Reviews of Cork & Bottle Wine Bar. (Pub) in London (London).

Cork & Bottle Wine Bar

518 Reviews

314 Comments

Pub

Wine bar

44-46 Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7AN, United Kingdom

Description

Information of Cork & Bottle Wine Bar, Pub in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

Map

Open hours of Cork & Bottle Wine Bar

Popular times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Reviews of Cork & Bottle Wine Bar

J. N.

A long standing hidden gem in Leicester Square. Great food, good wine selection and the excellent staff make for a great time. Always a winner and definitely worth a visit. If you like crab and king prawn linguine (with a touch of chilli) you are in for a treat ...

M. S.

Great wine and even better cheese. All the food is amazing and I am sure you will find a bottle of wine you will love! The staff are incredible and very helpful and friendly.

W. W.

Initially we tried to visit a different cheese & wine venue but it was so busy we couldn’t even get in the door. After a quick Google we found the Cork & Bottle. Almost as busy, we were fortunate a table for 4 just came available. The lovely waitress gave us the wine list and cheese menu and we ordered. The organic Malbec was very good but sadly was the last bottle. The cheeses were great but they then ran out of crackers, which were substituted for bread. Everything we ate and drank was good and the fact we managed to get a table was enough to make us all happy. Would definitely go back and no doubt will in the near future.

J.

5 stars for wine, so many bottles by the glass and knowledgeable staff. There's also an excellent cheese selection. Can be tough to get a seat but well worth it.

M. S.

First time here and was not disappointed. Nestled right in the west end this cozy basement is in stark contrast to the usual tourist driven restaurants nearby. Great French bistro food with a huge and high quality wine list. Slow cooked ox cheeks with mash is sublime. Grilled octopus starter is also fantastic. Service is friendly and informal. Not to pricey given the location. Definitely worth a try. Highly recommended.

R. I.

Absolutely brilliant! Cosy wine bar in central London! Amazing food, great chose of wine. I love rioja and waiter helped to get the perfect one. Huge extra large cheese board (we took 4). I would definitely recommend this place, doesn't matter if you live here or came to visit this beautiful historical city.

J. P.

I never fail to have a lovely time here and tonight was no exception. From the warm welcome from the team to the delicious food and wine we were so well looked after. Can’t wait to come back! 🍷🥧🥰

E. I. K. K.

I love this wine bar, the wine and cheese selections are incredible, and if you want a comforting piece of pie, try the ham and cheese, legendary. If you have a party of four or more, try to grab a booth, makes for a great experience, secluded from the rest.

K. N.

Hidden gem, great wines by the glass or bottle, nice food & Great staff.

F.

Great find in the area!! Lovely hidden spot in a VERY touristy area. The atmosphere is charming and the wine list is enjoyable. I'd only say the quality of the food isn't great - the bread was obviously just defrosted - soft, spongy, stodgy. The burgers were ok but the flavours a bit lacking, and the only good thing about the cheese board was the cheese, crackers and pickle were very "cheap" feeling (and the place isn't super cheap). Felt disappointing pub-style food. Definitely stop by for a glass of wine if you're in the area, but not a dinner spot I'd recommend.

N. C.

Shh. This place is a secret spot for high end cheese and wine. French and fabulous. Dont tell your friends just book and take them there.

s. s.

I’ve been a few times, and it’s always been excellent. Sometimes is a cheese and wine kind of visit, sometimes it’s a proper meal with friends. Not had a reason to complain yet!

C. t.

Dropped in after nearly 20 years, introduced our son to cheese and ham pie. Staff great, we lucky in getting a table, reversation advised.

R. W.

Good food, great service, lovely wine.

T. H.

Lovely haven of quiet amidst the rabble of Leicester square. Only just been introduced to this gem, after 20 years in London, and what a revelation. Great decor, friendly staff. The wine list is extensive and detailed, the staff have great wine knowledge. Took a small plate of lovely cheese to top off a great visit. Highly recommended (but also recommended to book in advance).

M. G.

I've been to the Leicester Square branch and it was lovely. Good selection of wines and cheeses. Nice hidden stop. Will be back!

K. O.

Been coming here for years; C&B is a hidden gem amongst a gauntlet of tourist shatholes in LS. Truly a London institution. Great service, food and wine with an amazing ambiance.

F. M.

What a lovely evening from start to finish. Fantastic food and service. Our waitress was really knowledgeable about the wines and even brought over some samples when we were worn between 3 choices. Food was delicious and a great choice of cheeses and port to finish

M. C.

Having lived in London for 4 year and visiting the city year before, I can honestly say that I have never noticed this little gem before. Thankfully, looking for somewhere for lunch with my parents, we found Cork and Bottle. As soon as walked in, we were surprised how big it was considering the door way is tucked between 2 businesses. The restaurant is beneath Leicester Square. We were greeted by a massive Frei who had a massive smile and was very friendly. She took us to our seat and explained all the menus. The wine is extensive and so was Frei's knowledge on every wine. This helped us pick our wine for our meal. You have to try the cocktails! The Espresso Martini and Bellini's are AMAZING! The food is all home made and cooked fresh on site. We all had something different and all had food envy with each other's orders. However the favorite of the table was the homemade Cheese and Ham pie which has been made on site from 1971! Now we have found Cork and Bottle we will definitely returning. Again, I would like to thank Frei for her friendliness and service. She is an asset to the company and hope to see her again.

C. W.

I’m a huge fan of this cosy wine bar. After a long gap I returned yesterday having moved to the US years ago. I realized I’ve been going there for nearly 40 years. It never disappoint!

V. S.

Londons best kept secret- I’ve been going to the Cork & Bottle for years for the great food, exceptional wine list and golden service.

P. S.

Make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment! Great staff, great food, great wine and a great vibe!

