Head to Mercer Walk where Neil Rankin's temper is bringing you some of the finest BBQ dishes around, alongside the largest terrace of the group's bespoke smokehouses. Split over two floors, it has a downstairs den decked out with leather booths and a ground-level space made for social dining, sporting an open kitchen (home to the roaring fire pit), royal blue tiling and counter seating. It prides itself on sourcing its meat from one single farmer, Charles Ashbridge in North Yorkshire, and butchering in-house. While rustling up moreish tacos, rare breed British steaks and truffle raclette chips, it's also one of the top spots for unlimited brunch come the weekend, where you can add on free-flowing tipples for just £29 per person.

If you're looking for restaurants near Covent Garden station, Balthazar embodies the area's renowned buzz and charm within its French-style brasserie. Make your way over for a romantic candle-lit dinner among vintage mirrors and leather booths in the historic Flower Cellars building. Dive into some of the most delicious wines in the business, displayed around the dining area in golden, back-lit cabinets, There's also a cornucopia of high-end dishes, such as rock oysters, crab mayonnaise, shell-on prawns, whelks and mussels to start, followed by steak frites and risotto.

Oriole is one classy restaurant that, after a successful run as a pop-up, has set up a permanent camp in Covent Garden, spread over two floors. This speakeasy-inspired spot features a Bamboo Bar where, from 3pm onwards, you'll find aperitivo-style cocktails as well as a selection of small plates like sea bass ceviche, Italian steak tartare and smoked aubergine. Downstairs, the restaurant boasts plush furnishings and a buzzing atmosphere and serves an innovative tipple list with nods everywhere from Africa to Australia, and an á la cartè menu full of the fusion cuisines of Latin America. Sip on Roku gin or bourbon-based blends and chomp on grilled octopus or a 34-day-aged sirloin steak, all while listening to live jazz every single night.

Family run with a history that dates back to the 70s, this cocktail and burger restaurant on King Street serves timeless American favourites and their 'best in town' freakshakes (think flavours like cookie dough and toffee apple). Inside, Maxwell's Bar & Grill resembles a swanky diner, with bright spotlight bulbs crawling up the ceiling and dark blue leather booths where you can get your chops around Tabasco honey chicken tenders. At the forefront of the creative dishes, you'll find burgers with big cheese moments, and BBQ baby back ribs to remember.

Inamo has been serving interactive table projections since 2008 and offers you the chance to order your food via touch-sensitive surfaces, as well as play retro games like Pac-Man or brainteasers such as Sudoku while you wait. The Hanover Place haunt is adorned with dark, wooden dividers decorated with marble tiles between dining spaces and sleek wooden flooring. On the menu, you can expect East Asian plates of chicken karaage katsu, duck bao buns and dragon rolls, accompanied by house cocktails like lychee mojitos. 

Looking for a French restaurant? Covent Garden has got you sorted. Styled with decor reminiscent of 1960s Paris Theatreland, Boulevard Brasserie is an elegant and chic restaurant that's been serving classic dishes since 1991. Think white tablecloths paired with dangling plants to give a refined brasserie feel, spread over three floors. To accompany such impressive interiors, you can expect a menu full of delicacies, with a dazzling afternoon tea or a la carte menu spread. The latter features entrées such as confit duck cassoulet and 22oz prime Chateaubriand steak served with dauphinoise potatoes. 

Get ready to cosy up to some down-home Southern cookin' and drinks, served with a heaped helping of charm right in the middle of Haymarket, courtesy of Americana London. With whimsical sculptures hanging from the ceilings, plenty of greenery, warm lighting, and plush pink seating, this spot is known for serving up hearty, flavourful dishes that highlight the culinary traditions of the Southern United States. Picture this: cauliflower bites with a classic blue cheese dip, pork belly grilled to perfection and coated in a sweet apple and chilli marmalade, or a mouthwatering slow-cooked smoked lamb shoulder. Yum.

From the team behind May Fair Bar and May Fair Kitchen, Monmouth Kitchen is a Covent Garden staple. Furnished with natural minerals, featuring concrete columns, copper and marble tables and vintage furniture, it provides a relaxed setting to meet up with friends. Offering a range of contemporary Peruvian and Italian dishes, the restaurant rustles up stunning seabass ceviche (£16), spicy 'nduja salami pizzas (£12), robata-smoked paprika ribs with a pisco glaze (£20) and a whole host of other lip-smacking plates to try. If you're thirsty, then you'll love their signature piscos and negronis to wash it all down. 

