In Vino Careless: East London Favorite Wine Spots
/What can I say — I’m into wine. I’m a cliché, and I’m fine with it.
I love it in all its forms and colours: skin contact, white, rosé, orange, bubbly, red. You name it, I’ll drink it.
Those who know me well know that wine is my drink of choice for almost any occasion — except when cocktails are involved, then I’m a picante kind of gal.
So, it will come as no surprise that I’ve made it my mission to sip my way through nearly every wine spot in my neighbourhood, all in the name of research (obviously).
And after extensive testing, I’ve finally crafted my totally biased, East London Wine Trail.
Believe me, it was no small feat. East Londoners love their wine, and the choices are plenty and gooood. But here we go!
Best Local Wine Bar & Shop — Finley’s, Hoxton Market
A little haven tucked away at the start of Hoxton Market, Finley’s is my go-to pick-me-up for any night of the week (when it’s open). The owner, Sia, is warm, genuine, and curates something even better than a good wine list: one where every bottle comes from wineries led by women. The result? Incredibly good wine.
Dan’s is a close second — beautiful venue and a fun concept where you choose wine by flavour, not by label. But sometimes, the service feels as rushed as the crowd is cool. It is still worth a visit, you may just to bring a little patience with you.
Best Wine Restaurant — Planque, Haggerston
Prepare your wallet — and your palate. Planque is a bougie experience in a not-so-bougie postcode, and the contrast works. Expect an extensive French-and-Italian-heavy wine list, and food that’s quietly extraordinary: Oysters! Scallops! Duck Rillete! Homemade patisserie! WOW. The service was flawless as the prices were high, but the experience totally worth it. You can read more about it on our review here.
Best Wine & Deli Shop — Yield, N16
A deli-meets-wine-bar that feels like a local secret. Yield is where you go for cheese and charcuterie platters that could heal a bad day. Add a bottle of something natural and a loaf of good bread, and you’ve got yourself a love story.
Best for Date Night — Sager + Wilde & Goodbye Horses
A tie, because both deserve it — and because romance needs options.
Sager + Wilde (Hackney Road) is a classic: low lighting, timeless wines, and that perfect “lean closer over the table” vibe.
Goodbye Horses (De Beauvoir Town) is the new kid with a cult following. Beautiful interiors, fantastic wine at a fair price point, and food that surprises you. It was meant to have an audiophile angle, but noise complaints turned it down a notch — maybe that’s for the best. Nobody likes yelling over Pinot.
Best for Après-Dinner — The Dreamery, De Beauvoir
From the same team behind Goodbye Horses, The Dreamery is childhood and adulthood colliding: ice cream and wine in a pastel-painted wonderland. A true dream, indeed. Warning! Avoid the summer months, as this gorge spot is tiny and has no air-con, and if you think they need the fridge to be running hot to keep the icecream cool, you can imagine the heat in the room…
Best London Winery & Bar — Renegade
You’ll know it by the label — the one with the eyes. Renegade is London’s urban winery, casting Londoners for their bottles each year (yes, real people on the labels). Their own wines are excellent, the vibe is casual, and the alleyway location makes it feel like a secret. Bonus points for Bad Boy Pizza next door — carbs and Cab Sauv, anyone?
Best for Audiophiles — Brillo, Cambridge Heath
From the people behind Forno and Ombra, Brillo knows what it’s doing. Bakery by day, listening bar by night (Fridays only, for now). This is the spot where Italians do what they do best: make everything look effortless. A must-see, and a must-be-seen.
Best Outdoor Spot — Hector’s, De Beauvoir
Because some wines deserve sunshine. Hector’s is a neighbourhood classic — charming, buzzy, and made for lazy afternoons that turn into longer nights. On the expensive side, but a cute hangout spot.