Bruno Martins/Unsplash

Area Guides

Covent Garden

Covent Garden: best known for its cobbled central piazza, where tourists flock to eat, drink and shop, sneaking in a quick selfie with a mime or some fella dressed up as the tin man along the way.

Also, the heart of London’s theatre land – the epitome of ‘let’s catch an early drink or dinner before catching a show’. There are 13 different playhouses to choose from, as well as food spanning the globe. Covent Garden’s restaurants sees old school stalwarts like The Delaunay and J Sheekey sit alongside modern trailblazers like Kebab Queen, whose tasting menu is served directly onto the counter-top.

There’s a glut of bars in Covent Garden too, from glitzy hotel cocktail bars to romantic wine bars, to time-travelling trains with a penchant for gin. And that’s before we get to institutions like The Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and the mind-bindingly beautiful Somerset House.

A thriving garden indeed.

The Best Restaurants

View All | Map View

9.6

Amazing

Restaurants | Covent Garden

The Barbary An open kitchen plating up Barbary-inspired goodness onto a zinc counter, tucked away in Neal’s Yard.

8.0

Area Guides

Covent Garden

The Best Restaurants

The Barbary An open kitchen plating up Barbary-inspired goodness onto a zinc counter, tucked away in Neal’s Yard.

The Barbary Next Door An intimate lunch pitstop, launched as a follow up to Covent Garden’s own North African classic.

Parsons A seafood joint from the guys behind 10 Cases…opposite 10 Cases.

The 10 Cases A small but constantly changing menu of European fare in a friendly and intimate wine bar.

Cora Pearl A glossy follow up to Mayfair’s Kitty Fisher’s, with the finest chip (singular) known to mankind….

Barrafina Drury Lane Top-class tapas in Covent Garden, served up in a marble-lined eatery with a dinky outdoor terrace.

Bancone Covent Garden Affordable fresh pasta and counter dining in a surprisingly central part of town.

Kebab Queen An intimate, tasting-menu-only chefs table. Hidden inside a kebab restaurant.

Story Cellar Rotisserie chicken from a two Michelin Star chef, in a secluded Central London courtyard….

J Sheekey An elegant, old-school seafood restaurant in the heart of Leicester Square, with romantic low lighting.

The Delaunay One of London’s most cherished eateries; an all-day spot inspired by the Grand Cafés of old Vienna.

The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen Yes, these men serve oysters. But they offer a whole lot besides….

Hawksmoor Seven Dials A top-quality steakhouse set in a spacious, temple-like dining room dedicated to beef….

Blacklock Covent Garden A subterranean chophouse with a legendary cocktail trolley.

Dishoom Covent Garden The incredible Indian restaurant that sparked a London obsession….

Lahpet West End If you’ve never had Burmese food, you’re in for a treat….

Ikoyi Creative, unconventional Michelin starred dining in a retro-futuristic brutalist space.

Cafe Murano Covent Garden A more relaxed outpost of Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Italian restaurant.

The Ivy A Covent Garden institution and old-school celebrity haunt, serving brasserie style food to everyone but the masses.

Clos Maggiore Voted London’s Most Romantic Restaurant over and over again….

The Best Bars

The American Bar at the Savoy The city’s oldest cocktail bar, serving iconic drinks with a dinner-jacketed pianist every night.

Lady of the Grapes A female-led wine bar on Maiden Lane.

Baudry Greene A Viennese style cafe & bar that ticks pretty much all the boxes possible….

Side Hustle A stylish, award-winning cocktail bar & Latin American restaurant set in a former police station in the NoMad hotel….

Scarfes Bar A sophisticated, Holborn cocktail snug with live jazz, a roaring fire, and a stellar new cocktail menu.

Prelude A pop up bar from one of the best cocktail joints in the world….

Eve A theatrical basement cocktail den with inventive zero-waste drinks….

STEREO A decadent subterranean bar with live bands, DJs, a dancefloor and amazing late-night food….

