Covent Garden, International Restaurant Guide

“A real find so close to the Opera House”, this independent Covent Garden wine bar/bistro offers a “sometimes brilliant but always good – eccentric and eclectic – wine list”, which is “ever changing” as only 10 cases of each wine are stocked at any point in time. “Friendly and knowledgeable staff” are on hand to advise on your choice and to present a short menu of “beautifully crafted small plates and charcuterie”, with “particularly enticing blackboard specials”.

For a “lovely afternoon tea” and “a truly elegant experience” there’s much to recommend the light-filled foyer of this posh hotel lounge (set beneath a glass dome). “The price is eye-watering but seconds are regularly provided, so it’s actually good value for the amazing experience”. Breakfast here is also “a gorgeous start to the day”.

In the tourist hell of Covent Garden, this traditional brasserie is easily missed but worth remembering for a “cheap ’n’ cheerful” bite. Even those who say “it’s not too inspiring” feel it’s “hard to fault for a speedy pre-theatre meal”: “just like half the brasseries in France – classic dishes, realisation can be mediocre, but very reasonably priced”.

This group of “buzzing” late-night diners (also good for breakfasts with “vibe and edge”) opened a sixth London site in Covent Garden's Seven Dials. In 2016 the chain underwent a bit of a rebrand, changing its name from Balans to Balans Soho Society and revamping its existing venues.