How to Plan the Perfect Date Day in Covent Garden: A Day-to-Night London Itinerary
With all her favourite haunts and tried and tested recommendations, Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson is here to help you plan the perfect Covent Garden date day – that will score you some serious brownie points.
If you want to plan an incredibly cool, stress-free and romantic date day in London that will impress a loved one, you’re in the right place. I’ve thoughtfully designed the perfect day in Covent Garden, pouring all my local knowledge and personal favourite places into this itinerary. I think the joy of this itinerary is that once you arrive, you can explore the entire day on foot. Instead of spreading yourself thin and spending half the day travelling on the Tube, you’ll enjoy the best of London in the one area of Covent Garden. And that, my friends, is really how to do London.Â
Rather than criss-crossing the capital, my advice for any visitor in London is to choose one neighbourhood and immerse yourself in it properly. Few areas are better suited to this than Covent Garden. With boutique shopping, hidden courtyards, world-class culture, live entertainment, exceptional restaurants and vibrant nightlife all within walking distance, it’s one of the easiest places to fall in love with London.Â
This day-to-night London guide will help you to plan the perfect date, and includes multiple options so that you can tailor the day to suit your style, taste and budget. Whether you’re planning a romantic date day, celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a slower way to experience the capital, here’s exactly how I’d spend the perfect day in Covent Garden – and how you can to!
Covent Garden Date Day Itinerary At A Glance
Here’s an overview of the day. I recommend carefully reading the full article, but you can also jump to the linked sections below.
- Morning: Coffee and shopping on Floral StreetÂ
- Late Morning: Explore the Market Building and PiazzaÂ
- Lunch at the Royal Opera HouseÂ
- Afternoon: Choose a Nearby Cultural GemÂ
- Mid Afternoon: Discover Neal’s Yard
- Golden Hour: Henrietta Experimental or NoMad London
- Dinner: El Pastor Soho or Berners Tavern
- Evening: Dazzling Theatre or Top Secret Comedy Club
- Where to Spend the Night: Best Hotels in Covent Garden
Morning: Coffee and Shopping on Floral Street
Every great London day begins with coffee, and Covent Garden has no shortage of excellent options. Pick up a coffee and pastry from Chestnut Bakery before taking your time browsing the shops.
Floral Street is my personal favourite – so start there. It’s one of the prettiest shopping streets in central London and one that embodies all the quintessential charm of Covent Garden. Lined with beautifully styled colourful storefronts and stylish boutiques, it feels worlds away from the chaos of nearby Oxford Street. Be warned though, it would be near-enough impossible to walk down here without something catching your eye.
One of the things I love most about Floral Street is that it feels surprisingly relaxed for somewhere so central. Instead of battling crowds and rushing between stores, you can actually enjoy the experience, coffee in hand, while watching Covent Garden slowly come to life around you. A nice way to ease into the day.
Late Morning: Explore The Market Building and Piazza
After getting your boutique fix on Floral St, you can’t visit Covent Garden without joining the crowds at the central Market Building and Piazza. This historic building is the absolute epicentre of Covent Garden and today is filled with shops, bars and restaurants. It’s always bustling with life (and a lot of tourists!) and you can expect to see live entertainers and live music filling the streets. Even the coolest of Londoners cannot deny that this central part of Covent Garden is utterly charming and well worth a visit if it’s your first time in the area. Explore and get amongst it. How long you spend here will depend on your tolerance for crowds, I’ll leave that down to you!
Lunch: The Royal Opera House
Avoid the crowded and over-priced restaurants in the piazza and whisk your loved one off to a lunch to remember. One of Covent Garden’s best-kept secrets is that you don’t need tickets to a performance to enjoy lunch at the Royal Opera House. Even if ballet and opera isn’t your thing, The Royal Opera House is worth visiting for the building alone. It is absolutely stunning and would be an incredibly romantic place to enjoy lunch.
