Step Into London’s Oldest Wine Bar For Exceptional Wines, Delectable Cheese, And Unmatched Atmosphere
Gordon’s Wine Bar offers a cozy, historic ambiance, expertly curated wines, and delightful cheese pairings, elevated by exceptional staff and a unique blend of romance, tradition, and urban charm.
I f you haven’t been to Gordon’s Wine Bar you can’t say you know London. Located at the bottom of the lane of shops that run from Charing Cross station to Embankment statation, just before the Victoria Embankment Gardens, is this (yes, I’m going to use the word) iconic little place with the a history that makes good housing for a great wine collection. Walk down stairs and then down some more, guided by the reassuringly friendly security team (it must be a good vibe is security are smiling) and find yourself, quite literally, in a series of caves. Gordon’s has been around, and doing things right, for over 135 years. If you’re a wine connsoseur you’re going to be very happy here. If you know nothing about wine you’re going to be very happy here. If you love cheese you’re going to be very happy here. And if you want to know if vegan cheese is worth trying – you’re going to be so very happy here.
If you want to be happy – get to Gordon’s.
Gordon’s Wine Bar exudes charm, history, and a magnetic ambiance, offering divine cheese boards, incredible wines, and impeccable hospitality.
So down the steps around the bend you go, grab yourself a table in the low ceilinged arches, or stand up beside an old oak barrel. You’ll see the bar where a lovingly curated wine menu is available. The food menu is clearly cultivated to offer good companionship to the wine cellar. And the cheese. Did I mention the cheese? We know wine has its intoxicating effects but did you know that cheese is equally effective?
Evidence of bliss: goat’s cheese, manchego, and a gruyere all showing off with their wine pairings.
What I love most about this place is the staff. They’re so good at making you feel welcome, and so knowledgeable. Let the sommelier recommend a wine to match a dish. Better yet, take up their celebratory cheese and wine tasting. That’s what we did, and I do believe I fell in love about ten times that night.
“If you haven’t been to Gordon’s Wine Bar you can’t say you know London.”
Gordon’s has recently opened a beautiful outside space, with heaters, to embrace a wider clientelle. If you sit outside this time of year you get to enjoy the wonderful flavours of wine, food, and the noises of the city. If you sit inside you get to enjoy all that and the dramatic rumbling of the trains that run overhead. It makes you feel perhaps some ghost of a poet, artist, or revolutionary will sit down at your table and join you for a chat. Rudyard Kipling and Samuel Pepys have close ties to the place. Who knows what was inspired in the candlelit corners of Gordons?
The atmosphere being what it is – romantic and well-aged, and the food being what it is – delicious and well crafted, and the wine being what it is – splendidly curated, my favourite thing about Gordon’s is the staff. They want you to have a good time, and are genuinely interested in helping you find the right wine for your food, or vice versa.
However, Gordons is a much-loved gem, and thus gets very busy in the eveings. I recommend getting there early, as they don’t take reservations (except for the Cave, a wonderful large table that seats as many as 12), it’s best to go on a weekday, perhaps for lunch, and enjoy the transformation with the evening crowd from quiet hideaway to packed and buzzing urban hotspot.
“If you want to be happy – get to Gordon’s.”
We had a flight of 5 wines paired with cheeses. We tasted one of each kind of milk: sheep, goat, cow, and vegan. Manchego paired with dry sherry was genius. And prosecco with the vegan cheese that was inordinately creamy and perfectly truffled, left me excited to return with my vegan friends. The cheese board is generously filled with plenty of perfectly crusty bread and a range of pickles and chutneys to compliment all the flavours. I recommend you always invite the sommelier to pick your wines for you. You’ll be educated and inspired.
The celebratory tasting board – wines and cheeses matched with love and expertise.
Just remember when you stand up to mind your head!
Gordon’s has been making people happy for 135 years. Let’s hope they continue for at least as many more.
