A new wine bar has taken over the crypt of St Mary-le-Bow, replacing a much-loved City café
For years, Café Below quietly served City workers beneath St Mary-le-Bow church, on Bow Lane. After it closed due to changing post-pandemic office habits, the historic crypt has now reopened as Humble Grape’s newest London location.
The wine bar sits directly under the bells of Saint Bow in earshot of which true Cockneys must be born. The 11th-century Norman crypt was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.
Humble Grape, founded in 2009, is known for championing small-batch, sustainable wines without the usual snobbery. This is its seventh venue, and arguably its most striking yet, with ancient arches and vaulted ceilings framing the space.
We were invited to try out the new venue. As you walk down the stone steps, it’s hard to believe the crypt is now filled with wine bottles rather than history alone.
The wine bar accommodates 60 people (Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
The setting is dark but cosy, with a small room near the bar opening into a larger space lined with dramatic medieval arches. It feels intimate, atmospheric, and ideal for a low-key date night.
With more than 500 wines on the list, choosing could feel daunting. Thankfully, the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and our waiter suggested a wine that paired perfectly with our food. A glass of wine starts at £7.
The newest Humble Grape has just opened in November(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
The menu focuses on organic, locally sourced ingredients made for sharing. We tried the crispy cauliflower with lime aioli and chilli ketchup, which was punchy and surprisingly full of flavour.
We also shared a cheese and charcuterie board, generous for two and leaning towards softer cheeses, served with excellent sourdough and seeded crackers.
The real highlight, though, was the baked camembert with honey and hazelnuts. It was rich, comforting and dangerously easy to finish.
The prices are pretty much what you’d expect for a spot right in the heart of the City. Small plates start at £8.75, the cheese and charcuterie boards are £30, and the baked camembert comes in at £18.50.
Don’t expect to find cheap food, but the setting is quite unique(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
There’s also a selection of mains starting from £20, plus an express lunch menu for office workers, with two courses for £21 or three for £25. Even more surprising is the breakfast menu – because there’s something slightly surreal about having a croissant and orange juice inside a church crypt.
Café Below was well loved, and replacing it was always going to be noticed. But Humble Grape has managed to give the crypt a new identity, turning it into a warm, inviting hideaway where history, wine and good food come together naturally.
Humble Grape currently has seven locations, including in Battersea, Islington and Crouch End.
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