Harden's survey result
Summary
Chef Angela Hartnett brings her signature Italian cuisine to the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House from autumn 2025, taking advantage of “a wonderful setting” with “the best views across Covent Garden”. Both the restaurant and an all-day terrace bar are apparently inspired by the classic bars of Turin (that’s what the PR says anyway) and are open to the public as well as to opera or ballet ticket-holders.
Summary
“Located on the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House” – this amenity for opera-goers is also open to the public throughout the week, and for the heart of Covent Garden its appeal for many probably lies in the general absence of hoi polloi from these cultured environs. Its top feature is a bright, glazed terrace with fine views over the area, which comes into its own in summer. Fans rave over its brasserie fare too (for example “excellent steak”), although they generally opt for the “well-priced set lunch menu”; critics say you get “rather small portions of OK food at high prices”.
For 34 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 Royal Opera House, Cicoria (fka Piazza Cafe)?
Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RA
Restaurant details
Royal Opera House, Cicoria (fka Piazza Cafe) Restaurant Diner Reviews
"First opportunity to try Angela Hartnett's new venture at the Royal Opera House and must say we were impressed. At lunch time being sat on the terrace overlooking the Covent Garden Piazza is very pleasant. Food was very good and the service was excellent on our visit. Hopefully this is a sign of great things to come."
"When visiting the Opera House this is the perfect place to book to dine as you have access to the table for the whole evening and can enjoy your meal spread across the performance - e.g. dessert & coffee in the interval. Food has improved immeasurably since the Opera House brought the cooking in house and while not cheap is pretty good value."
"The perfect addition to a night at the opera where one can have access to your table for the whole evening. This means that one can spread the course over any intervals - e.g. having dessert and coffee in the interval after starters and mains pre-performance. Since the opera house brought the food preparation in house quality has definitely risen and the value improved."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RA
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm |
