There’s nothing we love more than a good local wine bar. But in Lincoln, they can be surprisingly hard to come by – especially if you’re after somewhere with a genuinely relaxed vibe, away from the city bustle. For that, you need to follow the Fossdyke Canal just a couple of miles out of town, where you’ll find a hidden gem you’ve probably never heard of: Vino Marina.
Set on the quiet edge of Burton Waters, Vino Marina is a cosy bar with outdoor seating overlooking the marina, run by Karolina and Stephen – a warm, welcoming couple with a passion for great food, wine and hospitality.
We’d spotted Vino Marina in our regular searches for wine bars in Lincoln (a bit of a habit of ours), but never got round to making the trip. That changed when Karolina got in touch and invited us to come by and we’re so glad she did! As it turns out, this little bar is more than worth the short journey.
After an evening of wine, cheeses, charcuterie, golden-hour views, and relaxed conversation with the team, here’s why we think Vino Marina is Lincoln’s best-kept wine secret.
Why Burton Waters is perfect for a wine bar
Just to the west of Lincoln, Burton Waters is a scenic marina village by the banks of the Fossdyke, Britain’s oldest working canal. Its peaceful waterside setting, moored boats and mix of cafés, restaurants and bars make it an ideal spot for unwinding with a glass of wine – and that’s exactly what sparked the business idea for Vino Marina.
“Burton Waters is unique, and we thought that it was the ideal setting to open a boutique restaurant and wine bar,” says Karolina.
Having moved to the area six years ago, Karolina and Stephen quickly fell in love with the place. “It’s surprising how many people are not aware of Burton Waters, as it’s such a lovely place to visit,” she says. “Amazingly you can come here by car, cycle, walk or even on a boat! Lots of people think that Burton Waters is open only for residents.”
Vino Marina was ultimately born from their shared love of wine and cheese. “Our appreciation for quality cheese and wine has been a long-standing affair,” she explains. “We always found ourselves seeking out unique pairings and wanting to share that experience with others.
“Secondly, we have always cherished the connection that good food and wine can foster,” she adds. “Think about it – some of the best conversations and memories happen around the table, sharing delicious bites and sips.
“We envisioned Vino Marina as a place where people could unwind, connect, and create those memories.”
What’s behind the name “Vino Marina”?
The name Vino Marina flows so beautifully when spoken, and it carries a story beyond the obvious waterside connection.
“Vino as you know is Italian for wine, and is one of the cornerstones of our establishment,” explains Karolina. “The Marina part came from a few different inspirations that all intertwined. The location, being close to the water, and the idea of a marina evoked a sense of calm, relaxation, and a place where people gather.”
Sunset vibes on the waterside
Picture the scene: a bright afternoon is softening into sunset, and you’re thirsty for a good glass of wine. That just about sums up the mood as our taxi pulled up outside Vino Marina, with the bar front bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
If a wine bar like this were in the centre of town, you’d struggle to find a seat on an evening like this. But here, at the heart of Burton Waters, the vibe is easygoing and intimate. A few people were chatting over drinks on the terrace, soaking up the view, while inside, couples relaxed in quiet conversation. Just enough of a crowd to give it a gentle buzz, but with space to breathe.
Inside, the early evening sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, lighting up a minimal but welcoming space: sleek shelves of wine bottles, soft accents of decor, and a playlist of mellow lounge music in the background. You get the sense that the playlist has been curated with as much care as the wine list, along with every other subtle detail.
Having escaped from the usual day-to-day clutter of our home, it felt like the perfect reset.
Wine bars can sometimes feel a bit pretentious, but Vino Marina is anything but. We were warmly welcomed by Karolina, Stephen, and Caroline, who was working behind the bar that evening. Down-to-earth and genuinely friendly, they’re a team who make you feel right at home.
That welcoming atmosphere isn’t just good hospitality – it reflects something deeper about what Vino Marina is really about. “If I had to choose my favourite thing about running Vino Marina, it would be meeting new people and the connections made within our space,” says Karolina.
“Some of our clients have rented our venue for a special birthday, engagement party, anniversary, and even a wake. It’s a privilege for us to be part of those special moments in peoples lives.”
Wine recommendations from the house
We picked a table by the window where we could take in the views while also soaking up the atmosphere inside and the background music.
You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy an evening at Vina Marina. We were curious for a house recommendation, and Stephen was happy to oblige. Knowing we’d be ordering a charcuterie board with cheeses and meats, he suggested a bottle of Fleurie (which happens to be my dad’s favourite!).
“Our team is always happy to suggest something based on your preferences, or introduce you to something new and exciting,” says Karolina. “Seeing people happy, relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere is what makes the perfect evening for me.”
