Best Wine Bars in Canary Wharf: The Honest Local Guide
Written by James Dawson, Founder and CEO of Humble Grape.
Wood Wharf, Mackenzie Walk and the streets around Canada Square now have several wine bars within a short walk of the station.
We're one of them. We'd be lying if we said otherwise, and that's not really our thing. But this isn't a list of reasons to only visit us. It's the honest rundown of where to drink good wine in Canary Wharf right now, who does what well, and which bar suits which evening.
The short version
Best for organic, sustainable, direct-import wine: Humble Grape Canary Wharf, Mackenzie Walk
Best for an all-day bar with a waterfront terrace: No.35 Mackenzie Walk
Best for live music, whisky and a big night out: Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Best for daytime, park views and a casual glass: The Parlour, Canada Square
Read on for the detail behind each one, or jump straight to the FAQ if you've got a specific question.
Humble Grape, Canary Wharf
18-20 Mackenzie Walk, E14 4PH
Humble Grape is our bar, so this section comes from the people who run it. The details below are still useful when you compare it with the other options.
Every wine on our list is organic, sustainable or natural. We don't stock anything else, not as a seasonal push, just as the rule. We buy direct from the producers who make it, with no distributor in the middle. That gives us a direct relationship with the people behind the bottles. There are 500+ wines to work through, from small, family-run vineyards our team visits and knows.
Then there's the food. The kitchen is not an afterthought: seasonal small plates, a proper Sunday Roast, and an 800g Tomahawk if you're in the mood to share something substantial. The full kitchen means you can stay for dinner after a glass.
The terrace sits right on Middle Dock, with sunset views over the water. Dogs are welcome, properly welcome, not just tolerated in a corner. And if the wine list feels like a lot to take in, ask about Love at First Flight: tell the team what you like, they'll pour you something to match, no tasting notes exam required.
Wine O'Clock: the reason to come after work
Wine O'Clock is £6 for a glass of 100% organic wine. On weekdays it runs from 5pm to 6pm at Canary Wharf only, with the last booking at 6pm and last orders at 6.15pm. On Saturdays it runs from 12pm to 4.30pm at Canary Wharf, Battersea and Islington, and Kids Eat Free from the Little Grape menu during that window when an adult dines. It pauses from mid-November through December.
The offer uses the same standard of wine as the rest of our list, sourced from small, family-run producers, at a lower price for the Wine O'Clock window.
No.35 Mackenzie Walk
29-35 Mackenzie Walk, E14 4PH
Our closest neighbour is also the easiest comparison on this list. No.35 is an all-day bar and restaurant with a waterfront terrace a few doors down from us. Its own menus show a full wine range, alongside cocktails, brunch, lunch and dinner. If you fancy a change of scene without leaving Mackenzie Walk, this is where you go.
Where it differs: No.35 runs as an all-day bar and restaurant, from brunch through to resident DJs from Wednesday to Saturday. If you want a wine bar that can also carry a Saturday brunch and a Friday night out in the same building, No.35 does that well.
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
1 Cabot Square, E14 4QT
Not primarily a wine bar, and we won't pretend it is. Boisdale is a Scottish institution with a 12-metre whisky bar, an extensive range of malts, regular live music including jazz, a cigar library with a walk-in humidor, and four private dining rooms. The format suits a client dinner or an anniversary that needs a bit of occasion.
If you want music, atmosphere and a night built around live performance, this is the one. It is a different kind of evening to the rest of this list, and that's fine, not every wine bar has to be the same kind of wine bar.
The Parlour, Canada Square
Park Pavilion, 40 Canada Square, E14 5FW
An all-day bar and kitchen in the Park Pavilion at Canada Square, which is the honest reason to go: on a warm evening, sitting outside with a glass of something and the park in front of you is hard to beat. Its own site describes seasonal menus, cocktails and fine wines, with an alfresco terrace.
It's less about the wine specifically and more about the setting. Good for a first date that needs an easy backdrop, or a catch-up that might turn into dinner. Not the pick if wine is the whole point of your evening, but a pleasant place to have a glass.
How to choose
If organic and sustainable wine matters to you, or you want to talk to someone who can tell you who grew the grapes, come to us. If you want an all-day bar with brunch, DJs and a waterfront terrace, try No.35. If the evening needs whisky, jazz and a bit of theatre, choose Boisdale. If it's a Tuesday and you just want the park view, The Parlour.
None of these are the wrong answer. They're just answers to different questions.
FAQ
Is there a wine bar in Canary Wharf open late?
Boisdale of Canary Wharf runs regular live music, including jazz. Humble Grape and No.35 Mackenzie Walk both open into the evening on the water. Exact closing times vary by day, so check each venue directly before you plan a late one.
Where can I drink organic or sustainable wine in Canary Wharf?
At Humble Grape Canary Wharf, our list is built around organic, natural, biodynamic and sustainably made wines bought direct from small, family-run producers.
Is there a wine bar in Canary Wharf with outdoor seating on the water?
Yes. Humble Grape and No.35 Mackenzie Walk both sit directly on Middle Dock with waterside terraces.
Is there a wine bar in Canary Wharf that's dog-friendly?
Humble Grape is. Dogs are welcome across the bar and terrace, not just tolerated. Call ahead at other venues if you're bringing one, since policies vary.
What does Wine O'Clock cost in Canary Wharf?
Wine O'Clock at Humble Grape: £6 for a glass of 100% organic wine. Weekdays it's Canary Wharf only, from 5pm to 6pm. On Saturdays it runs at Canary Wharf, Battersea and Islington from 12pm to 4.30pm. It's the same standard of wine as the rest of our list at the Wine O'Clock price.
Is there a happy hour or after-work wine offer in Canary Wharf?
Wine O'Clock is ours. On weekdays it's built for the after-work crowd; on Saturdays it broadens into a daytime session at three of our bars. Check the Wine O'Clock page for current days and times before you head over.
Can I book a wine tasting or event in Canary Wharf?
Yes. We run a regular programme of tastings, from beginner-friendly sessions through to Winemaker Supper Clubs where producers share the stories behind their wines. Full listings are on the events page.
About James Dawson
James Dawson is the founder and CEO of Humble Grape. He started the business delivering wine by scooter and running pop-up tastings before opening the first bar in Battersea, and now runs seven wine bars and kitchens across London.
More on wine, food and what's on across our seven London venues over on the blog, or go straight to book a table at Canary Wharf.
