common local wines, all sourced from those stocked by the Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna – the region’s wine collection housed in an atmospheric castle cellar at Dozza, a medieval village that makes for a great trip out of town. Try an Albana DOCG, a white with structure and tannins, or reds Centesimino – elegant and infused with liquorice and spice flavours – and Burson, a big, bold style. The small menu includes typical snacks and dishes such as Sangiovese-braised beef.

Mercato delle Erbe

Sfarina, in the Mercato delle Erbe, specialises in the local piadina flatbreads, with a variety of fillings available. Credit: Sfarina

This covered produce market, here since 1910, is much frequented by locals who come to shop, eat and drink in the pedestrianised area behind. There’s an authentic marketplace atmosphere and a varied choice of informal eateries including Banco 32 – serving seafood with a different lunch menu daily and evening tapas-style snacks, tiny Sfarinà – for piadina, the region’s much-loved flatbread with seasonal gourmet fillings or classic combinations like prosciutto, rocket and soft squacquerone cheese, and NOI – run by the Cantina Bentivoglio team (see above) for traditional fresh pasta made by hand and platters with crescentine (fried doughy pillows), plus a great selection of wines.

Oltre

Oltre is located in Bologna’s city centre. Chef Daniele Bendanti says he has ragù flowing through his veins. Credit: Oltre

Chef Daniele Bendanti provides a unique and refreshing mix of deep-rooted tradition and contemporary culinary culture at his city-centre restaurant. A dozen tables, contemporary art and a minimalist, hipster-chic vibe create an atmosphere conducive to dishes such as Bolognese Ramen or spaghetti with cashews, cod and carrot. This is also the place to savour typical and truly tasty tagliatelle or tortellini – as the Bologna-born chef says, he has ragù flowing through his veins. There are two seven-course tasting menus, one traditional and another representing ‘the journey of a chef’. Both have optional paired wines from a list that includes local and world wines.

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Osteria Bartolini

Enjoy the wide terrace at this seafood restaurant. Credit: Osteria Bartolini

It would be worth coming here just to enjoy the wide terrace garden where meals are served under a giant 280-year-old plane tree, but add to that a menu of simple, tasty seafood dishes and it’s a must. The Bartolini family is from Cesenatico, a lovely historic fishing town on the nearby Adriatic coast where its other restaurants include the Michelin star La Buca. The family has brought the area’s hospitable character and classic dishes, such as seafood risotto or mixed fried fish and veg, to the city. The wine list carries a number of interesting local labels, while the pasta, bread and desserts are all homemade.

Osteria del Sole

A historic wine bar where you can take your own food. Credit: Osteria del Sole / Facebook

This historic wine bar, dating from 1465, has been run by the Spolaore family since 1945. A very local institution, there’s no real sign outside, just a discreet ‘Vino’. Tables are communal and only wine and beer are served. You’re welcome to bring your own food though, and the position at the heart of the Quadrilatero, a knot of streets overflowing with food shops, is ideal for tasty purchases. Pick up mortadella at the Simoni deli and bakery specialities including crescente (ham-specked focaccia) and torta di riso (moist rice cake with citrus) at Paolo Atti then come here, order a Lambrusco and soak up the atmosphere.

Trattoria Serghei

Enjoy authentic local dishes in this family-run trattoria. Credit: Trattoria Serghei / Facebook

If you’re looking for a truly traditional Bolognese dining experience, book a table in the cosy wood-panelled interior of this long-standing family-run trattoria. Enjoy authentic versions of celebrated local dishes such as tortellini in steaming broth, gramigna pasta with a sausage meat sauce, and juicy meat-filled zucchini with meatballs. Vegetarian options include potato gnocchi, sautéed greens and ricotta-filled tortelloni with gorgonzola. The trattoria shares a street with a curious window over an underground canal, brought into the centre in the Middle Ages, and a fortified gate that was once part of the city’s second circle of walls.

Trattoria di Via Serra

A seasonal menu and cosy interior makes Trattoria di Via Serra worth a visit. Credit: Trattoria di Via Serra / Facebook

Prepare to be pampered at this locals’ favourite, where tables get booked up weeks in advance. The location behind the station is nothing special but the interior is cosy, and owners Flavio and Tommaso go out of their way to make guests feel at home with a warm welcome and tasty home cooking. Wines are sourced from the whole Emilia Romagna region while the seasonal menu focuses on flavours from the nearby Apennines. It includes rabbit with artichoke and potatoes, cheeses from Slow Food-protected Bianca Modenese cattle, and tasty cold cuts or pesto montanaro (creamy lard with garlic and rosemary) served with baked specialities.

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New York City boasts one of the most robust – and diverse – natural wine scenes in the world, featuring everything from up-and-coming producers to cult favourites and beyond. While the scene’s offerings quickly expand across outer boroughs, Manhattan is still home to a slew of great places to drink. Not sure where to begin? Check out the best places to drink natural wine in Gotham below.

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

249 Centre St, New York, NY 10013

www.compagnienyc.com

Beloved by wine novices and industry folk alike, La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels finds itself atop most best New York wine bar lists, and it’s no surprise. Founded by the group behind Experimental Cocktail Club, the bar’s sultry environment provides the perfect backdrop for casual dates or post-work drinks with friends. While the list incorporates a lengthy array of wine styles, it errs on the natural side of things, boasting ample selections from both Old and New World regions. Chef Eric Bolyard’s Mediterranean-inspired small plates and tasty snacks are produced from locally-sourced ingredients, which pair perfectly with the bar’s expansive bottle list. Fair warning, this may be your new favourite wine bar.

Parcelle

135 Division St, New York, NY 10002

Spearheaded by the brains behind the original namesake retail shop, Parcelle’s latest on-premise output is quickly becoming the go-to spot for both locals and industry folk. Decked out in Italian modernist-inspired furniture – curated in conjunction with designer Paul Renwick – the bar’s trendy-yet-welcoming atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a glass (or bottle) amongst friends. The bar’s list is broken into approachable sections, ranging from Natural to Chilled Reds to Under $75 and beyond. Don’t sleep on the Last Chance section, which regularly highlights a handful of on-their-way-out gems.

Peoples Wine Bar

115 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

‘Wine of the people, by the people, and for the people’ – that’s the motto at Lower East Side-based Peoples Wine Bar. They were founded in 2019 by Jeremiah Stone, Fabián von Hauske Valtierra and Daryl Nuhn, three self-proclaimed longtime supporters of natural wine. This friendly neighbourhood bar focuses on the stories (and faces) behind the bottle, both at the bar and in the neighbouring retail shop. The trio’s passion for environmentally-friendly farming and socio-political issues collide at this new to-the-scene spot, which is simply unmissable for natural wine lovers.

Ruffian

125 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

www.ruffiannyc.com

Located in the heart of the East Village, Ruffian has become an institution for New York-based natural wine drinkers. Founded in 2016, this small-yet-cosy bar – now with ample heated sidewalk seating – features a primarily vegetarian menu, available in both à la carte and tasting menu formats (gluten-free and vegan options are also available). The bar is best known for its extensive skin-contact wine offerings and its vast selection from eastern Europe. In-person classes are regularly hosted (eight people per class maximum), and the use of the bar as a private event space is also available.

St. Jardim

183 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Credit: Giada Paoloni

Situated in the former location of long-standing West Village haunt Bar Sardine, St. Jardim officially opened its doors last year and has quickly become one of the neighbourhood’s buzziest places to eat and drink. Founded by Andrew Dete and Christa Alexander, alongside consulting chef Tony Nassif (Black Seed Bagels), this homey nook offers freshly shucked oysters, Mediterranean-inspired small plates, and Lebanese fare. All are served up alongside a small yet well-curated all-natural wine list. Expect a solid selection of bubbles, ample skin-contact pours, and a variety of red and white Old World favourites (as well as the Last Call section).

Skin Contact

76 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Finding top-notch places to drink tasty natural wine that won’t break the bank can be a difficult feat in Manhattan these days, though thankfully, Skin Contact offers a pleasant reprieve. Founder Eben Lillie, son of the founder of Chambers Street Wines, grew up around – and developed a passion for – natural wines at a young age. This is reflected in the bar’s friendly yet knowledgeable environment. Sidewalk, backyard and indoor seating are all available and an average glass of wine will run you less than $15 a pour. Expect a 200-ish selection list and around 15 by-the-glass pours at any given moment.

Soda Club

155 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Vegan wine and pasta bar? Sign us up. Located on Avenue B, Soda Club is the newest plant-based, all-natural-wine-focused establishment from Overthrow Hospitality. The bar’s extensive 200-bottle list is curated by co-owner and wine director Drew Brady, who hand selects every bottle with the kitchen’s meticulously-executed pasta dishes in mind. While you may be sceptical about vegan pasta, we honestly cannot rave about the place enough. From bucatini arrabbiata to cappelletti with morel mushrooms, vegetable brodo, smoked olive oil and more, the kitchen’s flavour-packed dishes provide something for every palate – wine included. Pull up a velvet chair and get ready to discover your new favourite date night spot.

The Ten Bells

247 Broome St, New York, NY 10002

www.tenbellsnyc.com

It’s impossible to discuss the history of New York’s natural wine scene without mentioning The Ten Bells. Founded in 2008 in the city’s Lower East Side neighbourhood, the bar was one of the first natural wine-exclusive establishments to open up shop in town. And at a time when the style was far less fashionable than it is today. Expect small plates, tapas, and $1 oyster happy hours to grace the bar’s food menu, which is offered alongside $18 carafes of wine from opening through 7 pm daily. Gather around the wraparound bar, peruse the bible-like list, and raise a glass to this foundational, long-standing natural wine institution.

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Home to various bars and restaurants, this bustling New York borough has something to offer every palate preference, with an insider’s perspective. Check out 10 top places to drink natural wine in Kings County.

& Sons Ham Bar (Prospect Lefferts Gardens)

447 Rogers Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

& Sons Ham Bar is one of the newest – and most exciting – places to enjoy natural wine, especially if you’re a big fan of ham. This small, 20-seat joint offers an impressive list of curated country hams and a variety of cheeses, ribs and small plates. The bar’s all-American wine list offers five reds and five whites by the glass at all times, as well as a handful of rosé and bubbles. According to the establishment, & Sons Ham Bar celebrates the ‘culture, heritage, and flavour of America’s charcuterie’ while highlighting a variety of international cured sausages, pâtés, and more.

The Four Horsemen (Williamsburg)

295 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Credit: www.fourhorsemenbk.com

In the realm of natural wine bars, The Four Horsemen is simply the OG. Co-owned by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, his wife Christina Topsøe and Justin Chearno, this small-yet-fierce Williamsburg haunt was pioneering natural wine far before it was fashionable. Their 57-page wine list runs French-heavy. Yet hundreds of gems from all over the world are available – with many below the $100 (£95) mark. By-the-glass offerings generally come in beneath the $15 (£13) price point, which is unheard of in the city these days. Expect expertly-crafted small plates and an overall relaxing ambience.

Have & Meyer (Williamsburg)

103 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Credit: www.haveandmeyer.com

Looking to taste through a slew of natural wines without a full bottle commitment? Have & Meyer is the place to be. This Williamsburg establishment offers over 90 natural wines by the glass at any given moment, making discovering new, low-intervention wines to love more effortless than ever. The list is concentrated on Italian producers. Food highlights sustainable Italian fare, including burrata, seasonal salads and various savoury pasta dishes. Whether the dimly lit interior or buzzy sidewalk seating is more your style, one thing’s for sure – this place promises a seriously memorable time.

June (Cobble Hill)

231 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Since its opening in 2015, June has become a go-to favourite for Brooklyn-based natural wine lovers, particularly those with an affinity with European hits. Located in the borough’s Cobble Hill neighbourhood, this cosy, brick-lined bar focuses on off-the-beaten-path hits – think sparkling skin-contact wines from central Italy and aromatic white blends from Germany and central Europe. Food offerings range from bite-sized olives to larger steak and fish-based entrées, though the true gems lie in the small plates section (don’t skip on the whipped ricotta, grilled squash, and Tokyo turnips). On warm weather days, head to the back and check out the bar’s cosy patio.

King Mother (Ditmas Park)

1205 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Credit: Photo courtesy of King Mother

Although Ditmas Park hasn’t reached peak popularity as other Brooklyn neighbourhoods, up-and-coming places are popping up left and right, with Cortelyou Road as the area’s epicentre. Founded by Erika Lesser and Katie Richey in 2019, this laid-back wine bar highlights convivial food offerings (fondue, raclette and more), as well as Schaller & Weber hot dogs, schnitzel and a variety of salads. All this is served alongside a slew of natural, organic and biodynamic wine offerings. Best of all, each wine on the list boasts a small anecdote from the bar’s owners, making navigating the list’s offerings easy and accessible.

LaLou (Prospect Heights)

581 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Credit: Liz Clayman

Vanderbilt Avenue is home to a slew of great places to eat and drink, though when it comes to the street’s best wine list, LaLou is where it’s at. Founded by beloved New York restaurateur Joe Campanale, this airy wine bar features a diverse natural wine list with an Old-World concentration alongside well-crafted small plates and snacks. The emphasis is on French and Italian bottles. Whether you sit at the bar peering into the open kitchen, or enjoying the back patio, LaLou offers a friendly, low-key atmosphere dominated by local wine lovers.

PIPS (Brooklyn Heights)

129 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Created by the team behind Colonie and Gran Electrica, PIPS is Brooklyn Heights’ newest place for natural wine, Italian-inspired apéritifs and other delicious libations. Influenced by the flavours and flare of coastal Italy, PIPS’ flavour-packed small plates are outdone by their seafood and pasta dishes. They all pair beautifully with the bar’s solid selection of low-intervention wines, available both by the glass and by the bottle – think skin-fermented Italian Pignoletto, chillable red blends from Matthiasson and everything in between.

Rhodora Wine Bar (Fort Greene)

197 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Credit: www.rhodorabk.com

Founded by the same brains behind June, Rhodora Wine Bar first opened its Fort Greene-based doors in 2019. Upon converting the space’s wood-fired restaurant into a full-blown wine bar, proprietor Henry Rich’s main goal with the spot is to follow a zero-waste model. Expect favourites from Corsica, central Italy and Spain’s Catalonia region to be served with European-inspired bites – such as rillettes, tinned fish and more. Pop in after an afternoon at Fort Greene park and enjoy. Follow along on Instagram to stay tuned on Rhodora’s latest pop-ups and events.

Sauced (Williamsburg)

331 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Conveniently located on Williamsburg’s bustling Bedford Avenue, Sauced offers a quiet reprieve from the energy of the neighbourhood’s busy streets. Founder Jordan Veran purposely created the spot without a list or menu to personally lead guests to their perfect bottle based on preference and personal taste. The bar’s quaint indoor ambience is somehow surpassed by its cosy backyard, which is home to a variety of outdoor games, as well as frequently hosting live music, karaoke nights, and more. Simply put, walking into Sauced feels like entering your best friend’s home.

Terre (Park Slope)

341 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Looking for a new casual date night spot that promises a unique experience every time? Park Slope-based Terre is just the ticket. Founded by the same folks behind Have & Meyer, this similarly conceptualised model offers over 100 natural wines by the glass at all times (making repeat selections only possible if you find something you truly love). Insider tip: come hungry – the bar/restaurant’s extensive charcuterie and homemade pasta offerings are to die for. (The folks at Terre have also opened D’Antan, in Crown Heights. This Italian-focused joint offers over 100 natural wines by the glass at any moment.)

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Even the savviest of wine lovers knows the sinking feeling that can come when perusing a restaurant’s wine list. My own personal bugbears include wines presented – quite literally – as a list, with no attempt to describe their essential characters or why you might like to order it, and prices that zoom up and down like a rollercoaster instead of helpfully ascending from low to high. The wine list lottery is enough to make you reach for a drink to calm the nerves before even selecting a bottle.

Restaurant reviews tend to concentrate on the food; few bother to talk about the wine. And yet what is served in the glass can affect the enjoyment of a meal just as much as what is served on the plate.

Too many wine lists, however, require blind faith in the selection process behind them – or else an encyclopaedic knowledge of grapes and regions, styles and vintages. The cynic in me wonders whether this is merely a ruse for the sommelier to push their most profitable bottles, though few things are as likely to kill repeat custom than upselling wines.

What’s more, all too often the restaurants with the most lauded wine lists are also the most expensive. Nothing wrong with that for those that can afford it, of course. But it tends not to encourage one of the greatest joys of wine: experimentation.

Instead, below we’ve selected the restaurants across the UK where imaginative lists have been assembled, with as much of an eye on affordability as enjoyment and – even if the wine list offers little by way of annotation – staff who have been thoroughly trained to offer knowledgeable and trustworthy advice.

Read on to discover where good value is matched by great choice and, if in doubt, check the wine list on the restaurant’s website beforehand.

Best value restaurant wine lists

The 10 Cases, London

Only ever buying 10 cases of wine for its ever-changing list – all available by the glass – and great food-matching too.

Askham Hall, Penrith, Cumbria

The family seat of the Earls of Lonsdale excels with classic Burgundy and Bordeaux from the family cellar; the Loire and South Africa are also strong.

The Black Bull, Sedbergh, Cumbria

Characterful, quirky and good-value wines from small, sustainable European producers, including regions less-travelled by many lists.

Chez Bruce & La Trompette, London

La Trompette

Both under the same ownership. Exceptional lists with lots by the glass, and some prices cheaper than retail.

