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Covent Garden is a hub for theatre and shopping and a prime destination for wine lovers. The area boasts a variety of wine bars, each offering a unique ambience, exquisite wine selections, and delightful menus. Here, we’ll explore some of the best wine bars in Covent Garden, highlighting their distinctive features and what makes them stand out in this vibrant part of London.
The Wine Place Covent Garden
Inside Covent Garden’s iconic Market Building, The Wine Place offers a cosy and intimate atmosphere perfect for wine enthusiasts. This Italian wine bar and tasting room provides an authentic experience, focusing on a carefully curated selection of wines from all 20 Italian regions. The bar’s design features exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and soft lighting, creating a comfortable and relaxed environment. The small, intimate space includes a bar area that doubles as a wine cellar and several tables ideal for couples or small groups.
The menu at The Wine Place is centred around its impressive wine selection. Guests can enjoy a variety of Italian wines by the glass, with prices starting at £6. The list includes notable options such as a crisp Pinot Grigio from Veneto, a robust Barolo from Piedmont, and a sparkling Prosecco from Valdobbiadene. To complement the wines, the bar offers an array of small plates. It includes charcuterie boards, cheese platters, and dishes featuring ingredients like smoked salmon, roasted vegetables, and artisanal bread. These light bites are perfect for pairing with a glass of wine.
The knowledgeable staff at The Wine Place are always on hand to provide recommendations and guide guests through their extensive wine list. The bar also hosts events such as wine tastings and food pairings, making it an ideal spot for those exploring different varietals and regions.
Website: The Wine Place Covent Garden
Address: 33, The Market Bldg, Piazza WC2E 8RE
Lady of The Grapes
Lady of the Grapes is an enchanting wine bar and restaurant dedicated to supporting female winemakers. Founded by Carole Bryon, this intimate venue focuses on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, with 90% of its offerings produced by women. The bar’s ethos is to highlight the contributions of female winemakers in an industry traditionally dominated by men. It ends up offering a unique and purposeful wine-drinking experience.
Lady of the Grapes’s design exudes a rustic and cosy charm reminiscent of a French bistro. Soft lighting, wooden furniture, and shelves lined with a curated selection of wines accentuate the warm and welcoming ambience.
The wine menu is extensive and carefully curated, featuring around 350 bottles and 35 wines by the glass or carafe. Highlights include diverse options, from crisp whites and robust reds to unique orange wines and sparkling varieties. Notable selections include a lively Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, a deep and complex Barolo from Piedmont, and an exquisite Orange Wine from Italy.
The food menu perfectly complements the wine offerings, featuring seasonal and artisanal ingredients crafted into delicious small plates. Guests can enjoy French-inspired baked camembert, charcuterie boards, and fresh salads. The head chef, Matyas Plzak, and his team create dishes that pair beautifully with the wines.
Website: Lady of The Grapes
Address: 16 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NJ
Plume Wine Bar
Plume Wine Bar is a two-storey venue in a former publishing house where Charles Dickens once worked. Its historical charm adds a touch of elegance. Part of the Grays & Feather family, Plume specializes in sparkling wines and English wines, featuring an ever-changing list of over 70 varieties. The bar’s interior is characterized by modern decor, comfortable seating, and a vibrant ambience. The bar’s layout allows guests to enjoy a more intimate setting upstairs or a bustling, social environment downstairs.
The menu complements its impressive wine selection. The food offerings include sharing plates inspired by seasonal, sustainable produce. Popular choices are the charcuterie boards, artisanal cheeses, and other small plates that pair perfectly with the wines. The wine list features various options, from crisp Proseccos and robust English sparkling wines to unique, lesser-known varieties from independent producers. Guests can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle or even participate in special tasting events.
For those looking to explore beyond wine, Plume also offers a range of cocktails and spirits. The knowledgeable staff are always available to provide recommendations and enhance the overall experience with their expertise.
Website: Plume Wine Bar
Address: 26 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD
Dalla Terra Wine Bar & Restaurant
Located in the peaceful St. Martin’s Courtyard in Covent Garden, Dalla Terra is an Italian wine bar and restaurant that provides a serene oasis away from the streets of central London. This modern enoteca offers a sophisticated yet casual setting for after-work drinks, pre-theatre gatherings, or a relaxing evening with friends. The decor combines contemporary elegance with comfortable lounge seating, an open fire, and marble surfaces, creating a welcoming ambience for all occasions.
