Shopping, theatre, bars, buskers… with so much going on in Covent Garden, it’s no wonder it’s our usual weekend spot. Even with throngs of tourists, there’s something magical about spending an afternoon wandering the streets of theatreland that never quite gets old. But with all that exploring, you can’t blame us for getting a little (okay, a lot) peckish.
And when it comes to restaurants, Covent Garden really does have it all. Whether you’re after a cherry-blossomed romantic spot, indulgent Italian cuisine, or an Indian-inspired afternoon tea, here’s a can’t-go-wrong list of the best restaurants near Covent Garden station.
Frog by Adam Handling
Known for his innovative and exciting dishes, Frog by Adam Handling is the chef’s flagship restaurant in Covent Garden. Expect a theatrical dining experience with skilfully prepared British food with modern London flair. The restaurant is minimalist and laidback, and chefs serve your food and any final flourishes at the table for a truly interactive dining experience (expect steaming snow and icy fog amongst other tech-savvy culinary techniques).
Meanwhile, down the stairs you’ll find Eve Bar – an intimate bar nuzzled away beneath the restaurant. Recently revealing a brand new look, the space boasts luxury velvet seating and marble tables against atmospheric blue and gold walls. And the innovative menu is really something else – using leftover kitchen waste to create incredible flavour combinations in their cocktails – such as their Purple Rain, made with Discarded Grape Skin Vodka, Passion Fruit Syrup, Vanilla, Red Cabbage Liqueur & Molecular Champagne.
WHERE: 34-35 SOUTHAMPTON ST, LONDON WC2E 7HG
WEBSITE: WWW.FROGBYADAMHANDLING.COM
Balthazar
We’re not talking about your usual French Brasserie here – Balthazar is so much more than that. The French-inspired menu offers a wide selection of quintessential dishes like lobster spaghetti, sole goujons and steak frites. But you can also pop in for weekend brunch too to try their eggs royale with frites, banana and blueberry pancakes, and a host of cocktails for the boozy brunch brigade.
Pop in for weekend brunch to try their eggs royale and a host of cocktails for the boozy brunch brigade
WHERE: 4-6 RUSSELL ST, LONDON WC2B 5HZ
WEBSITE: WWW.BALTHAZARLONDON.COM
J Sheekey
A great historic spot if you find yourself in Covent Garden pre- or post-theatre, “Sheekey’s” has been providing theatre-goers, casts and friends with the finest seafood and shellfish since 1896 (that’s over 125 years!). And the restaurant really is oozing with character. With a new central crustacean bar, elegant flooring, and walls adorned with timeless images of actors and actresses – it really does feel like a piece of theatre history.
Serving perfectly prepared fish and shellfish, our favourite is the Deluxe Plateau de Fruits de Mer; a platter of mixed oysters, cock crab, Atlantic prawns, mussels, clams, ceviche, cockles, whelks, langoustine & lobster. To finish – opt for the Pear Tarte Tatin with salted caramel ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
WHERE: 28-32 ST MARTIN’S CT, LONDON WC2N 4AL
WEBSITE: WWW.J-SHEEKEY.CO.UK
SUSHISAMBA
Consistently up there when talking about Covent Garden’s best restaurants, SUSHISAMBA specialises in Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine – so if you want a hint of culinary creativity, you can’t go far wrong. Pick from crispy lobster taquitos with avocado and pickled shallots; salmon seviche with tamarind, sesame, seaweed and macadamia; or lamb chop robata with red miso and lime for a brilliant small-plate sharing experience.
And if you’re all about those views – the restaurant runs along Covent Garden Market for beautiful rooftop views across the piazza.
WHERE: 35 THE MARKET, LONDON WC2E 8RF
WEBSITE: WWW.SUSHISAMBA.COM
La Goccia
Seasonal dishes and sustainable food systems are the order of the day at La Goccia, the second site of the Petersham Nurseries group. Expect minimal waste and maximum flavour as they take every cut of an animal and use it to create delicious and interesting menus that are good for the planet (and the tastebuds).
Seasonal dishes and sustainable food systems are the order-of-the-day at La Goccia
WHERE: 1 FLORAL ST, LONDON WC2E 9FB
WEBSITE: WWW.LAGOCCIA.CO.UK
Clos Maggiore
Clos Maggiore is a gorgeous, intimate slice of Provence and Tuscany’s stylish country inns in the heart of modern London. Walk through the doors to the cherry blossom-adorned conservatory – which in winter is perfect for date nights by candlelight, starlight, and a crackling fire. Meanwhile, in the summer, the roof retracts to create a bright and airy dining space.
The service is impeccable, the ingredients are locally sourced and the menu changes frequently. Scottish Scallops, Jerusalem Artichoke, Fresh Truffle & Chicken Jus are the best way to start the evening, and the Poll Dorset Lamb Saddle, Carrot, Mustard Seeds & Lamb Jus is the best way to end it.
And, if that wasn’t enough, their globally renowned wine cellar boasts over 2,500 wine selections from modest bottles to the greatest names in the wine world.
