Harden's survey result
Summary
“I was blown away by the quality of the fish on my first visit” – this “tiny tiled fish restaurant” in Covent Garden “punches well above its weight” and is one of the most popular bets in our annual diners’ poll in the area. It also boasts a “great wine list” (it shares ownership with nearby wine bar 10 Cases). Despite all its virtues, though, it’s “very tight for space” – “some tables are bar tops with stools, although there are a few tables with chairs/banquettes (and on the pavement if it‘s not too cold)”.
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”.
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
"Fresh fish, beautifully prepared makes this small restaurant a cut above most in this price bracket in Covent Garden. Charming service "
"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. "
"Probably one of the better fish restaurants in town. My monkfish was to die for. Always cooked to perfection and always something different to try. It's a tight space so don't sit too close to the front door or you will be buffeted all evening. "
"Excellent place for fish with a great wine list."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £34.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.50% |
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 |
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