The menu at Dalla Terra celebrates fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine. Guests can start with Cicchetti or share antipasti platters, including cured meats and artisanal cheeses from Borough Market. The menu features classic Italian dishes such as beef carpaccio with rocket and truffle oil and confit pork with preserved broad beans for main courses. The restaurant also offers a selection of paninis, salads, and other light bites throughout the day.
Dalla Terra’s wine list is impressive. It boasts over 600 wines from Italy and around the world, with more than 30 available by the glass. The selection includes exclusive labels and rare finds typically reserved for high-end hotel bars and Michelin-starred restaurants. Notable choices include a crisp Pinot Grigio from Friuli, a robust Brunello di Montalcino, and a sparkling Franciacorta.
The outdoor terrace at Dalla Terra offers a charming setting to enjoy a glass of wine in a candlelit courtyard, perfect for alfresco dining. The venue is also known for hosting personalized wine tastings and food pairings.
Website: Dalla Terra Wine Bar & Restaurant
Address: The Yards, 25 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB
The 10 Cases
Located on Endell Street in Covent Garden, The 10 Cases is a lively and unpretentious bistro and wine bar that offers an ever-changing wine selection. Established in 2011 by friends Will Palmer and Ian Campbell, the concept behind The 10 Cases is simple and innovative. They only purchase 10 cases of each wine they offer. This ensures a constantly rotating list, providing patrons with a fresh and diverse wine experience every visit. The Bistrot features a list of 10 white wines and 10 red wines, sparkling, rosé, and sweet options, all available by the glass, carafe, or bottle.
The place’s interior is styled as a classic bistro, with chalkboard menus, wooden tables, and a bustling open kitchen. For those who prefer a more informal setting, the adjoining Cave à Vin offers a walk-in-only wine bar experience, complete with a wine shop and cellar. Here, guests can enjoy an additional selection of fine wines and the same menu from the bistrot.
The menu at The 10 Cases is built around seasonal, modern Franco-European cuisine. It includes a variety of starters, mains, and desserts, as well as wine-friendly tapas-style dishes, cheeses, and charcuterie. Notable dishes include the pappardelle with venison ragu and the cote du boeuf, which are praised for their flavour and quality.
Website: The 10 Cases
Address: 16 Endell St, London WC2H 9BB
Cecilia’s Wine House
Cecilia’s Wine House prides itself on a diverse and thoughtfully curated wine list featuring well-known Bordeaux and Burgundies alongside surprising newcomers from the New World. The extensive selection ensures something to suit every palate, with dozens of wines available by the glass starting at £6.50. The venue’s design exudes a warm and relaxed ambience. Comfortable seating and an intimate setting make it ideal for casual meetups and special celebrations. The interior combines modern touches with rustic charm, creating a welcoming space for all.
The food menu at Cecilia’s is designed to complement its wine selection. Guests can enjoy sharing platters featuring artisanal French and Italian cheeses and charcuterie and seasonal dishes like the ‘Burratina,’ a delightful small burrata cheese served with seasoned tomatoes on toasted bread.
Cecilia’s Wine House also offers excellent value for those looking to purchase bottles to take home, making it a wonderful spot for enjoying a glass of wine and expanding your wine collection.
Website: Cecilia’s Wine House
Address: 42 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5AJ
Baaria – Café, Cocktail & Wine Bar
Situated on Charing Cross Road between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, Baaria, another of the best wine bars in Covent Garden, offers an authentic Sicilian dining experience in a modern setting. The bar’s name pays homage to the Sicilian town of Bagheria, where many of the ingredients are sourced, ensuring an authentic taste of Sicily. Baaria’s design combines contemporary chic with rustic elements. The bar’s layout includes a main dining area and additional seating downstairs, making it ideal for casual meet-ups and private events.
The menu here blends traditional Sicilian dishes and modern Italian cuisine. Highlights include the Sicilian Aperitivo Board, featuring a selection of buns, and the Italian Aperitivo Board, which offers a variety of cheeses and charcuterie. Pasta dishes such as Pasta Arrabbiata and Pasta Beef Shin Ragu showcase the rich flavours of Italy, while Sicilian street food favourites like Arancine and Sicilian buns offer a more casual dining option. The bar also serves Roman Pinsa pizzas, with toppings ranging from classic Margherita to the indulgent Bianca with Parma Ham and burrata.
