Where To Eat in Covent Garden

The heart of London’s theatreland and home to the world-famous piazza, there’s no denying Covent Garden is a tourist hotspot. Yet in recent years, the area has become a food destination in its own right. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to dine pre-theatre, fancy a date night in town or are hosting a big birthday dinner, there’s something for everyone in the ever-buzzing central neighbourhood. Read on for the C&TH pick of the best restaurants in Covent Garden.

Best Restaurants in Covent Garden

Oriole

Eleonora Boscarelli

Head to Oriole and you can expect dazzling cocktails, superb Latin American food and opulent interiors – not to mention an incredible roster of jazz musicians providing the perfect soundtrack to your night. The ‘dinner and a show’ menu is a real winner, offering a cocktail, starter, main, and dessert; standout dishes include guinea fowl, a punchy sea bass ceviche, and an utterly indulgent tres leches pudding served with fig leaf, coconut and tarragon sorbet. When it comes to drinks, there’s a rather breathtaking selection (which you can enjoy either in the stylish Bamboo Bar or the sultry dining room downstairs), but the real showstopper is most definitely the Acadia: a bourbon-based cocktail infused with maple syrup, grapefruit juice and a hint of peanut butter. It just might blow your mind. St. Martin’s Courtyard, 7-9 Slingsby Place, London, WC2E 9AB. oriolebar.com

Radio Rooftop

For a glitzy rooftop affair, whizz high up into the sky to Radio Rooftop, perched on the 10th floor of five-star hotel ME London. The bar and restaurant has been a favourite on the capital’s rooftop scene since opening in 2013, but it’s looking better than ever thanks to a recent £2.5 million refurbishment. Renowned restaurant designer Bernard Caroll was brought in to spearhead the interiors, giving the venue a sophisticated yet fun feel – think coral reef wallpaper, marble surfaces and dried palms. In the centre sits an onyx cocktail bar serving an eclectic selection of Asian-inspired cocktails, with highlights including the Tokyo Rose, a blend of gin, Lanique Spirit of Rose, lychee and watermelon. Pair with suitably luxurious small plates including Japanese wagyu sirloin, Maldon oysters with red yuzu hot sauce, sushi rolls, and some particularly delicious crispy duck bao. A large wraparound terrace offers plenty of al fresco seating, boasting impressive views of the city skyline, with the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard all within eyeshot. A real treat.

336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA, radiorooftop.com

UKIYO Hand Roll Bar

Newly opened within The Yards in Covent Garden is UKIYO, an intimate 16-cover Japanese eatery with a counter seating concept and a minimalist aesthetic. Hand rolls are the focus here, with a menu created by chef Konstantin, who has 20 years experience in the culinary world. Guests can enjoy signatures like the King Crab California, Yellowtail, and Spicy Scallops – or opt for the tasting menu: a mix of sushi, nigiri, rolls and sashimi. Enjoy alongside Asian-inspired cocktails, such as a Yuzu Margarita, or a Japanese Negroni, made with gin, cherry and Campari.

8 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB, ukiyohandrollbar.com

The Portrait

If you haven’t visited the rejuvenated National Portrait Gallery yet, where have you been hiding? (Away from the crowds, no doubt…) If you’ve been looking for an excuse to visit, this is it: perched atop the stunning, world-famous gallery is The Portrait, Richard Corrigan’s restaurant serving delicious British fare with stunning city views, from Big Ben to the London Eye. Gone are the days of stale bread rolls and lukewarm soups; this museum restaurant takes everything up a notch (or 10). The vibes are upscale yet super laid back, with pale wood interiors throughout and an open kitchen. Expect high quality artisan ingredients transformed into creative dishes, starting with the likes of duck heart, celeriac soup and an indulgent yet playful crispy slow poached egg. For mains, there are three pastas to choose from, or tuck into a hearty plate in classic British style; think Fillet of Beef, Lamb Rump, or the rich Guinea Fowl with nduja. Divine. Visit before a stroll through the gallery below or to refuel afterwards, resting your weary museum walked legs. By Olivia Emily

