Curated Collection

Best Restaurants in Covent Garden

Discover handpicked restaurants in Covent Garden, London, with what to order first and quick ordering tips.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

35 restaurants

1
Bageriet

Swedish Bakery · £ · Covent Garden

90Signal

Start with

Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)

Regarded as a classic staple of the bakery, they are described by Female Foodie as a traditional 'must-try' and by the Evening Standard as a fragrant highlight of their window display.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
The Barbary

North African / Middle Eastern · £££ · Covent Garden

90Signal

Start with

Cauliflower Jaffa

Described as deep-fried and scattered with a coriander-laced tomato salsa, critics say it is 'enough to gladden any meat-avoider’s heart.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
Toklas

Mediterranean · £££ · Covent Garden

89Signal

Start with

Triple-Cooked Chips

Critics describe these as 'crunchy shards and chunks' and 'real crunchy gold.' Accompanied by aioli, they are frequently called the best chips in London.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

4
J. Sheekey

Seafood · ££££ · Covent Garden

84Signal

Start with

J. Sheekey's Fish Pie

A legendary menu mainstay that defines the restaurant's comfort-food appeal and remains a 'banker' for those seeking a reliable, old-school classic.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

5
Naru

Korean · ££ · Covent Garden

84Signal

Start with

Seafood Pancake (Pa Jeon)

Consistently praised across reviews as 'compellingly crisp and squishy' and 'delicious,' featuring a mix of spring onions and seafood.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

6
Lahpet West End

Burmese · ££ · Covent Garden

83Signal

Start with

Lahpet Thohk (Tea-Leaf Salad)

This 'glorious' and 'delightfully funky' signature dish is a complex mix of pickled tea leaves, double-fried beans, and dried shrimp. Critics warn it is so 'caffeine-heavy' it 'may well keep you up at night,' but is worth every 'enticing bite.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

7
Kebab Queen

Modern Kebab Tasting Menu · ££££ · Covent Garden

82Signal

Start with

Foie Gras Kebabito

Often described as a moreish 'two-bite wonder,' this signature opener features BBQ'd foie gras with potato cubes cooked in duck fat and a date puree.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

8
Maison Bab

Modern Kebab · ££ · Covent Garden

82Signal

Start with

Doner Beignets

Universally praised by critics as the essential starter. Described as 'a doner kebab in croquetas form' filled with fried lamb and beef, served with chilli and garlic sauces—you'll likely 'need several of them.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

9
Bancone

Italian · ££ · Covent Garden

82Signal

Start with

Silk Handkerchiefs with Walnut Butter & Confit Egg Yolk

The undisputed signature dish; described as 'casually orgasmic,' it features paper-thin sheets of pasta draped in a 'heavenly,' 'sticky, nutty, gritty mess of butter.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

10
Koshari Street

Egyptian Street Food · £ · Covent Garden

82Signal

Start with

Koshari

The quintessential Egyptian comfort food: a hearty mix of lentils, rice, pasta, and vermicelli topped with spicy tomato sauce, chickpeas, and crispy onions.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

11
Barrafina

Spanish · £££ · Covent Garden

81Signal

Start with

Tortilla de txistorra

Described as legendary and 'oozy,' this version is made with a paprika-flavoured Basque sausage and served with an 'almost-illegally strong aioli.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

12
Parsons

Seafood · £££ · Covent Garden

78Signal

Start with

Potted Shrimp Croquettes

Regarded as one of the best uses for nutty brown shrimp, these 'massive flavour bombs' feature a light béchamel inside a crisp panko shell.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

13
Fatt Pundit

Indo-Chinese · £££ · Covent Garden

78Signal

Start with

Crackling Spinach

Universally praised as a 'textural delight,' this dish features crispy spinach covered in sweet yoghurt, date, and plum sauce.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

14
Arôme Bakery

Bakery · ££ · Covent Garden

78Signal

Start with

Honey Butter Toast

This signature slice of Japanese shokupan features a crunchy, caramelized honey crust that snaps when you bite into it, revealing the "fluffiest soft inside." Critics describe it as "a creation of wizardry" that tastes like a heavenly sticky toffee pudding.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

15
Royal Opera House Cafe

Modern European / Italian · ££ · Covent Garden

77Signal

Start with

Quiche and salad

The reliable, editor-mandated must-order choice for a quick and satisfying bite before a show.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

16
Tandoor Chop House

Indian · £££ · Covent Garden

76Signal

Start with

Seekh Kebab Roll

A favorite of critics and diners alike, this 'robustly spiced' minced lamb kebab is served on a well-blistered naan with pomegranate seeds and a mint sauce that helps 'tame the dish'.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

17
Lao Café

Laotian · ££ · Covent Garden

75Signal

Start with

Sai Gork Lao (Lao Sausages)

Described as consistently coarse, meaty, and tangy, these fermented sausages are a standout introduction to the menu, offering a flavor profile almost like a herbal black pudding.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