A. M.

Very good surprise for a Friday evening. Small entrance but lot of places inside. It's not too crowded. The food and the wine is amazing.

V. S.

Fantastic treasure in London hidden away just off Leicester Square! A great selection of cheese and wine

H. R.

Great gem, tucked away! Diverse menu, friendly staff and terrific atmosphere!

E. G.

Nice wine selections, and several cost nooks make for an enjoyable basement wine bar.

V. B.

Delicious cheeses, Devine duck pate and snails & charcuterie are top too! Cosy place, friendly staff.

C. F.

In the area for a play and wanted a glass of wine. So down the stairs we go. Cool ambience in the dungeons below Leicester Square and quite a few small tables and seats around the bar. Prices are cheap but so is the quality of wine. Spotted: the same $6 (USD) wines from Safeway supermarkets (Four Vines). Got a gross metallic South African cab and a so-so Sancerre. The bread and pate are delicious though. Def a spot for a cheap date.

t.

Good cheese and wine selection, friendly staff, interesting place.

K. G.

Great place for a drink and food amongst the hustle and bustle of Leicester square. Always attentive service and great wine selection

F. L.

Food is very good. Many choices of wine. The wine price by glass is a little expensive.

S. J.

Ive walked past this so many times without knowing it was there. Only stayed for one quick drink but I'd go back to explore more!

S. A. S.

Awesome wine selection! Frank was our waiter and he was great too! Cheers Cork and bottle!

C. C.

The food, the service and atmosphere are amazing. Highly recommended the duck liver pate, especially with red wine, which are perfect match.

B. S.

Fantastic wine bar! Tucked between all the touristy spots in Leicester Square, but underground away from the noise. The wine list is enormous with some great selections by the glass, big food menu too with lots of nibbles (ask for the bread - off menu but delicious!). Service was excellent too.

C. C.

Like a secret gem. You could miss the entrance of you looked too quickly. This gives it a feeling of a secret hideaway in one of the busiest squares in London. It's s little escape from the hubbub upstairs. I've been going for years and it can always be trusted for good food for both carnivores and vegetarians alike. Service is always friendly and attentive. The selection of 300 wines means there's something for most pallettes and pockets. It maintains a welcoming rustic bistro feel, making a unique delight. They have a few alcoves which I believe can be reserved in advance. It's mainly table seating but there are also a few places at the bar. You could just come here to sample the wonderful selection of cheeses, with fresh bread and biscuits and have glass of wine. It will always remain a great trusted eatery for me.

E.

Cozy atmosphere, friendly service, good selection of wine and cheese!

M. W.

This is one of the best wine bars on the planet.

S. B.

I think this is a really good place for the area. Leicester Square is filled with tourist traps and this underground wine bar is a nice break from that, with good wine at pretty reasonable prices. I believe it's a family-run place, and it shows. The food is pretty good too - the cheese and ham pie is a really crazy dish but quite tasty. Far far better than most of the other pubs and bars in that area.

r. l.

Great little find, fantastic food

X. D. C.

Hidden gem close to Picadilly Circus. Very nice selection of meats and cheese that come in good portions. They have a French waitress who has been lovely every time we have been here. Good selection of wine also.

K. D.

Very nice, cosy place. Lovely atmosphere. A huge list of high quality wine. Polite staff with knowledge about the food. French lady my favourite! Definitely will be back :-)

한.

Food, atmosphere, wine and service all were good. But I can't stand cominging here frequently because of the price..

J. M.

An oasis of calm with great wine in the bustle of Leicester Square - great option if you're in the area and want to escape the tourist madness. Marked down for the food last time we visited, calamari was stone cold and we asked for it to be heated up, came back on a piping hot plate but the squid was still lukewarm at best so had clearly been chucked in a microwave. Stick to the wine!

R. C.

One of the very best wine bars in London. By far the best of its kind in the vicinity. One of the West End's best kept secrets as it's easy to miss. The Australian and New Zealand wines are especially outstanding and it's an excellent place to go post-theatre as the kitchen is open until about 11pm.

S. C.

Very cosy and a great selection, very nice place to come to relax and unwind.

P. E.

Fancied a light bite and bottle of red whilst on a business trip in London. The service was great, with a great selection of cheeses served on a wooden cheese board with lots of bread in oil and crackers. The red wine was delicious so ended up staying for another batch and wobbled back to the underground, so definitely worth a visit whilst in London.

T. G. B.

Cork and Bottle, Leicester Square. This underground wine bar is right in the middle of “tourist-trap London” but it’s a hidden gem. A door on the street immediately leads you down a spiral staircase to the bar area. We ordered some sharing plates (most of the dishes would be Mediterranean in style), a delicious French cheeseboard, all washed down with some very reasonably priced house wines.

N. C.

I've lived in London for a long time, but never knew about this hidden gem in Leicester Square. Intimate wine bar with a great selection of wines by glass and bottle. Food looked decent too, but didn't try. Advised to book a table in advance, even for wine

M. A.

Not the most friendly or attentive staff. Good selection of wine and a lovely Cheese plate.

M. W.

Have enjoyed visiting the Cork & Bottle in Cranbourn Street more years than l remember. From the famous 70’s when Don Hewitson started and owned the bar to recent times now under new ownership. The wine list still remains extensive and food very good. It retains the great atmosphere and friendly service and sometimes imagine Don is still looking lurking in one of the alcoves.

D. M.

Really quirky place. Got a bottle of wine which was recommended and what a great recommendation it was. Also got a cheese board as their selection is incredible. Great service, vast selection of choices and great cheeses. Actually had particular cheeses recommended based on what I have had previously. Staff definitely know what they're talking about!

