Just off Portobello Road, Sova is a relaxed wine and vinyl bar exploring low-intervention bottles from Eastern and Central Europe alongside a concise menu of Slavic-inspired sharing plates. Seating around 40 guests across a mix of counter seats, tables and a small street-side terrace, it’s designed as a neighbourhood spot for lingering over a glass and discovering lesser-known wine regions.
The name Sova translates to ‘owl’ in several Slavic languages – a symbol of quiet wisdom and nocturnal curiosity – which neatly captures the bar’s ethos. Guests are encouraged to slow down, listen and explore, whether that’s through the wine list or the vinyl soundtracks that shape the atmosphere. The project comes from the team behind ZIMA, taking over the site previously occupied by ZIMA Notting Hill.
The wine list has been curated by consultant sommelier Cristian Vega (Wilton’s, Pollini at Ladbroke Hall, Le Boudin Blanc) and focuses firmly on low-intervention, skin-contact and traditionally made wines. Expect pét-nats and a Ukrainian-style Brut, a strong showing of Georgian orange wines, alongside whites from Serbia, Slovenia and Hungary, reds from across the Balkans, and a selection of rosé and dessert wines. Champagne sits alongside a small choice of cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic options, including sparkling teas.
In the kitchen, Moldovan chef Denis Calmis delivers a menu built for sharing, pairing Eastern European flavours with classical European technique. Dishes range from beef tartare on Borodinsky bread and slow-roasted peppers with anchovies and dill oil to whisky and honey-roasted baby chicken, miso-glazed duck confit and crisp sea bass with seasonal accompaniments. Desserts bring in ingredients such as sea buckthorn, sour cherry and bergamot.
Interiors, designed by AIYA Bureau, use muted tones, wood and clay-like textures to create an intimate, low-lit feel, with shelves lined in records and wine bottles. Music is vinyl-led, with regular guest DJs, while doors open onto the pavement in warmer months, making Sova an easygoing addition to Notting Hill’s drinking and dining scene.