The Drapers Arms, London

A fairly-priced list almost exclusively concentrated on artisan European producers all the more surprising for being in a pub.

The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon, Powys

The Gurnard’s Head, St Ives, Cornwall

The Old Coastguard, Mousehole, Cornwall

This trio of Welsh and West Country inns is united by wines sourced from regionally specialised merchants, also available to take away for almost cost price.

Freemasons, Clitheroe, Lancashire

A list so well written that it could serve as a beginners’ guide to wine, with reds and whites divided into four styles each, playful descriptions throughout and something for all tastes and budgets.

Kitchen W8, London

Credit: Andrew Hayes-Watkins

A classically European list not priced as dearly as might be expected by the Kensington location, Kitchen W8 excels with a weekly changing selection of fine wines offered by the glass at cost price (£10 to £30).

The Newport, Newport, Fife

Masterchef: The Professionals winner Jamie Scott’s bistro boasts a fabulous list from a local merchant.

The Old Bridge, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

The Wine Shop

Owner and MW John Hoskins offers 15 wines by the glass, 20 more from an Enomatic and wines with between £10-£20 added from retail price; the broad, style-led list is also available to take home from the Wine Shop next door.

Otto’s, London

Credit: Nic Crilly-Hargrave

Otto Tepasse eschews anything that one might find in the supermarket, instead selecting great vintages from classic French regions, and he’s usually on-hand to offer advice.

Park House, Cardiff

An impressively broad list of 1,500 bins, especially strong on Australia, at scarcely believable prices.

The Terrace Rooms and Wine, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Some of the lowest wine mark-ups in the country on an accessible 350-bin list with almost nothing over £100 and wines selected to be at peak drinking drink now.

Tyddyn Llan, Corwen, Denbighshire

A 250-strong global list sourced from small wineries run by hands-on owners, offering interesting and affordable options alongside the classics.

Wild Flor, Hove, East Sussex

Not, overall, the cheapest list but wines for every budget and mood, helpfully grouped by grape.

Best restaurant chain wine lists

Brasserie Blanc 

Now 14 branches, and a short, helpfully annotated list that’s more carefully chosen than at many chains.

Carluccio’s 

Some less-obvious Italian choices, and you can buy from the shop to drink with your meal (£5 corkage applies).

Côte

Cote’s all-French wine list might not be the easiest to pronounce but the helpful annotation could not be any easier to understand.

Gaucho 

Gaucho Charlotte Street

The prices are a little steep, but it has a serious and unrivalled selection of Argentinian wines.

Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor Manchester

Each site has its own wine list but all favour a mix of small producers and big-name vineyards with a preference for the steak-friendly.

Hotel du Vin Bistros 

Local buying decisions are allowed, with sommeliers even buying wine at auction.

Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill 

Focused on whites to suit the mainly fishy cuisine; a well-composed list.

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As any London wine-lover will tell you, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to the capital’s wine bar scene. From popular city centre haunts to off-the-beaten-track local venues, there’s plenty to explore – whether you want high-end French classics or new-wave natural bottles. With more and more venues offering by-the-glass options, as well as bottles to enjoy on-site or take home, there’s never been a better time to taste what London has to offer. So pull up a chair and relax with a glass or two in one of our top venues.

28°-50°

28°-50° Marylebone.

Originally a single site in Holborn, 28°-50° is now a chain of five chic bars/restaurants across London. There’s Marylebone; its neighbouring jazz-centric venue 28°-50° by Night; Chelsea; South Kensington; and latest addition Oxford Circus. With the wine programme overseen by group head sommelier Jules Bensacq, each site has a decent selection of wines available by the glass or bottle, including a small collection of pricier drops by Coravin. This is supplemented by a ‘Collector’s List’ of reasonably priced fine and rare bottles with a focus on France, supplemented by a decent showing of other wines from around the world.

Bar Pepito

Credit: www.camino.uk.com

This tiny pocket rocket of a Sherry bar is brought to you from the team behind the Camino restaurant chain. Bar Pepito may be situated in Kings Cross but you’re transported to Andalucía as soon as you step through the door. The list of Sherries is relatively short, with two or three wines offered for every style, but there’s enough variety for new Sherry drinkers and experts alike. It runs the gamut from big names such as Tio Pepe Fino to more esoteric drops like Equipo Navazos’ La Bota ‘I Think’ En Rama Manzanilla. Numerous flights and a paired tasting menu of wines and tapitas help to encourage experimentation. Settle in with a flight and tableful of tapas, then pretend you’re in Jerez.

Gordon’s

Credit: www.gordonswinebar.com

Take a quick wander from Covent Garden to Charing Cross and you’ll find yourself in a piece of wine bar history. Gordon’s has been serving patrons for over 130 years, and you certainly feel the history oozing out of the walls lined with pictures and newspaper-clippings. The interior is all vaulted cellars and candlelight. While the bar is covered in blackboards and Sherry-filled barrels. The eminently affordable wine list is an exercise in excellent editing, focusing on key regions from the Old World, with the odd addition from Mendoza, Marlborough or Maipo Valley. Food is available in the form of chunky meze platters, cheese and baguettes. Those who fail to get a table inside have a much better chance on the large outdoor terrace.

New Street Wine Shop

Credit: www.newstreetwine.com

The first venue to fully dissolve the boundaries between shop, bar and restaurant, this fairly small space is smartly designed. Choose a bottle from the well-stocked New Street Wine Shop shelves to take away or drink in for a very reasonable £8 corkage. You can also buy by the glass or sample top-end wines from the Enomatics. The range concentrates on European classics. A playground for wine lovers.

Noble Rot

Credit: noblerot.co.uk

When Noble Rot’s first venue opened its doors on Lamb’s Conduit Street in Holborn, oenophiles fell over themselves in their enthusiasm for its cooler-than-thou interiors, delicious food and adventurous wine list. A second site, taking over former institution The Gay Hussar in Soho, has followed to perhaps even greater acclaim. At both restaurants, most wines by the glass are offered in 75ml ‘taster’ or 125ml servings, with a decent, ever-changing range also available by Coravin. Those with deep pockets might be tempted by a glass of Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 1996 or a Château d’Yquem from the same decade. But there are plenty more eminently affordable options too. The wider list has a notable bent towards France, with plenty of representation from around the globe. The lunch set menu is ridiculously reasonable, and invariably delicious.

Sager + Wilde

Credit: www.sagerandwilde.com

Sager + Wilde is a small, urban venue in Hackney that changed perceptions of what a wine bar could be when it opened in 2012. There’s little under £40 a bottle, but strength and depth in a list that focuses on natural, organic and biodynamic wines from the Old World. Small plates, toasties, cheeses and charcuterie are also available. A second branch, Sager + Wilde on Paradise Row, is a short hop from its older sister. A restaurant-cum-wine-bar situated in a railway arch with space for larger groups and an outdoor terrace, it’s the perfect spot to while away a Sunday afternoon.

The 10 Cases

Credit: www.10cases.co.uk / Justin De Souza

The clue is in the name of this French bistro-inspired take on a wine bar in Covent Garden. In order to keep the list fresh and exciting, wines are only bought in 10 case purchases, leading to a constantly rotating choice of 10 whites, 10 reds and a sprinkling of sparkling, rosé and sweet wine to boot. Those looking for more of a deep dive wine experience should plump for The 10 Cases’ Cave à Vin venue just next door. Here a list of over 300 wines awaits, available to buy and take away, or enjoy on site for a very reasonable £12 corkage fee. The same monthly-changing bistro food menu is available in both sites, or simply order some cheese and charcuterie in the Cave à Vin. One company, neighbouring sites, very different yet equally brilliant approaches.

The Remedy

Credit: http://www.theremedylondon.com/

This understated bar is located just 15 minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus. The focus here is on small producers – ‘say no to the wine industrial complex!’ is the wine philosophy of The Remedy’s owners  – with huge variation squeezed onto its well-edited list. It’s packed with the interesting, the characterful and the curious; both natural and conventional, mainly Old World, with a small smattering of New World. A solid selection of fine and rare treats is priced from upwards of £50. But there is also a decent amount to choose from between £30 and £50. The list of wines by the glass is a brilliant calling card, with Sherries and a short yet exciting selection of Madeira from Pereira d’Oliveira, alongside a handful of reds and whites. The Remedy also offers a short menu of delicious modern European cuisine small plates.

Vagabond Battersea Power Station

Credit: www.shop.vagabondwines.co.uk

While Vagabond boasts nine wine bars across London, the Battersea Power Station outpost with its urban winery should be top of any oenophile’s visit list. Winemaking equipment butts up against the industrial-chic wine bar interiors, all situated in the shadow of the iconic London landmark. Grab your wine from one of the many Enomatic machines lining the walls, order some small plates and charcuterie, then settle in for a delicious evening.

Vinoteca Farringdon

Credit: www.vinoteca.co.uk

Vinoteca changed the landscape of London wine bars when it opened its first branch in Farringdon in 2005. It was the first to offer wines to take away as well as to drink in, just like an Italian enoteca. The original outpost is a small, simply decorated square room, always busy thanks to the inclusive atmosphere and quality of the wine list – not to mention the bistro-style food. There are over 200 wines here, ranging from £22 to £212 to drink in. There are also a few wines available to buy in cans, plus 20 available by the glass. Try the Crittenden Estate Peninsula Chardonnay 2020 for £47.50, or Benanti’s Etna Rosso 2019 for £48. There are now five smart, bright and airy branches across London.

Have we missed your favourite? Share your own top London wine bars @Decanter

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London resident, wine writer and wine event host Hannah Crosbie has found the best London wine bars and restaurants offering corkage deals and discounts right now.

12:51 by Chef James Cochran

Credit: www.1251.co.uk

On Tuesday evenings, guests can enjoy a five-course tasting menu where you can bring your own drink for zero corkage fee. It’s a fabulous opportunity to work on the wine and food pairing yourself, or just uncork a particular bottle you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

107 Upper St, London N1 1QN.

28°-50°

Credit: www.2850.co.uk

Every Monday to Wednesday at 28°-50° South Kensington, bring your own special bottle for lunch or dinner for free. Outside of these times, corkage is just £20 per bottle.

They also run Champagne and Oyster Weekends at the Chelsea, Oxford Circus and South Kensington locations. Every weekend you can enjoy an unlimited 90-minute feast celebrating their new house Champagne, Ayala Brut Majeur, for £65 per person. Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm (until 5pm on Saturdays).

Bar Douro

Credit: www.bardouro.co.uk

Every Sunday, a selection of wines from Festa – Bar Douro’s online wine shop – are available at shop price while dining at the London Bridge site. Changing on a weekly basis, this rotating curation champions the versatility of Portuguese wine, perfectly paired with their range of petiscos – small Portuguese snacking plates.

Arch 35B, 85B Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ.

Hawksmoor

Credit: www.thehawksmoor.com

Take advantage of the £5 corkage fee at Hawksmoor every Monday and enjoy a great steak with a bottle you’ve been saving.

At Seven Dials, Spitalfields, Knightsbridge, Air Street, Guidhall and Manchester sites. 

Humble Grape

Humble Grape Battersea. Credit: www.humblegrape.co.uk

January 2018: A steak with a glass of Malbec is just £15, across all branches.

Enjoy wines in this cosy wine bar at the retail price every Monday at the Battersea branch. Enjoy with one of the sharing platters.

Humble Grape, 2 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1ED.

Ombra

Credit: www.ombrabar.restaurant

Go for dinner at Ombra on a Monday with your own bottle from home and enjoy free corkage. This cosy canalside restaurant is a fabulous place to enjoy a bottle from your cellar, or from their list of Italian wines.

1 Vyner Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 9DG.

Orasay

Credit: www.orasay.london

Book Orasay’s private dining room and enjoy free corkage all night, any day of the week. The perfect opportunity to share a special bottle by candlelight.

31 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EU.

Sager +Wilde

Credit: www.sagerandwilde.com

Sager + Wilde have introduced free corkage on Sundays and Mondays at their Paradise Row site.

Arch 250 Paradise Row, London, E2 9LE.

The Remedy 

Credit: www.theremedylondon.com

Enjoy a choice of 12 wines by the bottle at 50% off on Mondays at Remedy wine bar.

Remedy, 124 Cleveland St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 6PG.

Vinoteca

Credit: www.vinoteca.co.uk

Every week, Vinoteca runs Cork Club Monday. To join, pop into your local branch to request a free cork keyring. Flash this when you visit on a Monday, and you’ll only pay the shop price on every bottle of wine when you dine. Available at the Borough, Chiswick, City, Farringdon, Kings Cross.

Vinoteca City also runs Brunch and Bubbles every Saturday; all bottles of fizz on the list are half price, and can be paired with their brilliant brunch menu.

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The ancient capital of Islamic Spain was at its peak during the 9th and 10th centuries, and Córdoba still reflects its roots in Moorish, Jewish and Christian traditions, architecture and cuisine. The Mezquita (or Great Mosque) is a breathtaking experience, one of the grandest and best preserved of its type in the world, despite the building of a Christian cathedral within its interior. Around the Mezquita, you can explore the narrow winding streets of the old Jewish quarter and the city wall, the Alcázar of the Christian Kings, and the Roman Bridge. If you have time, the palace city complex of Medina Azahara, just outside the city, is also worth a visit.

The best times to visit are spring and autumn, as the sizzling heat of summer is often too intense for being out and about. May is the month of three of the city’s most important festivals: the Cruces de Mayo; the famous Patio Festival, when many private courtyards are open to the public and the city is a riot of colourful blooms; and the Córdoba Fair at the end of the month, a chance to drink and dance the day and/or night away in air-conditioned casetas (festival tents). During the rest of the year, you can visit the Patio Museum at the Palacio de Viana, a wonderful collection of 12 patios with formal gardens as well as art and antique collections.

When it’s time to stop and eat, be sure to try Córdoba’s culinary triumvirate of salmorejo (a rich cold tomato soup often topped with chopped egg and jamón), fried breaded aubergines (often served with cane molasses) and flamenquín (rolled pork and serrano ham, breaded and deep-fried). Other specialities include japuta en adobo (fried marinated sea bream) and rabo de toro (braised oxtail).

Credit: Maggie Nelson

Córdoba bars & restaurants

Bodega San Basilio
San Basilio, 29

There’s no better place to try Córdoba’s tasty ‘holy trinity’ of salmorejo, fried aubergines and flamenquín. This cosy family-run bar, along with its larger Mesón San Basilio around the corner, has been a neighbourhood favourite since it opened in 1994. Other traditional dishes include torreznos (crispy pork scratchings) and orange and salt-cod salad, which may sound odd but is surprisingly delicious. Expect friendly service and classic ambiente taurino (bullfighting atmosphere) at both locations. facebook.com/Mesonsanbasilio

Bar Santos
Magistral González Francés, 3

Bar Santos’ giant tortilla. Credit: Agefotostock / Alamy Stock Photo

This tiny no-frills bar opposite the Mezquita is famous for its massive tortilla de patatas made with 5kg of potatoes and 30 eggs. Order a slice with an ice-cold caña (small glass of beer) and enjoy it all outdoors, sitting on the ledge below the Mezquita wall while watching the world go by. Other traditional tapas are also available, but it’s the location – and the tortillas – that make this friendly little bar almost as big an attraction as the Mezquita itself.

Garum 2.1 
San Fernando, 120-122

Named after the Roman fermented fish sauce, Garum 2.1 specialises in traditional Andalucían tapas with Moorish influences but, as the ‘2.1’ suggests, there are also modern touches that make its dishes deliciously different. It’s in the heart of the old city and the interior has an authentic, antique feel with an original exposed Moorish brick wall at the back of the dining area, complemented by a modern bar and a pleasant rooftop terrace.

Choco
Compositor Serrano Lucena, 14

Choco is top chef Kisko García’s one-star Michelin restaurant, dedicated to preserving the traditions of Andalucían cuisine in their many guises while bringing them up to date with modern techniques and ideas. This commitment to excellence means that top-quality ingredients (locally sourced wherever possible) are prepared and served with imagination and attention to detail. You can also try Kisko’s more casual Choco Bar next door.

El Churrasco
Romero, 16

Founded more than 50 years ago in a small inn in Córdoba’s Jewish quarter, El Churrasco has grown to include more than a dozen themed dining rooms, from a traditional cordobés patio to more modern settings, as well as a bespoke bodega for tastings. The cuisine has expanded too, but the original churrasqueadas (top- quality meats grilled over charcoal) are still the speciality of the house. There’s also a cosy bar for pre-dinner drinks or tapas grazing, with an impressive display of prime cuts awaiting their turn in the kitchen.

La Cuchara de San Lorenzo
Arroyo de San Lorenzo, 2

Founded by brothers Narciso and Paco López in 2006, La Cuchara – in the historic neighbourhood of San Lorenzo – has gone from strength to strength in the development of its menus while remaining true to its Andalucían origins. Small but elegant, with an ample terrace, it serves great food at reasonable prices, and the staff are friendly and efficient. A little off the beaten track, but worth making the effort.

Casa Pepe de la Judería
Romero, 1

Not far from the Mezquita and a short walk into the old Jewish quarter, Casa Pepe recently passed its centenary. Over time it has expanded into a maze of dining rooms with a rooftop terrace around and above its original rustic central patio, but the cuisine is still very much traditional cordobés. If you’re looking for a taste of old- school Córdoba, this is the place to come.

