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Finding good wine bars in Kensington is a must. This London neighbourhood houses some of the city’s most significant cultural expressions, and a good glass of wine after a visit to the museum will brighten your day. Here, we chose to introduce venues that serve wines from all over the world, crafting their menu with excellence only to present the best bottles of outstanding vineyards and vintages.
Visit any of the ten restaurants and bars on this list and enjoy some hours of mouth-watering food and spectacular service in well-designed environments.
San Pietro
San Pietro is an authentic Italian restaurant serving some of the best wines in the country. The extensive wine menu offers a selection of reds, whites, rose, and proseccos from Italy’s best regions and producers. Find affordable and refreshing bottles and also vintage bottles for over £1000. On the Super Tuscan Collection, you can find powerful blends of some of the best grapes grown in Italy. The Premium Selection presents chardonnays from Piedmont and Burgandy.
To accompany your wine, and not vice versa, pick from the food menu and savour some of the best Italian food in Kensington. As your starter, order the oven-baked creamy burrata cheese wrapped with pancetta, served with sautéed aubergines and cherry tomatoes. Match that with a refreshing white wine, then move to the mains. The Spaghetti Vongole, with clams, garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes, white wine sauce and parsley, is a house famous.
Pizzas here are also spectacular, crafted in the traditional Neapolitan way. A thin crust with charred borders is a must. On top, go for the classics like the Romana, Diavola, Capricciosa or Margherita. For something special, maybe the Pizza Tartufo, mozzarella, truffle cream, 20-months cured Parma ham, cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Website: San Pietro
Address: 7 Stratford Road, LondonW8 6RF
Côte
Côte is a French brasserie with over 20 units spread across London. They focus on working with fresh, seasonal and crafted dishes, highlighting the best of every ingredient used. The meat comes from responsible and ethical UK, Ireland and South America farmers. Côte also has its butchery, where experts ensure that every piece of meat is perfectly cut.
Now, what makes Côte part of our list of wine bars in Kensington is its rich collection of French wines. Here, you can try wines from various regions of France, each with its particular terroir. Taste hillside sunbathed sweet grapes to classics from Champagne, Provence, Burgandy and beyond.
Order from their seasonal menu and try a salad starter with glazed crispy duck confit, oranges, watercress, French bean and yoghurt dressing. A popular main dish is the 6-hour slow-cooked beef cheek with mushrooms, bacon lardons and potato purée. Other mains include confit pork belly, monkfish, and various cuts of steak. The vegetarian and vegan menu is also rich and flavourful. Order the crêpes with Espresso Martini syrup, coffee crème fraîche, Kahlua, vodka, chocolate sauce, and raspberries.
Website: Côte
Addresses: 57 Whitecross Street,City of London, London, EC1Y 8AA
21 Station Road, Barnes, London, SW13 0LF
15-16 Royal Parade, Blackheath, London, SE3 0TL
6 Riverside Walk, Kingston upon Thames, London, KT1 1QN
47 Kensington Ct, Kensington, London, W8 5DA
8 High Street, Wimbledon, London SW19 5DX
Enoteca Rosso
Enoteca Rosso is an Italian wine bar passionate about outstanding food and wines. They bring the classic Italian enoteca experience to London, where you can chat with friends, laugh out loud, and taste wines from various countries. The food is fresh, and the pasta is homemade. The cheeses come from artisan producers, and the charcuterie is curated with extreme care. Terracotta bricks cover the walls, and wood, brass, and black iron fill the rest of the space.
The wine menu is curated with bottles from small and big vineyards in Italy. You will taste unique wines with particular aroma combinations and some Italian winemaking classics. At Enoteca Rosso, the owners are closely connected to wine producers, collecting bottles that are hard to find outside Italy.
For food, start with arancini stuffed with mushrooms and mozzarella, spinach and ricotta, or beef ragu. The pasta dishes include classics like bolognese lasagna and spaghetti with tomato and basil sauce. The salads are rich and well served, and the sandwiches from the house deli are also famous among loyal customers. Cannoli and tiramisu make up the dessert menu.
