5 /5 Jesper Rosendal: The Wine Bar at Fortnum & Mason
Quiet, civilised oasis below street level in the middle of a very busy part of London. A place we repeatedly return to — both for lunch and for a calm, enjoyable pause before the day winds down.
Quality and experience have been consistent across several visits.
Food quality is high and portions are generous without tipping into excess. Dishes feel well judged for the setting: elegant but not fussy.
Food highlights (across visits):
Portland crab cocktail
Chicken Caesar salad
Patatas bravas
Padrón peppers
Cheese (Westcombe Cheddar, Ticklemore, Bishop Stilton) served with cracker bread, celery and onion chutney.
The cheese board was particularly impressive — both in quality and quantity — and clearly curated with care rather than treated as an afterthought.
Excellent and diverse selection of wine by both glass and bottle, as expected at Fortnum & Mason. Broad enough to suit casual drinking and more curious exploration.
Wine flights are real highlights. The themed wine flights offer an engaging way to explore without overthinking. Examples include Champagne Flight, Taste of England, and A Trip to Italy.
On this visit we sampled the Fortnum’s Collection flight — sparkling wines from England, Alsace and Champagne — it was very enjoyable and well balanced.
Service is relaxed, attentive and unhurried. Well suited to lingering and relaxing rather than rushing.
Ideal for wine lovers, quiet lunches, or a refined but low-stress end to the day.