Jugo Vinos Vivos
Plaza San Andrés, 5

Córdoba’s first wine bar dedicated solely to natural wines, Jugo Vinos Vivos opened its doors in 2017 and is run by American Gabrielle Mangeri and her cordobés husband Javier Orcaray. Many of the (mostly Spanish) wines are available by the glass with a selection from Montilla winemaker José Miguel Márquez prominently featured. The small menu changes regularly, with the emphasis on small-production raw-milk cheeses, artisanal breads, conserves, smoked fish, cured meats and olives. Wine tastings and cookery classes are available on request. @quierojugovivo

Noor
Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 8

Taste the history of Al-Andalus at Noor, opened in 2016 by cordobés chef Paco Morales. For his first season he explored the 10th century, using only ingredients that were available at that time. With the help of documentarians, historians, archaeologists and designers, Morales has told the culinary story of the times with skill and imagination, earning him two well-deserved Michelin stars. Each season, he has moved up a century (including a retrospective in his fourth year). Season 2022 found Noor in the late 16th century and, for the first time, New World comestibles were introduced into the repertoire. There are three tasting menus, with the option of the ‘armonía de vinos’ wine match selected and served by sommelier Pilar Vidal. An unforgettable experience.

La Casa del Pedro Ximénez
Corregidor Luis de la Cerda, 75

A stone’s throw from the Mezquita, this is a great little shop in which to expand your knowledge of the region’s wines – with the bonus of taking home some of your delicious Córdoba experiences. Aside from a wide range of Montilla-Moriles wines, you will also find an array of local artisanal products including brandy and vermouth, olive oil, vinegars, jams, marmalades and chocolates.

Regadera
Ronda de Isasa, 10

Adrián Caballero

Located at the edge of Córdoba’s old centre, just across from the Roman Bridge, Regadera serves some of the best food in town in a chic modern space with an open kitchen. Local chef Adrián Caballero’s food is upmarket without being pretentious – expect a combination of traditional and modern dishes ranging from suckling pig and beef tartare to cod and sea bass ceviche, executed with innovative twists and attention to quality and detail. Excellent wine list and cocktails, too.

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As the capital and largest city in Spain, Madrid is something of a cosmopolitan magnet for gastronomy – and pretty much everything else. The result is not only a moveable feast, but also a fast-moving one. In fact even long-time residents can find it difficult to keep up with the latest trends.

Relatively wealthy, Madrid has an expanding upmarket food scene for the nouveau riche – or at least nouveau middle class. But many of its traditional taverns and tapas bars still exist, particularly in the working class parts of the city.

This means that there is always something for everyone. Ranging from top Michelin star spots (Madrid boasts an impressive 21 in total as of 2022) to tiny hole in the wall joints that specialise in one perfect dish.

Because Madrid is at a high altitude, and consequently has decidedly cold winters, many of its most typical dishes are winter warmers. Think stews, such as callos and menudo, or carrillada (braised pork cheeks) and lomo con tomate (pork loin in tomato sauce). Not to mention a medley of hearty stews made from chickpeas, lentils and white beans.

Fried calamari sandwiches and barely solid tortilla de patatas can also be found in every barrio (neighbourhood) of Madrid. Bars throughout the city will lay claim to having the best in town.

Going local

Another good option for trying out a tasty selection of local cuisine is to visit some of the city’s food markets. Here you will find both traditional and innovative dishes – especially at those markets located away from the centre, Plaza Mayor.

For the second year running, local wunderkind Dabiz Muñoz has been named World’s Best Chef. His three-star Michelin restaurant DiverXO is famous (or infamous) for being Spain’s most expensive eatery. Tasting menus here range from €250 to €365 – and that’s not including wine. Pairings will set you back another €150-€300.

Happily us mere mortals have plenty of other options to experience the abundant variety of cuisines that make up the Madrileña food scene. From trendy Malasaña to upscale Salamanca; from multicultural Lavapiés and hip Barrio de las Letras to traditional La Latina… Each barrio has something unique to offer.

Top Madrid bars and restaurants to visit

Amano

With chef Javier Goya and somm-maître extraordinaire Fran Ramírez at the helm of this venture in the heart of Barrio de las Letras, great traditional food, outstanding wines and knowledgeable service are guaranteed. Pop in for a taste of Andalucía at the bar, or book a table in the restaurant.

• Address: Plaza Matute 4
• Open: Wednesday-Saturday 1pm-4pm & 8pm-11.30pm

Angelita

Sommelier David Villalón and his brother Mario run this exceptional wine bar and bistro, which also has a cocktail bar in the basement. More than 100 wines are available by the glass or half glass, perfect for pairing. Their menu is short and ever-changing, with organic veg from their mother Angelita’s own garden outside the city.

• Address: Street Reina 4
• Wine bar/restaurant open: Monday-Saturday 1.30pm -12am (kitchen open 1.30pm-4pm, 8pm-11.30pm), Sunday closed
• Cocktail bar open: Monday-Saturday 5pm-2am, Sunday closed

Bodegas Ricla

Founded in 1867, this tiny mother-and-son operation, just steps from the Plaza Mayor, is a classic stop for vermouth. It’s a basic, no-nonsense tapas bar filled with memorabilia of a bygone age. Be sure to try the callos (tripe stew) or the famous meatballs.

• Address: Calle Cuchilleros 6
• Open: Monday & Wednesday-Friday 1.30pm-5pm & 8.30pm-12am, Saturday 1pm-4pm & 8.30pm-12.30am, Sunday 1.30pm-6pm, Tuesday closed

Casa Gerardo

Spanish cheeses

Cheese, please. This 80-year-old bodega boasts an impressive cheese list with an equally impressive selection of wines, including vermouths and Sherries. Great old-school atmosphere with friendly service.

• Address: Calle de Calatrava 21
• Open: Tuesday 7.30pm-12am, Wednesday-Saturday 1.30pm-4.00pm & 7.30pm-12am, Sunday 1pm-5pm, Monday closed

Corral de la Morería

Flamenco at Corral de la Morería

Forget whatever you’ve heard about never booking a flamenco and dinner show and head to Corral de la Morería, a family-run tablao that has been going strong since 1956. Second generation owners Juan Manuel and Armando del Rey are now at the helm, with chef David García overseeing the kitchen. It has two dining areas – with Restaurante Corral de la Morería boasting a Michelin star – and a large amount of Sherry (over 1,200 at last count) chosen by sommelier David Ayuso. The flamenco is also outstanding, with award-winning top artists performing twice daily.

• Address: Calle de la Morería 17
• Open: Monday-Sunday 7.30pm-12am

La Fisna Vinos

Working simultaneously as importer, distributor and retailer, Delia Baeza has converted a rustic tavern in Lavapiés into a cosy wine bar and shop. Choose from a selection of unique French and Spanish natural wines from small producers, most sold exclusively here, at very affordable prices, along with delicious tapas.

• Address: C/Amparo 91
• Open: Monday-Friday 6.00pm-12am, Saturday-Sunday closed

Lakasa

Dream team César Martín (chef) and Marina Launay (front-of-house) have mastered that special blend of impeccable service and an intelligent seasonal menu. Almost everything is available in half-portions, including the wines by the glass. The all-day kitchen in this fun, trendy venue makes it a great spot for late lunches or early dinners.

• Address: Plaza Descubridor Diego de Ordás 1
• Open: Monday-Friday 1.30pm-11pm, Saturday & Sunday closed

Restaurante Tabanco Verdejo

Is it a restaurant? A tabanco? A bodega? Since Marian Reguera moved to larger premises in 2021 she can say yes to all of these. What hasn’t changed is the excellent traditional seasonal menu accompanied by a new wine list created by sommelier Cristina de la Calle with an impressive 165 wines on offer including 30-40 sherries by the glass and, best of all, the kind of service that makes you feel at home.

• Address: Calle del General Díaz Porlier, 59
• Open: Monday-Friday 1.30pm-4pm & 8.30pm-11.30pm, Saturday 1.30pm-4pm, Sunday closed

Vinoteca García de la Navarra

The García de la Navarra brothers (chef Pedro and sommelier Luis, above) have expanded their original Taberna de Pedro, a stone’s throw from El Prado museum, to offer a fuller version of their excellent traditional fare paired with fabulous wines. Expect quality produce at reasonable prices in a warm and friendly ambiance.

• Address: Calle de Montalbán 3
• Open: Tuesday-Saturday 1pm-4.00pm & 8.30pm-11.30pm

Zalamero

Fish is a specialty at Zalamero

Partners Ana Losada and David Moreno are the heart and soul of this lovely tavern. A cosy bar greets you, leading to a tasteful, minimalist dining area beyond. With 40-50 wines that change weekly and a market-based menu, it is simply spectacular.

• Address: Calle de Narváez 67
• Open: Monday/Tuesday closed, Wednesday-Sunday 1pm-4.30pm & 8.30pm-11.30pm

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Alsatian wine without food is like homemade waffle cones without ice cream. What makes a visit to the northeastern French wine region especially appealing is the extent to which culinary options have improved. Having lived in Strasbourg for the better part of the last 25 years, I have noticed over this time an upturn in customer service – and not just for the expensive locations.

Alsace is one of the most heralded regions in Michelin’s famous guide; it counted 29 starred restaurants in 2020, with 33 in 2021 – and no one lost a star. Many earned the ‘Bib gourmand’, which recognises value for money. A total of 30 restaurants obtained the green star, rewarding chefs for a ‘commitment to sustainable gastronomy, respect for the environment, and sustainable development’.

Aux Armes de Strasbourg

Strasbourg boasts two brasseries you should visit. Aux Armes de Strasbourg at Place Gutenbourg provides friendly, efficient service matched in a jovial, pleasingly kitsch setting: cute wooden Alsatian furnishing and Alsatian red and white tablecloths. Since it had opened under the Wilhelmine era in 1900 as ‘Zuem Stadtwappe’, the food remains classic Alsatian: from Baekeoff and choucroute, to chicken suprême with Riesling.

9 Pl. Gutenberg, 67000 Strasbourg

Les Haras

For a more upscale experience, don’t miss Les Haras, located in a beautiful 18th century building that once housed a royal stable. Paris-based design firm Jouin Manku has created an expansive, elegant two-decker restaurant linked by a curving glass-and-steel staircase.

I have lunched on the patio in summer, inside in the winter. Winner of the 2014 best restaurant prize from the London-based ‘Restaurant & Bar Design Awards’ and recognised by The Wall Street Journal as one of the world’s ‘most beautiful restaurants’, the design is matched by excellent cuisine and service at fair pricing. Marc Haeberlin of the Michelin-three-starred L’Auberge de l’Ill in Illhaeusern supervises menus that feature both traditional fare and more modern, creative specialties. If waiting for your table, take a seat at the bar for a cocktail under the impressive staircase or choose from over 100 wines.

23 Rue des Glacières, 67000 Strasbourg

Les Plaisirs Gourmands

Topping Trip Advisor’s best restaurant list in Strasbourg (2022), Les Plaisirs Gourmands is so good that I went twice before this article. Located in a somewhat humdrum residential suburb, the doors open to the excellent cuisine and tasteful décor of chef Guillaume Scheer and wife Charlotte Gate. And it counts among the most economically priced (one-star) Michelin experiences you can find.

For example, for a table of three, €380 / £320 (tax and tip included) covered a six-course lunch, including two bottles of wine. But get ready for at least three hours of culinary pleasure. From langoustine carpaccio with green pepper and subtle vanilla sauce to local seared trout served with pumpkin in late autumn, superb pastries for dessert are hard to beat. I also enjoyed the lunch set menu (entrée, plat, dessert or cheese) at only €40 per person. Great wine list too!

35 Rte du Général de Gaulle, 67300 Schiltigheim

Mademoiselle 10

A perfect non-tourist choice for dining close to the Strasbourg Cathedral is Mademoiselle 10. In November 2021, I joined US Consul General Darragh Paradiso for an ‘Americans in Strasbourg’ lunch, where we enjoyed superb butternut squash soup and roast chicken with a coconut emulsion sauce, nicely paired with the Domaine Marcel Deiss Berckem white, which blends 50% Riesling with… 12 other Alsace varieties.

Chef Jean luc Nopre proposes affordable, high quality fare, from traditional Alsace foie de canard with mango chutney to filet of Alsace deer in a wine reduction sauce and garlic. There’s an excellent selection of vegetarian dishes, too. Overlooking the picturesque Ill tributary, the restaurant offers a cosy, relaxed setting. Hours have changed however, so you cannot stay until after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. About 60 wine listed.

10 Quai des Pêcheurs, 67000 Strasbourg

Léonor

I cannot recommend highly enough the Léonor, which opened last year in what once was the central Strasbourg police station! The opening amuse bouche of local trout served as tartare with creamy Alsatian fromage blanc (Bibelskass), accentuated with pickled radish proved a promising start to a lunch that included meatier-than-usual frogs legs roasted in butter, rosemary and garlic, and graced by a turnip mousseline emulsion and heirloom vegetables.

Duck confit slow cooked over local red cabbage flavoured with cinnamon and accompanied by Alsatian spaetzel pasta proved a delight with Alsatian Pinot Noir. And the duo dessert of mango sorbet followed by hazelnut cake covered by what appeared to be flower petals (but all chocolate) was fabulous: Perfect with an Alsatian rosé cremant. With some 120 wines listed and growing, a great place to eat.

11 Rue de la Nuée-Bleue, 67000 Strasbourg

Villa René Lalique

Tasting Rieslings in the expansive underground wine cellar (2,500+ listed) with head sommelier Romain Iltis set the right tone for a €230/£195 marathon dinner. Austrian chef Paul Stradner, who had previously earned a second star at Brenner’s Park luxury resort in nearby Baden-Baden, Germany recently joined chef Jean-Georges to welcome guests to Villa René Lalique, a luxurious restaurant and adjoining boutique hotel in the northern Alsatian village of Wingen-sur-Moder: 45-minute’s drive from Strasbourg.

Most servings are locally sourced, such as game hunted in a nearby forest, but Stradner stresses: ‘We have been paying just as much attention to non meat plates as an increasing number of clients favour vegetables’. Take for example the red cabbage symphony of cooked red cabbage in cannelloni combined with red cabbage sorbet with a green apple emulsion, perfectly paired with dry Pinot Gris.

Both the setting and décor – elegantly highlighted with flowers and genuine Lalique crystal – provide visual feasts to match the food. If the price tag for one of the six suites at Rene Lalique’s former 1920 home (renovated in 2015) next to the restaurant is too pricy, stay at Villa Hochberg, also part of Group Lalique: stylish and more affordable, and five minutes away. Worth a day trip for the superb museum that explains the Lalique story.

18 Rue Bellevue, 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder

Wine Bars

Looking for a wine bar, try the recently opened L’Alsace à Boire, which includes examples of nearly all of Alsace’s 51 grands crus, in a comfortable and central location. Lit by an impressive overhead series of empty Alsace wine bottles, take a seat at the bar and order a high quality Alsatian Crémant, or benefit from many by-the-glass selections to go with your cheese plate. I wish the location was a bit more prominently in the centre, and with a larger entrance sign to include a large map of the Alsace wine route!

Lovers of casual modern ambiance should go to Ill Vino. Located on a barge on the Ill tributary in the Strasbourg city centre, the bar is managed by Stephan Maure, a wine trade expert who proposes copious selections – and not just from France, but also Europe and from the New World. Try the seared scallops with Riesling or a copious charcuterie (or veggies selection) either at the bar or at one of several tables. It is fun to go in warmer months so you can sit outside on the boat.

L’Alsace a Boire: 14 Rue du Vingt-Deux Novembre, 67000 Strasbourg
Ill Vino: 19a Quai des Pêcheurs, 67000 Strasbourg

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With Bristol’s importance as a port dating back to the Middle Ages, good wine has always been part of the culture of this outward-looking city. Although much of the place is looking rather scrubbed up these days, the old Bristol of radical politics, explorers, counterculture, and rusting docks, lurks just beneath, and the wine scene is all the better for it.

Yes, there are smart bars – you can hardly move for them in well-heeled Clifton. But the more boho side of the city, with its emphasis on non-conformity, is still to be experienced in neighbourhoods such as Montpelier and Stokes Croft. It is this radical tradition that is imprinted upon the wine scene: Whatever your passion, be it a predilection towards the organic, biodynamic, natural, or just the interesting and unusual, Bristol’s wine bars will have the wine for you.

Kask Wine

Kask

What we like about it

This vibrant neighbourhood bar epitomises the new Bristol. Located in up-and-coming Bedminster, on the south side of the city, Kask attracts masses of artists and young professionals. Everything about Kask is beautiful and well thought out, from its green façade to its garden and wine taps.

Wine list

It doesn’t get much more Bristol than Kask: specialising in organic, sustainable and minimal intervention win and served by deeply knowledgeable staff who care, this bar serves consistently interesting wines. They’re all available to take home by the bottle, too, and fairly priced.

What to order

Jordi Llorens lively Garnatxa based red from Conca de Barbera in Spain has been aged for six months in amphora to produce a soft and focused wine. The inclusion of white wine grape Parellada adds acidity and elegance. A steal at £24 a bottle.

Address: 51 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1EN
Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday 4pm-11pm; Saturday & Sunday 2pm- 11pm
kaskwine.co.uk

Lido

Lido

What we like about it

This unpretentious and modern bar and restaurant is elevated by its stunning surrounds – a Victorian lido. As well as the best setting of any bar in Bristol, this bar and restaurant has some of the best food and most interesting wine. Listeni to the weirdly evocative sounds of swimming as you kick back with a glass of wine in front of a wood fired oven. And don’t worry there are glass walls to stop any unwelcome splashes breaking through.