Website: Enoteca Rosso
Address: 280 Kensington High St, London W8 6ND
Piano Kensington
Piano Kensington is a piano bar inside the Royal Garden Hotel. Here, you will encounter musicians who sing and play your requests and their compositions. This is the ideal place to try out on a weekday for jazz fans who enjoy after-work drinks with friends.
What makes Piano Kensington part of the best wine bars in Kensington list is the perfect blend of wine and music you find here. Aside from the cocktails, they also have a selection of outstanding wines worldwide. The list may be small, but it gathers great labels from Spain, Argentina, Australia, France, Italy, etc.
For the food, try the bar snacks and order a pizza. Here, you can find comfort foods like buttermilk chicken strips with spicy sriracha dip, mini burgers, calamari with garlic, breaded prawns with chilli aioli, parmesan chips, and charcuterie boards for sharing. The pizza flavours include the classics: Diavola, Margherita, Italian sausage, prosciutto, and others.
The best part of this venue is its entire atmosphere. Live music always sounds better, with quality wine and cocktails on one hand and a pizza slice on the other. The place is famous and gets full very fast. If you want to attend an event, book ahead of time.
Website: Piano Kensington
Address: 2- 24 Kensington High Street London W8 4PT
The Kensington Wine Rooms
The Kensington Wine Rooms is probably one of the best wine bars in London. The place opened in 2009, and since then, it has been faithful to its main philosophy: good wine, food, and conversation. With over 40 wines by the glass, you can explore many different flavours and aromas from various regions of the world. A mix of famous winemakers and boutique vineyards colour the wine menu. A knowledgeable staff member is always present to help you choose if you don’t feel like following the recommended matches on the menu.
Order some British cheeses and Spanish meats to accompany your wine or authentic dishes like the wild mushroom and black truffle tortelloni with king oysters. The pistachio-crusted lamb rack, garden peas, and cherry vine plate are also trendy. But first, order starters and share them with the table. For example, foie gras with walnuts, fig jam, and brioche should pair perfectly with a Gewurztraminer.
Longe is at the bar area, an intimate room with up to 40 people sitting. There is also plenty of space to walk around and chat with others, all while exploring the world through wine.
Website: The Kensington Wine Rooms
Address: 127 – 129 Kensington Church Street London, W8 7LP
28-50
28-50 only serves wines they genuinely like. They offer a collection of 15 reds and 15 whites, both bottle and by-the-glass. The list frequently changes, constantly introducing customers to some of the best grapes and labels in the market. The restaurant and wine bar is a cosy and private space where you can truly explore your passion and interest for wine, always learning something new and exploring flavours you’ve never seen before, both in the wine you drink and the food accompanying it.
The food menu changes seasonally, always offering fresh ingredients and flavours. You can choose the group menu, which serves eight to 20 people and can be designed for your party. Alternatively, choose the a la carte menu and taste dishes like Bluefin tuna with ginger, chilli, and sesame as a starter. For the main course, maybe a juicy rib-eye steak or an aubergine tagine with cashew and parsley. Take the house suggestions for wine pairings and enjoy a perfectly balanced meal.
Find an island bar with baby-pink stools surrounding it. Warm lighting hangs from the white ceiling over the dark wood floors, and wooden wine boxes are stacked on the walls, decorating the dining room.
Website: 28-50
Address: 300 Kings Road, London, SW3 5UH
Tapas Brindisa
Tapas Brindisa is probably the best tapas bar in Kensington. Here, you can find tapas inspired by traditional Spanish home cooking. With a menu that changes each season, this venue cherishes the Spanish culture of good food, wine, and conversation. All ingredients are highly fresh and imported from small family producers around the Iberian country.
Enjoy a large family lunch on a Sunday afternoon before taking a culture walk, or grab some small plates and aperitivo after work. Even late-night dinners are welcome, where you can taste an exquisite collection of Spanish wines and authentic food. Sit on the terrace and people-watch while sipping a glass of white wine during the summer. Discover the Spanish lifestyle and hospitality—-as they say at Tapas Brindisa: “nuestra casa es su casa.”
