Where to eat outside in Covent Garden: 14 charming al fresco spots

Covent Garden’s cobbled piazza is one of the enduring images of London life for many of us, and when the sun is shining, thousands of us flock to this thrumming area of London to catch some sunny rays, eat, drink, be merry and watch crowds pass by. Typically one of London’s busiest areas, there are lots of restaurants and bars spread all over Covent Garden, and many of them have outside space that you can sit in for a drink or a spot of lunch.

Looking for somewhere to eat al fresco in Covent Garden? This central part of London has you blessed with options, from tables in the main piazza to quiet courtyards and al fresco pavement seating. For many of us, eating outside in Covent Garden means grabbing a table on the piazza itself, so you’re sitting right in the heart of the action. A variety of restaurants in the piazza have lots of tables right on the cobbles, or even on the upper terrace of the old market building itself, where you can lord it over the crowds with an Aperol Spritz in hand.

If you will, we’d encourage you to cast your net a little further than Covent Garden’s central piazza, and explore some of the excellent restaurants in the surrounding area. When the sun is out, most of Covent Garden’s best spots have, at the very least, a few neat bistro tables to set up on the patio, so you can be outside in the fresh air and tuck into some of the best food in the city. Much of Covent Garden is pedestrianised as well, and as a result, lots of restaurants are able to set up large sheltered terraces that have some wind and sun protection.

We’ve picked out a range of our favourite outdoor Covent Garden restaurants for the next time you're heading into central when the sun is shining.

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

What: Stylish interiors, a buzzing atmosphere, fun food and outstanding cocktails - it’s no wonder that SUSHISAMBA still draws the crowds. If you manage to snag a seat on its grand balcony during summer, the Good Luck Gods are looking down over you! With stone paving, lush plants and views overlooking the piazza from on high, this is one of the best, most exclusive, outdoor spots in Covent Garden. 
Type of outdoor seating: Balcony overlooking the piazza
Where: Opera Terrace, The Piazza, WC2E 8RF
Book now: SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

Jamie Oliver Catherine Street

What: Steal some shade on the front terrace at Jamie Oliver Catherine Street, a holiday-inspired haven with chic stripy seating and bright orange parasols. There's a very good cocktail menu featuring all your favourites (Aperol, Mojitos, you name it) plus a selection of signatures, including a delicious Peach Old Fashioned we'd recommend in a heartbeat. Pair with a pot of olives on ice and some Lancashire cheese croquettes for the ultimate golden hour stop-off. 
Type of outdoor seating: Front terracotta terrace with orange parasols
Where: 6 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY
Book now: Jamie Oliver Catherine Street

Brother Marcus Covent Garden

What: Brother Marcus' vibrant mezze and Mediterranean sharing plates are just the thing we fancy in a heatwave, and if you head on over to its Covent Garden site, there's a secluded al fresco balcony with terrazzo flooring that's perfect for summer dining. From pre-theatre menus to breakfast and brunch on the weekend, there's a menu for every occasion here. Don't miss the 'Marcus' Choice' menu which gets you a little bit of everything for a very affordable price. 
Type of outdoor seating: Serene balcony dining
Where: 23 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB
Book now: Brother Marcus Covent Garden

Gura Gura

What: Slingsby Place is home to a cohort of restaurants with quaint terraces out front, including Gura Gura. Tuck into some flavour-pumped Pan Asian dishes, from California maki rolls to lamb rendang and sichuan sea bass. On Saturdays, it serves a high-energy bottomless brunch menu with unlimited sushi, dimsum and hot sharing plates for 90 minutes, plus bottomless drinks in that time. 
Type of outdoor seating: Terrace overspill on Slingsby Place
Where: 19 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB
Book now: Gura Gura

Lahpet West End

What: Burmese restaurant Lahpet has grown from humble beginnings and now includes three sites across London (West End, Shoreditch and Bermondsey). When it comes to al fresco dining, the Covent Garden spot is our favourite, as you can grab a seat on the first floor terrace overlooking quiet St Martin’s Courtyard. It feels like a hidden gem tucked away from the main drag. Try the tea leaf salad, and any of the curries. 
Type of outdoor seating: Covered terrace on the first floor
Where: 21 Slingsby Place, St Martin’s Courtyard, WC2E 9AB
Book now: Lahpet West End