Gura Gura is a gorgeous spot cooking up Pan-Asian cuisine over two floors in the heart of Covent Garden. Upstairs, you'll find the main restaurant adorned with plants dangling from the ceiling and pretty Japanese paintings of cherry blossoms on the wall. Below, there's a much more intimate affair in the form of its underground cocktail bar. On the menu is an array of sushi, dim sum and Korean fried chicken wings that can all be washed down with signature cocktails like an avocado maki negroni and a smoked old fashioned. 

Opera Tavern is a warm, inviting tapas restaurant in the heart of the city. Downstairs features exposed brick walls, counter seating and graphic prints by the likes of Ben Eine hung on the wall, then upstairs sees a gold-leaf ceiling and large windows contributing to a suave dining space which is available for private hire. Though the food at this Theatreland destination may be what draws in the crowds, their drinks selection is just as impressive. Choose from Spanish and Italian plates (think Iberico pork sliders, braised ox cheeks and chargrilled octopus carpaccio) all washed down with classic cocktails like sangria and margaritas, plus well-rounded wines.

Caravan Covent Garden's restaurant is not only beautiful to look at but also pulls out all the stops with its food. Located in the heart of the theatre district, taking over a restored Grade II-listed building, the all-day eatery has decorated its home with natural elements, from light oak furnishings to plants tucked away in cosy nooks. The menu includes a range of mouthwatering small plates including burrata and hot smoked salmon, plus sourdough pizza. Swing by for brunch and you'll be treated to its signature coffee blends and dishes like vanilla pancakes or a chorizo and potato hash.

The Petersham is a leafy haven, decorated with golden chandeliers cascading from the ceiling and flower-adorned walls. It draws inspiration from the family home in Richmond, Petersham House, to create a grand dining area serving the finest seasonal produce. The outside space is home to verdant foliage and elephant statues, making it a gorgeous plot to tuck into perfectly executed dishes come summertime. If you're looking at Covent Garden restaurants for lunch, head here for a regularly changing menu of Italian-inspired fare such as beef tartare served with burrata and hazelnuts, organic Haye farm short rib and Tuscan fish stew to name only a few.

Discover Kitty Hawk Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, a hidden oasis above Page 8 Hotel in London's West End. This elegant venue offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, enhanced by the warm glow of golden lighting and the stylish charm of burnt orange furnishings. You'll find an array of tempting plates here, focusing on fresh seafood to hearty classics like a side helping of crispy, triple-cooked chips. Begin with some Jersey rock oysters, then delight in the likes of Cornish lemon sole or Salt march lamb rack with an anchovy crust.

Palm Court Brasserie is the intimate, Parisian-style restaurant found within the piazza, recreating a classical 1920s Art Nouveau environment with red panelling, leather sofas and arched mirrors scattered across the walls, separated by bursts of green foliage to give an alfresco feel. Whether you're dropping in for a meal or a glass of wine with friends, you can revel in a sophisticated setting that seems miles away from the streets of London. The menu showcases authentic French brasserie dishes like moules marinières, steak frites, and a classic vanilla crême brulée to finish, alongside Champagne cocktails. 

Tuttons should be a bucket list dining destination as it's one of the most famous and long-standing eateries in the area. You'll find it beside the piazza, overlooking the markets; not only is it romantically charmed, authentic and humble, but it also promises the finest local fare and seasonal plates. Its interiors are iconic from its red leather booths to its panelled ceilings, and its plates are equally as classy. Begin with the house scotch egg served with tomato jam (£9.50) before devouring confit pork belly alongside Doreen's black pudding (£20.95) plus beer-battered fish and chips (£19.75).

Not only does this James Street venue flaunt sophisticated interiors, but there's also a mouthwatering menu boasting Argentinian influences. Gaucho is located in an extension of the historic Royal Opera House, exhibiting a low-lit dinner setting, surrounded by curtains reminiscent of the tango theatres of Buenos Aires. Here you can devour sustainable, succulent cuts of meat and bag a set lunch menu featuring two courses for £27 or three for £30. You'll be delighted with its cocktail offering too, with signature tipples such as citrus negronis and the rum-based Honey Punch.

One of the best restaurants in Covent Garden, Barrafina's outposts on Adelaide Street and Drury Lane are whipping up some of the most mouthwatering Spanish tapas and delicious cocktails. Founded by brothers Sam and Eddie Hart, each eatery is equipped with an open kitchen, counter seating, marble surfaces and swish red leather stools, making for a social dining experience with friends. Enjoy tucking into everything from ham croquettes to grilled squid ink sauce, selections of cheese, plus prawn and piquillo pepper tortillas. 