The wine list at Baaria features a curated selection of Italian wines emphasising Sicilian varieties. Guests can enjoy wine by the glass or bottle or as part of a wine-tasting experience. The bar also offers a range of cocktails crafted using premium and fresh ingredients.
Website: Baaria – Café, Cocktail & Wine Bar
Address: 78 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BD
Le Beaujolais
Le Beaujolais is London’s oldest French wine bar. Established in 1972, this wine bar and private members’ club has maintained its genuine French atmosphere, making it a beloved destination for locals and visitors seeking a rustic and intimate experience.
The design of Le Beaujolais exudes a classic French charm. It has ties and tankards hanging from the ceiling, creating a cosy and nostalgic ambience. The ground floor is dedicated to the wine bar, while the downstairs restaurant serves as a private members’ club. It offers a more exclusive dining experience. The bar’s intimate setting is perfect for enjoying a quiet drink or a casual meal, with an atmosphere that transports you straight to France.
Le Beaujolais is famous for its extensive French wine list. Guests can enjoy a wide range of wines by the glass or bottle. The place features selections from every central wine-producing region in France. A delightful array of rustic French dishes complements the wine menu. Highlights include Boeuf Bourguignon, Assiette de Charcuterie, and Tarte Tatin, all prepared using traditional recipes that showcase the best of French cuisine.
Website: Le Beaujolais
Address: 25 Litchfield St, London WC2H 9NJ
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Established in 1890, Gordon’s Wine Bar is the oldest in London. It is located in a historic setting on Villiers Street. This family-run establishment has retained its unique charm. It offers an ambience that transports visitors back in time with its candlelit vaulted cellar and walls adorned with historical photographs and newspaper clippings. The outdoor seating area, revamped with stylish serving cabins, provides a comfortable alfresco experience year-round.
The bar’s extensive wine list features award-winning selections worldwide, including family-run vineyards and rare finds. Highlights include a robust Tempranillo from Spain, a fruity Garnacha, and a selection of organic and biodynamic wines. Sherries and ports are served from old oak barrels, enhancing the authentic atmosphere.
Gordon’s is also famous for its delicious cheese selection and hearty food menu, which includes sharing boards, charcuterie, and vegetarian options. Popular choices are the French Board with chèvre and St Nectaire and the vegetarian mezze. Visiting Gordon’s Wine Bar is a journey into London’s history and a delightful wine and dining experience.
Website: Gordon’s Wine Bar
Address: 47 Villiers St, London WC2N 6NE
Bedford Street Wines
Covent Garden can feel buzzy by design – theatres, street performers, tourists with cameras – but Bedford Street Wines has become the sort of place where you slow down and choose your pace for the night.
It’s tucked off Bedford Street itself, and from the outside those tall windows and bottle-lined interior hint at what’s coming. Inside, you feel like you’ve walked into someone’s curated wine loft. Wooden shelves stacked with bottles. Low lighting. The kind of place where you peer at labels and actually read them. It doesn’t try to be a cellar museum. It invites you to explore.
The focus here is wine first. The list leans European – France, Italy, Spain – but you’ll also find interesting picks from South Africa and beyond. There’s a range by the glass that makes it easy to start an evening without committing to a bottle. Natural wine lovers will find gems alongside more classic producers. Staff know what’s on the list without having to constantly check tablets or prompts. They’ll help you choose something that feels right for your mood: something light and floral for early dinner, or rich and structured as the night deepens.
It isn’t a restaurant masquerading as a wine bar. It’s primarily a wine bar with real personality. The crowd is a mix…a couple sharing a bottle before the theatre, friends catching up after work, someone sitting solo nursing a glass and a book. Conversations happen. Glasses are tasted. The atmosphere is relaxed and purposeful.
This is the Covent Garden spot you visit when you want wine with intention.
Website: Bedford Street Wines
Address: 33 Bedford St, London WC2E 9ED
Cecilia’s Wine House
Cecilia’s feels like the kind of place you almost don’t want to tell people about. Just off the main Covent Garden flow, it’s intimate from the start. Low lighting. Wooden shelves lined tightly with bottles. A bar that encourages conversation, not performance. You’re close to the action of the piazza, but inside it’s calm. Focused. Built for people who genuinely care about what’s in their glass.