WHERE: 33 KING ST, LONDON WC2E 8JD
WEBSITE: WWW.CLOSMAGGIORE.COM
The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen
Looking for oysters with something a little extra? Visit Covent Garden’s The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen for dressed oysters packed with flavour. Expect oysters served with the likes of champonzu, wasabi and shiso; calamansi, jalapeno and dill; and spicy buffalo sauce and kosho.
There are plenty of other fishy flavours to look forward to as well, from their whole undressed Devon brown crab with garlic aioli to their paccheri pasta with lobster and crab bisque, scallop tartare and black in tuille.
WHERE: 32 HENRIETTA ST, LONDON WC2E 8NA
WEBSITE: WWW.OYSTERMEN.CO.UK
Kebab Queen at Maison Bab
Ask an in-the-know Londoner to recommend counter-dining in Covent Garden and they’ll likely reply Kebab Queen. With a countertop that’s heated in places so the chef can cook your food, literally, right in front of you, the counter is right at the heart of the action.
It’s an intimate 10-seat dining experience, with a 6-course tasting menu only, but it’s something really quite special that must be tried.
WHERE: 4 MERCER WALK, LONDON WC2H 9FA
WEBSITE: WWW.EATLEBAB.COM
Dishoom Covent Garden
Can you really say you’re an Indian-loving Londoner if you haven’t dined at Dishoom at least five times? Their Bombay street food is perfect for every occasion, whether it’s early morning breakfast, a light lunch of small plates, or an extravagant order-everything evening meal with friends.
Go for their breakfast menu and find Indian-inspired staples like The Big Bombay (akuri, char-striped smoked streaky bacon, peppery Shropshire pork sausages, masala beans, grilled field mushrooms, grilled tomato and buttered, home-made buns) or a Bacon Naan Roll (smoked streaky bacon with cream, cheese, tomato-chilli jam and coriander, wrapped in a freshly baked naan). And we can’t mention breakfast at Dishoom without mentioning their more-ish and refillable House Chai to wash it all down with.
WHERE: 12 UPPER ST MARTIN’S LN, LONDON WC2H 9FB
WEBSITE: WWW.DISHOOM.COM
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
Hawksmoor is the standard by which every other steak in London will be judged. And rightly so. Hawksmoor’s formula – of sourcing only the very best British beef, and recruiting the best steak chefs to prepare it – is a real success. With knowledgeable waiting staff to help you pick the right steak, you really can’t go wrong.
From T-bone and Chateaubriand, to prime rib and porterhouse, Hawksmoor’s got it all. And you would be nuts not order the creamed spinach, triple-cooked chips and macaroni cheese on the side – all to be gobbled by the bucketful (if I had my way) and washed down with their signature Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew.
WHERE: 11 LANGLEY ST, LONDON WC2H 9JG
WEBSITE: WWW.THEHAWKSMOOR.COM
Ave Mario
Opening to much anticipation in 2021, Ave Mario is the third London restaurant from Big Mamma Group – the team behind London restaurant favourites Gloria and Circolo Popolare. Stepping into the trattoria is like stepping into a funky day in Florence, and the menu offers just the same amount of ‘extra’ as their other spots – expect the likes of ‘biga’ pizzas (a 24-hour process which gives the crust a pillowy texture), carbonara ravioli, and for dessert, a piece of their massive 60cm tall Gelato Tower covered in caramel. Heaven!
WHERE: 15 HENRIETTA ST, LONDON WC2E 8QG
WEBSITE: WWW.BIGMAMMAGROUP.COM
Frenchie
The second home of one of Paris’s best restaurants, Frenchie is a parquet-floored, marble-countered, charming Covent Garden spot. They do French cuisine with English-inspired ingredients, and they do it well.
Expect dishes like Cornish Turbot Grenobloise with Barbecued Broccoli, Sea Herbs and Crutons; and desserts like Citrus Pavlova, Long Pepper and Grapefruit Sorbet. To finish, tantalise your tastebuds with one of their signature cocktails and voila – the perfect modern brasserie in the centre of Covent Garden.
WHERE: 16 HENRIETTA ST, LONDON WC2E 8QH
WEBSITE: WWW.FRENCHIECOVENTGARDEN.COM
El Ta’koy
The perfect spot for post-work cocktails and dinner with a vibrant atmosphere, El Ta’koy is a brand new concept from renowned chef Luis A. Puis, housed in the townhouse basement of 3 Henrietta Street.
With a twist on his favourite dishes and influences from his time in Owhyhee, expect to tuck into Hawaiian street food like lamb barbacoa tacos with pineapple chutney, cilantro and lime cream; and mushroom ceviche with edamame, chilli oil, lime and coconut dressing. Cocktails are heavily tiki and rum-inspired, and totally delicious.
WHERE: 3 HENRIETTA ST, LONDON WC2E 8LU
WEBSITE: WWW.EL-TAKOY.COM
By The Handbook
Frog by Adam Handling
Balthazar
J Sheekey
SUSHISAMBA
La Goccia
Clos Maggiore
The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen
Kebab Queen at Maison Bab
Dishoom Covent Garden
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
Ave Mario
Frenchie
El Ta’koy