Covent Garden restaurants with a view don't come more striking than Radio Rooftop, one of the city's most popular destinations boasting sights of the Thames and other famous landmarks from the 10th floor of ME London. Its interiors are iconic: it has a pointed glass ceiling, jutting out to the sky, sofas topped with plush cushions and a glowing bar. It provides a brilliant backdrop for a casual lunch, breakfast or cocktails with business clients. The versatile menu includes everything from lobster and garlic mayonnaise tacos (£20) to chorizo sausage rolls (£11).

For French cuisine with New Orleans soul, head to Louie, the stunning restaurant housed in a historic 19th-century townhouse, featuring a pretty terrace and the swish Alligator Bar. You'll find rich, carpeted floors, sweeping golden lights and eclectic features like a shellfish counter and a cool, old jukebox here, as well as live jazz performances throughout the week. It's a contemporary place to inhale small plates from the raw fish bar with your mates or tuck into lobster rolls, a smoked rack of lamb with a matcha crust, or a Southern pecan pie drizzled in cream. 

Sister venue to the well-known (and well-Instagrammed) Circolo Popolare and Gloria, Ave Mario is another jewel in the Big Mamma crown, bringing big energy and big plates to the heart of Central London. When it comes to the best Italian Covent Garden restaurants, this one is a 700-metre squared, bejewelled paradise inspired by Florence. Think black and white stripy walls, large mirrors and glowing neon signs surrounding a cornucopia of tipples behind the bar. Ideal for date night or a dinner with friends, the menu features its famous homemade spaghetti chitarra served in the whole round of pecorino to share between two, as well as pizzas topped with burrata and a lemon pie flaunting a 5'9-inch layer of meringue.

Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling, the Scottish-born MasterChef: The Professionals finalist, is a theatrical dining experience where you get to know the staff on a first-name basis and indulge in a wonderland of experimental food made with fresh, British produce. Inside the Southampton Street haunt, you'll find pastel pink and dark blue chairs alongside bold prints on the wall, most noticeably a Pop Art portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The tasting menu includes Balmoral quail with green herbs and garlic, plus desserts with elements of caramel, salted milk and hazelnut.

SUSHISAMBA is must-visit when it comes to famous places to eat in the big city. Situated at the Opera Terrace atop the historic Grade II-listed Market Building, it features an Eric Parry-designed glass roof and a living canopy ceiling paired with monochrome tiles and expansive glass walls looking out onto the market below. At its core, it's a high-energy sushi bar with a menu entailing flavours from Japan, Brazil and Peru. The kitchen uses a robata grill to cook up delicious meats, vegetables and fish; you'll find an array of plates fit for sharing here, like crispy taquitos, eggplant tempura and black miso cod, plus house cocktails like the ginger-flavoured Tom Yam or a sake spritz. 

Head to Slingsby Place and you'll find Lahpet, a restaurant specialising in Myanmar's cuisine. It's a bright and elegant space, with plants hanging from the ceiling and a back-lit bar with a stone countertop, singing to its natural elements. Perfect for a spot of lunch or a delicious dinner, you'll find a menu bursting with Burmese flavours, such as fried bream with a tomato, shallot and garlic soy glaze, plus king prawn curry and hearty bowls of noodles. Finish off your meal with one of its signature cocktails, like the Dawei Tai made with banana peel rum, and you won't be disappointed.

Famed for its brunch involving the best French toast in town (think milk or dark chocolate brioche topped with ice cream and melted, gooey sauce) Christopher's is an American restaurant housed in a Grade II-listed building that used to be a papier mâché factory before opening in 1870 as London's first licensed casino. It's decked out with modern furnishings and grand, tall ceilings and is composed of three spaces: a downstairs martini bar, the elegant dining space on the first floor and a secluded clubhouse room on the lower ground floor. On the main menu, you'll be delighted to feast on blackened salmon, wagyu burgers and various cuts of quality steaks.

You'll undoubtedly tuck into one of the best steaks in the city at the Hawksmoor restaurant in Covent Garden, an award-winning eatery with successful outposts across the UK. Located in the old Watney-Combe brewery in Seven Dials, a flight of intimately lit stairs leads guests to discover a large dining area sporting towering pillars, exposed brick walls and white, shiny tiles giving it a swish, industrial feel. Well-known for its meat and seafood, its menu is centred around ethically sourced ingredients offering plates of roasted scallops in white port and garlic, beefsteak pudding served with beef dripping chips and indulgent sides like macaroni cheese and creamed spinach. Its Sunday roasts are a thing of beauty, and you can even bag two courses for £27 if you book for a midday or early evening meal from Monday to Saturday. 

