Head down to Deptford Market Yard on a sunny Thursday night and you’ll find the tables outside of Cantina Boccone full of people in no hurry to leave. The wine bar and deli opened at the end of February and has already become a neighbourhood fave.
Boccone has been built by partners Fabio and Gonçalo (“Zalo” to his friends and guests), combining their cultures to create an entirely Italian-Portuguese affair. Fabio – the Italian – built up his knowledge of the very best cheese and meat while trading at Borough Market. Meanwhile, Zalo – the Portuguese – found a passion for small natural wine producers while helping his friends down at Brevevita in Surrey Quays. And so Boccone was born.
When selecting what to drink, there’s not really a fixed wine list. Instead, you hand yourself over to Zalo who pours by the glass whatever he’s excited about that week. We got a lush chilled red – Folias de Baco Uivo Renegado from the Portuguese Douro Valley – followed by an unfiltered white by Ajola in Umbria. There’s also a healthy range of bottles stocked in the deli, but note there’s an additional charge to drink these in.
Foodwise, the Italian-Portuguese romance continues with a concise selection of small plates and sharers all prepared in the tiny open kitchen. The signature Boccone board shows off the deli at its best, and the venison croquettes and wild boar tortelloni were particular highlights. We’ll time our next visit for a Friday, when fresh buffalo mozzarella is delivered to be served with grilled aubergine.
Zalo told us that nights like ours are the norm. He and Fabio had stayed up with the couple at the table next to us until 4am a few weeks ago, chatting over a bottle of wine (or two). On colder nights, the tables move inside and the candles come out.
Sure to be a popular date spot, who knows, we could see the start of another great love story.
Key Information
Address | Arch 8, Deptford Market Yard, London SE8 4BX
For more information | boccone.co.uk