Rucola at The Conduit

What: The Conduit is a chic, eco-conscious Covent Garden members’ club that boasts, among many great things, a beautiful rooftop restaurant called Rucola. Aside from offering one of the best views in the area, the menu is a Med feast of things you just want to eat on a rooftop, from morel and wild garlic bruschetta to spaghetti con vongole, alongside a cracking cocktail list.
Type of outdoor seating: Glamorous rooftop dining with epic views
Where: 6 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA
Book now: Rucola at The Conduit

Baudry Greene

What: Baudry Greene may only have a handful of pavement tables, but they get the full blast of afternoon sun, and this stylish cafe, bar and restaurant throws the front windows open on better days so the whole place feels balmy and continental. The food and drink offering is superb, not to mention wallet-friendly. Come on a hot day for exceptional home made choc ices.
Type of outdoor seating: Pavement seating for people watching with a coffee
Where: 20 Endell Street, WC2H 9BD
Book now: Baudry Greene

Henri

What: We’re huge fans of Jackson Boxer’s restaurant inside the Henrietta Hotel, so it’s equally pleasing to see that the restaurant has nabbed a bit of al fresco space on the pedestrianised street just outside. Tuck into Parisian cocktails and proper bistro food done extremely well.
Type of outdoor seating: Terrace overspill on Henrietta Street
Where: 14-15 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PS
Book now: Henri

Olea Social

What: Olea Social’s broad Mediterranean menu has something for everyone, taking inspiration from Spain, Greece, Turkey and Morocco. We love the soothing green colour scheme and abundance of plants out on the terrace, and the menu is very welcoming too, ranging from puffy flatbreads to chicken shish, prawn croquetas and slow-cooked Galician octopus.
Type of outdoor seating: Covered, Mediterranean-style patio 
Where: 10 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB
Book now: Olea Social

Ladurée

What: Many of us are drawn instantly to Laduree’s lime green chairs and parasols on the Covent Garden piazza, and this respected Parisian teahouse is a great place to come for a sweet snack and a cup of tea. The afternoon tea is popular too, combining delicate finger sandwiches and artistic patisserie. There’s also a terrace you can sit on if you fancy it.
Type of outdoor seating: Enclosed mint green terrace in the beating heart of the piazza
Where: Unit 1, Covent Garden Market, WC2E 8RF
Book now: Ladurée

House of Louie

What: House of Louie has a variety of different spaces, all uniquely themed, but our favourite is the terrace, which has a retractable glass roof to bring the outside in on nicer days. The menu takes a slightly modern look at French and Creole favourites - think lobster roles, barbecue shrimp, buttermilk chicken burgers and pecan pie.
Type of outdoor seating: Hidden garden filled with lush green plants
Where: 13-15 West Street, WC2H 9NE
Book now: House of Louie

Brasserie Max at Covent Garden Hotel

What: Brasserie Max’s boutique charm suits Seven Dials rather well, and the outside tables are always in high demand. A thoroughly international menu covers all the bases from courgette fritti, sage and lemon to roast lamb with harissa summer beans. Brasserie Max also does a great afternoon tea, and if Covent Garden is getting too raucous you can duck inside into the lovely restaurant.
Type of outdoor seating: Charming tables and chairs on the front pavement
Where: Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9HB
Book now: Brasserie Max at Covent Garden Hotel

26 Grains

What: A health-conscious all-day menu has made 26 Grains ultra-popular and the outdoor terrace is always busy from breakfast to late lunch. We love sitting out front with a bowl of banana and tahini porridge, but the fried eggs in chilli butter are also a favourite, and 26 Grains makes great coffee too.
Type of outdoor seating: Benches and stools in Neal's Yard
Where: 1 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP
Book now: 26 Grains

J Sheekey

What: J Sheekey’s supremely cosseting atmosphere and exemplary fish and seafood cooking has made it a London restaurant icon, not to mention its proximity to Theatreland and the huge al fresco terrace in front of the restaurant. The team have brought the same finesse of the main restaurant outside, with starchy white tablecloths and waistcoat-clad staff who waltz up and down the decked terrace with aplomb. There's nowhere better to enjoy one of its iconic seafood towers.
Type of outdoor seating: Smart, pillar box red front terrace 
Where: 28-32 St Martin's Court, WC2N 4AL
Book now: J Sheekey

If you love the fresh air, we’ve got loads more outdoor dining options for you. Check out our guide to the best outdoor restaurants all over London, or if views are what you fancy, we’ve got London’s best rooftop restaurants for you to look at too.