From Cellar to Culture

Cellar 44 was founded in 2008 by sommelier Elena Marchetti and chef Marco Andreou, united by a shared belief that great wine and honest food deserve a space free from pretension — a place where every guest feels like a regular.

Nestled in a Victorian basement on Aldgate Lane, the cellar itself was once a storage facility for a 19th-century merchant. We preserved its original brick arches and stone floors, layering them with warm lighting and custom oak furniture to create what regulars now call “the city’s finest secret.”

Our wine list — curated personally by Elena — favours small-production estates, biodynamic viticulture, and overlooked appellations. The kitchen, led by Marco, changes its menu weekly to honour what’s seasonal and exceptional.

Cellar 44 now holds a single Michelin star for Outstanding Wine Experience, but the team remain steadfast in their founding principle: this is a neighbourhood wine bar, first and always.