Harden's survey result
Summary
“By no means a flashy restaurant and fairly cramped, but some of the very best fish that you will find in London” – this immensely popular Covent Garden fixture is a “premier choice” despite its humble looks thanks to a “daily changing menu dependent on the morning’s catch” that’s “accurately and sometimes interestingly, sometimes classically cooked” and delivered at a “really good-value” price. “The inside space is tiny, but they have managed to expand into an outside area which they heat on the pavement”.
Summary
“If you can squeeze inside this tiny restaurant off Covent Garden (which has expanded out onto the pavement in recent years thankfully) you will be in for a real treat” and one “at a very fair price”. Over its five years in operation, it’s become one of London’s top destinations for “spankingly fresh fish and seafood”, “accurately cooked with brio in a small, bright space”. “The unique gimmick here is that what’s on the menu depends entirely on what they can get from the day boats in the morning and so could be anything. Dishes and prices are scrawled on the wall tiles with a reassuring lack of upselling; and wine comes from the ever-evolving selection at their sibling ‘10 Cases’ over the road so you never have the same meal twice”. “Lively and helpful” service completes the excellent offering. Top Menu Tips – “super oysters at £1 each” are a feature, “potted shrimp croquettes feature amongst the excellent-but-small selection of staples; and if you go in the winter you might be lucky enough to sample their legendary lobster mash”.
Summary
“A tiny, buzzing space which serves delicious fish and other seafood delights in a friendly and efficient manner”, this tiled Covent Garden four-year-old has been a welcome addition to the new wave of fish specialists in the West End. “The interesting wine list comes from 10 Cases over the road”, which is under the same ownership. “We hardly ever go beyond the starters/small plates here – smoked cod’s roe, potted shrimp croquettes, brown crab pissaladière, tartare of sea trout with spicy bloody Mary jelly – all hit the spot”.
Summary
“It’s the fresh fish that brings you” to this “tiny, tiny space” in Covent Garden (sibling to 10 Cases, just across the road) – a “crowded, congested and stripped-down room” that’s almost “more of a seafood bar than a restaurant as you perch on stools”. “There’s a small menu, with a few specials painted on the walls showing the catch of the day”, “all cooked to perfection behind the counter and served as soon as it’s ready”. “Ideal for pre-theatre, but it doesn’t encourage lingering”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Parsons?
39 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9BA
Restaurant details
Parsons Restaurant Diner Reviews
"I was hoping to love this - well done fish is one of the things I seek in a restaurant, so where better? The small plate starters were good; my companion's smoked eel Caesar salad was lovely; but the fish pie was a stodgy disappointment. The high thin tables inside also make for a lopsided dining experience."
"Monkfish was huge portion at £28. Excellent. "
"Parsons is very handy as it is open all day so pre-opera/theatre is fine as is after a matinee. But we go for the food. This time we had the best ever monkfish - huge too. Fish pie was better than many but still perhaps not the best choice Only problem was losing our dessert choice. We waited and waited and were about to cancel as we had to leave. Abject apologies and removed from bill. "
"A return to find some new ideas on the menu which is modest. You have to like fish here and if you do you will not be disappointed. Service is charming and efficient taking time to talk to a lonely regular next to us. The fish changes daily so you know if is fresh. One big advantage is that they are open all day so you can eat a late lunch after an opera rehearsal or an early dinner after a matinee. For a fish restaurant, they are fairly priced and I hope they stay that way. "
"Handy place as they serve lunch throughout the afternoon so good for post morning rehearsal or pre show. Reliable and quick. Lovely staff"
"Tiny tiled restaurant a short walk from the Royal Opera House. Most of the tables are bartops with stools, but there are a few tables with chairs/banquettes at the back (and on the pavement if its not too cold) - so make sure you ask for a table with chairs when booking if back ache is an issue. Unpretentious menu, but a high standard of fresh fish and seafood. "
"This may have been open for a few years now but yesterday was my first visit and I was blown away by the quality of the fish dishes served. Apparently the menu changes daily depending on the morning's catch so when I come back I look forward to trying other dishes - and I will definitely be coming back. In addition the bread served on the side was the best I've ever been offered in a restaurant in the UK. Happy to recommend"
"An excellent find which although it has been open for a few years now I have just discovered. The fish was cooked to perfection and the menu changes every day depending on what is freshest each morning. The service was excellent and although the inside space is tiny they have managed to expand onto the pavement."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
39 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9BA
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
Japanese restaurant in Covent Garden
French restaurant in Covent Garden
