Restaurants in Covent Garden That Aren't Just for Tourists

A trip-up to Covent Garden is like participate in a biz of human pinball : you careen off masses of gaudy holidaymaker and bounce into the first lachrymation hole around . While the main square is for the most part satiate with middling , unoriginal eatery , fear not – some of the metropolis ’s best steaks , ramen , and Latin cuisine are hidden in this neighborhood ’s winding streets .

Best authentic Mexican:La Perla/El Nivel

28 Maiden LaneIdeal for when your Mexican nutrient craving hit next - level need , head into La Perla on restaurant centric Maiden Lane . With high ceilings and fanlight , plus the capable kitchen and seriously stockpile bar , you ’ll feel a million miles away from London ’s officious streets . And if you feel like fill things to the next stage , pop on a higher floor for a hidden , speakeasy - style cake – which offers up a all thing agave .

Best steaks: Hawksmoor Seven Dials

These guys jolly much single - handedly made steak nerveless again , and it ’s no wonderment why : in addition to enormous slice of boeuf , they declare oneself hip extra like grilled bone marrow served by an attractive , tattooed waitstaff . While the meat tends to cause all conversation to devolve into groans of pleasure , the drinks are also honour - winning – essentially everything in this place deserves some serious one on one sentence with your mouth .

Best Peruvian brunch: Lima Floral

While its cock-a-hoop sister eatery over in Fitzrovia gets most of the tending , this airy space is badass in its own right field . Chef Virgilio Martinez has once again developed a adorable menu that ’s brilliant and fresh , with a heavy emphasis on seafood – although what really get us going is their super - excellent brunch . Opt for the multi - trend “ Long Lunch , ” and consider minimal brain dysfunction - ons like ceviche “ shots ” and larger-than-life smoothies . Once you ’ve wrapped up the primary consequence , you’re able to head to their sultry basement pisco streak for drink .

Best immersive Victorian experience: Mr Fogg’s Tavern

receive to the 1880s : this plaza comes complete with bar wenches in stays shouting bawdy catcalls to each other , vintage boat modelling hanging from the ceiling , and a fare full of pies , joint , and other old - school fare . If you ’re feeling fancy , pop upstairs for a visit to the knock rummy parlour , where a subroutine library of nearly 300 different gins are waiting for you .

Best fast Italian with an indoor fountain: Vico

This place was started by the culinary genius behind Soho stapleBocca Di Lupo , and it ’s most identical – only without the supererogatory ostentation and hard - to - come by reservations . This regional smudge is quick and easy , offer loads of antipasti , like ridiculously right burrata , blood orange tartar , and super fresh raw red prawn – plus all the fritti , alimentary paste , and pizza pie you could ask for .

Best slider with foie gras: Opera Tavern

This position boasts some gravely good sliders : they ’re made from Ibérico porc and foie gras , and are so fantastic that no one will evaluate you for licking the plate clean . If you feel like govern something else , we might retrieve you ’re crazy , but the truth is that the whole bill of fare is solid – plus , they have a big wine-colored list .

Best blast from the past: Rules

deck out in white mesa cloths , red velvet cushions , Rules offers traditional , British cookery at its old - school day finest . The honest-to-god restaurant in townsfolk ( their history dates back to the 1700s ) , this is one of those quintessential London spot that everyone should try at some spot . Admittedly , the whole matter is way of life over the top , but it ’s sound to find like a king now and then .

Best Izakaya bar with the most cringe worthy name: Flesh & Buns

Developed by the same crew as the foodgasm - inducingBone pappa , this place is just amazing . Make your manner into a massive Granville Stanley Hall hidden way below the shopping mecca and stuff your face DIY style : piece your meat , tell them how many buns you want , and get busybodied snacking . Manga cover the walls , and stone & roll blast in classic Bone Daddies style , so the general effect is one part Izakaya , one part eating house , and two role party .

Best ramen worth waiting for: Kanada-Ya

This craze - forming mico - ramen joint has been garnering a lot of wholly deserved hype . Their noodles are made on - internet site , and their signaturetonkatsubroth is some next - level concern : it goes through an 18 - hour process before ending up in your bowlful . Plus , the soft - boiled eggs – trust us and regulate excess to avoid FOMO . Be sure to gaze out the window every now and then to smile smugly at the gang wait to get in .

Best to visit NYC without the air miles: Balthazar

If you ’ve ever been to the original in New York , then get quick for an eery wizard of déjà vu – this buzzy brasserie is almost a brick - by - brick replica , with the same red leather booth , mirrored walls , and marble columns . Keith McNally partnered up with Richard Caring of the Ivy for this monolithic establishment that take care like a film set – and classic brasserie food , admit one blaze of a crème brûlée .

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Mr Fogg’s Tavern