Order cheese boards, small salads, and grilled meat. Try the Galician dairy cow sirloin steak with vine tomatoes, Padron peppers, and chimichurri, for example. Small plates called picotee are also a house speciality. Marinated anchovies and Iberian ham croquettes paired with a glass of sparkling cava wine are a good option. Taste huevos rotos, tortilla de patata, and a lot more.
As for the drinks, here’s why this is one of the best wine bars in Kensington: Find a rich selection of wines from the best regions of Spain. Reds, whites, and cava are all sourced from famous and boutique producers. Also, I like to taste dry, bold, or sweet sherry wine.
Website: Tapas Brindisa
Address: 7-9 Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2HE
Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor is the place to go to find the perfect steak. With restaurants worldwide and over five units in London alone, this place is a reference for quality cuts and cooking points. It is part of our list of wine bars in Kensington because it also has a vibrant selection of wines to accompany your meal.
As for the food, start with some oysters, bone marrow, and onions over sourdough toast. The house Surf ‘n’ Turf is always guaranteed excellence: a fillet and half a lobster with garlic butter. You can also order large cuts of steak with various sides.
Hawksmoor always works with the best ingredients available, such as grass-fed, reared cattle and sustainable seafood from the British coastal areas. All fruits and vegetables are seasonal, and the grill highlights the best of each flavour and aroma.
You’ll find labels from all over the world on the wine menu. Reds, whites, roses, ports and sherries, and special reserve bottles are all available. Order different wines for your group and enjoy a juicy steak at one of the best wine bars in Kensington.
Website: Hawksmoor
Address: 5a Air Street, London W1J 0AD
16 Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AQ
10 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5BQ
3 Yeomans Row, London SW3 2AL
11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG
157a Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ
1 Water Street, London E14 5GX
The Queens Arms
The Queens Arms explores truly authentic British foods and culture. Here, comfort and elegance combine to create a memorable drinking and eating experience. A hidden gem and well-kept secret in Kensington, this venue is suitable for any hour of the day and any occasion.
Enjoy a Sunday Brunch, Tuesday lunch, or Friday night dinner at The Queens Arms. Taste dishes that celebrate traditional British cooking and ingredients, all with a unique house twist. Aside from the mesmerising wine selection, you can also order craft beer and premium spirits that become tasty cocktails.
As a starter, order the roasted butternut squash and asparagus risotto with basil pesto and pumpkin seeds. For the main dish, maybe go for the pan-roasted cod with king prawn, caper and samphire beurre noisette, and buttered heritage potatoes. Aged rib-eye steaks, Iberian pork, and a juicy bacon burger are also excellent options. And how about the orange polenta cake with raspberry and rosewater cream for dessert?
The wines at The Queens Arms are sourced globally, and the restaurant offers bottles with a broad spectrum of aromas, bodies, and lengths. Crispy reds and refreshing whites can be just what you need to perfect your meal.
Website: The Queens Arms
Address: 30 Queens Gate Mews, Kensington, London, Greater London, SW7 5QL
Drop Kensington
Drop Wine Kensington combines the charm of a cosy neighbourhood wine bar with the convenience of a well-stocked bottle shop. Owned by Dominic Condon, an experienced wine lover, this Kensington outpost offers a curated selection of around 200 wines, with a strong focus on independent producers. The space is designed to feel warm and welcoming, featuring intimate seating areas to enjoy a glass or bottle of wine.
The wine list is dynamic, with regularly changing options available by the glass, carafe, or bottle. Drop Kensington has something for everyone, whether you prefer classic French reds, crisp Italian whites, or something more adventurous like Greek or Eastern European varietals. Small plates, including cheese and charcuterie boards, are perfect for pairing with your chosen wine and complement the menu.
One of the highlights of Drop is the seamless integration of a wine delivery service via their app, making it easy to have your favourite bottles delivered right to your door, chilled if desired. Drop Kensington is a must-visit destination for those who enjoy exploring new wines in a relaxed yet stylish setting.
