The best wine bars in Central London

Plume is a stylish wine bar with a hidden speakeasy tucked away in its basement. Set across two floors of Charles Dickens's old 1860s publishing house, the venue features a striking mural inspired by the vibrant colours of a peacock's feathers. Guests can choose from a curated international wine list, enjoy cocktails, and pair drinks with small plates such as charcuterie boards.

Bennie is a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant with an interior that recalls the vivid orange tones of sunsets in the Mediterranean. The concise yet robust wine list draws on the same vibes, offering wines by the glass and bottle that go supremely with the kitchen's menu of classics like risottos, steaks, and lasagne. Brunch is served here as well.

A cornerstone of the Central London dining scene, El Pirata of Mayfair delivers a genuine taste of Spain through its masterfully prepared tapas and lively energy. The restaurant boasts a vast collection of more than 140 Spanish wines, perfect for sipping al fresco on the terrace or inside the convivial main room. Furthermore, the Secret Cellar can be booked for larger parties, with the option to organise a wine tasting as part of the programme.

The Quality Chop House sibling Quality Wines is a cosy neighbourhood wine bar with a rustic, continental feel, lined with shelves of bottles and simple checked tablecloths. The focus is on excellent wines by the glass or bottle, with a changing selection that includes natural and skin-contact options, plus the chance to buy something to take home. In addition to seasonal small plates, you can book the shop table for a chef's set menu with paired wines in a candlelit setting.

The Noble Rot wine bars across Central London are a fixture on any London oenophile's list, having started out as a magazine covering the finer (gourmet) things in life before launching the first of now several wine-focused restaurants. Regularly winning awards and plaudits for their wine list, Noble Rot features a comprehensive selection of vintages while remaining inclusive and avoiding the wine snobbery that can be a deterrent to novice drinkers.

Lady of the Grapes is a cosy Central London wine bar dedicated to showcasing organic and natural wines made primarily by female winemakers. Around 90% of the bottles come from small biodynamic vineyards, complemented by a seasonal menu of simple French bistro dishes. Guests can also browse the on-site wine shop, with staff on hand to recommend bottles to enjoy at home.

The 10 Cases began as a French bistro with the idea of keeping wine unpretentious and affordable, offering only ten cases of each carefully chosen vintage and never repeating the same wine twice. A decade on, the Central London wine bar carries on this ethos with a rotating selection of wines, French-inspired small plates, and a warm, laid-back atmosphere. For more choice, head to the neighbouring Cave à Vin, where more than 300 different bottles await.

Cecilia's Wine House focuses on French and New World wines, served with generous cheese and charcuterie boards. The list includes an array of Bordeaux and Burgundy classics, complemented by French and Italian cheeses, cured meats, and occasional seasonal specials. The setting is intimate and inviting, with shelves of wine bottles and round tables adding to the charm.

The London outpost of Paris's two-Michelin-starred Taillevent, Les 110 de Taillevent is named for its list of 110 wines available by the glass, with more than 2,000 bottles also in the cellar. The elegant bistro features a bright dining room with large windows, a terrace, and a private space for special occasions. Diners can opt for a seasonal à la carte or a six-course tasting menu of refined French classics, each with the option of carefully matched wine pairings.

Central London wine bar Antidote is a modern corner hideaway dedicated to natural wines. All of their bottles are sourced from organic and biodynamic producers who focus on low-intervention methods, and you can buy them to take home as well. To go with the wines, the bar serves straightforward but satisfying cheese and charcuterie plates.

This acclaimed Italian wine bar in Central London is popular for its excellent selection of Italian vintages, international wines, and complementary small plates. The cosy interior features exposed brick, wooden floors, and lighting that shifts throughout the day to create the right atmosphere. With its intimate size, it's a charming choice for a date or a relaxed catch-up over a glass of something nice.

Cheese and wine, a match made in heaven. La Fromagerie is an award-winning cheesemonger whose Marylebone branch combines a well-stocked shop of global cheeses with a wine bar and café. Here, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, coffee, and more alongside the deli's signature cheese offerings. They also host cheese and wine tastings.

The Mulwray is a cosy hideaway for wine enthusiasts, tucked on the top floor of a handsome Georgian building dating back to 1739. Down below there's a lively pub, but head upstairs for a more intimate setting with a thoughtfully curated selection. The wine list spans approachable classics to rarer, more adventurous bottles, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and biodynamic producers.

Cork & Bottle has been a Central London institution since 1971, known for its bustling atmosphere. The extensive wine list featuring hundreds of bottles from around the world was originally built up thanks to the owner's reputation, which gained him access to treasured vintages otherwise available only to a lucky few. The same ethos remains to this day, making Cork & Bottle a classic spot for relaxed drinking and dining.

Bar Crispin is both a wine bar and a seasonal all-day restaurant. The focus is on low-intervention European wines paired with small sharing plates made from locally sourced produce. With a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, the venue offers a broad European menu alongside a wine list curated by in-house sommelier Alex Price.

WC Wine & Charcuterie has a quirky home in a converted Victorian public toilet on a traffic island in Bloomsbury. The loo's original features have been kept or cleverly reused, creating a snug underground hideaway. Here, guests can enjoy a focused wine list paired with small plates and generous sharing boards.

28°-50° by Night is a cosy jazz club with a glamorous speakeasy vibe. The programme features nightly live music, from classic jazz and blues to swing and Dixieland, paired with a menu of European dishes and late-night bites. An acclaimed wine list courtesy of the 28°-50° wine bar above, including rare bottles and sommelier pairings, rounds out the experience in this stylish 1920s setting.