Lady of the Grapes to open new French bistro and speakeasy wine bar at Menier Chocolate Factory, championing female winemakers

Lady of the Grapes, a modern French bistro and wine bar known for championing female wine producers, will open a new location in early May at the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, adjacent to Borough Market. The expansion, led by founder and Parisian restaurateur Carole Bryon, introduces Lady of the Grapes SE1 and its subterranean, speakeasy-style wine bar, Forbidden Fruit, to the area. The new venue aims to continue the brand’s focus on organic and natural wines, with a particular emphasis on supporting female-produced wines.

Founded in 2018 in Covent Garden, Lady of the Grapes quickly established a following for its French bistro-inspired, ingredient-led cuisine and extensive wine selection, curated by Bryon, who is a WSET-certified wine expert. The new London Bridge venue will maintain this ethos, with head chef Matyáš Plzák at the helm. Plzák, whose pedigree includes stints at Frog by Adam Handling, Frenchie and Mãos, will oversee a menu of modern French dishes paired with a wine list exceeding 400 options.

The new two-storey location occupies the right-hand ground and below-ground floors of the Grade II-listed Victorian Menier Chocolate Factory building, which dates back to the 1870s. The street-level area will house a 60-seat restaurant with ample natural light from windows along two walls, as well as a 20-seat outdoor terrace. Beneath it, Forbidden Fruit will offer an intimate, 45-seat wine bar with a charcuterie menu and a wide selection of wines by the glass.

Bryon said: “We are so excited about this new chapter for Lady of the Grapes! We’re looking forward to launching a bigger space to welcome more people, bring joy through good, honest French cooking and, most importantly, continue to support the talented women making delicious wine all over the world.”

Food Desk

Lady of the Grapes SE1 opens in early May 2026 at 4 O’Meara Street, London SE1 1TE. For further information or to book a table, visit here.