S. H.

To coin a well worn cliché, this little wine cellar really is a hidden gem that sits unassumingly opposite the crystal rooms arcade which you have to mention when you're telling anyone where it is otherwise they'll walk right past it. Once down the iron spiral staircase you'll see the amazing cheeses on display to compliment the massive selection of fine wines, the food is also just as amazing. Overall a great escape from the other tourist traps in Leicester Square, not cheap by any means but on par for the area, worth a look if you're in the area.

L. A.

This place never ever fails, simply the best choice of wines anywhere and my all fine favorite ha/cheese and ham pie. All this in the heart of Leicester Square tourist traps where you least expect to find a gem like this. If you do one thing when you are in London you should visit here but don't tell everyone, be sure to keep it a secret.

R. S.

Cool little wine bar hidden downstairs behind an inconspicuous doorway. Good selection of wines by the bottle and glass, also some nice cheeses for accompaniment and a basic food menu. Nothing fancy in terms of décor but good service and not packed with tourists like many other venues in this part of town. Great place for a quiet drink after a show, or any time at all really.

F. H.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, a ridiculously extensive wine list, and knowledgeable waiters/sommeliers who can even cater to those of us who know next to nothing about wine. On the pricey side, but you are paying for the quality. The food is actually relatively inexpensive, while being actually very good in its own right - the ox cheek in particular is delicious. But it is definitely the wine which is the main event.

C. S.

Boutique restaurant, reasonable prices, good menu, right by Leicester Sq

J. L.

Nice place! Decently sized by-the-glass wine selection and pricing. They were nice enough to let us have a quick glass of wine before a private event started. Try the Bordeaux!

I. H.

Discrete entrance and tricky spiral staircase leads down to an cosy bar/restaurant. Busy but not noisy. Excellent wine choice, and superb Sunday roast. Highly recommended.

C. C.

Some of the best food I've eaten in London. Fantastic service (a little slow bringing the cheese but extra satisfied when we got it so really didn't care!!). Wine is is exceptional and the place itself is eclectic and warm. There are a few places like this in London, I'd say this is possibly the best all-rounder. All the cheese was amazing, as was the food. Easy 5 stars.

S. G.

What a charming spot! I wasn't expecting much in terms of character since it's JUST off of Leicester Square, but it had good reviews and could accommodate our party of 9, so we took a chance, and boy am I glad we did. The prices weren't perfect but the menu was online so we knew that going into it. The food was delicious, the wine was fantastic, and the atmosphere was just right for our evening.

N. A.

I’ve been coming to The Cork & Bottle for well over 20 years. The Ham and Cheese Pie is their signature dish and it is AMAZING. The Cork & Bottle is an oasis amongst the tourist pizza slice places in Leicester Square. Cristal is a great manager and always makes me feel welcome.

B. D.

Cheerful and helpful staff in a unique location with a huge selection of quality wines and good food.

s. j.

This is another one of those places you'd walk by without giving it a second thought. The door at street level takes you right to a spiral staircase downwards, because the whole place is below ground level. Usually has quite a few reserved tables, but the staff is quite accommodating if you're just stopping in for a glass or two of wine. We've had good luck getting seats. Cheese selection is quite good, although the slices seem a bit small at times. Many wines to chose from, and a lovely cozy place.

M. T.

Great wine bar! Excellent wines, lovely staff. Food excellent, famous cheese and ham pie extraordinary. And a cute slim line ladies loo!

S. P.

Been coming here for over 30 years and the vibe has stayed pretty consistent over that time. Cramped but usually tranquil subterranean oasis with a wonderful wine list and a simple but hearty menu. The tourist hordes in Leicester Square walk straight past it, as the entrances on either side of the building are fairly low-key.

J. C.

Post make-over, the Cork and Bottle has lots some of it's old school charm. However it's been sometime and I think it's still true to it's roots of decent wine. Food is good but pricey for what it is. Would be 4 star otherwise. Large range of wine and a lot by the glass, especially some more unusual ones and older vintages. Brave thing to do for a wine bar. Brilliant location, hidden gem against the tourist trap that is Leicester Square. Busy after work and Saturday afternoons otherwise you can even grab a table.

I. A.

Excellent food, hidden location and very much a place to visit to escape the tourist in central London. They have 400 bottles of wine to choose and all their food is freshly cook. Prices are reasonable for central London and once you discover it, you don't want to tell your friends.

E.

Great selection of cheeses and wine with lovely staff who were very accommodating, seating us in the wine tasting area when all other tables were taken and providing lots of information on the wines we selected. Being in a basement it was a bit musty but still comfortable. I went here on a London Wine Week tour.

S.

Don't tell anyone about it ..... so close to Leicester Square and not for tourists! 👍👍😅

N. V.

A secret beauty of a wine bar. I didn't expect to find somewhere this cool in Leicester Square. The food was great and the wine was delicious. Perhaps on the fairly expensive side but that can be forgiven due to the location and the atmosphere outweighs the price.

M. A.

Nice and cosy wine bar But some of quiet expensive

R. D.

Discovered this hidden gem the other day. Been living in London for 7 years and visited Leicester Square quite a few times. The unassuming entrance leads directly down some stairs to a fairly large basement normally with tables available. Good choice of wine, cheese and pies. Staff were friendly and helpful. Wasn't cheap, although you are in tourist central. Prices start at £25 for the house wine

J. W.

I requested as secluded a table as possible, Peter and staff went above and beyond to accommodate, even buying flowers for the table on my behalf! The food was delicious, the wine selection impressive and the staff were exceptional! Highly recommend Cork and Bottle and will make a point of paying a visit whenever I'm in the centre of town!

A. T.

Unassuming subterranean wine bar, but with a good location, an interesting wine selection and fair prices (especially considering the location). Not an obvious tourist choice either. The food offerings looked decent too. Worth seeking out - I will be back!

