The Wine Bar and Restaurant at Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason’s wine bar – a smart timbered cabana – is further reason to visit this venerable emporium’s positively edible food halls.  Discover this hidden gem in the lower ground floor of the Piccadilly store, offering a wide selection of wines and a complementary food menu. Being concealed inside the store, the space gives off a speakeasy ambience with the beautiful white brick archway ceiling and the striking central bar. The ceiling feature, together with the light woods and woven fabric chairs helps to brighten up the bar area, making for a luxurious underground drinking haunt.     

Open daily from midday, guest can either choose to dine at tables or at the exquisite black marbled bar on high barstools. Gaze upon the wide selection of wines in the chilled cellar behind the bar while nibbling on charcuterie or cheeses and feel glamorous with a glass of vino in hand.

Look for the Champagne of the month or choose any bottle of wine from an impressive range and pay just £15 corkage: around £50 secures a lush own-label Bordeaux, while a slightly larger outlay brings a beefy Barolo 2013 or an Aussie Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. Alternatively, try regional wines in flights of three to go with something small from the cheese bar including Cropwell Bishop Stilton and the Spanish Rey Silo Massimo, rock oysters with a choice of vinaigrettes, caviar, Ibérico ham and suchlike.

Otherwise, bar snacks such as parmesan cheese straws and tempura purple sprouting broccoli are great options. If you’re looking for something larger, choose a plate of steak tartare, or Fortnum’s selection of three cheeses and two charcuterie platter. The pasta of the day is also available during the week and served with a glass of Italian wine.

Cocktails include the fizzy Hunter-Gatherer with nettle cordial, rose pouchong tea, cranberry bitters and topped with sparkling wine, and a Negroni selection with the Earl Grey infused Lady Marmalade, while the dress code “leans towards elegance” – this is Piccadilly not Palma Nova, after all.

Tucked away within the famous Lower Ground Floor Food Hall, The Fortnum & Mason Wine Bar & Restaurant is a true hidden gem. This intimate retreat is a haven for wine lovers, offering an enviable list of bottles from some of the world’s most celebrated growers, perfectly paired with a menu of elegant, flavourful dishes.

Stepping into this refined space, guests are welcomed by a carefully curated selection of wines, ranging from Fortnum’s own Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru to the exquisite Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut. Whether you're in the mood for a crisp Champagne, a delicate rosé, or a bold red, the extensive list ensures the perfect pairing for any occasion.

To accompany your glass, the menu is designed for leisurely indulgence. Start with a plate of Carlingford Lough Oysters, known for their sweet and unique flavour, served simply with shallot cider vinegar. For something to nibble on, the house mixed olives, anchovy and olive gildas, and freshly baked Focaccia with Two Fields olive oil make for the perfect aperitif accompaniments.

The small plates selection showcases a thoughtful balance of flavours. Highlights include the fresh and vibrant beetroot taco, the Portland crab cocktail, and the indulgent toasted Focaccia sandwich filled with prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil pesto. For heartier fare, the sticky short rib of beef offers rich, slow-cooked decadence, while the lobster roll with wasabi mayonnaise brings a luxurious seafood twist.

For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert selection does not disappoint. The blackberry bakewell tart is a modern take on a British classic, while the cheesecake with cherry compote delivers the perfect balance of creaminess and fruitiness. To finish, the Affogato, combining milk ice cream with a generous splash of coffee liqueur, is a simple yet satisfying end to the meal.

With its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, an unrivalled wine selection, and a menu designed for indulgence, The Fortnum & Mason Wine Bar & Restaurant is the perfect destination for a refined yet unpretentious dining experience in the heart of London’s most iconic food hall.