A Covent Garden dining guide for Italian food
Covent Garden does Italian well, from long lunches on The Strand to pre-theatre plates near Leicester Square and Seven Dials. This guide brings together places that keep things simple, from wood-fired pizza and hand-rolled pasta to Venetian-style cicchetti and more polished dining rooms. You’ll find options for a casual meal, a business lunch, or an evening that starts with a quick bowl of pasta and ends with a second glass of wine. We’ve chosen restaurants that feel useful to know, with clear menus, central locations, and service that suits the pace of the area. If you’re planning where to eat in Covent Garden, this is a good place to start.
Osteria by Bocconcino
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What to expect
A relaxed osteria-style dining room with tables for two and slightly larger groups. The menu focuses on classic Italian plates made from seasonal ingredients, with options that work for a quick afternoon meal or a longer catch-up. Service is attentive and professional, and staff can help with wine pairings or recommendations.
Plan your visit
Book ahead if you plan to visit at peak times or with a group. Ask for a window table if you prefer natural light. Mention any dietary needs when you reserve, and expect a smart-casual atmosphere suitable for business meetings or relaxed meals with friends.
Prima Sapori d'Italia
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What to expect
Expect straightforward, well-made Italian food: hand-stretched pizza from a wood-fired oven, hearty pasta dishes and classic desserts such as tiramisu. Staff are warm and often Italian-speaking, which adds to the authentic feel. The dining room is busy and convivial, suited to groups, couples and families.
Plan your visit
Book ahead if you plan an evening visit, especially on theatre nights. If you’re unsure what to order, ask the team for recommendations or daily specials. Share a starter and a pizza between two if you want to sample more dishes. Save room for tiramisu and a digestif to finish.
Sartori - Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
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What to expect
Casual seating and a lively dining room, more about food than fuss. Service is friendly and efficient, suitable for quick lunches or relaxed dinners. Menus include shareable plates and family-style options, with choices for common dietary preferences on request.
Plan your visit
Book ahead for evenings, especially at weekends. For a quieter table, request an early sitting or a table away from the busiest area. Tell staff about dietary needs when you book, they can advise on gluten-free or vegetarian options. Consider ordering a couple of small plates to share if you want to try more of the menu.
Novikov Restaurant & Bar
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What to expect
Expect a smart, social atmosphere with a mix of couples, groups and business diners. Service is attentive and professional, tables are arranged for intimate meals and larger gatherings, and noise levels move from calm during early sittings to lively later in the evening. Menus focus on carefully prepared dishes and crafted cocktails.
Plan your visit
Book ahead for evenings, especially at weekends, and specify whether you prefer the restaurant or the bar. Tell the team about dietary needs when you reserve. If you want a quieter meal, ask for a table away from the bar. Consider arriving a little earlier to start with drinks at the bar.
Cicchetti by San Carlo - London Covent Garden
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What to expect
A mix of cicchetti, cured meats, seafood and simple pastas, served in small portions for tasting and sharing. The room feels lively in the afternoon and early evening, with bar seating for solo visitors and larger tables for groups. Staff offer menu suggestions and wine pairings.
Plan your visit
Book a table if you are with a group, or sit at the bar if you prefer a quicker visit. Order several cicchetti to share so you can try different flavours, and ask staff for wine or cocktail matches. Mention any dietary needs when you reserve.
Bancone Covent Garden
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What to expect
The meal usually starts with a few antipasti, bread or small plates, then moves on to pasta that arrives with clear, well-matched sauces rather than heavy extras. You can pair it with a negroni or a glass of wine, and if you sit at the counter, you get a clear view of the kitchen rhythm as plates are put together and sent out with care. The room is compact, so service feels close and attentive, which suits a relaxed lunch or an easy dinner in central London.
Plan your visit
If you want the most comfortable experience, choose the counter for a closer look at the kitchen or a table for a slower meal with friends. Ordering one signature pasta and one extra plate to share works well here, especially if you want to sample both the richer and the sharper flavours on the menu