Gordon’s Wine Bar An intimate crepuscular cellar bar along the Embankment.

Joe Allen A Theatreland institution with an American-styled late-night bar in tow.

Mr. Fogg’s Society of Exploration Another time-travelling, Fogg-inspired cocktail emporium – only this time, in a train.

The Beaufort Bar Located inside the world-famous Savoy Hotel, the Beaufort Bar is built on what used to be the hotel’s cabaret stage.

Mr Fogg’s Tavern An eccentric, theatrical pub and cocktail joint in the heart of theatre-land.

Moto Rice, rice, baby.

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels Whether you’re a wine lover or looking for a new aperitif spot, this will not disappoint….

Spey Bar A regal whisky bar in an old magistrates court tucked below Covent Garden….

The Best Pubs in Covent Garden Historic taverns cloaked in bric-a-brac; sunny terraces; and a pub with its own prison cells – here’s where to get a pint in Covent Garden.

The Best Things To Do

007: Shadow Of Spectre Tail SPECTRE, text Moneypenny and explore London’s backstreets in an interactive Bond adventure….

Royal Opera House A stunning setting for two of the country’s most talented opera & ballet companies….

Your Ultimate Guide to Neal’s Yard A clandestine cobbled courtyard of colourful warehouses, shops and eateries….

Prelude A pop up bar from one of the best cocktail joints in the world….

London Transport Museum A museum dedicated to the history of movement in London over the last 200 years.

The Hunterian Museum London’s undisputed grisly gem, with thousands of preserved anatomical specimens and medical curios….

The National Gallery There isn’t a lot you can do in London that’s free, but here you can view 2,300+ paintings for £0.

National Portrait Gallery A landmark London art gallery has made its grand return….

Somerset House An 18th century mansion turned cutting-edge art & events space.

The Courtauld Gallery Impressionist masterpieces are back on show at this revamped art institution….

The Experimental Perfume Club Learn how to smell better… and make your own bespoke scent.

Sir John Soane’s Museum An architect’s house that’s been left untouched for 200 years.

AIRE Ancient Baths A candlelit spa where you can literally bathe in red wine.

Musicals by Candlelight Hear iconic songs played by an award-winning string quartet while bathed in the warm glow of candlelight….

Kerb Seven Dials A dozen bars and food traders packed into an old banana warehouse in the heart of Covent Garden.

The Garden Cinema A stunning art deco-styled arthouse cinema with a great bar, reasonable prices, and no ads..

The Best London Theatre Right Now Our guide to the best theatre & shows on in London now – including where to eat before, and go for drinks after.

The Piano Works West End A raucous den of live music, where the set list is whatever you want it to be….

The Top Secret Comedy Club London’s least secret comedy club.

Novelty Automation A quirky arcade featuring the Small Hadron Collider, Cycle Pong, and Divorce.

Hidden Gardens, Stately Buildings & Subterranean Boozing Fancy a little affordable luxury in Central London?.

Soak Up The Sun in Covent Garden A summer’s day in Central London might sound… sweaty. But not when it involves swimming & ice cream.

An Old-School, Glamorous Night On The Tiles Classic cocktails, cabaret, and cod roe crumpets in Central London….

Touring the West End on Foot A walking tour of London’s theatreland.

The Best Things To Do in Covent Garden Subterranean spas, gilded theatres and a couple of missing ears….

The Best Places For Brunch

The Delaunay One of London’s most cherished eateries; an all-day spot inspired by the Grand Cafés of old Vienna.

Dishoom Covent Garden The incredible Indian restaurant that sparked a London obsession….

temper Covent Garden Cuts are butchered in-house before being slung onto coals at this stellar BBQ spot.

Christopher’s Glitzy American dining over two floors in Covent Garden, with a martini bar and an unforgettable brunch….

26 Grains A restaurant dedicated entirely to porridge. And yes, you will want some more.