Take the escalator up to the café in the Amphitheatre Bar for coffees, cakes and drinks.
Covent Garden WC2
World Food Café, Neal’s Yard Dining Room
Have a pot of tea or a coffee, an Indian mango ice cream or a vegetarian snack in this pretty corner of Covent Garden.
14 Neal’s Yard WC2
World food café sign
Freuds
This
small basement attracts a designer crowd in the evenings. Huge choice
of coffees (some with liqueurs), cocktails and bottled beers.
198 Shaftesbury Avenue W1
Canela
Portuguese and Brazilian treats await the hungry here. Try the black bean stew with pork, chunky sandwiches filled with chorizo, and filling desserts.
33 Earlham Street WC2
The Lamb and Flag
This traditional pub, serving cask bitter, is one of the oldest in the West End and is deservedly popular. Delicious roasts are served upstairs at weekday lunchtimes.
33 Rose Street WC2
Outside the Lamb and Flag
Paul
The
best patisserie in Covent Garden has authentic French fruit tarts,
croissants, breads and cakes, as well as filled baguettes and real
French coffee.
29 Bedford Street WC2
Enjoying a snack at Paul
Gordon’s Wine Bar
An ancient dive where wine, port and Madeira are served from the barrel in schooners or beakers.
47 Villiers Street WC2
Lowlander
Belgian beer and European cuisine served in a relaxed setting attract drinkers and diners alike at this popular spot.
36 Drury Lane WC2
Porterhouse
Excellent beers and a great atmosphere in this pub, which boasts snugs and bars over 11 levels.
21–22 Maiden Lane WC2
Monmouth Coffee Company
The
best place in London to buy and sample really good coffee, as well as a
wonderful small café of great character that serves delicious French
pastries .
27 Monmouth Street WC2
Restaurants
The Ivy
Mere
mortals need to reserve several months ahead for London’s most
star-struck restaurant, but it’s worth waiting for the delicious
brasserie-style food and lively atmosphere.
1–5 West Street WC2
020 7836 4751
Abeno Too
Okonomiyaki
– Japanese comfort food, rather like a cross between omelette and a
savoury pancake – is cooked on a hot grill right in front of you.
17–18 Great Newport Street WC2
020 7379 1160
Mon Plaisir
One of the oldest French restaurants in London. Daily specials keep the menu fresh.
21 Monmouth Street WC2
020 7836 7243
Set lunch and pre-theatre menus
Rock and Sole Plaice
This is simply the best place in central London for traditional British fish and chips.
47 Endell Street WC2
020 7836 3785
Chez Gerard
This
airy branch of a popular chain of French restaurants has a glass roof
and spectacular setting overlooking Covent Garden market. Robust,
unfussy French food at its best. The café is open 11am–5pm.
45 East Terrace, The Piazza WC2
020 7379 0666
No disabled access
Pre-theatre menus
Hamburger Union
Hamburgers are of the gourmet variety and are accompanied by chunky chips.
4–6 Garrick Street WC2
020 7379 0412
No disabled access
Orso
A popular, atmospheric, mid-priced Italian restaurant.
27 Wellington Street WC2
020 7240 5269
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Experience fine dining from the man who mentored such luminaries as Gordon Ramsay.
13–15 West Street WC2
020 7010 8600
Rules
London’s oldest restaurant has been famed since 1798 for its “porter, pies and oysters” .
