‘Gaux-To London: Our Guide to The City of Dreams

‘Gaux-To London: Our Guide to The City of Dreams

As much as we love traveling to wine regions, sometimes escaping to a big city is exactly what the doctor ordered – and what better place to spend a few days than London? With direct flights from most major US cities, heading across the pond has never been easier (and with the amount of great places to eat and drink, we can absolutely guarantee you that any amount of travel is worth it!)

The Bigger Picture:

While Paris tends to get all of the love as Europe’s best city for drinking wine, London may actually have a leg up on the competition. While the City of Lights is undeniably the best place to drink French wine, London boasts one of the most versatile and robust wine markets in the world – meaning accessing great bottles from the industry’s most hidden corners has never been easier.

Additionally, England’s wine-producing scene is most certainly on the rise, particularly within the sparkling wine realm, so should a day trip to wine country strike your fancy, planning an escape has never been easier – though once you land in London Town, we have a hard time believing you’ll ever want to leave.

Breakfast: Start the Day on a High Note

Starting the day with delicious sustenance is the first step to hitting the pavement. Check out a few of our favorite spots to grab a quick breakfast bite below:

• Hideaway – Hipster café with tea, coffee, and baked goods, as well as caviar for those looking to splurge
• The Maine Mayfair – Great for brunch, burlesque show, and dinner in the tavern on Friday / Saturday
• The Ivy Chelsea Garden – All-day dining with an orangery, terrace, and ample seating, located on King’s Road

Don’t Skip Lunch!

Laying the foundation for a day of drinking and exploring is key to not succumbing to potential fatigue. Here are a few of our favorite spots to post up for lunch – solid wine lists included!

• Claridges Bar – Art deco-inspired bar / restaurant with tons of high-end Champagne and an extensive spirits selection
• Maison François – All-day, bistro-inspired French fare located not far from Piccadilly Circus (also has a dessert trolley!)
• La Petite Maison – Simple-yet-elegant French / Mediterranean fare prepared by Chef Raphael Duntoye
• Cabotte – Sommelier-forward restaurant with extensive wine list and heavy French focus

Wine Bars Galore:

Scoping out the best places to drink wine in big cities is always our top priority. After scouring far and wide, here are five of our favorite finds for grabbing a glass (or popping bottles, should the occasion call for it!)

• Noble Rot – Iconic, absolutely unmissable wine bar with two locations in London (we recommend the original Lamb’s Conduit Street space) – if you only go to one wine bar, make it this one!
• Antidote – Natural wine-focused spot with cheese, charcuterie, and small plates located just off of Carnaby Street in Soho
• Bright – Natural-focused wine shop / wine bar hybrid with seasonal small plates and a cozy, neighborhood vibe
• 10 Cases – Covent Garden-based wine bar with ample by-the-glass offerings and Modern European cuisine
• 40 Maltby Street – For artisanal wines, meats, cheeses, and baked goods, this is your spot
• Sager + Wilde – Natural and small producer-focused wine bar serving up small plates at two locations (Paradise Row and Hackney Road) – an industry staple

Pre-Dinner Drinks / Nightcap Spots for Cocktails

Need a break from wine? Grab a cocktail and cozy up at one of these world-class establishments – did you know that London cocktail bars regularly find themselves atop the World’s 50 Best Cocktail Bar lists year in and year out?

• Sexy Fish – Cool bar, great scene, wouldn’t recommend eating here
• Mr. Fog’s Apothecary – Solid cocktail bar, live music on Saturdays
• Dukes – Don’t skip on the James Bond Martini
• The Coral Room – Located in The Bloomsbury Hotel. Stylish, villa-style bar topped with chandeliers, offering cocktails, small plates & afternoon tea
• The Connaught Bar – Fancy, cubist-inspired hotel bar with tons of mirrors and solid martinis
• Lyaness – Top-tier cocktail bar with beautiful river views and an award-winning mixology team
• Scarfe’s Bar – Thought-provoking cocktails and live jazz with a warming fireplace just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Covent Garden

Dining In London:

Fish and chips are great, though London’s dining scene goes far beyond simple fried foods. From world-class chicken to some of Europe’s best Indian food, we’ve got a few restaurants up our sleeve that we promise you won’t regret.

• Chiltern Firehouse – Best chicken we’ve ever had!
• Manthan Mayfair – Solid Indian cuisine
• J. Sheekey – Old school, classic; fair warning – you’ll want to go back!
• Hide – On the fancier side, but super delicious!

Additional Things to Do (beyond eating and drinking):

• Visit the Churchill War Rooms
• See a show at Piccadilly Theater
• Shop at Liberty
• Witness the Changing of The Guard Buckingham Palace
• Meander around Hyde Park: Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens Albert Memorial
• Wander around Portobello Road / Notting Hill
• Take a free walking tour – we promise you’ll learn some fun facts!

Our Favorite Hotels:

When heading to big cities, we tend to look for stylish hotels with a great ambiance, solid on-site amenities (bar, restaurant, spa), and above all, an excellent location. Here are our favorites in London:

• The Stafford – Luxury, 5-star hotel in the heart of St. James Place – spring for a suite if you’re feeling baller!
• The Bloomsbury Hotel – Stylish hotel in London city centre, near Covent Garden
• NoMad – Elegant hotel with solid cocktail lounge located in Covent Garden
• The Hoxton (Shoreditch) – More budget-friendly (yet still incredibly cool) hotel in a buzzy, young neighborhood
• The Savoy – Cozy, 5-star hotel right on the River Thames
• Rosewood London
• The Londoner Hotel
• Claridge’s, Mayfair

Paris may be the City of Lights, but for a good, booze-filled time, The Big Smoke is where it’s at!