P. G.

I would usually advise people to stay away from Leicester Square for eating and drinking but this place is an exception. You enter via a metal spiral staircase, heading down to the cellar bar below. Getting a table is often difficult, so do come either early or late, but once you've got one the nibbles are delicious and the choice of wines absolutely huge. What's more, they often have specials and these are worth trying out. If you're insure of what to drink with what, do ask, as they are always happy to advise and seem to have a real passion for what they do here. Even if it is only for a quick drink before heading off elsewhere, this place is worth a visit.

p. p.

Informal & friendly light bites to large meal great wine menu. #Leicester Square #London on a Saturday night, heaving with people. Arrived late with no reservations we were welcomed in and invited to have a drink at the bar. We were quickly allocated a table. The #food was perfect scallops & lentils with polenta chips delicious accompanied by a lovely malbec wine. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I am reminded of a story when I visited a wonderful place in Ireland when asked if I enjoyed it I say 'fantastic' and the locals said don't tell anyone because they will all want to come. So I would like to share this place with you. Enjoy.

L. H.

Thank you Google for directing us to this oasis! Outside, Leicester Square was manic as ever - but inside C&B, there was a relaxed vibe. Very impressive wine list and a tempting food menu! We had a dinner booking elsewhere, otherwise we’d have spent the night here!

J. M. P.

If you can find a table, this is a hidden gem for Londoners, right in the middle of Leicester Square. Perfect place to retreat away from the bustling crowds into a very cosy atmosphere. Service is good and extensive wine selection, we tried the cheese platter as well which was worth it

R. A.

have been coming here for 30 years or so whenever we're in London. Always an interesting selection of wines by the glass and small plates. Ham and cheese pie almost always available and always good. nice cheese selection as well. just what a wine bar should be.

J. R.

Hidden gem in the heart of London! Almost loathe to tell people about it.. Not the cheapest, but quality of food completely representative of price. Outrageous selection of wines and staff knowledgeable about all of it. Been twice, both on busy weekend evenings and never waited for more than 5 minutes.

O. S.

This is a hidden gem on, or under, Leicester Square. What a great place to take a breather from the hustle and bustle.. if you need to. Good selection of wines and champagne as well as cheeses and other foods.

w.

nice stylish place with outside tables and friendly staff

T. D.

This place is like the eye of a hurricane. Tell anyone Londoner that you're taking them to Leicester Square and you'll probably lose all credibility. But after leading them through a door they've walked past a thousand times and down some stairs all is revealed... A decent wine-cave. A good selection of wine and bites to eat.

K. M.

Friendly staff, GREAT wine selection and beyond believable selection of cheeses down the spiral staircase!! So glad I found Cork and Bottle (wouldn't have without a friend's guide).

M. M.

A lovely intimate and inconspicuous space to be. As you wind down the narrow spiral staircase it is easy to forget that you are in the annoying tourist bustle or Leicester Square. A thorough and substantial wine list that is not overshadowed by a simple but delicious food menu.

A. M.

There are very few places I care to go to in Leicester Square and, until recently, none that I would stake my reputation on by recommending to friends. I've been a few times and both times have been lots of fun both due to the company and the friendly nature of the staff. The space is completely underground, with only a stairwell being visible from the street level. However the bright lighting helps alleviate any feeling of gloominess and instead it's more as if you're hiding away in a wine cellar (minus the cold drafts!). A substantial wine collection is on offer and I'd advise in picking from anything on Vash's list on the back page. Food wise, there is an entire counter devoted to cheeses as well as a hot food menu. I'm not exactly sure what some of the hot food is but the chips are pretty tasty. They tend to run out towards the end of the night so make sure to get there early if you want dinner. Cheese they have in spades which makes for perfect wine drinking snacks!

L. N.

A fantastic wine selection and delicious food. The portion size was far larger than I was expecting so if you're also wanting to have some cheese, I'd recommend having that first!

c. w.

It's a wine bar! Hidden amongst the fast food takeaways and cinema's of Leicester Square. Go down the steps and you'll find one of the finest examples of what a wine bar should be. Unpretencious, quirky with a wine menu written by a passionate owner of 30 years and a food menu perfected for an evening drinking great wine, any day of the week!

S. F.

One of London's original wine bars, this basement haunt just off Leicester Square is easy to miss but worth a visit. The large selection is particularly deep in Antipodean wines and the atmosphere lively and social. Food is a bit perfunctory, hardly a surprise given the limited kitchen space.

A. B.

Good location by Leicester Square. Downstairs serves food and wine . Staff very friendly. Cheese platter a bit expensive as with some dishes but overall worth for a quiet drink.

A. S.

I'm amazed that this place is in that is Leicester Square - the last place I'd expect to find a lovely underground wine bar and restaurant. The place itself is small, cosy and cute (but not twee). There are a few restaurant tables and, for those just there to drink, stools lining the bar. It's not as uncomfortable as it sounds and I happily spent a couple of hours there.

S. R.

Dined here with my daughter & her partner on Saturday 10th March. Overall food was good. We had Spanakopita & Duck Liver Pate to start with (both really good), & C&B Hemingway Burgers & Chicken with Wild Mushroom Risotto & Taragon Sauce. Again very good. However the deserts were a real disappointment. My Fig Tart Tatin was very light on figs & the C&B Mess with Hokey Pokey Ice Cream was a bowl full of overly sweet chantilly cream with a few blueberries, a few slices of strawberry & a bit of coulis, with a couple of v small slivers of chocolate brownie, all topped by a small ball of the Ice Cream (a caramel ice cream with bits of honeycomb crunch in it). The wine list really is massive , with prices starting at £30 per bottle. In terms of ambience, we chose to sit in a small cave like booth which was delightful & allowed for decent volume conversations. The bill for 3 of us (although only two of us had a first course) came to £148.00. So, overall, if you’re a wine buff (I’m not!!) & want a decent meal to go with your wine, I’d recommend this place. However, if you are more of a foodie & want a decent bottle of wine to go with your meals, perhaps look around a bit.

