Deptford wine bar launches with spotlight on Portuguese wine
A new independent wine bar and deli that will champion Portuguese wine, which is “still underrepresented” in the capital, has opened beneath the railway arches at Deptford Market Yard in south-east London.
Cantina Boccone was founded by partners Fabio Forin, from Rome, and Gonçalo Albuquerque, from Lisbon, and the venue is designed to honour the food and wine traditions they grew up with.
The 16-seat venue combines Portuguese wines with Italian cured meats and cheeses, alongside a menu of small seasonal dishes. The founders describe the concept as focusing on the foods and drinks they enjoy themselves rather than creating a fusion restaurant.
The business occupies a single railway arch and has been designed around its compact size. A deli counter sits at the centre of the space, where meats and cheeses are sliced to order for customers eating in or taking away.
Forin, who previously worked in retail and as a trader at Borough Market, said the project was inspired by a desire to create a place centred on simple hospitality.
“I wanted it to feel physical and necessary in a small way: food, wine, people, noise, something that doesn’t disappear the moment you leave,” he said.
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Wine forms a key part of the bar’s identity, with a list featuring producers from Portugal and Italy, including bottles from lesser-known regions.
Albuquerque said he hoped the selection would encourage more people to explore Portuguese wines.
“Portuguese wine is still underrepresented in London, especially beyond the obvious regions,” he said. “The point is to drink well, eat well, and stay longer than you planned.”
The menu includes a selection of cured meats and cheeses alongside dishes such as chouriço assado, bacalhau à Brás, buffalo mozzarella with grilled aubergine, handmade wild boar tortelloni and Portuguese sardines.
The founders said they chose Deptford after moving to the area in 2023 and wanted to establish a small, independently run neighbourhood venue.
They also plan to host a programme of events alongside the day-to-day operation of the bar.