Angela Hartnett, most well-known for being a protégée of Gordon Ramsay, opened Café Murano in 2013 as a little sister to her celebrated spot Murano. After being received brilliantly, she went on to start the Covent Garden site in 2015 and a third in Bermondsey during 2019. Shaun Francome is the executive group chef leading the way in overseeing and creating delicious Italian dishes within a refined setting. Complete with leather banquettes and a long marble bar, it makes for an open and sociable dining spot to delve into cacio e pepe gnocchi plus rigatoni with spicy fennel sausage ragu and radicchio. If you're looking for a private dining experience, its first floor comes with a dedicated bar and skylight roof suitable for 20 to 50 guests.

Dishoom is an iconic place to eat in the capital, with outposts in Soho and Shoreditch to name a few. It serves moreish Indian cuisine, pulling inspiration from authentic Bombay cafés and their heritage which is reflected in its interiors as well as its cooking. Spread across two floors, the Indian restaurant in Covent Garden is decked out with green and pink seating arrangements, contrasting the wooden panelling. To kickstart your day, wolf down unlimited date and banana porridge, then return later in the day for its chilli cheese toast, famous house black daal and chicken ruby murray. 

Inspired by the late-night culture of bustling cities like New York and mixed with the sophistication of a Parisian hideaway, Stereo is a live music and dining destination from the same team behind Da Henrietta and Experimental Cocktail Club Chinatown. When it comes to hidden gem restaurants, Covent Garden has a large handful but this one is a belter. Equipped with a L-Acoustics sound system, velvet sofas and a bar crowned with a halo of individual, glowing orbs, it's a slick location where DJs 'til late and signature tipples await. Sip on the vodka-based Vanity Fair or the Californication made with tequila and, of course, red pepper. As for food? Expect fried chicken sandwiches, devilled eggs and more across mouthwatering menus.

Although it's got Gordon Ramsay's name over the door, head chef Arnaud Stevens is steering the wheel of this grand eatery in the heart of the iconic area. It offers a luxurious setting to dine in, with lines of mirrors on the walls, retro panelling and golden halos of light above a back-lit bar. There's a chic Chef's Table space where you can feast on a bespoke menu for £175 per person and a Wine Experience Room in which you can savour rare bottles from its collection. Think poached Louet-Feisser oysters, yellowtail crudos and caviar as part of the taste extravaganza found at Savoy Grill Gordon Ramsay, one of the best Covent Garden restaurants you need to get to know. 

From the team behind the celebrated Kitty Fisher's in Mayfair is Cora Pearl, a gorgeous restaurant specialising in elevated British comfort food and named after the infamous 19th-century courtesan who used to live nearby. Inside the characterful townhouse, you'll find velvet emerald green booths, candle-lit tables and, at the helm of this romantic setting, head chef Mr Fabrizio Pusceddu whipping up top-tier pre-theatre dining menus and hearty Sunday roasts. Tuck into decadent plates with a hint of the demi-monde delights of Paris, such as roast beetroot, goat's curd and pickled walnuts (£12) to start, followed by stone bass, braised rainbow chard and chorizo crumb (£34), then old-school milk and cookies (£9) to finish. 

The brainchild of restaurateurs William Ellner and David Ramsey, Bancone is a sleek Italian restaurant serving up plates of perfectly cooked pasta that'll transport you straight to the Mediterranean. In 2020 it was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and has held on to it ever since. With a lengthy dining counter, an open kitchen, and exceptional pasta made right in front of your eyes, this joint is a must-visit for either date nights or a catch-up with friends. It's also one of the best affordable restaurants in Covent Garden as signature dishes include silk handkerchiefs on a bed of walnut butter and confit egg yolk for £11, plus braised ox cheek entwined with pappardelle and Barolo vinegar coming in at £17.

Adding a sprinkle of sophistication to Central London is The Delaunay, a restaurant inspired by the Grand Cafés of Europe and by the same team behind The Wolseley. Fronting shiny wooden counters and monochrome patterned flooring, the cool spot is open all day serving a range of international eats (when it's not hosting intimate evenings showcasing some of the finest talent in the world of media, of course). Get stuck into rich plates of stroganoff and steak frites, or wolf down schnitzels and sausages. There's also an affordable prix fixe menu starting at £29.75 for two courses, featuring seared mackerel, grilled spatchcock chicken with salsa verde, and Bavarian chocolate mousse. 

Margot comes from the brilliant Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën and is a dainty bistro serving over 300 global wines. It sits on the edge of Covent Garden with opulent interiors such as golden spider-like light fixtures married with blue sofas and checkered floors. For food, you'll find Italian delights and bold flavours, woven into an appealing pre-theatre set menu of two courses for £39 and three for £43. Starters feature sea bream tartare with blood orange and shaved fennel offering a light, citrusy kick to begin with before the mains, which include asparagus risotto scattered with toasted hazelnuts.