J.

One of my favourite places of all time. Superb cellar wine bar that never changes and hoorah to that. May it go on forever. Amazing food especially, cheeses and a wine list for the most demanding pallett.

G. G.

Great place to meet, generally away from the tourists. Superb selection of wines, friendly staff and lovely food....but best to while away the day with friends over a bottle (or two) of vino. I love it there!

D. D.

Lovely quirky place need to book

d. o.

This little gem is hidden in one of the side streets of Leicester Square, opposite Zoo Bar with only a small sign and one table and chair to announce its existance. If you can find it it is definitely worth a visit! The bar itself is small, secluded and is an excellent venue for a date, if you're out with friends of if you simply want a quite drink after work. I have been several times by myself, only the with the company of a good book and have had an excellent evening. Although the food is rather expensive and some of the wine astronomically so, the House white and red are very fairly priced from a fiver for a generous glass to a cariff for a tenner so ideal for customers who are looking for a civilised evening but don't have the funds for it.

J. C.

A very nice quiet place for relaxation after another busy day. I love their selection of wines. They stock some of my favorites, some of them exclusively. Recommended to people who like privacy, comfort and good wine.

j. s.

Nice selection of cheese and wine. very cosy place and busy but always been able to get a table. seating for about 70 people. waitress service is very good and they all seam to know what they are serving.

G. N.

Great atmosphere and of course fantastic cheese and wine!

J. M.

Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square. Brilliant wine selection and good food. Don't go to the rubbish chain restaurants in the square, go here instead.

C. C.

Enter via a small entrance from the ground level, just around the corner from the Leicester Square tube station and right opposite the Hippodrome, you descend into a lively pub-more-than-restaurent lowerground premise. Typical smell of a damp pub and that familiar vibe of a popular rendezvous spot. Good selection of wine (we had Chablis and Rioja by the glass) and cheese, small but sufficient food menu. The chilli crab was delicious. £56 for 2 of us.

M. B.

There are plenty of different wine selections but when you are not a big fan you don't know where to start. At least, that was my case - I had no idea which wine to go for. The bartender offered me a Merlot as far as I can remember, and it was really really nice

T. G.

After our trip to Lisbon for Websummit, we dropped in to a personal favorite with friends on Friday night. Always wonderful service and great wines to try! A must.

D. C.

A real find! A basement wine bar just off Leicester Square, perfect as a meeting place, or to go for a drink or food before or after a show. Will definitely return!

P. C.

The place is tucked away from the dirty Leicester Sq crowd but still got a bit of strange vibe. It was a hot day but then again your red wine shouldn't be warm too. That's totally killed it for me.

R. R.

Very friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Great range of wines and cheeses. Could use a lick of paint.

E. K.

Quirky little wine bar that makes you feel you have transported yourself to somewhere in Paris. Great range of wine & the cheese is to die for!

C. C.

Been here a few times. Whether it’s wine and appetizers at the bar, dinners with wine or beer, I’ve never been disappointed. The food has always surprised me how good it is.

M. D.

The cork and bottle wine bar is a great place to be. They offer great food and wonderful service. The place was cozy and their wine was amazing. If you are looking for a great place where you can eat good food and drink the best wine, you should visit this place.

G. L. P.

Wine Bars should be fun places for relaxing, eating and drinking... and some wine education if so desired. Often they are exactly the opposite. In 1972 Don Hewitson established the Cork & Bottle in the middle of theatreland, in the heart of London's West End. The area was great, but the site was unlikely - next door to a fish and chip restaurant, and underneath a sex shop. Well, now both have gone and the building is more than a shade smarter. Their beliefs are simple - in a world full of so much terrific food and wine, why settle for a slab of quiche and a glass of boring plonk? The food is innovative, fresh and tasty... and available at all hours. The wine list speaks for itself - "Legendary for its iconoclastic notes. It doesn't necessarily tell you what the wine tastes like - you have to make your mind up. It's there to provoke interest", says Harpers, the wine trade magazine. As Barossa wine making supremo John Glaetzer puts it so succinctly, "Don, this is not just a wine list - it's a book". And a readable one at that. For wine buffs and wine bluffers alike. Don has done a darn fine wine job on this place. It’s a delightful gem of a London wine bar and they will never run dry here either with over 40,000 bottles in its cellar reserves at any given moment. Quite the lock in that would be. Thanks for the tip off: Trish Dever, Emma Dunford and Cathy Stroud.

C. H.

A favourite of mine for 30 years. Top spot for pre or post theatre, or just a quiet drink hidden within the tourist hell-hole of Leicester Square.

G. W.

I'm agog: who'd have thought that a straightforward, good-value offering, served up in a cosy cellar by competent and friendly staff - without overtly fleecing the customers, could ever succeed in the heart-of-the-beast, just off Leicester Square? Very good indeed: I already went twice - a third time coming up.

G.

Not bad at all for an entrance off Leicester Square. Wide range of wines great tapas style food.

A. K.

Hidden gem, a calm oasis of peace amongst the madness of Leicester Square. Great wine and must try the ham & cheese pie

A. M.

Excellent wine bar and range of bottles to choose from, staff are really wonderful. Looking forward to my next visit already.

J. K.

Still my favourite wine bar after twenty years. Excellent selection of wine...good food and friendly relaxed service, a little gem.

c. i.

Great mood, nice wine, didn't find much variety of food dishes but had a good vibe.