National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE; theportraitrestaurant.com

Story Cellar

It’s a big year for Tom Sellers: alongside Dovetale, he has also opened a Parisian-style rotisserie restaurant in Neal’s Yard. Rotisserie chicken is the main focus, served alongside house salad and French fries, alongside dishes like crab linguine, hand-dived scallops, and a re-interpreted version of a signature dish from Restaurant Story: snail bolognese on toast with parsley butter. A special wine programme, meanwhile, means guests will have the opportunity to try rare and exceptional wines which would usually only be available in full bottle format. 

17 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP; storycellar.co.uk

Louie

It’s worth dressing up for Louie, the glitzy restaurant in a converted Covent Garden townhouse, chosen by Rihanna for her most recent birthday celebration. A joint venture by French restaurateur Laurent de Gourcuff – the name behind a string of Paris’ most stylish destinations – and Guillaume Glipa of Annabel’s, Zuma and Chiltern Firehouse, Louie is a multi-layered mille-feuille of style and sophistication, each floor offering a different look and vibe thanks to the interior artistry of Maxime Dion. In the first floor dining room rattan contrasts with rich tones of emerald and ruby while crystal glass and silver twinkle seductively under fringed lamps. Head chef Slade Rushing’s menu is an interesting mix of classic Creole flavours with French gastronomy, served with panache. Pig cheeks and langoustine, oysters Rockefeller (with a hint of liquorice), and Louisiana style crab cakes get the taste buds dancing. And that’s the aim. Music is at the core of Louie – the name derives from jazz legend Louis Armstrong and Louis XIV (royalty won when it came to the spelling). DJ sets and live music always feature, with dedicated Tuesday jazz night’s now on the menu. Head upstairs after supper to the lounge bar and cosy into one of the velvety nooks while listening to a celebration of late, great musicians such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and of course, Louis Armstrong. A wonderful way to be transported into the wee small hours. And it has the Rihanna seal of approval – beat that.

13-15 West St, London WC2H 9NE; louie-london.com

Floral by LIMA

Floral by LIMA is the younger, less pricey sister of Virgilio Martinez’s famed Fitzrovia restaurant. Found on Covent Garden’s Floral Street (hence the name), Floral is a more accessible option – classy without being formal, ideal for dates. Expect more of the cooking Martinez is famous for: unusual ingredients cooked with flair and imagination. The slightly lower price tag means you can go all out on the dishes: some of the best are the smoked chicken causa, the sea bream ceviche, and the Chinese cauliflower, served with ginger chimichurri and Rocoto mayonnaise. Afterwards, continue the party at buzzing basement bar The Lost Alpaca, where you can enjoy colourful surroundings and an innovative cocktail list featuring not just pisco, but rum, tequila, mezcal and more.

14 Garrick St, London WC2E 9BJ; limalondon.com

Frenchie

For something a little more low-key and neighbourhoody amid the bustle and theatricality of Covent Garden, pop into Frenchie, where the interiors are simple yet chic with soft pink and blue chairs and globular lights hanging over the bar. This is the British outpost of Frenchie from Gregory Marchand, founder of the popular Parisian brand which has garnered a Michelin star at its Rue du Nil location across the channel, alongside a ‘to go’ venue and wine bar. Championing seasonal ingredients cooked in a refined style, Frenchie is surprisingly less French than you’d expect, splicing high quality ingredients with international influences, including the vibrant dining scene in London.

