Franklin's Wine

Cosy Haven with Impressive Global Wines

There’s a particular magic to discovering an unexpected sanctuary in the whirlwind of London life, and this wine haven nestled off Portobello Road provides just that. Imagine stepping through its modest entrance to encounter an atmosphere rich with warmth and camaraderie, a gem seemingly plucked from an Italian alleyway and planted smack dab in Notting Hill. Anchored by the amiable Luigi, who personifies the grandeur of old-fashioned European hospitality, this spot quickly becomes not just another stop along your way, but the destination itself. It’s a place where the world outside fades, leaving you bathed in good cheer, great company, and, thanks to their formidable sommelier team, truly memorable wine.

Despite its diminutive size, the bar offers a sprawling global map in liquid form, eagerly explored further when entrusting Valentina, a powerhouse of knowledge and charm with recommendations. Louis Lahin, Malbec, Valpolicella Classico––each glass holds its own story, equally sublime. There's a sensation here akin to voyeurism, basking in communal joy at a 60th birthday party you might luck into witnessing. Summers grace patrons with lazy wine-breathed evenings on outdoor terraces that hum with blossoming romance, while indoors, robust cheese platters and bucolic flavors swim in soft lighting amid murmured conversations. This is surely more than an establishment—indeed a distinctive heartbeat in this neighbourhood's pulsating rhythm. In a city full of promises, this one is kept. — Audrey Al Dente