M. L.

Great wine bar that's hidden away underground. Also has an amazing selection of food to go with the great wine. A close rival to Gordon's Wine Bar.

R. W.

I've always liked the Cork & Bottle, hidden away as it is, just off Leicester Square. I'ts probably the only place to get away from the crowds and have a nice glass of wine in the immediate area.

T. W.

Great little meeting place, full of atmosphere and friendly and attentive staff. FAB wine selection and food menu very enticing!

A. M.

Always enjoy this oasis in the chaos of Leicester Square. Great selection of wine and snacks, the service is always helpful in suggesting new wines to try.

O. B.

Delicious ham and cheese pie. Loud atmosphere, which could be a positive or negative depending on your disposition.. I personally liked the vibe..

S. D.

I don't want to promote it!! Keeping it all to myself.

H. P.

I've been going here since 1986, the emphasis in Australian Shiraz is not as strong, and the place is still great. Enjoyed the food, wine and atmosphere and will go again.

S. Q.

Lovely time......service was good and very nice food. Alwayss a pleasant experience.

A. W.

Been drawn back by a wine list that never disapoints for getting on for 40 years. The cheese and ham pie is as good as ever. I raise a glass to its Founder Don Hewittson Probably the man that ended the bowjolly noovow race rubbish.

P. H.

Small, busy, and enjoyable. The staff was friendly, and the food was good. The wine selection was good. We will go again

M.

Loved it, great wine, super staff. Really nice people in there, really want to duck in late at night to check it out.

L. G.

Good wine and nice simple food. It was busy after the theatres emptied out but the staff were great and found us a table.

D. S.

Great wine and great cheese selection. Really delicious. Cosy atmosphere. Nice

R. M.

A long time favourite of mine, great location beneath Leicester Square, great food and an excellent wine list.

L. E.

Great wine selection, not very good service, very slow and understaff but worth the nice food too. Nice atmosphere too

r. s.

Lovely little Parisienne-feeling wine bar that seems far from the bustle of Leicester square (despite its proximity) and offers extremely attentive service, with a great wine selection and plenty of small plates to choose from

B. E.

Best wine bar in town! Cosy, excellent cheeses and wines, highly recommended!

J. H.

A cosy little place with very good wine and food, although not cheap. Despite eating alone, i really enjoyed it here.

I. Y.

Great location for Leicester Square and theatres. Long established wine bar, good food, tightly packed tables

A.

One of the original London Wine bars and still has the original cosy feeling. Great wines and food. A place to get lost ...

M. C.

I've been coming to the Cork & Bottle for 30 years, never disappoints. An oasis and classic, thank you for keeping something in this crazy changing world the same, love it x

L. S.

Lovely place for a pre-theatre drink. Enjoyed a lovely bottle of red in this basement bar. Very nice vibe. Be warned, it's cosy!

E. W. P.

Great atmosphere, wine, feels very cozy and unfussy despite the West End location. Comes strongly recommended.

C. v. H.

Great atmosphere with lovely staff. Wine was fantastic and cheese selection very good.

S. P.

A small and cozy place that is incredibly quiet for being in Leicester Square. Ok prices given the location, great wines

N. N.

Great place, atmosphere, food and wine were amazing as was the service. I would highly recommend and will definitely be going back!

G. R.

Excellent choice of wine less busy than the rest of Leicester Square. Great advice from helpful staff

L. R.

Fantastic cheeses, excellent wine list and friendly service, best wine bar in town!

Y. A.

Great wine bar lovely atmosphere just gets a bit crowded in there at times.

R. M.

Excellent selection of wines by the glass or bottle, good food, brilliant location.

S. B.

I was impressed by their interesting and somewhat seasonal wine selections but even more impressed that their staff was so knowledgeable and friendly.I'm so happy to be here and buy some negotiable price of wine.

S. R.

It's the Cork and Bottle last outpost of the seventies. Eat the raised jam and cheese pie with s good claret and then expire. Happy.

D. S.

Smelled a bit of sewers but that could have been one of the many beautiful cheeses on offer. A great end to the night

A. S.

Nice British grub. Friendly staff and a very wide selection of decent wine.

S. Q.

Hidden Gem! You could walk past it! It's such a lovely cosy little venue. You need to book though to avoid disappointment

Q. H.

Hidden gem underneath Leicester Sq. Moderate prices, large wine selection, good food.

T. F.

It could be better. They have to refurbish a little bit the shop and make it cosy. Also they don't have heating so it's cold especially when it's freezing outside.

W. S.

Nice place, had a meal with a group of over 20, was cosy! Food and service were good.

G. D.

Really nice venue. Got put in a weird echoey cave which was a little warm on a summer evening, but I bet would be cosy as in the winter.

M.

Great place for a quick (or slow) drink. Also you can purchase bottles to take home Just wished they opened later!

J.

Nice basement wine bar, good selection and surprisingly always get a table despite the prime location!

K. H.

Absolutely love this place. We always stop by for a drink every time we come to London, it's fab!

D. L.

Love this place - relaxed atmosphere, great food, brilliant service and a fab wine list

L.

Excellent venue and wine but let down by very average food

J. N.

As always, fantastic service, great food, excellent wine list

L. B.

We reserved a table here for five people and ordered some wine and cheese. We had a great time.

L. B.

Great little out of the way wine bar in Leicester Square, good selection, quiet enough to hold a conversation.

M. G.

Just love this place, great wine, good price, lovely food

C. G. (.

Lovely place, great staff... disappointing menu. All gone a bit 'Wetherspoons'-ish :(

M. E. S.

good food, a bit pricy and we had to wait a bit for the food to arrive. But overall it was a very delicious dinner.

