Dave's Wine Bar

The story

Dave’s Wine Bar London: Modern British Dining in Aldgate

The founder and the farm-to-table vision

Dave’s Wine Bar sits in Aldgate as a quiet pivot toward Modern British cooking. David Howden opened the venue in December 2023 to bridge London’s fast-paced workday with countryside rhythms. He built the kitchen around a single supply chain rooted in Oxfordshire rather than chasing fleeting trends. This dedication to unadorned regional cuisine recently secured a AA Two Rosette award for culinary excellence.

Ingredients and the daily plate

The kitchen sources its core proteins directly from Cornbury House Farm, where Longhorn cattle graze on chicory and sainfoin while Middle White pigs roam freely. These animals provide the tender beef and rich ham that anchor the sharing plates served throughout the day. Seasonal vegetables arrive fresh from polytunnels on the estate, supporting a recent initiative to cure house-made charcuterie for pairing with red wines. The menu shifts with the harvest rather than following a fixed calendar.

The room and the evening service

A cosy, elegantly designed interior provides shelter from the City streets while a separate terrace opens onto Mitre Square for warmer months. Workers gather here for structured set lunches that pair two or three courses with a glass of wine. The space transitions smoothly into after-hours gatherings where signature cocktails and regional pours take center stage. Certified sommeliers guide groups through five-wine flights when the tables fill for corporate events or team celebrations.