Margot

Italian·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Margot

Silver Award

This classy Italian off Drury Lane is the result of years of impressive networking. Co-founders Nicolas Jaouën and Paulo de Tarso certainly know their hospitality: de Tarso spent nearly six years as maître d’ at Bar Boulud, while Jaouën was the first general manager of Balthazar. Still, almost four years after opening, Margot doesn’t need comparing with the pair’s previous projects and has established itself as one of the most reliable bets in Covent Garden.

Margot is an impressive-looking proposition, a handsomely appointed, high-ceilinged space occupying a plum corner spot near the Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal. Attention to service is the top priority, from the white-suited Italian bar staff who can rustle up a classic cocktail to the eye-catching crockery and the attentions of the charming waiters.

We kicked off with uovo in camicia, a soft-poached duck egg that burst forth its rich, fondant-textured yolk over a parmesan polenta that was almost like a chunky cheese soup, with peppery seasoning courtesy of fresh watercress. Perfectly timed pan-fried scallops, meanwhile, came crusted with spicy nduja, some cauliflower purée offering a welcome blandness to offset the heat.

Pastas come in main-course portions; the chewy lobster in a tangle of tagliolini, alas, didn’t display the same sure touch as the scallops, though the pasta itself was excellent. Ossobuco was much better, a slab of tender veal shin sitting atop a golden saffron risotto soaking up veal jus and the sticky marrow from inside the bone.

Generous portions – including multiple visits from a waiter bearing a bread basket containing addictive focaccia – mean you might not make it to dessert; we’d recommend sharing a salted caramel semifreddo with gianduja cream, which delivers a hit of sugar without any heaviness.

With pre- and post-theatre menus, Sunday roasts and a 350-strong wine list boasting Italian heavyweights and 20 by-the-glass options, there’s much to enjoy here.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Italian
Ambience
Glamorous, Lively, Romantic
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch, Sunday roast
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
Special Features
Counter dining, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

A classy Italian in an enviable corner position in Covent Garden, Margot serves big portions of well-crafted cooking in stylish surrounds. In the years since co-founders Nicolas Jaouën and Paulo de Tarso first set up shop just off Drury Lane, Margot has become a beloved staple of Covent Garden, serving faithful, authentic Italian dishes in a chic dining room, accompanied by an extensive wine list. 

Inside, Margot is a picture of elegance. Royal blue banquettes, gold accented lights and starched white tableclothes give the restaurant a classy ambiance that makes it popular with Covent Garden's pre-theatre crowd, as well as the thousands of tourists that descend upon this part of London. As well as the main restaurant, there are also comfortable stools at the bar for counter diners, or those who want to sit with a cocktail and a snack. 

The a la carte menu includes a section of sharing platters (cheese, salumi and focaccia), as well as four courses, laid out in the typical Italian way - antipasti, primi, secondi and desserts. Margot's menu is all about classic, authentic Italian cooking - dishes on the menu at the time of writing include aubergine parmigiana, vitello tonnato, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, veal ossobuco with risotto Milanese, and tiramisu.

Covent Garden is also home to a number of excellent theatres, and Margot is a very popular pre-theatre destination, offer two or three course set menus for a very reasonable price. 

Wine is another big part of the attraction at Margot - the restaurant holds a huge wine list that spans the old and new worlds, with particular focus on Italy and France. Still, if cocktails are more your vibe, the bar mixologists can whip up classic and signature cocktails for you, and they specialise in Old Fashioneds and Negronis, offering multiple twists on each.


FAQs

Are there gluten-free options on the menu?

Yes there are gluten-free options on the menu.

Helpful? 0

This venue also offers

Margot
Private Group Dining

Margot

Margot
Christmas Parties

Margot

Videos and 360 tours

Margot Restaurant Dining Room

Location

45 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5AA

020 3409 4777 020 3409 4777

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue 12:00-14:30
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri 12:00-14:30
Sat 12:00-14:30
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon Closed
Tue 17:00-21:30
Wed 17:00-21:30
Thu 17:00-21:30
Fri 17:00-21:30
Sat 17:00-21:30
Sun Closed

Reviews

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11 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Philip B

24 July 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

As usual the food at Margot was excellent.  We were pre-theatre so only had a main course but the lobster pasta was excellent.

Alan B

08 May 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Something better to do in Covent Garden?

Perfect experience. Fabulous  wine list, impeccable service ... oh and the food was wonderful.  Will definitely be back

Alan V

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

A consistently great experience with great food and service

Oliver J

24 November 2022  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4

accomplished italian cooking in a fantastic dining room - really friendly staff

Alan V

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

A brilliant evening, thanks to the great menu, superb food and special Itslisn service standards.Go pre-theatre or better still go for an extended family/group of friends evening and enjoy the full hospitality of an overall gastronomic evening

Anon

10 July 2022  
Food & Drink 3
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 3
DO NOT ACCEPT SQUAREMEAL

DO NOT USE WITH SQUAREMEAL THEY DO NOT ACCEPT IT!! 

It was a special meal for my husbands Birthday, where he was given a squaremeal voucher. It was also our last meal in London as I am heavily pregnant! Such a disappointment they did not take the voucher when the restaurant is on the options on square meal web page!?  Service was brilliant and we enjoyed the food but financially we would not have picked this place knowing we had to pay and couldn't use the voucher. 


 I would ah e liked more vegetarian main options would be my only other criticism. 

Anon

09 October 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Good for a romantic evening out

Lovely atmosphere with friendly but relaxed service. Not stuffy, vibrant but cosy. 

We enjoyed the food, wine and overall experience. 

Anon

29 December 2019   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
A special place - hidden treasure

Second time I visited and everything was lovely. Excellent Menu choices, service, sommelier recommendation (tactfully wise on the pricing as the wine list goes from £62 to £640 per bottle in one line - easily confused!!)

all in all a perfect end to an evening at the theatre. 

Pamela C

06 August 2019  
This restaurant is nothing short of perfect. The ambience, the people, the food, the service. Its juts perfect.

Alan V

27 June 2018  
A genuine Italian experience - great service, authentic food & warm atmosphere.
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