S. N.

Fantastic place. Great to have a relaxing bottle of wine. Love the cavern atmosphere

G. G.

Very nice location, an excellent selection of wines and fantastic food.

U. I.

Another hidden gem in the heart of the city.

V. Y.

Nice staff, great wine list, hearty food!

I. R.

Wonderful hidden spot, been around for forever and excellent selection of wines

J. H.

Delicious cheeses, wine and unique setting. A little bit of France in London.

C. S.

First I ordered the food that was absolutely amazing. The service was incredible. I really need to to compliment the bartenders for their amazing service.

J. C.

Great staff, great food, great wine! Everything’s homemade, perfect break!

L. R.

Excellent food. Amazing range of cheeses and some good veggie choices.

S. V.

Nice and hidden away. Good wine and nice food. Had excellent service

P. H.

A fine restaurant. Very packed however efficient service and decent meals and wines.

S. C.

Well worth a visit if u like cheese and wine 👊👊👍👍lot of cheese two choice

S. J.

Hidden gem of a place, in the middle of the bustling tourist area. Great food, drinks and service.

J. A.

Cool underground wine bar, chill atmosphere

P. B.

Delicious choice of wines served by the glass. Wonderful staff too

C. D.

Great wine list, good cheese selection and excellent service !

J. L.

Great wine bar hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of L Sq

L. S.

Cool hidden place underground right off Leicester square. I've been twice, and it was much more fun when the place was busy.

S. M.

Great place to meet up with good food and extensive selection of wines

W. B.

Small venue well worth a visit. Good food good wine

D. P.

Lovely wines and cheese. Great service too

H. D.

Love it, staff friendly, LWW offerings a real treat, and food and wine stunningly good. I'll be back ...

A. M.

Lovely food, amazing wine and very lovely staff

S. n.

Been there several times and can’t wait to go back! Love the atmosphere as well as the food!

A. M.

Great little place, when it's crowded above come to a haven of peace, good wine & food

C. P.

Affordable and very convenient for the centre of town. Food better than I expected for a very busy place in Leicester Square.

s.

Busy, but large place with lots of seating.. Good wine list..

D. H.

Poor selection of red wine by the glass. Wine we had not helped by small glass it was served in.

C. L.

What great experience. Wonderful food excellent wine.

D. H.

From the day it opened and I conned my way past the door security this remains my favourite London wine bar.

L. Y.

I love the place, food, services, facilities , and the staffs! I adore their quality of the food and I think everything here is amazing.

s. b.

Really nice place, the staff is lovely! Thank you very much Franck, you were amazing!

J. G.

A secret, cute place to get a great drink and some food before the theatre. A hidden gem!

M. W.

Simple fare, wine used to be good value,seems to flooding quality and value for money.

L. G.

Wow what a cute hide away spot...a defo must for a romantic dinner or a quite glass of wine.

L. C.

Nice Wine bar! But a bit expensive

G. S.

Good place to meet for a drink. Outstanding service and an amazing atmosphere.

E. A.

A beautiful place with good wine selection in the heart of West End.

O. G.

Best wine bar in London - been coming for 30 years.

S. D.

Great selection of wine and belini options for when you want a variation.

M. N.

Lovely place for a sip of good wine and a nice chat with friends...

T. C.

Expensive for only reasonable wine but good atmosphere and food.

t. m.

Good food and a great selection of wine.

M. D.

Excellent Service! Delicious selection of great food. Always a treat.

T. N.

Nice atmosphere, top service, smiley staff, good choice of food, great location 👌

A. F.

Cozy and all wine and good place for winery pepole

L. S. D.

Nice, intimate & relaxing place to drink wine and eat something.

C. J.

Cheese and wine, perfect little gem in the heart of Leicester Square

R. M.

I've been visiting the cork and bottle whenever I can for 20+ years and I hope to be still doing so in another 20+ years

F. S.

Excellent service and menu. The air conditioning is a little underwhelming

R. C.

An oasis of civility and truly great wine in a desert of trash food all around it.

w. b.

Amazing food and fantastic wine selection.

S. L.

Great place for an afternoon of quiet chat or raucous laughter. The decision is yours.

P. P.

Pricey but good selection of wines and cheeses

S. S.

A hidden gem in the heart of London. Maybe shouldn't say so to keep it my secret!

J. G.

Good selection of wine for a quick drink before the cinema.

A. N.

Nice non-tourist wine bar in tourism hotspot.

R. H.

Busy, busy, spiral stairs, good malbec and food. A hidden gem.

W. S.

Amazing wine and cheese. Very romantic setting

Q. R.

One of my favourite places in London. Great ambience.

R. N.

Great place for food and wine after seeing a show.

D. S.

A secret hidden gem. Had one slightly off experience with a young member of staff otherwise it would be five. I visit several times a year.

D. W.

Gloriously quaint haphazard wine bar. Great selection.

K. T.

Thoroughly recommend. Good quality menu.

A. D.

Classic London venue, tucked away down an unassuming stairwell

A. C.

Brilliant! The baked camembert was excellent !

P. G.

Amazing food and wine and of course service

K. C.

Great for a chat, nice and quiet with nice selection of wine and nibbles.

D. L.

Good food, good wine and good service.

D. S.

A.little secret quiet place that i don't want other people to know about.. oops...

J. T.

Can feel a bit cramped claustrophobic when it's busy but great atmosphere

P. J.

Love this place. Central London but hidden away.

K. M.

Cosy, welcoming and a fantastic menu!

H. F.

London's best wine bar.

R. B.

A seriously good wine bar of the old school.

A. A.

Subterranean - good wine selection, good food

p.

This has been a regular haunt for over 30 years and never every let's you down.

