One of London’s best-known districts, Covent Garden is a hub of entertainment, shopping and, of course, dining. Its location in the heart of London’s West End makes it an ideal spot for pre and post-theatre dining with many restaurants offering set menus that pair perfectly with a show. From romantic dining destinations, trendy hotspots for a fun night out, family-friendly joints and fine dining gems, the best restaurants in Covent Garden are not to be missed.
Try creative MICHELIN-starred cooking or visit a glamorous London icon. The Covent Garden Flower Market and Piazza hosts one of the best date night spots in London and St Martin’s Lane boasts top-notch vegan cuisine. Dig into seasonal cooking and British produce or hearty steaks and burgers. Enjoy antipasto platters and creamy risotto at a classic Italian restaurant or steak tartare and beef Wellington at a fine dining gem. A vibrant family-friendly hotspot serves up shakes and wings. Try Asian fusion in an immersive Babylonian experience. A well-known seafood restaurant offers relaxed al fresco dining and one of London’s best Indian restaurants offers perfectly cooked tandoor meats.
Tables at the best restaurants in Covent Garden fill up fast – book yours on OpenTable today.
Keep reading to discover 12 of the best restaurants in Covent Garden
For one of the best MICHELIN-starred restaurants in Covent Garden – head to Frog by Adam Handling
At MICHELIN-starred restaurant Frog by Adam Handling the dishes tell a story. Head chef Adam Handling has crafted a menu of dishes inspired by childhood memories and other special moments. The luxurious, welcoming dining space invites you to peer into the open kitchen and watch the chefs at work. From delicately decorated desserts to dishes spilling white smoke over your table, a night at Frog is a feast for all the senses. The menu is always changing but expect classic British flavours made with local British produce. Think Cornish lamb with haggis and pickled courgette, or flaky cod with beans and horseradish. The evening begins with light snacks and an optional caviar course and ends with refreshing sweet treats like wild strawberries and London honey. If you’re after some excellent drinks, head downstairs to Eve Bar by Adam Handling, perfect for pre or post-dinner snacks.
For great group outings in London – check out The Ivy
Running since 1917, The Ivy on West Street is an iconic London institution. Its original Covent Garden location embodies the very best of London’s glitz and glamour with stained glass windows, a sleek central bar and bold contemporary art pieces. With an elegant private dining space, this is one of the best spots in Covent Garden for group dining. Start with some creamy buffalo mozzarella served with smoked aubergine purée or some roasted Atlantic scallops with watercress foam. Ivy classics include fish and chips made with deep-fried haddock and The Ivy burger with caramelised onion and horseradish ketchup. On Sundays, The Ivy offers one of London’s best Sunday roasts: 21-day dry-aged roast beef with red wine gravy and all the trimmings.
For a romantic night out – try Balthazar London
Pre-theatre dining doesn’t get much better than Balthazar London in the iconic Flower Cellars building. This classic French brasserie serves up a bistro and brasserie-inspired menu. From weekend brunches to a lunch prix fixe menu, Balthazar offers a cosy, elegant dining experience all day long. Try the pan-seared fillet of red snapper with crushed new potatoes and caper butter or the steak tartare made with beef striploin. Or, sip on a breakfast martini while enjoying a hearty serving of eggs benedict with frites. Sweet treats like warm chocolate brownies with smooth caramel sauce are the perfect end to brunch, lunch or dinner.
For one of the best vegan restaurants in Covent Garden – visit Mildreds Covent Garden
Vibrant and fresh, Mildreds Covent Garden is one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden for vegan diners. Colourful artworks line the walls and unique decor fills the shelves at this cosy home away from home on St Martin’s Lane. The whole menu is plant-based and an onion and garlic-free menu is available. Start with some crunchy rainbow pickles – a selection of seasonal pickled vegetables – or try some pan-fried gyoza filled with house-made kim chi. The southern fried plant chick+n burger with a spicy mango pepper glaze goes perfectly with the lemon pepper chips and some toasted lemon pilau on the side never hurts. On weekends, check out the brunch menu with fluffy pancake stacks and strawberry rhubarb bellinis.
For your next birthday celebration – book a table at Jamie Oliver Catherine St
Jamie Oliver Catherine St offers seasonal dishes made with British produce in a relaxed oasis next door to Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The warmly lit, spacious dining area featuring portraits and paintings is ready to welcome the whole family. With vegetarian, vegan and kid-friendly menus, this restaurant caters to every diner. With a wide range of options, sharing platters and indulgent desserts, this is one of Covent Garden’s best spots for special celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. Try the spiced, charred tofu skewers with hazelnut dukkah or the hand-dived scallops with Café de Paris Butter. Hearty mains include the catch of the day fish and the little buddy burger for kids. For dessert, order a scoop of the house ice cream or sorbet (ask your waiter for today’s flavours) or the creamy panna cotta with the season’s best blackberries.
For one of the best burgers in Covent Garden – visit Blacklock Covent Garden
Blacklock Covent Garden’s industrial chic vibe is perfect for a relaxed meal enjoying burgers, steaks and cocktails with your mates. The kitchen keeps the steak sarnie and the signature Blacklock burger always ready to serve quickly on your lunch break while the dry-aged steaks (up to 55 days) are worth the wait. If you’ve got time to linger, start with some potted meats and kimchi or a serving of mushrooms on toast. Beef makes up most of the menu, but you can also find perfectly grilled lamb cutlets and juicy pork belly bites to enjoy. If you want a bit of everything order the all in, designed to be shared by the whole table, with piles of beef, pork, lamb and charcoal-grilled flatbread. Add some chips cooked in beef dripping on the side or try the smokey barbecued cauliflower chop for a unique meat-free option. Pair your meal with classic cocktails or wine on tap and finish up with a creamy white chocolate cheesecake.
