Here at Wildflower Wine Club, we are on a mission to seek out interesting bars and restaurants across the UK,
with a special nod to those supporting local wine producers.
Vinoteca Farringdon
You never know what you’re going to find in Farringdon. Depending on the day you visit, it could be bustling with media types and creative hipsters catching up after-work or go on the weekend and you could be dodging tumbleweed.
Luckily for wine lovers, Farringdon is home to one of London’s most charming wine restaurants with an eclectic buzz of its own no matter which day you visit.
Vinoteca Farringdon was the first of the now well established Vinoteca group of wine restaurants in London and Birmingham. The Farringdon shop, bar and restaurant is coming up to its second decade of operation, it feels lived in, it’s cosy and all the better for it. Small enough to take your time to peruse the wine list with the knowledgeable staff yet big enough to get lost in the hub-bub of chatter,
With a black board showcasing wines by the glass, the small yet well curated wine list is as varied as it is good value with bottles from Spain, Germany and Italy, California, Argentina, South Africa and more; supported by a strong cast of organic, biodynamic, orange wines and one of our favourite styles of sparkling, pét-nat demonstrating the team’s interest in the on-trend, natural wine movement.
Feels like
A chic Parisian bistro glittering with a candle-lit bohemian vibe
Best for
A romantic wine-inspired meal for two; or a fun dinner with friends.
Love local wines?
At the time of our visit there were two English Bruts on the list, 2018 Camel Valley sparkling from Cornwall and a non-vintage Wiston Estate sparkling from West Sussex; along with two still wines, a Bacchus 2021 by Camel Valley and a 2020 Chardonnay by the urban London winery, Renegade.
Plates
This does feel more restaurant than bar, and the menu follows a European-Mediterranean vibe with small plates, that are designed for sharing – our favourites were Neal’s Yard cheese croquettes and ham hock terrine with celeriac remoulade and crusty sourdough – washed down with a Clare Valley Riesling.
Mains are a little heavier – we opted for confit duck leg with pumpkin and orange puree and Shetland cod, braised fennel, kale and Café de Paris butter – with a glass, OK maybe two of a Cabernet Franc from Germany.
Other pips ‘n pieces
Vinoteca’s ‘Cork Club Monday’s’ are a free-to-join club (which you enrol for online) offering retail prices for bottles when you dine in, on a Monday of course. Not bad value when the bottles can be up to 50% off and there’s over 200 bottles to choose from.
We will be back to try out the innovative wine tasting paddles, which change regularly. When we visited it was the turn of Australian wines, with three 50 ml glasses showcasing the Clare Valley producer, Rodney & The Horse.
The Bottom Line
Wines by the glass start at around £4.90
Sharing plates from £5
Main course dishes from £15
Opening Hours
Open Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to 11pm.
Closed on Sundays.
Vinoteca Farringdon
7 Saint John Street
London EC1M 4AA
*Please note, wines, dishes and prices are correct at time of visit and may be subject to change.