C. L.

Ok not very good service food mmmmmmmmmmm

W. T.

Great cheese and wine. Cosy

S. D.

Nice wines, lovely atmosphere

W. D.

Nice intimate place with good food and drink

S. M.

A little gem of a wine bar hidden in Leicester Square.

H. S.

Nice independent restaurant which is surprising for the location

R. B.

Lovely selection, reasonable service, quite overpriced

P. M.

Incredible place but sssshh is a secret!

V. S.

Cosy, unpretentious, & great wine & food

A. F.

Lovely wine bar with a crypt feel

I. H.

Favourite london eating place. Ace ace ace.

F. K.

Good wine, good cheese and good olives!

M. D.

Gem in central London!

K. M.

You had me at the Camembert Starter and Mussels main 💕

P. P.

Nice french bar a vin.

M. B.

Excellent selection of wines

H. F.

Great cosy wine bar.

Y. S.

Amazing place, atmosphere and staff!

J. D.

Brilliant food and atmosphere

B. L.

Great place

A. L.

An absolute gem in a ridiculously busy part of town.

I. C.

Good food and pleasant surroundings

J. S.

I just love this bar and restaurant.

G. B.

Great wine and cheese

S. M.

A little gem of a wine bar hidden in Leicester Square.

t. f.

Cozy place, great service

M. C.

Lovely service

L. E.

Great cheese and wine

A. H. S.

Great cheeseboard

S. T.

Great wine choice

L. C.

Packed.... not sure worth it...

L. C.

Packed.... not sure worth it...

0. T.

Piccadilly circus hidden Gem :)

A. C.

Excellent

t. f.

Cozy place, great service

c. k. c.

Love

A. H. S.

Great cheeseboard

M. C.

Lovely service

R. A.

good

H. S.

Always great

A.

Great place

L. H.

As always, excellent in every way......food, service and ambience!

T. C.

(Translated) Nice. Atmosphere, staff and offer. Value for money OK (Original) Nice. Atmosfera , personál a nabídka . Poměr cena kvalita OK

M. M.

(Translated) Nice and right in the center of London. Good wine and friendly service. It can be crowded on weekends (Original) Przyjemnie i w samym centrum Londynu. Dobre wino i miła obsługa. Może być tłoczno w weekendy

R. G.

(Translated) Very good restaurant for when you want to get away from the typical fast-food restaurants. Location: 7 Central, well connected, even if a little hidden. The restaurant is small and welcoming with small rooms and tables, a setting at the "Midnight in Paris" where the wines are the masters. Menu: 8 As mentioned, to get away from the fast-food routine, this restaurant is ideal. Typical dishes, well cooked and tasteful (recommended the Sheperd Pie). Service: 8 Timely and courteous female service. Account: 8 Considering the average prices of the city, and in particular of the central area, the quality / price ratio turns out to be adequate: good dishes-right price. Highly recommended restaurant! (Not by chance both nights spent in London I had dinner there) (Original) Buonissimo ristorante per quando si vuole staccare dai tipici fast-food. Location: 7 Centrale, ben collegato, anche se un po' nascosto. Il locale è piccolo e accogliente con salette e tavolini, un'ambientazione alla "Midnight in Paris" dove i vini fanno da padroni. Menu: 8 Come detto, per staccare dalla routine dei fast-food, questo ristorante è l'ideale. Piatti tipici, ben cucinati e di buon gusto (consigliata la Sheperd Pie). Servizio: 8 Servizio al femminile puntuale e cortese. Conto: 8 Considerando i prezzi medi della città, ed in particolare della zona centrale, il rapporto qualità/prezzo risulta essere adeguato: buoni piatti-giusto prezzo. Ristorantino consigliatissimo! (Non a caso entrambe le sere passate a Londra ho cenato lì)

M. C.

(Translated) Hard to find! However you can enjoy good wines from different countries and good cheeses. The fish and linguine were also well presented and tasty. Halfway between a bistro and a pub, welcoming and clean. To be recommended. (Original) Difficile da trovare! Comunque si gustano buoni vini di diversi paesi e buoni formaggi. Anche il pesce e le linguine erano ben presentati e gustosi. Ambientazione a metà fra bistro e pub, accogliente e pulito. Da consigliare.

M. G.

(Translated) Chosen a little by chance, reading the reviews, we wanted to try this beautiful restaurant. Delicious dishes, very assorted wine list and very kind staff. I will definitely be back! (Original) Scelto un po' per caso, leggendo delle recensioni, abbiamo voluto provare questo bellissimo ristorante. Piatti buonissimi, lista dei vini molto assortita e staff gentilissimo. Ci tornerò sicuramente!

M. A.

(Translated) excellent food, good costs and good service, it has a slightly unpleasant aroma that is later forgotten with good food! (Original) excelente comida, buenos costos y buena atención, tiene un aroma un poco desagradable que despues se olvida con la buena comida!

c. m.

(Translated) If you want wine in London and you have a budget this is the best place. Look for it because it goes very unnoticed. (Original) Si quieres vino en Londres y tienes presupuesto este es el mejor sitio. Búscalo porque pasa muy desapercibido.

E. I.

(Translated) Wines ok. Food ok, tasted good but one of the dishes came out cold. (Original) Vinhos ok. Comida ok, com sabor bom mas um dos pratos veio frio.

G. M.

(Translated) Great wine pub, good wines, good food, good cheese, every time (Original) Tolles wein-pub, gute weine, gutes Essen, guter Käse, jedes mal wieder

F. W.

S. C.

(Translated) A beautiful place, a dynamic team. (Original) Un bel endroit une equipe dynamique.

I. Q.

B.

J. S.

S. H.

R. W.

L. C. P.

T. F.

C. H.

H. W.

S. H.

T. H.

P. J.

W. H.

m. m.

H. M.

D. B.

Contact

Photos