The list is heavily European, with a mix of small producers and classic regions. Expect Burgundy, interesting Italian reds, Spanish bottles that go beyond Rioja, and a rotating selection by the glass that makes it easy to explore without committing to a full bottle. There’s a noticeable affection for character-driven wines. Food is secondary, but smart. Cheese boards, charcuterie, and small plates that support the wine list. This is not a full dinner spot. It’s where you start the night or let it stretch.
The crowd is a mix of wine-inclined locals, post-theatre couples, and industry people who know where to drink on their night off. Cecilia’s feels personal. It’s not trying to be loud about its knowledge. It just quietly pours very good wine in a space where you can actually taste it properly.
Website: Cecilia’s Wine House
Address: 42 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5AJ
Dovetail Bar – Covent Garden
Neal’s Yard always feels slightly cinematic. You turn the corner, and suddenly Covent Garden softens. Dovetail Bar fits that mood perfectly.
It’s small. Candlelit. Shelves lined with bottles that tell you someone here actually curates the list. At first glance, it leans cocktail-forward. But sit down and open the wine menu, and you realise this is quietly one of the more interesting wine stops in the area.
The list moves between classic and low-intervention. Expect French and Italian staples alongside skin-contact whites, chilled reds, and bottles from smaller producers you might not recognise immediately. By-the-glass options rotate, which makes it easy to try something new. Ask questions, and you’ll get real answers, not rehearsed lines.
Food is concise. Cheese and charcuterie boards. Small plates that support the wine. It’s not a full dinner destination. It’s a place to linger over a bottle before heading somewhere else. Or to make it the main event. Dovetail bridges the gap. A cocktail bar with a wine brain. Intimate. Slightly hidden. Exactly what Covent Garden sometimes needs.
On busier evenings, especially weekends, Capital A List can usually secure a comfortable corner table so you’re not hovering near the door with your glass in hand.
Website: Dovetail Bar – Covent Garden
Address: 2nd Floor, RedFarm, 9 Russell St, London WC2B 5HZ
Voila! Wine Bar Shop
Neal’s Yard does small spaces well. Voila! might be one of the smallest. And that’s exactly why it works.
You step inside and you’re immediately surrounded by bottles. Floor to ceiling. It feels more like a Parisian cave à vin than a West End bar. There are only a handful of seats, which means every visit feels slightly intentional. You’re not hiding in a crowd. You’re here for the wine.
The focus is firmly on independent French producers. Natural, biodynamic, small-scale winemakers dominate the shelves. You’ll find skin-contact whites, light chilled reds, pét-nats and bottles you won’t see on mainstream lists nearby. The by-the-glass selection changes regularly, often poured straight from something the team is excited about that week. There’s no heavy food menu. A few snacks. Maybe some cheese. That’s not the point. The point is conversation around the bottle.
The crowd tends to be wine-curious rather than flashy. Industry people. Couples who actually want to talk. Solo visitors who don’t mind standing with a glass and asking questions. Voila! feels honest. In a part of London dominated by big restaurant groups and theatre crowds, this is personal.
Website: Voila! Wine Bar Shop
Address: 33 Catherine St, London WC2B 5JT
Cork & Bottle Wine Bar Leicester Square
Leicester Square is chaos above ground. Flashing lights and theatre crowds. Tourists moving in every direction. Then you walk down the stairs at Cork & Bottle, and everything changes.
It’s been here since the 1970s, tucked underground in a brick cellar that feels like it hasn’t tried to modernise for the sake of it. Low ceilings and candlelight. Walls lined with bottles. Tables close enough that conversations overlap in the best way.
The wine list is deep. Properly deep. France dominates, but you’ll find serious bottles from Italy, Spain, and beyond. There’s a strong by-the-glass offering, but the real magic is in the bottles you won’t find everywhere else. Mature Bordeaux and structured Rhône. Interesting off-the-beaten-path producers if you ask. Food is classic European comfort. French onion soup, steak frites, and cheese boards that make sense with a bold red. It’s the kind of place where you could accidentally order a second bottle because no one is rushing you out.
Cork & Bottle feels timeless. In a neighbourhood that changes constantly, this one hasn’t needed to. And when you want a proper cellar, not just a bar with bottles on display, this is where you go.
Website: Cork & Bottle Wine Bar Leicester Square
Address: 44-46 Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7AN
