Last Updated on August 19, 2026
London’s ‘Only Wine Pub’ opens its Garden
3.8 out of 5.0 starsWith another heat wave on the way, any break from the heat is needed in London this summer. Here comes Godet, the ‘wine pub’ in Islington, which has been around since ’24, with a newly opened pub garden. This 30-seater garden is a little shaded oasis against the unrelenting heat these last few weeks.
Opened by Frenchman Sylvain Bertozzi, after the success of his wine bar Binch in Hackney Downs, Godet specialises in a rotating menu of European wines and craft beers on tap. Their current resident food offering comes from Ling Lings, offering a range of asian fusion dishes to supplement the liquid refreshment.
While the interiors are spare, prioritising bare wooden bars and tables with sage and terracotta accents, the garden was buzzing when we arrived. Seating is plentiful and social in its spacing, perfect if you enjoy listening in on a neighbour’s conversation, which we were certainly guilty of by the end of the evening.
We started with bubbles, a Chenin Sébastien Brunet (£9.30 per glass/ £49 for a bottle). This naturally sparkling white from Vouvray, one of Brunet’s offerings, was almost malty like an IPA on the nose, appley with a salty finish.
We also enjoyed a Crémant Rieffel (£12.30/ £64) from Alsace, with fine and fizzy bubbles; this had notes of brioche. classic for a Crémant, and pear and was nicely even.
Our first nibble from Ling Ling’s lineup were their Padron peppers. I have been a little addicted to these peppery morsels this summer. Being more available than ever in supermarkets in the UK, I have eagerly fried them in a little olive oil, sprinkled over some sea salt and enjoyed as an easy midweek starter. Not so here, where these humble Spanish capsicums have been pimped up to the max with black vinegar, pickled red onion and radish and Thai basil. Suddenly they were hot, juicy, nicely greasy and of course very sour.
We also enjoyed these crunching and blistered Pork and water chestnut dumplings. Bursting with juice and, of course, nice and spicy, the photograph cannot communicate the level of crunch from the pleated fronds of the deep-fried wrapper. These also sat on a sour sauce. It may be noted that the combination of two sour dishes along with a lovely range of wines, or even beers, may overload diners’ acid tolerance, so a wiser menu combination might be recommended.
Next arrived more drinks: an Orange Gewürztraminer Rennersistas (£10.90/ £53). To visit an Islington wine bar and not enjoy an orange wine would be sacrilege, most certainly. This was floral, aromatic and honeyed, almost like a mead, but still with mild creaminess.
Alongside came a Muscat fleur de Peau (£11.60/£60), which had a tart citrus note between grapefruit and calamansi.
For our penultimate two, we returned to whites with an Altenburger Chardonnay (£10/ £51). The first Altenburger solo offering, which, despite being a Chardonnay, is not too oaky and instead focuses on a medium-acidity green apple vibe.
We also had the Jacquère Domaine Dupraz (£7/£39), which was yeasty with a saline seaside aroma, again not too oaky.
We finished off with a Pinot Noir from Julien Guillot (£12/ £60), which had dark berries and biscuits on the nose; it was citrussy without being tannic.
And finally, a Negrette Le Rosé Penavayre (£7/ £39). Another honeyed drink with brighter fruits alongside, effortlessly drinkable.
Godet offers a vibey but unpretentious place to enjoy and explore an expertly curated wine and beer selection with the help of a friendly and helpful team to talk you through their menu written on a chalkboard inside. Their new garden is already a popular spot for locals, so look out for space to enjoy their wine as well as Ling Ling’s food.
Godet, 382 Essex Road, London N1 3PF
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