18
ADOH!

Sri Lankan Street Food · ££ · Covent Garden

75Signal

Start with

Mutton Roll

Described as the 'G.O.A.T on social media,' these crisp, breadcrumbed snacks are brimming with a slow-cooked mutton filling that is rich with 'garlic and ginger and chilli powder' yet sweeter than they are hot.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

19
La Gelatiera

Gelato · ££ · Covent Garden

75Signal

Start with

Honey, Rosemary & Orange Zest

Described as a 'gorgeous unusual' flavor, it is praised for the expert balance between the hint of rosemary, the sweetness of honey, and the 'bright freshness' of the orange zest.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

20
Rules

British · ££££ · Covent Garden

74Signal

Start with

Potted Shrimps

Cited by Jay Rayner as a benchmark starter, it is served warmed through so it is easily spreadable on toast, with a 'measured' ballast of mace and nutmeg.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

21
Old Chang Kee

Singaporean · £ · Covent Garden

74Signal

Start with

Chicken curry puff

The iconic, must-order pastry parcel packed with tender chicken, potatoes, and a secret blend of spices that made the brand famous.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

22
Hoa Sen

Vietnamese · ££ · Covent Garden

68Signal

Start with

Vịt Quay Lạng Sơn (Roasted Duck)

The house signature: juicy roast duck flavoured with rare mắc mật leaves. This Covent Garden spot is highlighted by the Evening Standard as a 'good name to know' in the West End for authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

23
Neal's Yard Dairy

Cheese Shop · ££ · Covent Garden

68Signal

Start with

Westcombe Cheddar

Regarded as a favorite for being well-aged with a 'sweet-sharpness' that is described as 'fabulous.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

24
Kanada-Ya

Japanese Ramen · ££ · Covent Garden

65Signal

Start with

Tonkotsu Ramen

Regarded by critics as the 'best Tonkotsu ramen in the UK,' this 'original, safe-bet' 18-hour bone broth is 'gloriously rich, milky, and salty.' Experts recommend ordering the noodles 'hard' to ensure the 'right amount of bite' for an authentic experience.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

25
Crown & Anchor

British Pub · ££ · Covent Garden

60Signal

Start with

Chicken Supreme

A generous piece of tender meat roasted in lemon and thyme, served as part of a 'feast for the eyes' that includes a Yorkshire pudding and fluffy roast potatoes.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

26
Mezzogiorno

Calabrian · ££££ · Covent Garden

60Signal

Start with

Homemade Ragout

A 'firm winner' among the primi, noted for the depth of flavor in its sauce and the quality of the 'lush pici pasta.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

27
Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar

Chinese · £ · Covent Garden

60Signal

Start with

Stewed Beef La Mian Soup

This bowl of 'soupy goodness' features a broth that is 'thick, tasty and flavourful' with 'tender, well-seasoned' beef brisket and 'bouncy, springy' hand-pulled noodles.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

28
Din Tai Fung

Taiwanese · £££ · Covent Garden

59Signal

Start with

Crab & Pork Xiao Long Bao

While the classic pork version is described as 'pleasantly inoffensive,' reviewers specifically preferred the crab and pork version for its superior flavor profile.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

29
Kangnam Pocha

Korean · ££ · Covent Garden

55Signal

Start with

LA Galbi (Beef Ribs)

Consistently cited as a house favorite and part of the essential grilled meat rotation.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

30
Dishoom

Indian (Bombay Café) · ££ · Covent Garden

54Signal

Start with

House Black Daal

Commonly regarded as the restaurant's signature, it represents what fans call an 'outstanding' and 'fresher take' on Indian classics that lives up to the hype.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

31
Chequers

Sandwiches · £ · Covent Garden

52Signal

Start with

Chicken Escalope Sandwich

A hearty, crowd-pleasing classic that is widely considered 'the move' at this institution, especially when ordered on their fresh, pillowy focaccia.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

32
Bleecker Burger Seven Dials Market

American Burgers · ££ · Covent Garden

51Signal

Start with

Double Cheeseburger

Regarded as the flagship item and 'best in the UK,' this burger is praised for its flavorful, 40-day dry-aged beef and simple, high-quality execution.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

33
Chick n Sours

Fried Chicken · ££ · Covent Garden

51Signal

Start with

K-Pop Burger

The towering, trademark Korean-style buttermilk fried chicken sandwich that helped put them on the map.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

34
Jollibee

Filipino Fast Food · £ · Covent Garden

49Signal

Start with

Chickenjoy with Gravy

The global benchmark for Filipino fried chicken, widely praised for its crispy, grease-free skin and juicy meat.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

35
Brunel Sandwich Shop

Sandwich Shop · £ · Covent Garden

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

No. 4 Panini

A perfectly balanced, freshly pressed panini with mortadella, mozzarella, olives, and rocket.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

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