Notting Hill's Eggbreak crew has set up shop on Adelaide Street with the Tandoor Chop House, a delicious fusion of British meat and North Indian spices. Inside, you'll find rich decor in the form of a royal blue open kitchen, pretty tiled floors and an array of dark wooden tables holding fragrant plates. We're talking goodies like black pepper chicken tikka, green masala pollock, and bone marrow naan. Yum. Cocktail-wise, this joint has taken the classics for a ride and infused them with signature ingredients: get your lips around a Limoncello Chaat Margarita (£11) or a Darjeeling Negroni (£12). 

Prepare to be dazzled as soon as you walk into The NoMad Restaurant, found within the Hilton in the heart of Central London. At its core, it's a landscaped atrium with a soaring glass ceiling, dangling lanterns and pops of olive green and pastel pink in the form of plush furnishings. In the day it's flooded with natural light, then come evening time, it transforms into an intimate dinner date spot. You'll find a cracking afternoon tea here, alongside a main menu from chef Michael Yates who focuses on seasonality to bring plates of lobster tail in a citrus beurre blanc, and risotto with pistachios, lemon and pesto to the table.

A renowned dining institution, J Sheekey Oyster Bar is at the forefront when it comes to the seafood scene. It's been providing sumptuous produce from its home in St Martin's Court since 1896, recognisable thanks to its iconic ruby red exterior and crustacean bar surrounded by hanging monochrome photographs of famous faces. The elite terrace and lively jazz nights are matched with equally impressive oyster plates, haddock and seabream, as well as a set lunch menu for £33 per person, courtesy of head chef Andy McLay. Of course, there's also Champagne and cocktails like the West End negroni to make your visit a success.

Contemporary urban culture beautifully merges with traditional influences at Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden. Run by the renowned restaurateur Vivek Singh and head chef Rakesh Singh, the kitchen offers its guests a range of different Indian dishes from various towns along historical trade routes. Pull up a chair among dainty hanging baskets and fairy lights to tuck into snacks like Indo-Chinese chilli paneer (£12) followed by chicken jungle curry (£17.50). The eatery runs a fabulous Chaat Your Heart Out deal where you can indulge in an hour of unlimited chaat and chai from Monday to Friday for £14 per person. 

The Barbary presents 'fire, clay, pestle and mortar' as its approach to its cuisine that takes inspiration from the Barbary Coast, an area infamous for pirates and, until the beginning of the 20th century, the Barbary Lion. Nestled within Neal's Yard, the restaurant tells a story of voyages and the rich heritage of countries along the Atlantic Coast, reflected in its cool, blue interiors. At the forefront of its menu is elemental cooking, which the chefs adopt to create gorgeous plates like chicken masabacha (£22), cauliflower jaffa-style (£11.50) and labneh za'atar (£7). 

How's this for recommended restaurants in Covent Garden? Tucked away in the National Portrait Gallery is a fine dining spot flooded with natural light, and boasting immaculate views of Trafalgar Square. The Portrait by Richard Corrigan explores the chef's rural upbringing via a farm-to-fork menu highlighting seasonal British and Irish produce. It's the perfect spot for an elegant late lunch or delightful dinner, with the likes of Daphne's lamb chops, served with a couscous salad and anchovy tapenade, or braised rabbit tagliatelle up for devouring. 

Founders Manu Canales, Ed Brunet and Stephen Tozer are well-versed in this Turkish delicacy after launching Le Bab in 2016, the success of which led to the launch of their fine dining concept Kebab Queen in 2019. The idea was born from the desire to merge some of the principles that come with haute cuisine and their love of Middle Eastern cookery. The restaurant is designed by Angus Buchanan of Buchanan Studio, who's lent his modern touch to create a finessed space donning draped pink curtains, golden chandeliers and royal blue chairs. The menu consists of eight courses for £90 a head, including kattaifi cannoli, lamb kebab and ajvar, plus kazandibi (burnt pudding).

Ikoyi is one of the most sought-after places to eat in the city, particularly after being named one of the world's 50 best restaurants, not to mention its Michelin star status. Co-owned by Ire Hassan-Odukale and Jeremy Chan, it specialises in creative tasting menus (from £200 to £350) that focus on produce in its optimal state, with emphasis on sub-Saharan West African flavours. Its interiors are minimal and clean, providing a tranquil dining space to focus on the seasonal ingredients which make up plates like sweetbread suya, smoked jollof rice with sugar-cured shrimp and crab custard, plus so much more.