Wine list

Although Lido invites watery puns, its wallet friendly wine list will hardly feel like splashing out. With the bulk of the selection coming at under £40 per bottle, and with plenty to be had for half the price, a poolside bottle could easily become an everyday treat. The wines are largely from small artisanal producers in Spain, Italy and Lebanon.

What to order

The unique setting calls for an unusual wine, so why not dive in to a bottle of the Papagiannakos Assyrtiko. This stunning white from Attika in Greece is full of fresh floral aromas of citrus, white blossom, wild orange and lime harnessed to a racy saline acidity. A great choice with Mediterranean influenced menu on offer at the Lido (try jamon with chargrilled peach) and cheap at £42 a bottle.

Address: Oakfield Pl, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2BJ
Opening hours: 7am-10pm
lidobristol.com

Avery’s

What we like about it

Established in 1793, Averys is a Bristol institution that has long held a reputation for innovation. Generations of the family shaped the UK wine trade, from being the first to import Chateau Petrus in 1948, to introducing the wines of Australia, New Zealand and fine wines of California to the UK. Today, the venerable wine merchant, accesed via some pleasingly olde world steps off of College Green has an extensive list and the vaulted brick line cellar makes every visit feel like an occasion. Best of all, 5th Generation Avery, Mimi is still the face of the business.

Wine list

Avery’s parent company is Direct Wines Ltd, which also owns The Sunday Times Wine Club and Laithwaites. But each of them stocks a different list of wines. While the bottle list focuses quite heavily, and understandably, on France, there is a a diverse range here that – true to the traditions of the company includes eclectic offerings from every corner of the world.

What to order

Opt for a bottle of Vallée des Aigles from Boris Kovac. Originating in deepest Roussillon, this wine (£19.99) is made from a blend of grapes from 60-100 year old Carignan vines picked bunch by bunch and fermented in a tiny cellar, before being aged in vat and barrel for a year. This result is a silky and herbaceous red, redolent of the hills of the south of France.

• Address: 9 Culver St, Bristol BS1 5LD
• Opening hours: 10am-6pm. Closed Sundays
• www.averys.com

Marmo

Marmo

What we like about it

Marmo, run by Cosmo and Lily Sterck, is a restaurant and wine bar in the heart of the city, and occupies the same space as the much-missed Bar Buvette. Fortunately Marmo is a fine replacement. Cosmo earned his spurs at St John’s in London, something that is reflected in Marm’s concise menu and interest in seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Opened just two years ago, this fine wine-focussed restaurant is already attracting attention not just in Bristol but nationally.

Wine list

In typical Bristol fashion, there is a focus on natural wine, or to quote the restaurant ‘European producers who farm their vineyards organically or biodynamically, and use minimal or no chemical intervention in the winery’. There’s a good selection available by the glass.

What to order

Put some fizz in your evening with a bottle of txakoli rosado from Bodegas Ameztoi. This reasonably priced (£37.50) spritzy Basque Country rose is made from organically farmed local varieties.

• Address: 31 Baldwin St, Bristol BS1 1RG
• Opening hours: Tuesday 12–2pm, 5:30–9:45pm, Wednesday 12–2pm, 5:30–9:45pm, Thursday 12–2pm, 5:30–9:45pm, Friday 12–2pm, 5:30–9:45pm, Saturday 5:30–9:45pm
• www.marmo.restaurant

Two Belly

What we like about it

Though they might advertise themselves as a cheese and beer bar, the superlative Two Belly, located at the top of Whiteladies Road has more than enough wine to justify its inclusion in any list of the best wine bars of Bristol. Run by husband and wife Dominic Pulsford and Lara Issa, their passion and product knowledge shine though in the depth knowledge and enthusiasm or their staff. Prior to opening the shop, Dominic worked at Neal’s Yard.

Wine list

The list is straight Bristol, local, organic, natural, biodynamic and minimal intervention wines dominate. Quirkily, every wine on the list comes with a recommended cheese.

What to order

If you’re not feeling brave enough to go for a bottle of somerset red from Limeburn hill, try one of the more mainstream offerings on offer from one of the most noted natural winegrowers in Burgundy – Julien Guillot. Although the bottle looks quite traditional, Bourgogne Rouge Les Crays is a wild natural wine, packed full plum and raspberry. Dominic recommends this wine with Rachel’s reserve.

• Address: 116 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP
• Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
• www.twobelly.co.uk

Cave Bristol

What we like about it

A wine shop by day and a bar and restaurant by night, Cave is located on the longest street of independent shops in the UK, Gloucester Road. Inspired by the Parisian caves à manger, in this relaxed setting, you can sample simple but delicious dishes alongside an extensive and well-sourced list of organic and biodynamic wines, and all at affordable prices.

Wine list

Each week, the staff at Cave select 10 wines to pour by the glass. This is the perfect opportunity to try lesser-known wines produced by sustainably focused producers. All wines from the shelf are available to drink at the bar for the retail price, plus a £10 corkage fee rather than the higher traditional restaurant mark up.

What to order

Italy’s Franciacorta region is becoming increasingly well regarded as a source of high-quality méthode traditionnelle sparklers. Among the best producers of this exciting new style is Alessandra Divella who farms two hectares of vineyards in Gussago and Cellatica. Unfiltered and aged on lees between 2-5 years, production is tiny at around just 7000 bottles per year. A bottle of the superlative Azienda Agricola Divella, Nini, non vintage goes for £59.20 at Cave. Don’t miss out.

• Address: 286 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8PD
• Opening hours: Tuesday 12pm – 7pm, Wednesday 12pm – 8pm, Thursday 12pm – 11pm, Friday 10am – 11pm, Saturday 10am – 11pm
• www.cavebristol.co.uk

little french

What we like about it

The charm that typifies the best of the Bristol food scene is on show at this neighbourhood diner run by Freddy Bird. But don’t let the relaxed vibe and convivial space fool you, this restaurant is seriously good (its fans include Michel Roux Jr). Freddy’s wife Nessa, who runs the front of house, grew up in the Vosges and is passionate about the wine on the menu.

Wine list

“I want a really reasonably-priced wine-list,” Freddy said. “Can’t do the bottle? We’ll do it by the glass. I want people to come in and enjoy good wine; that’s fundamental”. The extensive and carefully curated wine list offers a diverse selection of affordable wines by the glass, albeit with bottles predominantly from France.

What to order

Go off-piste with a glass of Pinot Noir vom Kalkstein. German Pinot Noir is seriously underrated and this is equal of many a burgundy producer. Delicate and bright, this has that lush Pinot texture you crave without new world jamminess.

• Address: 2 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7QB
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 12–2:30pm, 5–9:30pm, Sunday 12-4pm
• littlefrench.co.uk

Tare

Tare

What we like about it

Tare is a 20-cover restaurant situated on Bristol’s Wapping Wharf harbourside development, part of a large group of independent businesses operating from converted shipping containers on the city’s buzzing harbourside. Small dimensions, however, don’t mean small ambitions. Tare may be tiny but it is also one of the most exciting restaurants in Bristol right now

Wine list

There’s a short but brilliantly assembled global wine list that takes in everything from Gloucestershire to Serbia, alongside reassuringly solid selection of claret and Burgundy. Paired tastings are available and highly recommended.

What to order

Try something as interesting as the menu with a glass of Kövidinka from Oszkár Maurer in Serbia. The Maurer family has been producing wine for four generations in this part of the Balkans that was formerly owned by Hungary and their expertise shines through. This approachable orange wine is light, fresh and loaded with green apple and orange.

• Address: 14 Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA
• Opening hours: Sunday Closed, Monday Closed, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 6–10pm, Thursday 6–10pm, Friday 6–10pm, Saturday 1–3:30pm, 6–10pm.
• tarerestaurant.co.uk

The Quadrant

What we like about it

The Quadrant, located within a typically stylish corner building at the junction of Princess Victoria Street and Regent Street since 1866, calls itself “Bristol’s premier cafe and wine bar”. With the legend, ‘in vino veritas’ over the front door, the bar of this Clifton intuition is a haven for wine lovers from across the city.

Wine list

While there are usually more than 30 wines available by the glass, the Quadrant’s growing menu of over 30 international wines will have you buying by the bottle. The intimate wine cellar often hosts wine tasting events for an alternative evening out, catering to novices and connoisseurs alike.

What to order

Available by the glass, Domaine Bergon’s delicious cabernet franc is available lightly chilled – a suitably chic choice for Clifton.

• Address: 64 Kellaway Ave, Bishopston, Bristol BS6 7XU
• Opening hours Hours: Tuesday 5–11pm, Wednesday 5–11pm, Thursday 5–11pm, Friday 5pm–12am, Saturday 1pm–12am, Sunday 1–11pm, Monday 5–11pm
• thequadrantclifton.co.uk

Casamia

What we like about it

Until 2011 Casamia was Bristol’s only Michelin starred restaurant, indeed. so highly lauded is Casamia that it was named the nation’s best restaurant in a televised competition run by Gordon Ramsay. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese emphasis on seasonality, this ambitious restaurant changes not only its menu but also the soft furnishings and décor along with each season.

Wine list

The creativity of the menu is reflected in the wine list. Although there are classics here, there’s plenty of more intriguing stuff too. Most visitors will go for the wine pairings flight.

What to order

Madeira is a fixture on the list at Casamia and invariably from Barbeito. Although a relatively small player in Madeira, this is one of the most talked about producers on the island. The company’s Rainwater 5 Year Old Reserva has a youthful golden colour with a nose loaded with nuts, orange peel and spice and fierce acidity.

• Address: 8 The General, Lower Guinea St, Bristol BS1 6FU
• Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday 6pm-10pm; Saturday 7 12pm- 10pm
• www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk

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The post Bristol – a wine lover’s guide appeared first on Decanter.

York is a small but beautifully compact city, rich in both architecture and culture. Inside its medieval walls you will enjoy a maze of narrow streets, layered with history and filled with great bars, shops and museums. York is easy to like, devilishly hard to leave.

Pairings Wine Bar

Pairings Wine Bar

What we like about it

If you love great wine and want to discover new grapes and styles in a relaxed interior, then Pairings is the smart choice.

Hosted by two sisters, Kate and Kelly Latham, Pairings is all about enjoying new wines and perhaps sampling from a menu of small plates and sharing boards. It’s a supremely relaxed affair, both stylish and comfortable, and fairly priced to boot.

Wine list

Quite simply, ten pages of wine heaven. The list is arranged by style, from ‘light and crisp’ to ‘bold and powerful’, and you can order by the glass, or carafe (500ml) or bottle. Flights — a trio of 3x75ml glasses — are popular and each comes with a theme. Coravin and natural flights are offered too, as are specific flights-with-food.

What to order

All to be commended, of course, but if you fancy a deeper dive then Orbitofrontal Cortex Blankbottle, £50, a blend of eight white grapes from Stellenbosch, is a delicious swoop into luscious fruit. Marlborough’s Gem 2009, £49, is matured on its lees for eight long years and defies your expectations of Sauvignon Blanc — a delicate acidity beautifully underpins a bewitching blossom-filled glow.

• 28 Castlegate, YO1 9RP
• Sunday to Thursday 12 – 11pm, Friday to Saturday 11am – 12am
• pairings.co.uk

Enoteca by L’Uva

What we like about it

This super-cool wine bar — perfect for date nights — is conveniently located next to the main shopping area. As the name suggests, Enoteca specialises in Italian wine and has a fine line in antipasto, plus a wicked wood-fired pizza thrown in for good measure. It sources all of its wines directly from Italy — 95% are exclusive to the UK — so with no intermediary, prices are accessible.

Wine list

The bottle-list offers a great variety, encompassing 14 of Italy’s wine regions on a single, sharply-written sheet. Veneto and Piedmont are the most popular, but it is the wide range of lesser-known regions and rare grape varietals that entice. The main list features 30 bottles, but there’s also a “secret” list with over 200. You can ask for both.

What to order

The Ippolito 1845 from Calabria, derived from a revival of an ancient white grape, Pecorello, is fresh and nicely sour. The Sardinian Cagnulari Isola dei Nuraghi, £35, another revived varietal, has a nose like a struck match and is warm and ever-so moreish. Marika Verdicchio Dei Castell, £42, uses frozen grapes to intensify its floral profile. It is less sweet, but more quaffable, than natural icewine.

• 5 Bridge Street, YO1 6DD
• Tuesday to Saturday 5.30 – 10pm
• luva-vino-e-cucina.business.site

2 Many Wines

What we like about it

Talk about a game-changer. Since it opened in September, Cyriaque Lajoinie and Benjy Berluti have styled this former-bookmakers into an attractive wine shop and tasting room, a veritable caviste bar a vin (pictured top). Located just outside the wall, in the city’s trendy Bishopthorpe Road area, the pair have been packing them in, even on school nights. So get there early.

Wine list

There’s an informal sheet of A4 listing 15 of the current faves, with this year’s top-of-the-pops Ferrari Trento, £44.5, the only permanent fixture. It’s a great list, admittedly, full of fresh suggestions, but it is the entire contents of the shop, the hundreds of bottles shelved neatly along one wall, that provides the extended bottle-list. A modest £10 corkage makes any bottle on the premises available for the immediate partaking — if you can get a table.

What to order

The shelves are arranged stylistically — literally colour-coded — wallflower whites at one end; chest-out heavy reds at the other. Pick, say, a Kelly Washington Pinot Blanc, for £29-a-bottle to take home — £39 to drink in-house. If you prefer by-the-glass, Climat No1, a Sauvingon Blanc from Touraine, £8.2 is exceptional. While the Unanime, 2017, £9.5, an easy pick-of-the-reds.

• 3 Bishopthorpe Road, Y023 1NA
• 10am-10pm, til 10.30pm Friday and Saturday
• 2manywines.co.uk

Cave du Couchon

What we like about it

A few doors down from Le Cochon Aveugle — often regarded as one of the finest contemporary restaurants in York — Cave du Couchon is its younger, hipper sibling. Modelled on a pared-down Parisian bar, Cave offers an eclectic range of wines, alongside sourdough pizza, artisan cheese and charcuterie.

Wine list

Cave only stocks wine from small producers and so biodynamics and natural wines dominate. The bottle-list offers an impressive range of grower Champagnes, as well as a preference for delicates. It has Riesling and Pinot Noir in excelsis.

What to order

Wine-by-the-glass is listed on a blackboard, just to the side of the bar. You could savour a rare glass of classic 2003 Château Cissac Haut-Médoc, £24, or opt for a Slovenian Nando Blue Label Rebula, £14, known for its umami texture and citrus notes. The list features a high proportion of female producers — Oregon’s Kelly Fox,’s Mirabai 2019 is a light-to-medium, youthful delight, £96 a bottle, a standout star.

• 19 Walmgate,YO1 9TX
• Wednesday to Friday, 5pm – 11pm, Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon – 11pm
• caveducochon.uk

The Bow Room at the Grays Court Hotel

What we like about it

Grays Court, established 1091, lays claim to being the oldest continually inhabited house in England. Now a hotel with an upscale restaurant, The Bow Room, it offers a six-course taster menu with wines to match. There’s a snug lounge that affords picturesque views of the Minster — it simply glows at night — plus a long gallery attractively panelled in the Jacobean style, perfect for a special glass.

Wine list

The list contains a great many fine wines — yes, please to a bottle of 2012 Pol Roger Winston Churchill, £295 — but it is the addition of rarer finds, grapes from as far afield as Lebanon, Georgia and Sussex, which sets the establishment apart from more traditional grand hotels.

What to order

2018 has proven a great year for the Nebbiolo grape and the Occhetti Langhe by the Prunotto winery in Piedmont is a rare find at £49 a bottle. The Corralillo, an organic Riesling from Chile, is notable for its classic mineral finish. Want to launch the boat? The Brunello di Montalcino from Poggio Antico, £96, offers reasonable value in the fine wine section.

• Chapter House St, YO1 7JH
• Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm.
• grayscourtyork.com

Skosh

What we like about it

Skosh is slang Japanese for “a little bit of something”, and the menu of Pacific-influenced small savoury dishes — and eclectic wine list — takes that concept and runs. Demand is so high for its salty octopus and its venison dumplings that there’s a waiting list for tables — two months long.

Wine list

Bottles are available, but the point of Skosh — explains chef-owner Neil Bentinck — is to approach the wine as you would the food, and switch-and-match throughout the session. And so can order by the 125ml glass and, in many cases, a 375mm carafe.

What to order

Take a look at the versatile Domäne Krems Grüner Veltliner, £7/£17.5/£35, as it offers the kind of aromatic zest that pairs well with Asian flavours. A bone-dry Sancerre Sylvain Bailly, £11/£35 excels with elegant crispness. Wine-spotters will be drawn to the limited-edition Constantia, Napoleon Bona Part Four, £6/£28, made from rescued Muscat grapes from Franschhoek — the French Quarter — in the southern Cape. Napoleon loved Constantia so much he drank a bottle every day in exile.

• 98 Micklegate, Y01 6JX
• Wednesday to Saturday Noon to 2pm / 5.30 to 10pm.
• skoshyork.co.uk

Wine Stories

What we like about it

This delightful Greek Taverna sprang up on Parliament Street, the main shopping street, in late October. Run by a team from Corfu, it has already established a reputation for a casual approach to tried-and-true flavours: oregano, honey, creamy feta — the shrimp katayif is divine — and a drinks list to spirit you away, at least for an hour or two.

