Pasta’s Calling | The Best Italian Restaurants in Covent Garden

Get lost in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of the most famous districts in London. It is a sought-after destination for Londoners and tourists alike looking to immerse themselves in open-air cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, shops and the iconic Covent Garden Market. It’s also London’s main theatre district. Naturally, the quality of performances and dining experiences is high here. None more so than at the many Italian restaurants in Covent Garden.

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With its narrow streets, buzzing market stalls and vibrant atmosphere, you wouldn’t be remiss for likening Covent Garden to Rome, Florence or Naples. So it’s no surprise that the Italian restaurants in Covent Garden are a cut above the rest.

What could be better than pre- or post-theatre pizza, pasta or an antipasto platter with a spritz or two? For us, that’s heaven. So we decided to find the top five Italian restaurants in Covent Garden. The results, in our opinion, are pretty damn great. So take a look and eat your way through the best Italian restaurants in Covent Garden.

The 5 best Italian restaurants in Covent Garden

Polpo – Covent Garden

Located in the heart of Covent Garden and surrounded by theatres, the Polpo Covent Garden branch is a great space in which to escape the bustle of this busy London district. And London in general. In addition to the stunning, light-filled dining space featuring exposed brick and wooden furnishings, there’s an Aperol bar in the basement you can privately hire. Si, per favore, grazie. The food is inspired by Venetian cuisine and culture, so you can expect to find plates designed to be shared. Brilliant.

Where: 6 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7NAWhen: Mon – Sat: 11:30 – 11:30pm; Sun: 11:30 – 10:30pm

Augustus Harris

We’ve mentioned Augustus Harris before here, because they really are one of the best Italian restaurants in Covent Garden. Inspired by bàcari, small local wine bars in Venice, this stylish space is perfect for socialising, drinking and dining. Think antipasto, meats, cheeses, spuntini, bruschette, some excellent Italian wine, spritz combinations and plenty more besides. It’s aesthetically pleasing, beautifully designed and one of our favourite Italian spots in London.

Where: 33 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JTWhen:Sun: Closed__Mon: 5 – 11pm; Tues – Sat: Midday – 11pm

The Wine Place

Specialising in wine, as its name suggests, The Wine Place in Covent Garden is a gem of a spot we think you’ll love. The Wine Place offers a wide selection of wines from various regions of Italy as well as Italian cheeses, cured meats and an impressive antipasto range. It’s a great choice for after-work catch-ups, before or after a show or simply, just because. It’s designed for lovers of Italian cuisine and culture and we can’t recommend it enough.

Where: Unit 33 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8BEWhen: Mon – Wed: 9 – 9pm; Thurs – Sat: 9 – 11pm; Sun: 10 – 8pm

Monmouth Kitchen

Blending Italian and Peruvian cuisines is the name of the game at Monmouth Kitchen. And we are here for it. Housed within the Radisson Blu, the menu features contemporary small plates inspired by both countries, complemented by fine wines and bespoke cocktails. A recipe for an exceptional dining experience. Whilst we know this article is about Italian restaurants, at Monmouth we highly recommend sampling dishes from both sides of the menu – when in Rome, after all.

Where: 20 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HDWhen:Breakfast: Mon – Sat: 7 – 10:30am; Sun: 7:30 – 11amLunch: Sun – Fri: 12 – 2:30pm; Sat: 12 – 5pmAfternoon Tea: Mon – Fri: 2 – 4:30pm; Sat – Sun: 1 – 4:30pmPre-theatre: Mon – Fri: 5 – 6:30pmDinner: Sun – Wed: 5 – 10:30pm; Thurs – Sat: 5 – 10:45pm

San Carlo Cicchetti Covent Garden

One of the most stylish Italian restaurants in London, San Carlo Cicchetti Covent Garden is chic, sophisticated and a must-visit restaurant. Another Venetian haven, it’s all about cicchetti here which is the Venetian take on tapas. Oh, and wine obviously. Sourcing the vast majority of its produce from Milan, it’s most definitely the real deal here. The menu is known for being extensive to say the very least, so take your time to go through it while you sip on an aperitivo. Featuring a signature marble bar, charming staff and a buzzing vibe, it’s without a doubt one of our favourite Italian restaurants in Covent Garden.

Where: 30 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BDWhen: Mon – Sun: 11:30 – 11:30pm