Caroline brought over the bottle and decanted it for us, and we let it breathe while we took a look at the menu.
An evolving menu, built on charcuterie craft
Charcuterie boards – and especially cheeses and meats – are the headline act on the menu at Vino Marina, but if you want something a little lighter, there are various salads and smaller nibbles to choose from. And if you have a sweet tooth, the cakes inside the counter look like absolute showstoppers.
“The wheels are always turning with ideas for Vino Marina,” says Karolina. “We are constantly evaluating the food menu. While cheeses and charcuterie boards are our focus, we have recently introduced fondue and a continental breakfast on weekends. With summer upon us, we’ve also added a watermelon, prawn, and avocado salad, along with a mouthwatering balsamic strawberry caprese salad.”
The charcuterie menu has a flexible, build-your-own feel. For example, you can choose three, five, or seven cheeses for your board, and handpick each one (with expert guidance from the team if you’re unsure).
We went for three cheeses – plenty enough for the two of us – and added in a selection of meats. If you’re hungrier or coming with a group of friends, you can go bigger with extras like scotch eggs and pork pies.
All the produce is locally sourced, including cheeses from The Cheese Society, an absolute favourite of ours. So we knew we were in for something good – but we weren’t quite ready for how beautifully the board would be presented.
The art of the charcuterie board
Charcuterie boards are a bit of a staple in our house when we want a treat, and we often try them on our travels, so we like to think we’ve developed an eye for a good one. Our board at Vino Marina was a work of art.
An array of cured meats, folded and fanned into elegant swirls. Cheeses neatly laid out over alternating artisan crackers. Just the right amount of chutney, quince and chilli jam. Scatterings of walnuts and pomegranate seeds. And a fresh salad garnish to finish. Bravo!
On the side we also had a little bowl of delicious fresh craft bakery bread. Altogether, it was an absolute feast, one that we could savour slowly while watching the sun set.
Flavourful and filling
They certainly don’t skimp on portions at Vino Marina. Just a couple of weeks earlier, we’d had a charcuterie board at a wine bar in London, with a much steeper price tag and barely half as much food. We know which one we’d go back for.
Our board featured a mix of hard, soft and blue cheeses, including some Manchego, Blacksticks Blue and a little of my favourite, Vacherousse.
The Fleurie, with its fruity aroma and gentle tannins, paired beautifully with the variety of flavours and textures on the board, and only improved as it opened up. Stephen let us in on a little trick that if you chill a bottle of Fleurie in ice for just a minute after letting it breathe, it really brings the flavours forward.
The wine glasses at Vino Marina are ideal for reds too, with wide-bottomed bowls that help the wine aerate naturally. And if reds aren’t your thing, you’ll also find a range of whites, rosés, ports and sparkling wines on the menu, along with a thoughtfully chosen selection of gins and cocktails.
As the sun dipped behind the marina, we wandered outside to soak up the evening atmosphere. You can enjoy the vibes out here even on cooler nights, as the team keep a stash of blankets on hand for anyone who wants to stay out and take in the view a little longer.
Perfect for catch-ups with friends, cosy chats or relaxed dates
The ambiance at Vino Marina is created for conversation. In city-centre bars, the music can be overbearing, but here it gently complements the atmosphere. As someone who often struggles with sensory overload in busy and noisy places, I really appreciate the low-key setting.
It’s the perfect spot for an easy afternoon catch-up, a laidback yet indulgent lunch, or a mellow evening date. Next time my dad visits Lincoln, this is definitely where I’ll bring him for a bottle of Fleurie!
And while it’s a couple of miles outside the city, it’s very easy to reach. A taxi costs around £10–£12, or you could even make the scenic walk along the Fossdyke Canal, which takes about 75 minutes or so from the Brayford Waterfront.
Membership club and tasting nights at Vino Marina
Karolina was excited to tell us about the recent launch of Vino Marina’s membership club, a new initiative with exclusive monthly promotions for members. It’s a great way to stay connected with the bar’s evolving offerings and enjoy a little something extra when you visit.
In addition to the membership club, Karolina and Stephen host a series of special tasting nights throughout the year. These events, each with a different theme, are a great way to explore new wines, discover pairings and enjoy the relaxed setting.
Vino Marina opens 11am–11pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Find out more on their website.
Disclosure: we were invited for a complimentary wine and charcuterie board tasting at Vino Marina. Views are our own, and we always give honest reviews and recommendations.
You can read more of our series of local stories to go behind the scenes of Lincoln’s hospitality scene.
For another gem on the Fossdyke, see our guide to the scenic canal walk to the Pyewipe Inn.
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