Wine list

The list contains 22 wines, all Greek naturally. Familiar wines like Retsina are available, as are more verturesome flavours for those looking for something fresh — expect floral whites and plummy reds. Pricing is reasonable with many bottles under £30.

What to order

There are two very good, modestly-priced, Nemea wines from the north of the Penopolese. The red is a languid drop of ruby pleasure; its paler sibling is a zingly blend of Roditis and Savvatinao, both £21. A sumptuously sweet Vinsanto from the island of SanTorini is a sun-dried rush of raisin, figs and dry fruit, like a Pedro Ximénez with extra legs.

• Parliament St, YO1 8RR
• facebook.com/WineStoriesYork

Melton’s Restaurant

What we like about it

Stepping into Melton’s is a comforting experience. The narrow, softly-lit dining room is elegant yet casual, but most remarkable are the murals that hold court on both floors. Rendered in the art nouveau style, or pastiche thereof, they celebrate a scene of prosperous diners saluting the city’s good fortune and timeless charm.

Wine list

Melton’s is 33 next year, and the bottle-list is a wizard’s spell book sprawling deliciously across 17 pages. It’s idiosyncratic, wonderfully so, and evidence of co-owner Lucy Hjort’s decades of experience. Rare finds, including a bottle from the Little Wold vineyard, grown only a few miles down the road — vines do grow this far north —alongside overlooked classics and some real surprises.

What to order

There’s a heavenly-bodied Greco di Tufo, all blissfully aromatic and rich and oily, that offers an alternative to chardonnay. Equally agreeable is the Château Carreyre Margaux 2015, a blast of forest fruit and bramble that softens to the point of sweetness. Like a Bordeaux caught-in-a-tryst with a Rioja.

• 7 Scarcroft Road, YO23 1ND
• Wednesday to Saturday (lunch) 12pm-1.45pm; Tuesday to Saturday (dinner) 5.30pm to 9.30pm
• meltonsrestaurant.co.uk

The Star Inn the City

What we like about it

If you arrive by train, as many visitors do, then The Star Inn is one of the first landmarks you see as you cross over the River Ouse and into the walled city. The sister restaurant of the Michelin-starred The Star Inn in Harome, which sadly burnt to the ground in November, the Star Inn the City is a large, glass fronted restaurant with a grandstand terrace overlooking the river — affording one of the best views in York.

Wine list

The Star serves both town and country sets and the list is, therefore, a delicate balance between them. There’s a range of reds for the Sunday lunch crowd, but also more adventurous choices, especially the biodynamic and organic inclusions of the menu, for a mid-week urban clientele with a thirst for something new.

What to order

Weingut Klaus Nittnaus is an Austrian blend of Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling and Chardonnay, that has an abundance of minerality with white pepper, stone fruit and citrus on the palate. At £40 it is adventurous without breaking-the-bank. Or you could enjoy a bottle of the lush Malbec Catena Zapata Vista Flores, £42, a mint chocolate-spiked triumph of velvety softness.

• Lendal Engine House, Museum Street, YO1 7DR
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 9pm. Friday to Sunday, 9.30am to 9pm.
• starinnthecity.co.uk

Sótano

What we like about it.

Sótano began life as a cellar bar, the kind you find in the nocturnal corners of San Sebastian or Barcelona. Lockdown conditions saw it pivot towards a bar and charcuterie with a rooftop terrace — two floors above. Thankfully both remain open.

The wine list

Spanish, obviously. La Rioja, naturally, and an interesting mix of Basque and Rueda vinos blancos. The list is approachable, with bottles starting at £17, with few over £30. Overlook the Sherry-list at your peril. It offers three bottles from the Avear bodega, one of the most prestigious in Andalucia. The highly-rated Amontillado is a snip at £35.

What to order

The Zudugarai Rosé, a Txacoli, a nod to the bar’s Basque roots, is poured theatrically from shoulder height to excite its natural fizz. Luna Beberide, grown in the heart of León and made with the often overlooked Mencia grape, drinks out-of-its-price-point of £24 a bottle. Jose Pariente is a Sauvignon Blanc from the up-and-coming Rueda region in north-west Spain. At £32 it has the best price-to-quality ratio on the whole list.

• 1 Little Stonegate York, YO1 8AX
• Wednesday – Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Basement bar: Friday – 5pm to 2am, Saturday – 12pm to 2am
• sotano.co.uk

The post York - a wine lover's guide appeared first on Decanter.

The wine scene in Buenos Aires is booming and opportunities to sample Argentina’s far-flung terroirs in its capital have never been more inspiring. Establishments such as World’s 50 Best-ranked Parrilla Don Julio and Oviedo have long invested in their cellars. But today a thirst extending beyond Malbec has inspired a multitude of new bars and vinotecas (wine stores).

Chefs thinking beyond beef means that sommeliers can fashion lists that allow whites, skin-contact and light-bodied reds to shine. Renewed interest in bottling Criolla and Pedro Ximénez has helped to drive this trend. Easy-drinkers are now well represented on the cartas at plant-based Julia, Narda Comedor and Chui restaurants, as well as at LatAm 50 Bester Aramburu, seafood specialist Crizia and Latin American café Condarco.

Many wine gurus have also transcended the restaurant plane. Take Martín Bruno, winner of the Concurso Mejor Sommelier de Argentina (Best Sommelier of Argentina Competition) 2017, who runs Bebé Vino with wife Victoria García. Equally noteworthy is Rodrigo Calderón’s captivating cellar By Sótano. Both spots host regular tastings and by-the-glass options, as do Winemakers in Recoleta, Vino El Salvador  in Palermo Hollywood and Mr Wines in Caballito.

While Pain & Vin was an early leader of the wine bar/store pack, proffering sourdough and a careful vintage selection, many have followed suit. San Telmo is home to two female sommelier-led projects – Vina by Sofia Maglione and Samantha Nilson’s eponymous spot.

Meanwhile pandemic openings include Paquito tapas bar from the hip La Carnicería steakhouse team; Overo, whose rooftop encourages sipping to a sunset and low-intervention champion Anfibio Vineria.

And with City Hall due to unveil the Distrito del Vino later in 2022, it’s never been a better moment for wine lovers to travel to Buenos Aires.

Anafe

Anafe first attracted a hip foodie crowd to its pop-ups and puerta cerrada (closed door) dining experiences. It opened its permanent home in February 2020. Surfing the pandemic wave meant chefs Mica Najmanovich and Nico Arcucci had to draw on their creativity, but it paid off – Anafe was awarded One To Watch by Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2021. Stylish comfort food such as chicken liver pâté on an almond financier and home-cured fish keeps regulars returning. A solid federal wine list chosen by sommelier Celina Bartolomé  includes many low-intervention and skin-contact labels such as La Imaginación al Poder.

Virrey Avilés 3216, Colegiales
https://linktr.ee/ANAFE 

Anchoita

Relative newcomer Anchoita houses one of Buenos Aires’ most diverse lists, thanks to talented sommelier Valeria Mortara’s relentless search for wines with a backstory. It’s also one of few restaurants in the city to stock world wines, boosted by a captivating selection of verticals including Bodega Chacra and Zuccardi Q. A former textiles workshop shuttered for two years, Anchoita reopened in February, and seats at the kitchen counter are already in high demand. Sample seafood charcuterie followed by a whole freshwater fish such as pacú. Bonus track: two blocks away is the bijou Anchoita Cava wine bar, which opened in December, and stocks 111 artisanal cheeses: a great bolthole while you wait for your table.

Juan Ramírez de Velasco 1520, Chacarita
https://www.instagram.com/anchoitabuenosaires/

Casa Cavia

One of the most stylish establishments in Buenos Aires, this early 20th-century mansion was given a major facelift by Mezcla hospitality group to embrace a florist, publisher, bar and restaurant. Former Mugaritz chef Julieta Caruso’s kitchen takes a plant-led approach, sourcing many herbs from Casa Cavia’s organic garden. Meanwhile sommelier Mariana Torta maintains a well-structured, 110-strong federal list that names every winemaker: big hitters include White Bones and Piedra Infinita, with a sprinkling of Champagne. Sample bartender innovative cocktails such as clarified Bloody Mary from Flavia Arroyo (above) and coffee prepared by a former national barista champion.

Cavia 2985, Palermo Chico
https://casacavia.com/

Diviiino

A fresh-faced approach to wine service means Diviiino has fast become a hotspot for millennials since its September 2021 opening. Turning its allocated pavement plot into a twinkling urban garden, the 60-strong list includes five by-the-glass specials that change daily. It’s backed by a gourmet sub sandwich menu concocted by the Anafe team (see above). Well-priced and unusual vintages paired with a hipster soundtrack are the mainstay; give Alfredo Roca’s Glera from the often-overlooked San Rafael region a whirl, with the popular Korean fried tofu sandwich.

Arévalo 1478, Palermo Hollywood
https://diviiino.com/

El Preferido de Palermo

Sister restaurant to legendary steakhouse Parrilla Don Julio, El Preferido de Palermo is equally venerable in its own right as a classic bodegón (tavern). Given an interior facelift four years ago, executive chef Guido Tassi constructed a glass-fronted charcuterie cellar, while the marble counter offers a window into chef Martín Lukesch’s kitchen, where he updates classic dishes. Start with prosciutto and bondiola before tackling the star turn of bife de chorizo milanesa (escalope). The thoughtful wine list composed by sommelier and owner Pablo Rivero strikes a balance between low-profile boutique producers (Livverá, Casa Yagüe, Nant y Fall) and big hitters.

Borges 2108, Palermo Soho
https://www.instagram.com/elpreferidodepalermo/

Los Galgos

A historic 1930s watering-hole on the verge of permanently shuttering in 2015, Los Galgos (The Greyhounds) was rescued by sommelier Julián Díaz and designer Flor Capella. Retaining original details such as the wooden counter – which can surely tell a few stories – this bustling bar notable opens from breakfast to late-night drinks. Try the award-winning revuelto gramajo (ham and eggs). Few places allow classics such as Bodegas López’s Montchenot to rub shoulders with the likes of ultra-trendy Pintom Pét-Nat, but Los Galgos does. Also try La Fuerza vermouth, a side project by Díaz with winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi.

Callao 501, Congreso
https://barlosgalgos.com.ar/

Marti

After shuttering world-renowned Tegui last November, top chef Germán Martitegui swiftly opened his plant-based restaurant Marti a month later (on hold since March 2020). Tasty vegetarian small plates designed for sharing replace his tasting menu concept, enjoyed at the buzzy counter overlooking the open-plan kitchen and cocooned in a glasshouse. Here, sommelier Martín Bruno showcases his expertise, casting a wide net across Argentina then breaking styles down into aromatics, textures and silkiness. Gems include white blends Sierra Lima Alfa from Molinos and 45 Rugientes from Sarmiento, Chubut, as well as Per Se’s Inseparable Malbec. Service is undertaken by Leo Fernández Aquino.

Rodríguez Peña 1973, Caba
https://marti.meitre.com/

Naranjo Bar

A champion of Argentina’s tiny producers, Naranjo mixes up 180 labels with vintages the team truly loves: a rainbow array to handpick from the coolers. A youthful wine-savvy crowd sips on low-intervention and skin-contact wines under the orange tree after which the bar named, sharing small plates of seasonally led dishes such as asparagus and porchetta. A DJ often spins vinyls at the former antique bathroom fixtures warehouse. The clued-in team (above) including chef Augusto ‘Aspi’ Mayer of now-shuttered Proper and former Tegui maître Nahuel Carbajo has ensured Naranjo’s success since its October 2020 opening.

Carranza 1049, Chacarita
https://www.instagram.com/naranjo_bar/

Vico

Vino por copa used to be an afterthought at many restaurants  – until Vico burst onto the scene. Importing wine dispensers gave head sommelier Pablo Colina the opportunity to showcase and regularly rotate around 80 styles and regions, giving tiny producers the chance to stand tall against the biggest names in a by-the-glass experience. The investment paid off as there are now four branches, including one in Mendoza city and Buenos Aires’ new Mercado de los Carruajes market.

Gurruchaga 1149, Villa Crespo
https://vicowinebar.com.ar/

Vini Bar

The latest offering from one of Argentina’s most active wine gurus, Aldo Graziani, who brought fellow sommelier and friend Luciano Sosto on board to open Vini. Curating the 70-strong list together, put yourself in Sosto’s hands to sample by the glass. Sash windows overlooking bustling Borges street give Vini Parisian airs; for a quieter experience, head upstairs to the adorable mezzanine. Delicious small plates, such as burrata with dill oil and lacto-fermented turnip, were created by Proper’s former chef Leo Lanussol. Open until midnight, so ideal for a nightcap.

Borges 1965, Palermo Soho
https://www.instagram.com/vini__bar/

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The post Buenos Aires: Best bars and restaurants for wine lovers appeared first on Decanter.

Even as few as five years ago, Bath’s wine map charted a course through the grand Georgian doorways of its luxury hotels and their in-house restaurants. Today the landscape has changed dramatically. A constellation of wine-focused bars and restaurants — often combining retail and small plates — has given wine lovers a delicious dilemma. Best of all, there’s something for all tastes.

Le Vignoble

Best for… ethical wines

What we like about it

Tucked away in central shopping haven Milsom Place, Le Vignoble is a chic wine bar and shop with sister operations in Bristol and Plymouth. Come summer, you’ll find sun-splashed tables outside cluttered with wine glasses, small plates and cheese & charcuterie boards. Le Vignoble is the first stop for those who want to discover what they like or find some new tastes.

Wine list

Its co-owner, Yannick Loué, is a part of a cooperative of independent wine merchants buying wines that are ethical, sustainable, and can be quite niche. The 300-strong wine selection, however, has you covered if you’re not feeling adventurous. Thirty-two of those wines are available on the enomatic wine dispensers which offer tasting samples for 75p.

What to order

Embrace the unusual with a glass of zesty ‘Monkey Morio’ — a fruity muscat from German producer Hanewald Schwerdt. However, with so much ‘on tap’, this is a place for self-guided learning.

• Address: 12/13 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm – 9pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm – 22pm
• Levignoble.co.uk

The Saloon

Best for… vegan and natural wine

What we like about it

Owned by Wolf Wine — a natural wine (and craft beer) shack — The Saloon offers a fun, slyly ironic setting within which to try some natural wines. Monthly food pop-ups take place in the covered patio garden — think East African street food — as well as live music.

Wine list

In the Saloon, you’ll find a concentrated selection of the Shack’s organic, biodynamic, and small batch catalogue. The list changes seasonally and the six guest wines switch as stock dictates. Prices are mostly mid-range, starting at £9, with Champagne Deville topping the list at £66.

What to order

Try a glass (or bottle) of Wolf Wine mainstay Lemoss, a quaffable pét-nat from Venetian Ca’ Di Rajo winery. Check out owner Sam Shaw’s ‘Wine to make you think’ suggestions, changing bi-weekly, to tap into his infectious passion for his list.

• 72, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3HB
• Thursday and Friday 4: 30pm – 11pm; Saturday 1pm – 11pm
• wolfwine.co.uk

Corkage

Best for… French wines

What we like about it

Corkage is a casual-yet-classy bistro that has become the city’s go-to for a long weekend lunch. Previously a wine and small plates pop-up operating off of a camping stove, Corkage has settled into a permanent site just off Queen’s Square (and with a proper kitchen). It also has a retail element, courtyard garden (covered when cold), small bar up front, and an irresistibly welcoming air.

Wine list

Corkage has a broad range of 140 wines that currently happens to have a French focus. Bottles start at £25 and the menu includes a ‘Vintage/Rare Wines’ section with prices into the troposphere. If you’re drinking by the glass there are up to 15 wines available with a further eight on the restaurant’s Coravin system.

What to order

The inexpensive Pinot Noir-esque Beck Ink Zweigelt (£34) is a nice match for your ox tongue cassoulet. Then there’s the Sancerre Blanc from winemaker Jean-Paul Balland — one of the first to age Sauvignon Blanc in oak. It’s a characterful wine with mineral freshness.

• 5 Chapel Row, Bath, BA1 1HN
• Monday to Thursday 5pm – 12am; Friday to Saturday 12pm – 12am
• Corkagebath.co.uk

Beckford Bottle Shop

Best for… quality wines at an affordable price

What we like about it

Red leather sofas, flickering candles, and walls of bottles make the Beckford Bottle Shop, just off the Circus, a highly convivial setting to enjoy award-winning seasonal small plates with a glass or two. The bottle shop is all around you and there’s a flat fee of £15 corkage on whatever price wine you buy (except for Tuesdays when the corkage is waived). The knowledgeable staff are great at understanding what you like and at guiding you somewhere new.

Wine list

Some vintage fine wines are available, but the list here is predominantly ready-to-drink bottles ranging from between £15 to £30. The selection rotates frequently and while it has a traditional heart, you’ll also find orange wines, ‘middle ground’ natural wines alongside more obscure appellations.

What to order

Something of a standard bearer for the BBB philosophy, the Greek ‘Ktima Gerovassiliou, Epanomi’ is a blend of half Malagousia and half Assyrtico grapes. It’ll do a wonderful job — with its deliciously aromatic and mineral character — of banishing those memories of bad Retsina.

• 5 – 8 Saville Row, Bath, BA1 2QP
• Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 11pm
• beckfordbottleshop.com

Vino Vino

Best for… discovering wine

What we like about it

Near to Bath Royal Theatre, Vino Vino’s expansive heated terrace is a popular spot for a pre-show aperitif. Serving cocktails as well as a wine list sourced from all over the globe, it attracts a wide demographic and feels like a comfortable place for wine newbies to stretch their wings. Its good value eclectic small plates include spicy fish tacos (£9) and there’s an excellent West Country cheeseboard.

