Cork & Bottle Wine Bar Leicester Square

Great hidden wine bar and one of the nicest places in the area to eat. Love the ham and cheese pie - excellent wine selection and good value

I never thought there would be such an amazing hidden spot in Leicester Square. Close to the cinema, there’s a gorgeous wine bar and food place and from the moment you walk in, it’s an absolutely immersive experience. The atmosphere is incredible, and provides such a peaceful experience especially compared to the usual chaos and noise in central London. The decoration is simply stunning, everything has been thought to the minute detail, with cork chandeliers and vintage furniture and posters. The wine obviously was superb, but as two of the guests didn’t drink, we prioritised the food and we were not disappointed. For starters, ordered the tempura prawns with wasabi mayo, and the hummus with dukkah, pita and olives and both were perfect, the prawns were perfectly cooked, not too oily and the wasabi mayo had a nice kick to it without being too much of a powerful flavour, complementing rather than overtaking the prawn. The hummus was home made and fresh, and the pita bread was warm and toasted, which made it so much more enjoyable. For mains, we selected the crab and king prawn linguine with garlic, chili and cherry tomato, and the baked camembert. There was copious amounts of pasta, with very generous servings of all toppings, and the cheese was soft, creamy and delicious. The highlight however was the service. The staff are incredibly welcoming, helpful, understanding and attending. They engage without being overbearing and help make the experience much better!

Looking in from the store front is very unassuming. Off the beaten track for sure. Mould and damp scents abound in the basement private alcove spaces, cozy nonetheless.

Wine and cheese is what they have done for 30 years plus. If I am in the area or got guests in london I always take them here. Great for a quick lunch a shepherds pie and glass of wine. All cooked fresh. A Londoners secret. They are also holding special wine .food events now which look fun. Is down some windy metal stairs so you need to be able to manage that think no access for less abled of elderly or with great care just due to its subterranean position. Huge cheese and wine selection. Very reasonable prices. Everything is delicious and hearty - good size portions. This place is 100% quirky. Fits around 30 people. Easy to walk in.

This wine bar is one of those rare finds in the heart of Leicester Square, tucked away between two corner shops, it’s almost invisible to the average passerby. Locals might struggle to spot it, and for tourists, it’s practically impossible, which is exactly why it remains uncrowded, even on a Saturday evening. The wine selection is good but the experience is slightly let down by the glassware, which doesn’t quite do justice to the wines. The cheese selection looked promising, but unfortunately, about half the options were unavailable when we visited, which was disappointing. The ambiance is intimate but leans a bit on the outdated side, charming in a nostalgic way, though it could benefit from a refresh. That said, if you’re after a quiet, low-key spot to enjoy a glass (or a bottle) away from the chaos of central London, it’s a worthwhile stop.

Don’t usually write reviews but just wanted to for Cork and Bottle as we had a great experience on Monday night. The waiter was fantastic and so kind and lovely and attentive without being overbearing. The wine was lovely and we loved the Camembert. They charged my phone behind the bar and just generally made us have a lovely experience. Thanks!

We live it here. We came here for our first date, and come back here every year for our anniversary. Always a treat.

Great cheese boards, especially when pairing these with honey! What is also great is that the cheese options are on display. Besides this, the tarte tatin starter was exquisite and I'd happily recommend it. The snails however would be lovelier if they had a more intense garlic flavour.