Start with a small bowl of indulgent, hearty and homely Elwy Valley Lamb Ragu, scooping the widest strands of pappardelle into your mouth along with kalamata olives; the perfect winter warmer. Then move onto the likes of Woolley Park Farm Quail, delicately cooked with super sweet parsnips and blackberries cutting through the subtle gaminess of the bird, served with an indulgent sauce poured at the table. Or opt for the lighter Gigha Halibut with florets of roasted cauliflower dotted across the plate. End with one of the indulgent desserts – try the Banoffee, Nutmeg and Caramelized Pecan for divine burned banana nuttiness – and accompany all with delicious wine selected from the extensive menu (the dessert wine glasses are especially delicate and pretty). By Olivia Emily

16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH; frenchiecoventgarden.com

Clos Maggiore

Hailed by many as London’s most romantic restaurant, you couldn’t dream up a better date spot than Clos Maggiore. With high-end modern European cuisine, a conservatory featuring a ceiling of hanging flowers, a glowing fireplace and a glass roof looking up to the starry night sky, it’s no surprise the restaurant witnesses several marriage proposals each week. But it’s not all style over substance: food is also excellent, inspired by the country inns of the South of France and Tuscany and made using local and seasonal ingredients wherever possible.

33 King St, London WC2E 8JD; closmaggiore.com

The Lane

Situated in the newly reopened Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Lane has become quite thesp hotot for theatre lovers. The 17th century venue underwent a restoration project headed up by Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber in 2019, and only resurfaced in Covent Garden again recently with the West End debut of Frozen. Now, with a newly decorated entrance and theatre, as well as the Cecil Beaton Bar, Theatre Royal Drury Lane is back like never before. Visit the Grand Salooon for afternoon tea, where artisan baker and cake designer Lily Vanilli has created a special Regency menu featuring seasonal mini pies, scones and an impressive array of desserts.

Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF; thelane.co.uk

Jean Baptiste Strub

Ave Mario

Restaurants in the Big Mamma Group have always gone big, with larger-than-life interiors and generous portion sizes, and the West End outpost is no different: a 7,000 square foot restaurant on Henrietta Street. Just like its sister restaurants, Ave Mario is all about the fun factor, dubbed a ‘cheeky interpretation of the Church’. Décor is bold, with red banquettes, black and white striped walls and a myriad of bottles lining the walls of the main dining room. Food is equally extravagant, with a dedicated list of Venetian caviar dishes alongside sharing pizzas made using the ‘Biga’ technique, a 24-hour process that ensures the dough is extra pillowy. The pièce de résistance? A 60cm-tall fior di latte ice-cream shaped into a giant cake, marbled through with crunchy Stracciatella chocolate. Go hungry.

15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QG; bigmammagroup.com

The Barbary

Sister venue to Soho hotspot The Palomar, The Barbary is a counter bar restaurant in Neal’s Yard serving food inspired by the Barbary Coast, North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline. Pull up a stool at the bar and get stuck into some sharing plates, which blend North African spices with Mediterranean ingredients. Begin with halloumi fries and za’atar crisps, plus a selection of dips and freshly baked breads to mop them up with (the signature ‘naan e berber’ is a winner). Mains span land, sea and earth, all packed with interesting flavours – think harissa lamb chop, black salmon spiced with dukkah and Jaffa-style cauliflower. With its electric atmosphere and friendly service, this spot is great for catch ups with friends.

16 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP; thebarbary.co.uk

FishWorks

‘Fish and chips’ doesn’t have to mean batter and a tiny wooden fork. One of our favourite fish restaurants in London is FishWorks, now open in Covent Garden and serving up some of the freshest fish and shellfish in the capital, responsibly sourced from Devon and Cornwall’s markets and day boats. Forget popping to the local chippie and take your next fish supper to fine dining standards with a meal in this beautifully decorated restaurant with in-house fishmonger, marble oyster bar and light and comfortable dining area. For the ultimate seafood feast, opt for the tasting platter for two with a selection of hot and cold fish and shellfish treats, including the delicious oysters and must-try Dover sole. And on the side? It has to be the double cooked chips with sea salt. After all, what is the finest fish in London without a deep-fried potato to accompany it?

2-4 Catherine St, London WC2B 5JY; fishworks.co.uk