Wine list

You’ll find wines from all over the globe at Vino Vino including more niche names such as Didier Dagueneau and Emidio Pepe. The list changes every two months with the crowd-pleasing wines by the glass selection rotated regularly as well.

What to order

Pop your cork with a glass of ‘Tickerage Blanc de Blancs 2011’ from East Sussex. This small production sparkling wine is a crisp glass of gold and cream. By the bottle there’s the excellent value ‘Zenato, Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2015’ (£48) or, the superbly structured ‘Vie di Romans, Dessimis Pinot Grigio’ (£65).

• 5 – 6 Seven Dials, Saw Close, Bath, BA1 1EN
• Monday to Thursday 12pm – 12am; Friday – Saturday 12pm – 1am
• Vinovinowinebar.co.uk

Olive Tree Restaurant

Best for… British wines

What we like about it

Former winner of the AA’s Best Wine List in the UK and Bath’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, the Olive Tree resides within the boutique Queensberry Hotel. Chef Chris Cleghorn oversees the nine-course tasting menu, with wine pairing, of Modern British/European cuisine. A vegan version is available.

Wine list

With a philosophy of finding wines that you won’t get anywhere else in Bath, the Olive Tree’s list draws from all over the globe. They have developed a focus on English and Welsh wines, stocking intriguing homegrown labels like White Castle in Abergavenny, Ancre Hill, Bluestone, and Hattingley Valley. Prices start at £30 and go up to £200.

What to order

The restaurant’s entry level white, Gwin Gwyn 2019 from White Castle (£58), is a cracker—aromatic and very food-friendly. Considering the restaurant has exclusivity over Gusbourne’s Pinot Noir Rose in Bath, this is the perfect bottle for a sunny day in the hotel’s gorgeous garden.

• The Queensberry Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant, Russel Street, Bath, BA1 2QF
• Tuesday to Thursday 6:30pm – 9pm/ Friday to Sunday 12:30 – 1:30pm, 6:30pm to 9pm
• Olivetreebath.co.uk

Comptoir + Cuisine

Best for… Grower Champagne

What we like about it

A small shopfront with a rotating selection of cheeses in the window lures you into a cosy and eclectic ramble of rooms that is part bistro, part shop, and part champagne and cheese lounge. More than 200 different French farmhouse cheeses are on rotation at Comptoir + Cuisine with their cheeseboards acting as a kind of exploratory lucky dip (informed by your tastes).

Wine list

Comptoir + Cuisine’s focus on grower Champagne offers oenophiles the opportunity to taste beyond the big names. There are 35 bottles to choose from with grower champagne by the glass in the bistro alongside an affordable selection of French white and reds (nothing over £40).

What to order

The Michel Furdyna ‘La Romane’ Pinot Blanc Extra Brut is made entirely with Pinot Blanc grapes from centurion vines. It’s delicate with notes of almond and the perfect balance to a board of muscular farmhouse cheeses.

• 5 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EJ
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 12 to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm/Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm
• comptoirpluscuisine.com

Novel Wines

Best for… Central and Eastern European wines

What we like about it

An unprepossessing shop front opens into an easy-going mix of wine and bottle shop with an outstanding selection of international wines from terroir less travelled. The regular wine and cheese evenings are excellent for discovering less high-profile regions.

Wine list

The selection includes wines from Central & Eastern Europe, Asia, South America (Brazil, Chile, Uruguay), England & Wales, and beyond. Novel Wines offers wines by the glass and charges £5 corkage on any wine to drink in.

What to order

Pick up one of their exceptional dry Tokaj wines made from Furmint, Harslevleu, (or a blend of both) that offers a taste of some of the best white wine styles coming out of Hungary. Anyone who loves sushi should try and then buy (in bulk) the elegant Grace Koshu Kayagatake 2020 from Japan.

• 7 Cork Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath, BA1 3BB
• Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm
• Novelwines.co.uk

Berdoulat

Best for… southwest French

What we like about it

This hidden gem, which opened this year, is located on a pedestrianised street between the Circus and the Royal Crescent. A boutique department store, there’s a knockout selection of mid-range wines on the building’s original mid-19th-century wine shelves. You can order wines by the glass or buy a bottle to enjoy (£8 corkage). We are excited for the themed supper clubs with wine pairings, featuring Michelin-starred chefs, that begun last month (January).

Wine list

A European selection of wines with a focus on southwest France (the owner, Patrick, hails from the region). The emphasis is on small scale, low intervention vineyards making classic styles in off-piste appellations.

What to order

Try Domaine du Cros, Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2018 from the Marcian appellation inland from Bordeaux. Made from the unusual fer servadou grape variety, this well-structured wine exemplifies the Berdoulat approach.

• 8 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP
• Tuesday to Thursday 9am – 5:30pm/Friday & Saturday 9am – 6pm
• Berdoulat.co.uk

Royal Crescent Hotel

Best for… conventional classics

What we like about it

The Royal Crescent Hotel, (pictured top) embedded in the centre of the famous crescent, is a luxury establishment with all the trimmings. Its heart is the finely tailored 3 AA Rosette-awarded Dower House Restaurant which offers seven or five-course tasting menus, as well as a la carte. In the summer, come for brunch and impeccable service in the garden which, with its size, could pass a park in Bath.

Wine list

The list compiled by the hotel’s award-winning head sommelier, Jean-Marc Leitao, reflects his French background. There’s plenty of accessible options around £40 up to the swiftly less accessible ‘Le Tresors De La Cave’. Herein is stocked riches such as Château Latour, 1er Grand Cru Classé and Vega-Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2004.

What to order

Try the intense Tannat from Uruguayan producer, Bodega Garzón. If that’s a little too punchy for the early stages of the tasting menu, go for the elegant cherry and strawberry freshness of the Nalle Pinot Noir, from Sonoma’s Hopkins Ranch, instead.

• The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS
• Monday to Sunday 7:30am – 11pm

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While some people prefer to avoid restaurants altogether on Valentine’s Day, for others it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a romantic evening out. For wine lovers, finding venues with a great selection of bottles is an added bonus.

Whether you’re after prestige Bordeaux and classic vintages or interesting and quirky bottles from less well-known producers, the selection below gives you plenty of options. We also tell you what to expect from the wine list in each venue.

From Michelin-starred fine dining to candle-lit neighbourhood bistros, you’ll find suggestions to suit a variety of moods – and budgets. What’s more these restaurants will deliver great service, atmosphere and food and wine at all times of the year, not just on 14 February.

Below, you’ll find five romantic restaurants in London and five others spread across the UK.

See also: Top London wine bars – chosen by the experts

Ten romantic restaurants to visit

Click the titles to go straight to the restaurant page to see menus and online booking details. Updated February 2022.

Andrew Edmunds, London ££

Where is it? 46 Lexington Street, W1F 0LP

Book: 020 7437 5708

What we like about it: Wine bottles filled with candles set the mood at this romantic little bistro, which has become a Soho institution, with a legion of devoted admirers. There’s a delightful old-school charm about the place, from its comfortably familiar, scuffed and shabby interior to its hand-written menus, which change daily. The Valentine’s Day menu this year kicks off with a glass of Pol Roger. Then cosy up to your loved one and enjoy venison carpaccio or burrata with roasted romanesco cauliflower and almonds, plus sharing dishes such as Dover sole with Pernod sauce for two, followed by wild honey pannacotta.

Wine list: Andrew Edmunds is famous for the low mark-ups on its mostly French list, with outstanding older vintages from notable producers. Roaming across this lovely selection, from the Loire to the Languedoc, is a joy.

21212, Edinburgh £££

Where is it? 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AB

Book: 0345 22 21212

What we like about it: Located in an elegant Georgian townhouse on Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, Paul Kitching’s stylish restaurant is ideal for an intimate dinner a deux or romantic night away (there are four luxury bedrooms here too). Gastronomic thrills are guaranteed with Michelin-starred Kitching’s creative menu, which changes weekly but might include dishes such as ‘10 C Sea Trout’ made with 10 ingredients beginning with the letter ‘c’ or ‘Haggis it’s risotto’ – proudly Scottish, with a Kitching twist.

Wine list: This extensive list has plenty to please lovers of classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, alongside a commendable Barolo and Barbaresco selection. Top New World names include California’s Ridge Montebello and Cheval des Andes from Argentina.

Clos Maggiore, London  £££

Where is it? 33 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JD

Book: 020 7379 9696

What we like about it: Consistently voted ‘most romantic restaurant in London’, love is always on the menu in Clos Maggiore’s pretty blossom-decked conservatory, where you’ll dine beneath twinkling fairy lights as an open fire glows in the stone fireplace. Smooth service sets the tone for a polished French menu of beautifully presented dishes, such as braised shoulder of rabbit with punchy mustard mousseline or perfectly roasted sea trout in a sauce of clams and braised vegetables.

Wine list: This encyclopaedic list boasts over 2,500 bins, with wines from 18 different countries and vintages spanning four centuries. Highlights include rare bottles by-the-glass under Coravin and a stellar Burgundy selection selection that’s well worth exploring.

Hakkasan Mayfair, London ££££

Where is it? 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB

Book: 020 7907 1888

What we like about it: Darkly lit, glamorous and sophisticated, it’s impossible not to be seduced by Hakkasan Mayfair. With one Michelin star to its name, the Cantonese menu lives up to those sleek surroundings, featuring impeccable dim sum dishes – juicy scallop shumai or silver cod and caviar dumplings – alongside luxurious signatures such as black-truffle roast duck or Alaskan king crab in XO sauce.

Wine list: This international list is an impressive roster of the world’s top producers, with prestige bottles including vintages of Petrus stretching back to 1974. Expect to pay top dollar: the 2001 Petrus will set you back a cool £4,700.

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford ££££

Where is it? Church Road, Great Milton, OX44 7PD

Book: 01844 278 881

What we like about it: A dream destination for the ultimate romantic getaway, Le Manoir is a beautiful 15th century country manor house with immaculate gardens. Prepare to be indulged, not least in the two-star Michelin restaurant where culinary legend Raymond Blanc presides over a  French-inspired seasonal menu using produce from his organic kitchen garden. Choices may include decadent truffled hen’s egg with wild mushroom tea or Anjou pigeon with cabbage, bacon and Madeira jus. Six- and seven-course vegan and vegetarian menus are also on offer.

Wine list: Mirroring the menu, this exceptional list is seasonally led and classically French, with around 600 of the 1,000-plus wines coming from Blanc’s native land. Expect great vintages from outstanding châteaux; special wine pairings (Classique, Prestige or Exceptionnelle) to accompany the set menus are an ideal way to explore.

Lime Wood, Hampshire £££

Where is it? Lime Wood, Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FZ

Book: 023 8028 7177

What we like about it: Lovers can stroll by the lake or hideaway in a forest cabin at this chic rural retreat in the New Forest, where quirky, creative touches make for a memorable romantic soujourn. Designer Martin Brudnizki is responsible for the overstuffed chairs, parquet floors and Brit art in Hartnett, Holder & Co restaurant, which combine the talents of Michelin chef Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder. Their locally sourced, seasonal Italian dishes include chicken agnolotti with Parmesan cream and Sandridge Farm pork rump, with braised cavelo nero and roscoff onion.

Wine list: The lengthy, award-winning list doesn’t restrict itself to Italy, though great Italian bottles include Ornellaia’s Massetto 2010. Instead the interesting global selection is arranged by variety and reads like a who’s who of quality producers. Also look out for HH&C’s own-label wines, made in collaboration with Fertuna Estate in Tuscany.

The Petersham, London £££

Where is it? 31 King St, WC2E 8JD

Book: 020 7305 7676

What we like about it: This spin-off of the original Petersham Nurseries in Richmond brings a dreamy pastoral vibe to Covent Garden, beautifully decorated with copious flower arrangements, Murano glass, bright art and sparkling chandeliers. There’s even an on-site florist shop, so you can wow your date with a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet. Dine on a top-notch seasonal Italian menu packed with home-grown produce, that might include perfectly al dente chestnut tagliatelle with radicchio di Chioggia and speck or braised ox cheek with Chianti Classico, purée di patate and Zisola olive oil. When the weather warms up, dine alfresco in the pretty Floral Court courtyard, shared with sister restaurant La Goccia, which also boasts a stylish bar for after-dinner Negronis.

Wine list: Lara Boglione and her husband Giovanni Mazzei of historic Tuscan producer Marchesi Mazzei founded Petersham. Their extensive all-Italian wine list runs from classics to unusual gems, with charming sommeliers on hand with food-pairing recommendations. Best of all, you’ll find more bottles to take home in on-site wine shop, The Cellar.

Naughty Piglets, London ££

Where is it? 28 Brixton Water Lane, SW2 1PE

Book: 020 7274 7796

What we like about it: Naughty but nice, this casual and buzzy little neighbourhood restaurant in South London is run by husband-and-wife team Joe Sharratt and Margaux Aubry. Sharratt, previously head chef at Michelin star restaurant Trinity, cooks up inventive small plates with global influences; while Aubry looks after the wine. The menu changes every day but might include cavalo nero dressed up with an addictive savoury anchovy sauce, gnocchi with lobster cream or pork belly with a punchy Korean paste, slivers of spring onion and crisp lettuce.

Wine list: Aubry lovingly curates a low-intervention wine list with organic, biodynamic and natural bottles from small, terroir-focused winemakers. The list change regularly meaning there’s always plenty for adventurous wine-lovers to discover.

Charred spring onion with crab and sourdough croutons at The Newt’s Garden Cafe

The Newt in Somerset, £££

Where is it? Bruton, Somerset, BA7 7NG

Book: 01963 577 777

What we like about it: More than just a restaurant or a hotel, The Newt is the complete package; an 800-acre estate centred around Grade II-listed Georgian pile, Hadspen House, with beautiful gardens, orchards, ancient woodland, farmland, a bakery, gelateria and Cyder Room. Owned by Karen Roos and Koos Bekker, the husband-and-wife team behind South Africa’s luxury winelands hotel Babylonstoren, it effortlessly blends elegant contemporary design with a West Country rural idyll. The vegetarian-led menu at The Garden Cafe showcases produce grown on the estate, in dishes such as charred spring onion with crab and sourdough croutons or spinach, asparagus and spelt risotto with Westcombe Cheddar. To visit The Newt you’ll need to buy an annual membership (£48). Alternatively book a Great Garden Escape: a glamorous away day at The Newt with first class travel by train from London Paddington.

Wine list: As you might expect, wines from Babylonstoren feature on the short wine list at The Garden Cafe, including the flagship Babylonstoren Rosé – perfect for Valentine’s Day. Elsewhere there’s a selection of Tuscan bottles from Vignamaggio. Wine lovers should also try the sophisticated, gastronomic cyders produced on site.

The Samling, Lake District £££

Where is it? Ambleside Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LR

Book: 015394 31922

What we like about it: The Lakes landscape that inspired Romantic poet William Wordsworth is the setting for this smart boutique hotel in its own 67-acre estate. The fine dining restaurant combines breathtaking views over Lake Windermere with impeccable service and a cutting-edge Modern British menu. Signature dishes such as Penrith chicken with nasturtium root and nasturtium oil or torched eel with caviar and Mangalista pork (from pigs reared on the estate) showcase superb local produce.

Wine list: The Samling’s extensive and award-winning list includes an impressive Bordeaux section, with New World names such as Penfolds Grange and Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars in support, plus an interesting by-the-glass ‘Sommelier’s Prestige Selection’. You can also book bespoke wine tastings, from £65pp.

Julie Sheppard is Decanter commissioning editor and a specialist writer and editor on food, drink and eating out. 

See more restaurant and wine bar reviews on Decanter.com

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Forget meatballs and pickled herring. The restaurant scene in Scandinavia has never been as animated as it is today; you’ll find an enticing combination of old and new, of innovation and tradition, and of laid-back bars and elegant Michelin-star restaurants.

Scandinavia’s many eco-friendly initiatives extend to the wine and food world, too, with a focus on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients and natural and biodynamic wines.

Top restaurants and wine bars in Stockholm

In Sweden, 70% of all wines are sold through Systembolaget, the Swedish off-trade monopoly. While the monopoly stores mainly provide big brands and bag-in-box wines, restaurants and bars, particularly in the Swedish capital, offer great alternatives, with creative lists full of small-scale wines from all over the world.

Ambar

In recent years, there has been an explosion of new wine bars in Stockholm, creating an energetic wine scene. One venue is Ambar, a cosy wine bar near St Eriksplan square in the city centre.

Run by Englishman Damon Young, the warmly lit bar has a laid-back vibe and has become a second home to many locals. The wine list is eclectic, specialising in natural wines, with a particular focus on orange wines.

Young and his staff also prepare a small selection of delicious Asian dishes in the tiny kitchen, and both the food and wine list are good value.

‘Stockholm’s wine scene has exploded over the past few years, with new wine bars popping up all over, many with a unique approach,’ says Young. ‘We have become an active community, supporting each other rather than competing against one another.’

Damon Young, Ambar. Credit: Stefan Wettainen

Babette bistro

Less than 2km away from Ambar is Babette, a busy neighbourhood bistro that is elegant yet relaxed – and never disappoints.