Website: Drop Kensington
Address: 37 Earls Ct Rd, London W8 6ED
Margaux
Margaux offers a blend of European bistro dining and a standout wine experience. This sophisticated venue combines the warmth of exposed brick walls with stylish pendant lighting, creating a modern and intimate space—perfect for a romantic evening or a relaxed gathering with friends. The ambience is inspired by New York’s urban chic but with a distinctly European twist.
The wine list is a significant draw, featuring over 200 labels focusing on Old World regions like France and Italy but also intriguing New World options. The selection is available in various formats, from glasses to carafes and bottles, making it easy to sample different wines. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to provide expert recommendations tailored to your meal choices.
The menu is as enticing as the wine list, offering dishes like homemade pork terrine, pappardelle with rabbit ragù, and confit duck with pear compote. Each dish is crafted to pair beautifully with the wines on offer, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.
Website: Margaux
Address: 150 / 152 Old Brompton Road South Kensington London, SW5 OBE
The Bottlery
The Bottlery is a stylish yet unpretentious wine bar and grill that offers a comfortable spot for locals and visitors. With warm wood accents, soft lighting, and a relaxed vibe, this space is ideal for casual meetups or a cosy evening out. The extensive wine list features a good mix of Old and New World bottles, many priced reasonably for those looking to enjoy quality wine without breaking the bank.
Beyond its wine selection, The Bottlery serves various Italian and European dishes that pair perfectly with your drink of choice. Enjoy comforting options like burgers, seafood salads, and small plates such as calamari and garlic prawns. The inviting ambience, friendly service, and the occasional sports game on TV make this a versatile venue for different occasions, whether you’re unwinding with friends or enjoying a low-key date night. The Bottlery strikes the right balance between a neighbourhood hangout and a destination for wine enthusiasts looking for something laid-back yet sophisticated.
Website: The Bottlery
Address: 231 Earls Ct Rd, London SW5 9AH
Publiq – South Kensington
Publiq offers a modern twist on the traditional wine bar by focusing on sustainability and community. This timber-clad spot with outdoor bistro seating and a relaxed indoor lounge has quickly become a favourite among locals. The bar centres on natural wines and small-batch selections that genuinely reflect the passion and care of the winemakers. With a concise yet thoughtfully curated wine list, Publiq focuses on organic and biodynamic wines, favouring producers prioritising sustainability and quality.
The food menu perfectly complements the wine offerings, featuring seasonal, farm-to-table sharing plates. The dishes are designed to encourage conversation and exploration, making the dining experience social and engaging. Expect vibrant flavours and beautifully presented plates like burrata with fresh tomatoes and innovative small bites that highlight what each season offers.
Beyond the wine, Publiq also offers expertly crafted cocktails and local beers, ensuring something for everyone. Whether you’re enjoying a glass of organic red wine while soaking in the atmosphere or indulging in one of their seasonal spritzes, Publiq delivers a laid-back yet refined experience that makes it a standout in Kensington’s wine bar scene.
Website: Publiq – South Kensington
Address: 1d Palace Gate, South Kensington, London W8 5LS
K Bar
K Bar, located within The Kensington Hotel, is an elegant and intimate space that channels a sophisticated, old-world charm with its dark wood panelling, plush leather seating, and ambient lighting. While it’s known for its exceptional cocktail program, the venue also offers a thoughtfully curated wine list catering to connoisseurs and casual drinkers. The wine selection focuses primarily on classic European regions, with a good balance between well-known labels and more niche finds.
The ambience strikes the right note for those seeking a luxurious yet comfortable setting to unwind, especially after exploring South Kensington. With its refined décor and impressive wine offerings, K Bar is perfect for a relaxed midweek glass or a more indulgent weekend experience. The venue is a hidden gem for those who appreciate a more elevated wine bar atmosphere with all the comforts of a high-end hotel lounge.
Website: K Bar
Address: 109-113 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LP
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