Harden's survey result
Summary
Named for a “wine list built on love and low mark-ups” (they order 10 cases of each vintage on a rotating basis), this “bustling little wine bar and bistro” in Covent Garden is a marvellous haven for oenophiles, serving “top-quality food and regularly changing wines without too much faff” – and “not too stratospherically expensive” either. “Very well run, with professional yet discreet service”, it’s “a top place pre-theatre for a relaxed supper and a glass or two”, even if “the tables are a little close”.
Summary
“They order 10 cases of wines on a rotating basis so the wines change regularly” at this “cosy, bustling little venue (recommended by a sommelier friend)”, with “simple French bistro food that’s really well-cooked” and “sunny service to match”. The result is “never a bad meal or a boring glass of wine” – “how they manage to have such a good wine list with such favourable markups in Covent Garden is a puzzle”. And “it’s in the perfect location for the theatre or opera”.
Summary
With its “unusual and interesting wines” (only 10 cases of each one are ordered, to ensure a steady turnover), “well complemented by delicious small bites to eat”, this is “the wine bistro you want in your street”. The fact that they can combine this with a “great, busy and bustling neighbourhood vibe in the middle of Covent Garden” is “simply astonishing”, making it both “a pre-theatre restaurant and a destination in its own right”.
Summary
“Cramped, buzzy, with a great wine list” to accompany “innovative and reliable food” – it’s no surprise that this “very different” ‘bistrot à vin’ a couple of minutes’ walk from the Opera House is such a Covent Garden “favourite”. They only order ten cases of any wine (hence the name), which means you’ll always find something “interesting” to drink – and “the head sommelier is wonderful!”
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 The 10 Cases?
16 Endell St, London, WC2H 9BD
Restaurant details
The 10 Cases Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great place for a bite and a glass of something good before the opera or ballet round the corner. The wine list is really good with lots of different and interesting wines to try. The service is great too and friendly with lots of advise on the wines and the food is prepared with love and attention. I watched the chef peering through his litle window to watch his cutomers enjoting their food. It is a mixture of really delicious and interesting small plates with tip top ingredients. We had a fritto misto of anchovy olive and pumpkin which was so crisp and light and tasty. Tomatoes tonnato were amazing, who neads the veal?!! we had a veggie main of sweetcorn, white beans, roscoff onion and runner beans, all so flavourful with fresh and in season veg. The steak frites looked amazing, we didn't have but think i may be back for that one."
"Consistently our favourite place to eat"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £39.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 13.50% |
16 Endell St, London, WC2H 9BD
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
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 |
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