Sit at the counter and watch the chefs produce simple, flavourful dishes. The menu changes daily; look out for the irresistible gourmet pizzas with creative toppings. The long and carefully sourced wine list is varied, featuring artisanal wines from around the world, from Jura to Oregon, and Hungary to Tasmania.

Babette’s owner-sommelier Fredrik Lundberg is on hand to guide you through the list, and he talks passionately about everything from different grapes to producer profiles.

Hantverket

To anyone who wants to take a deep dive into Nordic cuisine, there are two places with a firm hold on Stockholm’s culinary scene.

The first is Hantverket in Östermalm, one of the most affluent areas of Stockholm. The award-winning head chef Stefan Ekengren offers a simple, more rustic take on artisanal Swedish cuisine, resulting in a range of clever, unpretentious dishes.

The chanterelle sandwich with roe, spiced cheese, sour cream, leek, dill and rye bread is a must-try. There are both classic and niche wines on the drinks list, which also features two large sections for Swedish cider and craft beer. The service here is passionate and genuine.

Hantverket

Agrikultur

The second venue is the sophisticated one-star Michelin restaurant Agrikultur on Roslagsgatan.

For those seeking a Michelin-star meal, there are nine restaurants to choose from in Stockholm. At Agrikultur, the interior design is Scandinavian minimalism at its most stylish, where every corner could be featured in a design magazine.

Nonetheless, the ambience is warm and welcoming. Chefs Joel Åhlin and Filip Fastén enjoy contrasts – something that shows in everything they do.

In the open kitchen, with its Aga and wood-fired oven, the ambitious team makes traditional Swedish dishes with a twist, offering imaginative combinations of vegetables alongside a small selection of noble cuts, all sourced from local, sustainable suppliers.

The wine list, however, is fairly classical, and is centred around a small number of producers. Head sommelier Jon Bergqvist explains: ‘I like to build a wine list based on a few selected areas and try to get a depth in both producers and age before broadening it out.’

Lovers of Burgundy, Rioja and Montalcino will not be disappointed. For example, you’ll find a selection of vintages of Brunello di Montalcino from Stella di Campalto going back to 2004.

Frantzén

Agrikultur celebrated its first Michelin star in 2018, the same year that city-centre restaurant Frantzén became Sweden’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, just a couple of months after opening.

Frantzén is big, with modern and luxuriously stripped-down spaces set over 521m2 on three floors. Despite the large surface area, you’ll still struggle to get a table. Only 23 people at a time get the chance to enjoy Björn Frantzén’s cuisine, but more than 100,000 people vie for each of the 600 seats released every month on the restaurant’s website.

‘I get a lot of inspiration from our Nordic ingredients,’ says the acclaimed chef, who is set to make his UK debut in 2022 by opening a restaurant in Harrods.

‘Here in the north, we are forced to be very focused on raw materials, because it is such an extreme climate up here. The seasons differ so much, and it is important to adapt.’

His cult dish, French toast with seasonal truffle, balsamic vinegar, aged cheese and truffle tea, is a permanent fixture on the menu. The wine list includes more than 1,700 labels from some of the world’s most prestigious wine regions.

Best restaurants in Oslo for wine lovers

Norway’s capital Oslo is a city where modern and medieval cultural influences sit side by side.

Located at the end of the Oslofjord, a picturesque narrow body of water, the city has a stunning backdrop, and there are more than 40 islands within the city limits alone.

Modestly sized for a capital, with only 670,000 inhabitants, everything is within walking distance. The city has recently become a foodie hotspot.

Maaemo

Welcoming diners from all over the world, Maaemo, in contemporary waterside development Bispevika, is the only three-star Michelin restaurant in Norway, and draws on more than one Scandinavian country in its style.

The name is Finnish and means ‘mother earth’, while the chef Esben Holmboe Bang is Danish. He interprets Norwegian food traditions in a modern way by looking at local culture through a contemporary lens.

Katla

Another hip restaurant in Oslo is Katla by chef Atli Mar Yngvason, who previously ran Pjoltergeist, a hard-to-find, speakeasy-style dark basement venue that was one of the most popular restaurants in the city before it closed in 2018.

A selection of signature dishes at Katla. Credit: Anne Valeur

Atli has now started again, and at Katla, situated in Tullinløkka, the darkness has been replaced with big windows and high ceilings, and it is easy to find.

Rather than following the strict New Nordic path, Atli is doing his own thing here. He’s still using local ingredients, but there are influences from Mexico, Korea and Japan on the menu.

The wine list has a large selection of organic and biodynamic wines from all over the world, with a particularly impressive French selection. Don’t miss Katla’s highly sought-after Margaritas served before or with the meal, or in the bar area, which serves food until 1.30am.

Rest

One of Oslo’s most exciting newcomers is Rest, tucked away just off Kirkegata. Here, chef Jimmy Øien has taken the no-waste philosophy to a new level.

The name of the restaurant refers to ‘leftovers’, and the goal is to work towards zero waste, which involves using ingredients that no one else wants.

It could be parts of the animal that are too difficult for most chefs to make into something delicious, or ingredients considered to be out of date when in fact they are better than ever.

Even the plates at Rest are made from leftovers such as old oyster shells and chicken feet. It might not seem inviting to eat leftovers, but Øien will convince anyone having doubts.

Rest

Statholdergaarden

For something a little more classical, Statholdergaarden is a safe choice. In a charming 17th-century building in the city centre, Bocuse d’Or winner Bent Stiansen has been offering lavish dining for a quarter of a century.

For Oslo, this is the obvious choice for special occasions and celebrations. It is old-fashioned, in a beautifully positive way, with tablecloths reaching the floor, and attentive and polished service. The six-course tasting menu will not disappoint.

Territoriet wine bar

As for the wine scene in Oslo, wine bars are popping up one after the other like mushrooms in the Scandinavian forests. A favourite among wine lovers in Oslo is Territoriet, an intimate wine bar in an area that’s bustling with bars and restaurants.

The wine list includes everything from easygoing Cava to top Bordeaux and grand cru Burgundy, as well as boutique producers from the USA or South Africa – and it offers almost 400 wines by the glass.

Best restaurants in Copenhagen 

Whether you’re looking for a bistro or a Michelin-star restaurant, you should find something that fits the bill in Copenhagen. The restaurant scene is among the world’s most innovative, and caters to all budgets, tastes and situations.

Noma

The food and wine renaissance here began, of course, with Noma. In 2003, chef René Redzepi opened the doors to what became a milestone for Danish gastronomy and New Nordic cuisine.

In 2018, following a year’s hiatus, the restaurant reopened in a new, lakeside location in Christiania, the former base of an experimental anarchist community that proclaimed itself self-governing and self-sufficient. Here, chef Redzepi has greenhouses and gardens from which he sources the ingredients for his highly acclaimed summer menu.

Forced to close its doors during the pandemic, the famous restaurant adapted by selling cocktails and hamburgers outdoors. This summer, Noma reopened again and was awarded a third Michelin star in September.

Over the past 10 years, Copenhagen’s restaurants have developed an even stronger focus on making exquisite meals from local, seasonal ingredients. Copenhagen continues to surprise, time after time, and today there are 14 Michelin-star restaurants in the city. Still, it offers a wide range of culinary experiences, formal and informal, innovative and traditional.

Ancestrale

Copenhagen is also one of the world’s largest hubs for natural wine. A favourite spot is the informal and passionate Ancestrale wine bar in the Vesterbro area.

A seasonal ‘small plate’ at Ancestrale. Credit: Niclas Hechmann

Once famous as the red-light district, today the area houses an eclectic mix of fashion stores, sex shops, bars, restaurants and family living.

At Ancestrale you can expect mouthwatering small plates and a great selection of natural wine from all over the world. And you’ll also undoubtedly experience the homely ‘hygge’ – the Danish concept of finding comfort, pleasure and warmth in simple, soothing things such as a cosy atmosphere or the feeling of friendship.

Mes

A rising star since its opening in 2017 is Mes, owned by chef Mads Rye Magnusson, the former chef at three-star Michelin Geranium. The motto of this inviting little restaurant, set across the street from Orsteds Park, is ‘affordable luxury’.

Creativity and playfulness are the guiding principles here, whether it is about interior design, the wine in the glass, or the menu that changes frequently.

Mes is a perfect stop for anyone wanting to expand their culinary vision without breaking the bank. The simple ‘snacks’ are excellent, for example blinis with smoked cheese cream, pickled beetroot, and sweetcorn croquette with browned butter, tarragon and chicken skin mayo.

The wine list puts a lot of focus on Germany and Jura, two of the chef’s favourite wine regions.

Selma

You can’t leave Copenhagen without eating the traditional smørrebrød (literally meaning ‘buttered bread’).

Essentially it is an open-faced sandwich, usually made with rye sourdough bread, and comprising different combinations of seafood, meat, vegetables and condiments, typically enjoyed with a local beer or aquavit spirit.

For a particularly innovative version, you could head to Selma, where Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson has renewed the Danish tradition. He offers an à la carte menu with, for example, a smørrebrød with new potatoes, chicken skin, leek, hazelnuts, elderflower and cress.

There is also an affordable set menu, and a large selection of local craft beers from Mikkeller on tap.

John’s Hotdog Deli

Finally, John’s Hotdog Deli has legendary status in Copenhagen. From his humble food truck by the central train station, John Michael Jensen serves the best hot dogs in town.

Maybe it is due to the quality meat from Hallegaard on Bornholm island, the homemade toppings, or the hot, hot sauce? Don’t be surprised to meet some of the aforementioned chefs in the queue if you go for a late-night snack.

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Newcastle’s drinking scene is world famous thanks to a mix of party hotspots and old-school pubs, some of which date back to the 16th century. Dotted along the city’s medieval streets, by the banks of the River Tyne and in its vibrant neighbourhoods, however, is a growing number of independent bars and restaurants with world-class wine lists.

Kaltur

Best for Spanish wines

Kaltur

What we like about it

A sunny slice of Spain in the centre of Newcastle, Kaltur is the type of cosy spot one might expect to find in a leafy plaza in Madrid or Barcelona. The warmly lit bar, in a honey-hued Georgian building between the city centre and the Quayside, serves excellent Spanish wines and tapas.

Wine list

The extensive list focuses exclusively on Spanish wines, categorised by region from Alicante to Zaragoza. Among familiar Rioja wines are some more unusual vintages, aged sherries, and sweet wines from Jerez.

What to order

Prices range from around £20 to £52, and it’s such a thoughtfully curated list that nothing feels like a risk. They also offer around a dozen wines by the glass, alongside a small but excellent vermouth selection, so pairing a few different styles with tapas or charcuterie is a good way to go.

For a great value bottle that pairs beautifully with most of the menu, try the Albariño from Viña Sobreira in Spain’s Rias Baixas region, priced at £29. It’s made with old-vine grapes giving strong minerality balanced with an elegant freshness, and is especially good with any of the seafood tapas and cheeses.

Address: 19 Dean Street, NE1 1PQ
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 12pm-10pm
kalturrestaurant.co.uk

Nest in the North

Best for natural and organic wines

What we like about it

On Heaton’s thriving Chillingham Road, Nest is as cosy as its name suggests. With an innovative tasting menu, elevated Sunday lunch and deli boards, all paired with a thoughtful wine list, coming here is like visiting a friend who happens to be an incredible chef and sommelier (and who often has a waiting list).

Wine list

The wine is at least as important as the food here, with a few dozen carefully selected bottles and a handful offered by the glass or 500ml carafe. There’s a variety of styles from Italy, Spain and France plus some excellent new world wines. The common thread is the focus on organic, natural and rare wines.

What to order

Everything is reliably excellent, though among the more interesting offerings are an elegantly complex orange wine from Unico Zelo in South Australia, £38, and the Oremus Mandolás Dry Furmint, £45, a bright, aromatic white from Tokaj with a balance of fresh citrus and mineral notes.

Or you can sit back and let the knowledgable staff do the work by ordering the tasting menu with wine pairing. The choices are always impeccable.

Address: 260 Chillingham Road, Heaton, NE6 5LQ
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday 12pm-late; Sunday 11.30am-6pm
nestinthenorth.com

Carruthers & Kent

Best for discovering new favourites

Carruthers & Kent

What we like about it

This little Italian-style enoteca, just off the High Street in upscale Gosforth, is a warm, cosy hug of a place, and one of a growing number of bottle shop/wine bar hybrids. There’s a handful of tables where people can linger over a glass or bottle with nibbles, from cheese and charcuterie boards to Northumberland sausage rolls.

Wine list

Floor-to-ceiling shelves heave with bottles that can be enjoyed on site for a small corkage fee. There’s also a monthly selection of 16 wines by the glass. The majority tend to be from Europe, with a few notable new world wines in the mix.

What to order

The knowledgeable owners are always happy to recommend something (and their enthusiasm is infectious), or you can try a flight of three 50ml pours. Quinta Calcada bubbles from Portugal (£5.95 for a glass) are reliably good too.

Address: 3A Elmfield Road, Gosforth, NE3 4AY
Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 12pm-5pm; Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm-9pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm
carruthersandkent.com

WC Newcastle

Best for fine wines at cheap prices

WC Newcastle

What we like about it

Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the wine bar: WC Newcastle is located in a Victorian-built former gent’s toilets, known as the ‘flying saucer loos’ due to the unusual glass-domed roof. The space has been transformed (thankfully) into an elegant subterranean bar, whose unique history and architecture is all part of the charm.

Wine list

Around three-dozen wines make up the eclectic, excellent-value list. These include fine wines poured via a Coravin and intriguing finds such as a blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lebanon.

What to order

Most are also sold by the glass, starting at £4 – incredible value, for some really decent wines such as a bracingly fresh Australian Pinot Grigio and a plummy Primitivo from Puglia.

The priciest is a Château de La Riviere Fronsac from Bordeaux, £70 a bottle or £13.50 for a small glass – pretty reasonable for this big, bold wine, with aromas of bramble, leather and spice.

Address: Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 4pm-11pm; Friday 2pm-1am; Saturday 12pm-1am
wcnewcastle.co.uk

Cook House

Best for experimental wines

Cook House

What we like about it

Cook House was born in a shipping container, which is apt considering its location in arty Ouseburn, once a shipping hub. The restaurant has since graduated to a bigger brick structure yet still has an industrial-chic vibe, complementing the edgy menu of seasonal small plates and unique wines.

Wine list

At first glance the selection is wildly eclectic, though there’s a common thread: each bottle is just a little bit unusual, from natural wines fermented with wild yeast to herbaceous skin-contact whites.

What to order

A handful of wines are offered by the glass, which is perfect if you fancy trying something new but aren’t quite ready to commit. You might be intrigued to taste a few different vintages, anyway.

For something special, we recommend a bottle of the Calcarius Nu Litr Orange from Puglia, £46. Its lively, surprising aromas of green herbs, earthy spices and mandarin are a good match for zingy dishes like figs with ricotta.

Address: Foundry Lane Studios, Foundry Lane, NE6 1LH
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 11am-4pm
cookhouse.org

The French Quarter

Best for French wines

French Quarter

What we like about it

Billed as ‘French dining without the fuss’, this is the type of spot you might happily stumble across in Paris: cosy, chic, unpretentious and serving exemplary French food and wines. The French Quarter’s location, tucked in a railway arch just far enough from the main drag, adds to its abundant charms.

Wine list

The extensive list is, of course, exclusively made up of French wines, which is as it should be. Prices run the gauntlet from around the £20 mark to over £200 for world-class vintages from Burgundy and Bordeaux.

What to order

The flights, from £9.95, are an excellent introduction to the list; they’re divided into easy drinking or ‘discovery’ wines, or you can select any three wines sold by the glass. There’s also a decent house white or red sold by the glass, carafe or bottle, from £4.

If the Parisian atmosphere gets you in the mood, you might be tempted to splash out on the Château Talbot from St-Julien, Bordeaux, £125, a complex claret with notes of blackcurrant, chocolate and vanilla with smoke.

Address: Arch 6, Westgate Road, NE1 1SA
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm-11pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm-11.30pm
frenchquarternewcastle.co.uk

Six BALTIC

Best for food-pairing wines

Six Baltic

What we like about it

Inside the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Six has sweeping views of the River Tyne and its iconic, looping bridges. The best tables are in the rooftop restaurant (there’s also a ground-floor terrace), where impeccable modern British cuisine is thoughtfully paired with excellent wines.

Wine list

The compact, perfectly curated selection doesn’t favour any particular region. Rather, it’s all about quality and what pairs best with the menu. There’s a barrel-fermented Rioja Blanco, for example, and a Chilean Carmenère, which bursts with black plum and smoke.

What to order

Ask the savvy sommeliers to recommend pairings for the seasonal cuisine, which includes dishes like heirloom carrots with whipped feta and Northumbrian lamb with charred aubergine. Most wines are sold by the glass, too, so you don’t have to commit for the entire meal.

For a very special wine (with a matching price tag), the Vigna La Rosa Barolo, £115, from Piedmont is an earthy delight with notes of tobacco and red cherry.

Address: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 10am-6pm
sixbaltic.com

Allard’s on the Quay

Best for ordering by the glass

Allards

What we like about it

It’s worth the quick hop from the city centre to check out Allard’s on the Quay in North Shields, a vibrant and dynamic coastal area. The bar is right by the water and pours good-value wines in its rather decadent, gilded bar area and restaurant, both of which serve tapas.

Wine list

Bottles are divided into old and new world whites and reds, with a few decent rosés, while there’s also an extensive list of wines and bubbles by the glass. Prices start at around £3.40 for a decent Pinot Noir or brightly herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.

What to order

Low prices make it easy to experiment and there are often specials, so do ask the bar staff. One of our favourites is the El Púgil Tempranillo from Spain, with its long finish of cherry, wild strawberry and vanilla and which belies its £4 (£21.95 for a bottle) price.

Address: 1 Union Quay, North Shields, NE30 1HJ
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 11.30am-11pm; Friday & Saturday 11.30am-1am
allardslounge.co.uk

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Scroll down to see our list of top Hong Kong restaurants and wine shops

How we got here

When wine duty was eliminated in Hong Kong in 2008, the wine scene changed dramatically.

All the major wine auction houses swooped into the city within months of the announcement, thousands of new wine importers and retailers opened shop, and the city became a magnet for international chefs and sommeliers.

By 2010, Hong Kong’s wine auction sales eclipsed those of New York and London, making it the highest revenue generator for most of the major wine auction houses and a mecca for fine wine lovers in Asia.

Then, just as dramatically, the summer of 2019 abruptly halted this growth: Hong Kong was wracked with protests that affected nearly all businesses in tourism, hospitality, and food and beverage.

Just as the protests started to settle down in early 2020, the global pandemic further dampened the market.

Despite these challenging times, if you ask an Asia-based wine lover which city comes to mind for enjoying and buying fine wines, the most likely answer will be Hong Kong.

Although tourism has halted since the pandemic, China continues to flex its muscles via online wine auctions and website orders, and there’s growing demand for Burgundy wines. The sheer range and availability of fine wines from around the world in Hong Kong is staggering – at wine shops, supermarkets and on restaurant wine lists.

Best Hong Kong restaurants for wine lovers: The top 10

Credit: Decanter / Maggie Nelson

1. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Largest wine list in Hong Kong

With more than 3,400 labels, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon has the largest and most impressive wine list in Hong Kong. Whether you are looking for a simple, well-priced bottle of Domaine de l’A or a vertical of Château Margaux or Latour going back to the 1920s, this restaurant wine list has the deepest selection of mature vintages of top French wines.

In addition to the main list, diners also have access to the 16,800 wines from its sister property, Lisboa cellars in Macau – just order the wines a week or two in advance.

Address: Shop 401, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road, Central.

2. Restaurant Petrus at Island Shangri-La

Extensive list of French classics

Since 1991, Petrus has set the standards for fine French cuisine in Hong Kong island, just as Gaddi’s has done across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui. What sets Petrus apart from other French fine-dining restaurants is its impressive food and wine pairing events held throughout the year.

The 1,800-wine list, which features 27 different Petrus vintages, has been augmented by the current wine director Yohann Jousselin MS.

Address: Level 56, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central.

3. L’Envol

Excellent newcomer with a well-curated wine list

In two years, L’Envol has achieved two Michelin stars and a long list of followers, not just for its cuisine but for its thoughtful wine list. Chef Olivier Elzer creates lighter, healthier versions of French classics and the wine list is equally innovative. The contemporary, stylish setting echoes the cuisine and wine list.

Address: The St Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai.

4. Amber & Somm

Innovative and trendy fine-dining and wine bar

Amber showcases the creativity of its talented chef Richard Ekkebus, who refined the menu in 2019 to offer a healthier contemporary fine-dining experience. Minimising ingredients such as butter and sugar, Ekkebus uses plant-based oils, agave and seaweed as alternatives.

The extensive wine list has something for everyone, with wines from Austria, Lebanon, Portugal and Slovenia.

For a more casual experience, head next door to Somm. This wine bar and bistro lists 101 wines, many of them available in 75ml, 125ml, 375ml and 500ml measures.

Address: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central.

5. PIIN

Wine-focused Cantonese restaurant and bar

PIIN stands out for its large 2,000-label list that rivals those of hotels and fine-dining venues, offering deep verticals of large-format wines, complemented by excellent modern Cantonese cuisine by chef Ming Wong.

The wine list’s strength is Burgundy (the venue was opened by the owners of Château de Meursault and Château de Marsannay), with multiple vintages of many top Burgundy estates. Its Bordeaux selection is also extensive.

Address: The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central.

6. Lung King Heen

Cantonese haute-cuisine with great wines

Most of the two- and three-star Michelin Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong – including Forum, Tin Lung Heen and T’ang Court – have very good wine lists. But for a well-curated, select list, Lung King Heen stands out.

To pair with the Cantonese dishes, there is a wonderful selection of wines from Alsace and an extensive list of Burgundies that range from the rare Domaine Ramonet, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet 2012 to more casual wines such as Domaine Rapet’s Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Sous Frétille 2014.

What really attracts people to Lung King Heen is the food, which is impeccable and detailed, as you’d expect from the world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.

Address: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central.

7. Megan’s Kitchen

Local favourite for hot pot and wine

For a truly local Hong Kong dining experience, head to Megan’s Kitchen for a hot pot and wine meal.

Its 12-page food menu has everything from fresh seafood, noodles, duck and poultry dishes to a huge range of barbecue items. But it is famous for its hot pot, where you choose from 15 different soup bases and more than 100 fresh ingredients to dip into it.

The wine list is extensive, with very low mark-ups – occasionally you can even find wines at below retail prices. A place to go with a group of close friends to enjoy simple Cantonese comfort food and a wonderful, value-for-money wine list.

Address: Lucky Centre, 165-171 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai.

8. Bâtard

Great restaurant within a wine shop

Bâtard opened in 2020, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has quickly become a favourite among wine lovers in Hong Kong. The reason is simple: the casual restaurant is housed within the popular Fine Wine Experience wine shop.

Thousands of different wines – available at retail prices – can be enjoyed at Bâtard without corkage. Despite opening during a difficult year, the restaurant is fully booked months in advance.

Address: The Fine Wine Experience, Shop E, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun.

9. Think Wine

French wine restaurant and bar for serious wine lovers

This new wine bar that opened its doors in 2019 is often praised and frequented by many wine professionals in town.

The well-curated 500-label wine list is not the only attraction – the eclectic, casual-chic restaurant is sub-divided into cosier areas such as the private room, wine cellar and balcony, and the food, while simple, is very well executed.

The wines are selected by Romain Loriot, the owner and experienced sommelier who worked for numerous restaurants such as the Comptoir Group (Hong Kong), Rech (Paris) and The Dorchester (London). Unlike most restaurant wine lists in Hong Kong, this list is dominated by lesser-known, good-value wines.

Address: LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, Central.

10. La Cabane

Pioneering natural wine bar and bistro

Hong Kong is blessed with numerous wine bars dotted throughout the city, but La Cabane, which opened in 2012, is one of the pioneers, starting out in 2010 as a wine shop that specialised in importing natural wines into Hong Kong.

Its continuing popularity is not just due to its well thought-out selection of natural wines, but also the casual, rustic decor and laid-back atmosphere.

The wine list is predominantly French, but it also includes a good selection of natural wines from Australia, Austria, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and even the Czech Republic and the UK.

Address: 62 Hollywood Road, Central.

Where to buy: Top Hong Kong wine retail venues

There is a strong BYOB culture within the wine scene, and many Hong Kong restaurants and hotels offer a one-for-one: buy one wine from the list and bring one bottle with no corkage.

It would therefore be remiss not to mention the best retail shops where you can buy a great bottle of wine to bring to your favourite restaurant.

Watson’s Wine is the largest retailer, with 28 stores throughout the city – its Central and Pacific Place shops have the greatest Bordeaux selection with 450 lines each, and nearly as many Burgundy options.

Enoteca, originally from Japan, has eight stores in Hong Kong and its largest selection can be found in the Tsim Sha Tsui store.

Ponti Wine Cellars is another reliable retailer and has been around since 1988; its Central and Tsim Sha Tsui stores both carry hundreds of fine wines from around the world, including a strong Italian selection.

Rare & Fine Wines and Burgundy etc are part of the Altaya Group and have six stores between them. All carry a large selection of wines, with their core offering being Bordeaux, Burgundy and Napa wines.

The Fine Wine Experience is a relative newcomer to the scene, with two wine shops and an impressive list of fine wines that is heavily skewed towards Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Hong Kong private members’ clubs for wine lovers to know

Another distinctive part of Hong Kong’s wine-and-dine scene is the importance of private members’ clubs.

Nearly all private clubs have exceptional wine lists with much lower mark-ups than in restaurants; so if you are visiting and have a local friend, get them to bring you to one of the following clubs with extensive wine lists:

• Hong Kong Country Club
• The Hong Kong Jockey Club
• The Aberdeen Marina Club
• The Hong Kong Club.

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In the South of France, things don’t change often – or quickly. That’s part of the Côte d’Azur’s charm. And while you can take a seat at any terrace in Nice and find perfectly pleasant vin de table, the lists have historically been lacking in terms of diversity and bottles hailing outside of Provence.

Over the past few years however, the city has seen a shift as restaurateurs and sommeliers have returned, following stints in Paris and other serious wine cities, bringing with them fresh ideas that the Niçois have happily sipped up.

You don’t have to stray too far from the centre of town to find a good bottle, either. Some of the city’s best-kept secrets are hidden in plain sight. Use the sea as your guide and work your way from the water through the cobbled alleyways of Vieux-Nice and winding backstreets behind the port to discover the best wine caves in Nice at these 10 must-visit bars, restaurants and retail shops.

Credit: Decanter / Maggie Nelson

See larger map here

Restaurant Pure & V

Michelin for natural wine enthusiasts

Vanessa Massé, the first women to be awarded sommelier of the year by the Guide Michelin, converted an old grocery store a few blocks back from the beach into a Scandinavian-inspired bistro that, since opening its six tables in 2018, has earned a star for its French twist on new Nordic cuisine (think beef tartare with pickled mustard seed and salted plums, and tomato with pickled elderflower and hay oil).

Head chef Christian Kanstrup Pedersen sources mostly organic ingredients from within a 100km radius, and Massé’s entirely natural wine list features 70 different vignerons, 80% of which are from France—particularly Jura, Auvergne, Ardèche and the Loire.

If you’re looking to try one of Massé’s selections but can’t splurge on Michelin this trip (or aren’t in town for one of her masterclasses), go for something more low-key at the hip new Hôtel Amour Nice nearby, where Massé curated the short-but-sweet natural wine list served in the winter garden patio.

Babel Babel

Babel Babel

A Mediterranean moment

The team behind one of Nice’s first true craft cocktail bars, El Merkado, took over a former fishing cabana near the end of the Promenade des Anglais and transformed it into a scene from the Greek islands. Sky-blue shutters open up to views of the water on one side, with a terrace spilling out into the bustling boardwalk, while a quieter patio space out back is an alternative for those looking to escape the often-crowded seafront.

While the cocktails were initially the main draw (think za’atar Negronis and Mediterranean Mai Tais), the mostly natural wine list has beautifully evolved to include producers from around the Mediterranean Sea, from the border of Spain in France up to Lyon; Italy, up to the alps; as well as Slovenia, Greece, and Lebanon.

Since the team is young, ‘we’re still building our cellar,’ says co-founder Olivier Daniel. Ask for some of the harder-to-source bottles of Matassa or Alain Castex, and pair it with a smattering of shareable seasonal plates that also nod to the Mediterranean (aubergine confite, hummus and warm pita) and post up in a seat on the upstairs balcony for the best view in the house.

Lavomatique

Market-fresh fare, wallet-friendly wines

It would be easy to walk right past this spot in the Old Town and not even realise it’s a restaurant. Tucked away on one of the labyrinth-like streets leading out from Place Rossetti, the former laundromat still has its same cerulean façade and namesake sign, but the interior is now dominated by a L-shape bar and open kitchen.

Working behind the counter are the Loubert brothers, Grégoire and Hugo, who helped propel nearby Le Bistro du Fromager into a local institution.

Unlike their former spot, Lavomatique takes a cue from Paris’ bustling neo-bistros, where the melody of conversation buzzes over the music, and where small plates of market-fresh fare are served tapas-style alongside a simple but well-curated list of affordable wines (which are mostly natural).

Le Canon

Le Canon

Reimagined take on regional favourites

Nice native Sébastien Perinetti’s tiny bistro isn’t trying too hard in terms of design—which can’t be said for other establishments in the French Riviera. But the simple, dark banquettes and cherry-red, 1970s-inspired Formica tables add a warmth to the lauded eatery.

The emphasis here is truly on the seasonal, local ingredients and the carefully curated cellar of French and Italian natural wine (which includes bottles from Château le Puy Marie-Cécile in Bordeaux and Domaine Léon Barral in Faugères) that many say is the best in Nice—let alone the region.

There’s nothing fancy or fussy about the plating, but the home-style fare serves up modern takes on Mediterranean and French cuisine, which is crafted from seafood sourced daily from one fisherman in particular; pork from the nearby town of Grasse; and produce from surrounding farmers. Even if you don’t have time to stay and eat, it’s worth stopping in and buying a few bottles to take home.

La Cave du Cours

Authentic Italian aperitivi, French by-the-glass wines

Tel: +33 04 92 14 56 03

It seems that anything restaurateur Armand Crespo creates is an instant hit in Vieux-Nice. Following long-standing favourites (that are continuously booked-out) Bistrot d’Antoine, Comptoir du Marché, Peixes and Le Bar des Oiseaux, Crespo’s latest venture is a true bar à vin, housed inside an arched, cave-like space behind the Cours Saleya.

Open nightly from Thursday to Saturday, the tiny bar and cellar is lined with wine bottles that start around 16€ and go up to over 150€, but the majority are less than 30€ (and wines by the glass average 5€). There’s no official menu—take your pick from what you see on the shelves—and each glass or bottle ordered comes alongside a selection of complimentary homemade pâté, goat cheese, and coppa—served in true aperitivi style.

The cellar has a strong focus on biodynamic wines (mostly from France), and the team sprinting through the small, mural-covered space will help guide you to the perfect Provençal rosé or Burgundy Aligoté. Go early; the communal table in the back fills up fast, and people tend to lean against any counter space or barrel they can find.

La Part des Anges

Nice’s natural wine institution

Olivier Labarde opened La Part des Anges over 20 years ago, and it was one of the first wine shops and caves à manger (a combination wine shop with bar snacks) of its kind in the city. Browse through the selection of more than 300 different bottles of natural wine from independent winemakers that line the shop’s shelves and tables. Or, take a seat for lunch at one of the family-style tables in the back, where you can dine on the dish du jour and choose from a weekly rotating selection of 10 wines by the glass.

Later in the afternoon, La Part des Anges takes on more of a wine bar feel as the pre-dinner crowd spills in for apéro and charcuterie and cheese plates. While you’re at the table, be sure to ask about some of the rarer bottles that may have recently arrived.

Café des Amis

Corsican spirit (and the wines to match)

The Cours Saleya isn’t somewhere locals typically stop for a drink, but that recently changed with the opening of Café des Amis, from the same owner as Corsican restaurant le Maquis (also in the Old Town). Out is the typical tourist-centric Niçois fare served at the other eateries lining the city’s main market. Instead, the cave à vin focuses on shareable plates like charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade gnocchi.

There’s a small selection of affordable wines by the glass, but this is the kind of place where you should order a bottle, and take your time choosing from one of the Italian, French, and Corsican wines inside—most of which are organic and family-owned—before taking a seat on the back terrace or playing a round of pétanque (boules) at the indoor court.

Epiro

Epiro

Modern spin on Italian staples

• Tel: +33 04 83 39 51 89

Italian duo Alessandra Viscardi and Marco Mattana first opened their osteria in Rome in 2014 before bringing the concept to a quiet street near the port in Nice in 2019. One of the few—and perhaps only—eateries worth trekking to the opposite side of the harbour, away from the Old Town, Epiro feels like a modern neighbourhood bistro.

The teal-tiled bar overlooks the exposed kitchen and a handful of tables are placed on the sidewalk out front. The menu adds a slightly spruced-up spin to Italian classics (which includes plenty of fresh pasta), while the wine list—which averages about 100 different bottles at a time, and changes seasonally with the menu—centres around sustainable Italian producers.

‘We truly believe that every wine we have on our list should have meaning and a reason for being there, just the way we pay attention to produce in the kitchen,’ they say.

Peixes

Classic Portuguese with French flair

Located on one of the busy side streets leading down into the Old Town, Peixes (Portuguese for ‘fish’) is another concept from local culinary kingpin Armand Crespo that nods to a different type of Mediterranean influence than other spots around town.

A string of tables line the white-tiled wall of the narrow space, but the best seats are up at the bar. Watch the cooks prep the seafood-heavy small plates of fresh ceviche and tartare in a scene that would feel right at home in Lisbon.

While the menu skews towards Mediterranean, the wine list is decidedly French, sprinkled with selections of 4€ and 5€ wines by the glass, and bottles of Beaujolais, Burgundy, Sancerre, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and rosé from nearby Provence. But of course it wouldn’t be Portuguese without vinho verde on the list, and you’ll find one by biodynamic heavy hitter, Aphros.

Côté-Vin

A small cellar with a huge French wine selection

• Tel: +33 04 93 84 63 60

On the edge of the Old Town, a block from the sea, this tiny wine cellar sits hidden amongst souvenir shops and stores selling Provençal staples like soap, lavender and olive oil. When you walk in, boxes will often be sitting haphazardly as the team unpacks the latest bottles of predominantly French wine.

Despite its shoebox size, the wine shop stocks upward of 850 different wines from lauded producers and sought-after vintages to lesser known labels. Since not all of the bottles are out on the shelves, caviste Jean Longeville will happily help find the one you’re looking for.

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