For hosting a special occasion at one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden – head to Margot
Margot celebrates the best of Italian cuisine, hospitality and design. Dark leather, warm lighting and relaxed al fresco seating combine to create a stylish, relaxed dining space. The menu features classic Italian dishes made with high-quality seasonal ingredients. Start with a salumi board to share and a bowl of the seasonal soup. Move on to native lobster taglioloini or a creamy risotto al funghi with parmesan crisps. Hearty mains include osso bucco with aromatic saffron risotto and glazed monkfish with pumpkin veloute. Add some crispy rosemary potatoes on the side and finish with a smooth coconut mousse or a classic tiramisu.
For one of the best fine dining restaurants in Covent Garden – book your spot at Savoy Grill – Gordon Ramsay
The history of Savoy Grill – Gordon Ramsay goes all the way back to 1889. Housed in the five-star Savoy Hotel, under Gordon Ramsay’s guidance the kitchen has revived classic recipes and retained its timeless appeal. Book the chef’s experience and get a seat at the chef’s table or in the private Wine Room. It kicks off with champagne and canapés before the senior chef explains the multi-course tasting journey that’s about to unfold. Available for lunch and dinner, a sommelier will be available throughout the meal to help you find the perfect wine pairing. Situated on the banks of the Thames, minutes from the Royal Ballet and Opera and across the river from the National Theatre, Savoy Grill’s post theatre dinner is available from 9:45 pm, Monday to Thursday. If you’re looking for something before the show, the prix fixe menu available from 12 pm to 5:45 pm offers two courses for £55 and three courses for £62. Start with smooth steak tartare with confit St Ewes egg yolk and black truffle crisps and follow it up with the Savoy Grill signature beef Wellington. For an extra special experience, book the beef Wellington masterclass and learn how to craft Gordon Ramsay’s signature dish at home before enjoying a 3-course menu, with your Wellington as the star of the show.
For one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Covent Garden – head on over to Maxwell’s
A lively, retro atmosphere makes Maxwell’s one of Covent Garden’s most popular restaurants for families. Exposed brick walls, neon signs and red-leather stools invite you to relax like it’s 1972 – the year Maxwell’s opened. The menu features all your favourite comfort foods, perfect for easy eating (and kid-friendly). Start by sharing a juicy prawn cocktail with Atlantic tiger prawns or a platter of Maxwell’s chicken wings with your choice of sauce. For your main, try the beer-battered fish and chips with skin-on fries, a stack of BBQ pork ribs or one of the juicy burgers on toasted brioche. With vegetarian and vegan options with halloumi or plant-based patties, everyone can find something to enjoy. The kids’ menu features a range of crowd-pleaser dishes plus fun activities like word search and colouring to keep young diners busy. Kids can enjoy one of the mocktails like the into the unknown with bubblegum syrup and Sprite Zero or one of the loaded freak shakes. Adults can sip on house cocktails or bubbling champagne.
For one of the best Asian restaurants in Covent Garden – visit Gilgamesh Covent Garden
Gilgamesh Covent Garden transports diners to a Babylonian palace inspired by the epic of Gilgamesh. Embossed relief sculptures depicting the legend line the walls and plants hang from the ceiling in the dimly lit dining space. Spread across three levels, this restaurant aims to immerse diners in a sensory experience that centres around a menu rooted in Japanese, Chinese and South-East Asian dishes. Book the £20 three-course Express Lunch and enjoy crispy vegetable spring rolls, aromatic Thai green chicken curry and a decadent chocolate fudge cake. Alternatively, check out the pre and post-theatre menu. On weekends, Gilgamesh offers a free-flow brunch with free-flowing wine and a three-course feast featuring sharing starters, a signature main and a platter of desserts.
For spectacular seafood – visit J Sheekey – The Restaurant
Originally opened in 1896, J Sheekey – The Restaurant is one of London’s most iconic institutions. You’ll easily spot the bright red exterior with al fresco dining ensuring the scent of fresh seafood pulls you in off the street. Dine out on the summer terrace and enjoy platters of shellfish, fish and oysters paired with carefully selected wine. Start with some crunch prawn tempura with chilli jam or try the roasted butternut squash soup off the vegan and vegetarian menu. The shellfish platters are always a popular option, but there are also hearty seafood mains like J. Sheekey’s Cornish fish stew and veggie options like miso-baked aubergine. Pair your meal with one of the signature cocktails like the sea the stars with whiskey, honey and ginger ale.
For one of the best Indian restaurants in Covent Garden – head to Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden
Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden is the place to be for smokey, spicy Indian food. A cross between British chop houses and North Indian communal restaurants, step across the mosaic-tiled floor and slip into a wood and red leather booth. A pane of glass is all that separates the wood-panelled dining area from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. The house tandoor chicken is always a popular option while the tandoor roasted cauliflower is gluten-free and vegan. Add a serving of hot honey chicken or nimbu masala fries on the side. There are five different types of naan and two rotis to pair with your tandoor meats and veggies. Finish off with a Nutella naan or some coal-roasted pineapple with a sweet mango sorbet.
From hearty curries to classic British cooking, the best restaurants in Covent Garden have something for everyone. From fine dining gems in luxury hotels to laidback eateries perfect for the whole family, it’s easy to find something for any occasion. Add on seasonal produce, hand-picked wines and decadent desserts and each outing is sure to be a feast. Whether you’re heading to the theatre, exploring the area or finishing up a long week, these restaurants are ready to welcome you.
Book your spot at the best restaurants in Covent Garden on OpenTable today.
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