Where to Stay in Covent Garden London

London › Covent Garden Hotels
Updated: April 18, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Covent Garden
  Covent Garden Hotel • Hotel phone: +44 20 7806 1000
  ME London • Hotel phone: +44 20 3499 8651
  NoMad London • Hotel phone: +44 20 390 61600
  One Aldwych • Hotel phone: +44 20 7300 1000
  The Resident Covent Garden • Hotel phone: +44 20 3146 1790
  The Savoy • Hotel phone: +44 20 7836 4343
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels
  The Fielding • Hotel phone: +44 20 7836 8305
  Z Hotel Covent Garden • Hotel phone: +44 20 3837 6304
  Hotel AMANO Covent Garden • Hotel phone: +44 20 3739 8900

A Guide to Staying in Covent Garden

Why Stay in Covent Garden?

In my opinion, this is the best area for first-time visitors to London. Covent Garden is the absolute cultural heart of the city, where world-class theatre, the Royal Opera, and fantastic dining all exist within a vibrant, walkable neighborhood. I love how the historic architecture serves as a backdrop for street performers and bustling shops. If you want to be in the center of the action and have the ability to walk to many top sights, this is the place to stay.

Top Things to Do

• Explore Covent Garden Market. The main piazza is the centerpiece of the district. Browse the Apple Market for handmade British crafts and jewelry, but do not miss the Jubilee Market on the south side for antiques and collectibles. The street performers here are some of the best in the world and must audition for their spots.
• See a West End Show. Covent Garden is the epicenter of London’s “Theatreland.” You are steps away from legendary venues like the Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. For last-minute deals, visit the TKTS booth in nearby Leicester Square for legitimate half-price tickets. Insider Tip: The Royal Opera House has a stunning rooftop terrace open to the public during the day for great views over the piazza.
• Go Shopping on the Side Streets. While the main market is fun, the surrounding streets offer much better variety. I recommend Floral Street for high-end fashion and Long Acre for major international brands. For quirky boutiques and specialized shoe shops, head to Neal Street.
• Visit the London Transport Museum. Located right in the market piazza, this is one of the best museums in the city for families. Note that while many London museums are free, this one requires a paid ticket. However, that ticket is usually valid for a full year of return visits.
• Walk to World-Class Galleries. You are only a 5 or 10 minute walk from Trafalgar Square, which houses the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Both have free permanent collections and are essential stops for art lovers.

Best Restaurants & Food in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is easily one of the best dining neighborhoods in London. You have everything here from historic pubs to high-end French brasseries. Here is how I navigate the food scene:

• Take advantage of pre-theatre set menus. This is the single best way to save money on a high-quality meal. Most restaurants in the neighborhood offer a fixed price two or three-course menu between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. I find the quality is usually excellent and the price is significantly lower than ordering a la carte.
• Expect a queue at Dishoom. This Indian restaurant is a London icon for a reason. They don’t take dinner reservations for small groups, so be prepared to wait. I actually prefer going for breakfast to try their famous bacon naan rolls. It is much easier to get a table then.
• Go to Hawksmoor Seven Dials for steak. If you are looking for the best steak in London, this is it. It’s located in an old brewery cellar and has a fantastic, moody atmosphere. Their Sunday roast is also one of the best I have ever had.
• Try the beautiful Petersham. For something a bit more refined and visually stunning, this Italian spot is wonderful. It is filled with plants and flowers, making it feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city.
• Eat at Seven Dials Market for casual variety. If you can’t decide what you want, head to this massive indoor food hall. It is located in a converted banana warehouse and features dozens of local vendors. I love it because everyone in a group can grab something different and meet at the communal tables.

Bars & Nightlife

The energy in Covent Garden shifts once the theatre crowds spill out into the streets. Whether you want a historic pub or a sophisticated cocktail, you have great options:

• The American Bar at The Savoy. This is the oldest cocktail bar in Britain and it is world-renowned. It is expensive and there is often a wait, but the service and the drinks are impeccable. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
• The Lamb & Flag for a historic pint. This is one of the oldest pubs in London and was once a favorite of Charles Dickens. It is tucked away down a small alley and gets very crowded, but it is the most authentic pub experience you will find in the area.
• Rooftop views at Hotel AMANO. For something more modern, the rooftop bar here offers a great view of the London skyline. It is a fantastic spot for a drink at sunset before heading to dinner.

Hidden Gems: Neal’s Yard & Seven Dials

It is very easy to get caught up in the main market building, but I always suggest my readers wander just a few blocks north to find these two spots:

• Neal’s Yard is a hidden colorful courtyard. You access it through two tiny, blink-and-you-will-miss-them alleys. It is famous for its brightly painted buildings and organic cafes. If you like cheese, do not miss Neal’s Yard Dairy, which is one of the best cheese shops in the world.
• Seven Dials is a charming village hub. This is a unique circular intersection where seven streets meet. It feels much more like a neighborhood than the touristy center of the market. I enjoy wandering the independent boutiques and specialized shops that line the streets radiating out from the central sundial pillar.

Best Hotels
Covent Garden has some of London’s best hotels, from grand dames to chic boutiques.

• Luxury: The Savoy (legendary grand hotel), NoMad London (the city’s coolest hotel in a former courthouse), One Aldwych (modern luxury with a great pool), Covent Garden Hotel (classic boutique style), and the ME London (sleek, futuristic design with a spectacular rooftop bar).

• Mid-Range & Boutique: Hotel AMANO Covent Garden (stylish with a great rooftop bar), The Resident Covent Garden (smart rooms with kitchenettes), and The Fielding (charming and historic).

• Best Value: For its prime location, the Z Hotel Covent Garden offers unbeatable value. The rooms are compact but modern, clean, and perfectly designed for a city stay.

Getting Around from Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of the best-connected neighborhoods in London. It is a fantastic base for exploring. Here is how I recommend getting around the neighborhood.

• Walking is almost always faster. This part of London is very compact. I find I can walk to Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, or the South Bank much quicker than descending into the Tube. Most major sights are between a 5 and 15 minute walk away.
• Use alternative Tube stations. While Covent Garden Station is right in the center, it is often overcrowded. Leicester Square, Holborn, and Charing Cross are all within a 10 minute walk. These stations offer more lines and often provide a more direct route to your destination without the congestion.
• Avoid the lifts at Covent Garden Station. This station only has lifts or a very long emergency spiral staircase with 193 steps. During busy periods, the wait for the lifts can be frustrating. I suggest walking a few minutes to Leicester Square Station instead. It has escalators and serves the same Piccadilly Line plus the Northern Line.
• Getting to Heathrow Airport. You have two solid options. The Piccadilly Line runs directly from Covent Garden to Heathrow. It is cheap but takes about an hour and can be cramped. For a much better experience, I walk to Tottenham Court Road Station and take the Elizabeth Line. It is faster, air-conditioned, and has plenty of space for bags.
• Take the bus for the views. To see the city while you move, walk south to the Strand or Aldwych. You can catch several major routes here. These buses pass St. Paul’s Cathedral as they head into The City, or they go west toward Knightsbridge and the museums in South Kensington.

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