Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location-nbsp"><strong>THE LOCATION</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign-800x1000.jpg" alt="Exterior sign of restaurant Dolce Bolla" class="wp-image-187799" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Dolce-Bolla-sign.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p>You’ll find wine bar <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>La Dolce Bolla</strong></a> &#8211; &#8216;the sweet bubble&#8217; &#8211; in primo position near the top of Marlow’s boujee high street, close to Satollo, The Coach, the double Michelin-starred Hand and Flowers and the Everyman cinema (making it a great spot for a pre or post dinner or movie drink. The bar as well as its off-licence shop, is also accessible via the lovely festooned Italian-styled courtyard entrance of <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/liston-court-gardens-marlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liston Court</a>. </p>



<p>The only Prosecco-specific bar I can think exists in our area, and newly crowned as Best Bar in the Bucks &amp; Oxon Muddy Awards 2025, the business came about because Czech-born owner Kristýna Weston was horrified by the dodgy Prosecco then being sold in the UK, having experienced the good stuff when she was in Italy. She began by sourcing ‘Superiore’ Prosecco from the sunny hills of northern Italy, only selecting those with the DOCG quality mark (basically, the best of the best) and opened La Dolce Bolla in July 2024.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>THE VIBE&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Interior-La-Dolce-Bolla.jpg" alt="interior of restaurant La Dolce Bolla lime green sofa against dark green wall" class="wp-image-187795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Interior-La-Dolce-Bolla.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Interior-La-Dolce-Bolla-800x640.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Interior-La-Dolce-Bolla-1000x800.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Interior-La-Dolce-Bolla-400x320.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Curved ceilings, dark walls, white-washed archways and terrazzo tiled floors… are we even still in Buckinghamshire? This is a place where the hours melt faster than gelato in the sun.&nbsp;It&#8217;s a relatively small space inside, along with a mix of outdoor seating &#8211; two sets of two stools for the sunshine at one side, and seats and low tables out the back, all very relaxed and elegant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff-nbsp"><strong>SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080.jpg" alt="La Dolce Bolla March" class="wp-image-184668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">La Dolce Bolla, Marlow</figcaption></figure>



<p>Prosecco, it turns out, is as varied as champagne. There are distinct styles and the good ones are crisp and dry – never sweet, unless you like your fizz like an alcopop. Do not be fooled by the literal meaning of the store – &#8216;The Sweet Bubble’ in this context means enjoying the good things in life.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>So time to sample the wares, sigh. There are 15 different Proseccos to choose from at La Dolce Bolla, but hey, I&#8217;m not an animal, so I confine myself to tasting three of them.  We kick off with a glass of <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/products/bival-termen-frizzante-pet-nat-copy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bival Costante 08</a> (£35 for a bottle). It’s surprisingly cloudy in colour because master winemakers don’t remove the yeast sediment – apparently it adds a extra little zing to the flavour.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fresh tasting, with the scent of green apples. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla.jpg" alt="Glass of white wine with bottle blurred out in the background" class="wp-image-187797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/White-wine-at-La-Dolce-Bolla-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Next up is <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/products/nebbia-valdobbiadene-prosecco-docg-rive-brut-vedova-copy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Springo Bronze Rive di Manzana</a>, which is served with a prettily plated platter of cheese, prosciutto and salami.  The territory &#8216;Rive&#8217; is the clue here to the quality &#8211; offering a low quantity but high quality harvest brought in purely by hand. Light bubbles, hints of peach and apple, and most importantly you can quaff it like a queen.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259.jpeg" alt="Bottle of Prosecco with glass blurred out in background" class="wp-image-187800" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259-640x800.jpeg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259-800x1000.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259-320x400.jpeg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_3259-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/image-1000x800.jpeg" alt="Food platter with meat, grapes, cheese and crackers" class="wp-image-188304" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/image-1000x800.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/image-800x640.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/image-400x320.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/image.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>But of course, we saved the best for last. The <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/products/nebbia-valdobbiadene-prosecco-docg-rive-brut-vedova">Nebbia Prosecco</a> is not the most expensive here (it retails at £26) but it&#8217;s the owner&#8217;s favourite. This is the poster Prosecco for those who don&#8217;t want their bubbles cloying with a refreshing acidity and the coolest looking bottle too. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla.jpeg" alt="Bottle of Prosecco with glass" class="wp-image-187801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla-571x800.jpeg 571w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla-714x1000.jpeg 714w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla-286x400.jpeg 286w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla-1097x1536.jpeg 1097w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Nebbla-Prosecco-Dolce-Bolla-1463x2048.jpeg 1463w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that La Dolce Bolla also serves and sells a selection of Italian wines, spirits and some non-alcoholic options if you&#8217;re not in the mood for bubbles. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly"><strong>KID FRIENDLY</strong></h3>



<p>Children are allowed until 8pm, then it’s grown-up time.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility"><strong>ACCESSIBILITY</strong></h3>



<p>There’s wheelchair access from the Liston Court entrance.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly"><strong>DOG FRIENDLY </strong></h3>



<p>Well behaved dogs are welcome. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parking-nbsp"><strong>PARKING</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This can be a little tricky in Marlow. If your luck’s in, there’s street parking on both sides of the high street. There are several car parks nearby, either the Waitrose car park (just round the corner) or behind Sainsbury&#8217;s (a five minute walk). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>OUT &amp; ABOUT&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Shopping is the obvious thing to do here – the high street is jammed with independent boutiques, bookshops and galleries, as well the likes of Space NK, Mint Velvet and Jigsaw. The lovely <a href="https://listoncourtgardens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liston Court Gardens</a> are literally on the doorstep, The Thames is a couple of minutes’ walk away, with a picturesque riverside walk along Higginson Park (home to Tom Kerridge’s summer foodie fest, <a href="https://www.pubintheparkuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pub in the Park</a>). The <a href="https://www.thelittlegreenboatcompany.co.uk/marlow/boat-hire-marlow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Green Boat Company</a> rents row and self-drive boats, while <a href="https://salterssteamers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salter Steamers</a> offers 40-minute return trips down the river.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/DOLCEBOLLAMORE.jpg" alt="La Dolce Bolla" class="wp-image-185135" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/DOLCEBOLLAMORE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/DOLCEBOLLAMORE-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/DOLCEBOLLAMORE-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/DOLCEBOLLAMORE-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: Girlie catchups, pre-dinner drinks, post-shopping pick-me-ups. They also hold regular evenings and events, from wine tastings to DJ nights, and are launching <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/pages/fizzy-fest-the-prosecco-superiore-festival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fizzy Fest</a> in July, the UK’s first Prosecco Superiore DOCG festival. &nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: Young children. They’re welcome to come with you until 8pm but it&#8217;s more of a grown-up space.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: Surprisingly reasonable. You’re looking at £9.50 per glass of Prosecco, or between £26 &#8211; £69 for a bottle, depending on whether you&#8217;re drinking in or buying to go. Nibbles range from £5 for bread with Sicilian olive oil and balsamic glaze, to £15 for a meat and cheese board packed with prosciutto, salami, cheese and crackers. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/">La Dolce Bolla</a> is open from 11am-11pm Tues to Sat, and 11am</em>&#8211;<em>7pm Sun and Mon, High Street, 2 Liston Court, Marlow</em>.</p>


Review: La Dolce Bolla bar, Marlow

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