A Day Out in Covent Garden is so much more than you think. Architecturally stunning, the square’s original design by Inigo Jones was modelled on the Place des Vosges in Paris – it was originally a red light district.
Now it is the hub of street performers, theatre land, opera & market shopping, with surrounding areas full of high end & independent shops, restaurants, galleries and beautiful museums. It is a destination spot in London, and Little London Whispers loves it.
Where to eat in Covent Garden
Breakfast:
Covent Garden GRIND – I love this brand. They are cool, they have great art work on the walls, delicious coffee, and some even have a fab bar service for drinks anytime!! A brilliant all rounder.
The Ivy. A safe bet.
Coffee Break:
Abuelo – A great little place. Delicious coffee and cakes. Good food if you can get a table.
Quick Lunch:
Franco Manca pizza in Covent Garden. Always a winner.
Bao Buns. If you get there and there isn’t a line, grab a table.
Meatliquor: New to us, but we went and had a great burger, so worth trying out if you don’t want anything smart.
Eat by Chloe : All things vegan..
Barrafina sit at the bar and eat delicious tapas.
Tea:
Petersham Nurseries is open, for a nice slice of cake & a cuppa. Mariage Frere is open for the real discerning tea drinker.
Ladauree – Sit upstairs over looking Covent Garden for the prime spot. At Christmas they are launching a Canadian Christmas that has all the feels. Watch out for that one!
Sundowners: Royal Opera House on their roof terrace. There is nowhere like it in Covent Garden. Sushi Samba for a rumble in the jungle. A cool space, with cracking cocktails.
Eating in:
Frenchies in Henrietta Street.
Lima for Peruvian tapas.
Balthazar for a Sunday brunch.
Clos Magiore for ‘the most romantic’ restaurant in London. Rules, one of London’s oldest restaurants.
Cora Pearl for the best chips, and the most romantic bar downstairs.
Sushi Samba for great sushi or Sticks & Sushi for the not so swanky, but equally fabulous food.
Shopping in Covent Garden
Ladauree for macaroons, Market Square for all sorts of antiques & knick knacks depending on the day. Neal’s Yard is a little walk away but it’s a must. All the surrounding streets for little bits of fashion, beauty, cheese and organic beauty, make it exceptionally charming. Stanford’s Maps is an amazing shop of maps & books for any intrepid traveller.
Culture Vulture:
London Transport Museum, Royal Opera House, James Bond exhibition and Somerset House. In the other direction you have the Sir John Soane museum & the British Museum is about a 10minute walk.
Fresh Air : Covent Garden Market square, or the quiet hidden garden behind St Paul’s Church, Temple Gardens.
Verdicts:
She said “Having discovered the Royal Opera House bar and terrace, that is a must at any time of the day”.
He said: “Love the James Bond exhibition, that and brunch at Balthazar does me nicely”
Teens said: Totally divided: Girls “Love the shopping & Neal Street.” Boys “Like the vibe on the festival days, the street acts and just hanging out”
