covent garden night&day
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Primrose Bakery
Cake lovers rejoice, Primrose Bakery, North
London’s favourite celebrity cake makers
(clients include Kate Moss, Elton John and
U2), has come to the Quarter. Specialising in
delicious cup cakes and layer cakes, this is
cake heaven. Choose from a sumptuous range
of cakes, pastries and granola all handmade on
the premises.
42 Tavistock Street WC2E 7PB020 7836 3638
www.primrosebakery.org.uk
Yu Foria
Wood, brick, plants – seems to be a bit of a
theme going on here. Yu Foria is Covent
Garden’s latest addition and is bringing things
back to nature. Offering 100% fat-free natural
frozen yoghurts, you choose the flavour and
the toppings, and then feel incredibly smug
that it all comes in at only 74 calories.
Unit 19a, South Wells WC2E 8RB020 7240 5532
www.yu-foria.com
Candy Cakes
We challenge you to walk past the front of
Candy Cakes and not be tempted by the eye-
catchingly bright, muffin-sized cupcakes
inside. If you have a sweet tooth, then take it
here, it’ll love you forever (or until it drops out...)
36 Monmouth Street WC2H 9HB020 7497 8979
www.candycakes.com
Street Performers
Covent Garden wouldn’t be the same without its
street performers. A lot may have changed since
Punchinello (Punch) arrived on the scene 340
years ago, but today’s crowds are still stunned
and delighted by the talent on display. After all,
44 million entertained visitors a year can’t be
wrong. Look out for entertainers outside the tube
station and the regular shows in the Piazza.
364 days a year
Covent
One Aldwych
Making the most of produce from the British
Isles. For last minute outdoor escapades One
Aldwych is offering ‘the best of British’ picnic
hamper, including quail scotch eggs, rabbit
pie, fresh lobster, new potatoes and
asparagus. Hampers cost £35 including
crockery, glassware and cutlery (to be
returned to the hotel).
One Aldwych WC2B 4RH020 7300 0400
www.onealdwych.com
At the junction of Tavistock
Street and Wellington Street a
plaque states ‘this building
housed the offices of Charles
Dickens’ magazine All the Year
Round and his private apartments
from 1859 to 1870’. A publication
that became so successful
crowds would gather in the
street awaiting the next issue
Coach and Horses
Rumour has it, the Coach and Horses serves
the best Guinness in London (imported
straight from Dublin). If that’s not your thing
they do a great range of whiskies. If none of
those take your fancy then join in with the
friendly crowds packed onto the pavements
outside. Great daytime drinking spot.
42 Wellington Street WC2E 7BD020 7240 0553
Head to Sofra and sit on the spot where
Thomas de Quincy wrote ‘Confessions
of an English Opium-eater’
The modern day Covent Garden was
designed by Inigo Jones one of the
greatest English Renaissance
architects. He was inspired by the
grand piazzas of Rome and large open
public spaces
www.bluetomato.co.uk12
Day & Night
Garden
PJ’s Bar & Grill
A Covent Garden fixture since 1982, PJ’s is a
traditional theatre bar and one of London’s
prettiest restaurants. Akin to a classic
London member’s club, PJ’s offers a window
on to a more elegant past. If you have a soft
spot for Cole Porter or Billie Holiday, then
you’ll love PJ’s Dinner Jazz Evenings. Every
Wednesday to Saturday until 1am, great for
unwinding after an evening at the theatre.
30 Wellington Street WC2E 7BD020 7240 7529
www.pjscoventgarden.co.uk
Côte
Winner of Best Value Restaurant in the
2009 Good Food Guide, Côte proves that
affordable French food can be found in
Covent Garden. And what’s more, affordable
food which actually fills you up. Rather
unassuming from the outside, but step
through the doors and you’ll be greeted by a
reassuring bustle and full tables.
17–21 Tavistock Street WC2E 7PA020 7379 9991
www.cote-restaurants.co.uk
Home to some of London’s finest restaurants, bars, theatres
and specialist food emporiums, Covent Garden has come a long
way since its humble days as a fruit and veg market...
Hi Sushi
Newbie on the Covent Garden
scene, Hi Sushi may only be a
few months old, but it’s already
making its mark. Set across three floors,
showcasing a large selection of Japanese
cooking styles, including tempura,
handmade gyoza and delicious ramen, it’s a
good choice for a lively evening.
27 Catherine Street WC2B 5JS020 7836 9398
www.hisushi.net
Guanabara
Judging by the queues, which wrap
themselves around Drury Lane, Guanabara
is doing something right. Personally we go
for the tasty Brazilian food (the coxinhas are
amazing) but there’s also free dance classes
most nights of the week, live music by well-
known Latin artists, dance acts performing
throughout the evening and a cachaça list
as long as your arm.
Parker Street WC2B 5PW020 7242 8600
www.guanabara.co.uk
Novello Theatre
You can’t plan a night out in Covent Garden
without at least considering the theatre. And if
you’re looking for a good place to start then try
the Novello. It has over 100 years of history
and a true ‘show must go on’ attitude. It
survived bombings during both world wars
and held lunchtime performances of
Shakespeare during the 40s, with the artists
clambering to the stage over the rubble.
Currently hosting the award-winning “An
Inspector Calls”.
5 Aldwych WC2B 4LD 020 7759 9611
www.novellotheatre.com
Royal Opera House
When the sun goes down, the curtains at the
Royal Opera House come up, and Covent
Garden’s culture-hungry crowds are fed a
variety of ballet, opera and other spectacular
classical performances. One of the most
magnificent buildings in the area (inside and
out), the Royal Opera House manages to
cover all grounds and even holds tours for
those wanting to discover its inner back-
stage workings.
Covent Garden WC2E 9DD020 7240 1200
www.roh.org.uk
The Funny Side...
Where would a night out be without a good
laugh? In fact, don’t answer that, just
consider for a second The Funny Side...
Covent Garden. More upmarket than
London’s other comedy hot spots, yet still
friendly and welcoming. Keep your eyes open
for the special improv nights.
33–35 Wellington Street WC2E 7BN 087 0446 0616
www.thefunnyside.info
Newopening
www.bluetomato.co.uk 13
Day & Night