Within the Royal Opera House , you can choose from sophisticated Italian-inspired dining at a la carte restaurant Cicoria ££££ or for something a little more casual you can visit the Royal Opera House Cafe ££. You don’t need to be a ticket holder to visit either of these restaurants. After lunch be sure to also head up to Bar Cicoria for a drink, where you can enjoy sweeping views over Covent Garden Piazza and the Central London skyline
If you time it right, you might even be able to take advantage of Live at Lunch scheme – which involves free 45 minute performances featuring Royal Ballet and Opera and guest artists. Tokens for this event are handed out on the day, on a first-come-first-served basis. Check the link for the most up to date info.
Alternatively for lunch, I also love Busaba (Busaba is a chain restaurant but don’t let that put you off. The food is delicious, the dimly-lit vibe is fun and sexy for a date and it’s also affordable). It reminds me of a Thai version fo Wagamama. Great for a tasty, casual lunch.
For more local dining ideas, this Thatsup edit of places to eat in Covent Garden has some brilliant recommendations.
Afternoon: Choose a Nearby Cultural Gem
After a delicious lunch, it’s time to inject a dose of culture to your perfect Covent Garden date day.
Option One: Enjoy a Tour at the Royal Opera House
Many visitors assume it’s only worth visiting if you have tickets for an evening performance, but that’s far from the case. The Royal Opera House offers daytime tours that give you a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous performing arts venues.
Option Two: Discover Somerset House
Just a short walk from Covent Garden, Somerset House is another favourite of mine.
Many people know it for its famous Christmas ice rink, but throughout the rest of the year it hosts art exhibitions, photography shows, cultural events and outdoor cinema screenings in its stunning courtyard. What’s on will depend on the time of year your visiting, so head to their website and check out what cool stuff is going on during your visit. It’s the perfect addition to a Covent Garden itinerary and proof that you don’t need to spend your day travelling across London to experience some of the city’s best culture.
Option Three: London Transport Museum
This is a particularly perfect option for little kids and big kids alike. The London Transport Museum is a fascinating place that will bring the history of London’s transport network to life in the most engaging and interactive of ways. I absolutely loved visiting here with my Son and am planning a return trip this summer.
If none of these ideas suit you – you’ll find plenty of cool things to do in Covent Garden via GetYourGuide.
Mid Afternoon: Find Covent Garden’s Most Colourful Corner
Before moving into the evening, make time for a detour to Neal’s Yard. Hidden behind a network of narrow passageways, this colourful courtyard remains one of Covent Garden’s most charming corners and is ,of course, where you’ll find the flagship store of the Neal’s Yard Remedies wellness brand. Bright facades, independent businesses and outdoor seating create a completely different atmosphere from the busier streets nearby. It’s the perfect place to slow down, people watch and enjoy a quieter side of central London.
Golden Hour: Cocktails at Henrietta Experimental or NoMad London
As afternoon turns to evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink at one of the best cocktail bars in Covent Garden – both of which are known and loved by Londoners (and not tourists).
Henri at Henrietta Experimental £££
My favourite place for an afternoon or early evening cocktail in Covent Garden is Henri, at the Henrietta Hotel (now called Henrietta Experimental). During the summer, you can enjoy drinks al fresco on the street patio (like me in the photos), or in colder months enjoy the small-but-chic bar inside. A margarita is my go-to here, but the cocktail menu is all round brilliant. Think great, chic vibes just a stone’s throw away from the touristy madness of Covent Garden’s main piazza.
Sidecar at The NoMad Hotel ££££
Alternatively, if you want a dimly-lit, cool and sexy cocktail bar in the heart of Covent Garden, head to Side Car at the five star NoMad London. This high end, quirky London hotel is one of four venues situated within the building which was opened in the former Bow Street Police Station. The Latin-American inspired bar serves creative cocktails and premium drinks in immaculate vibes, perfect for any Covent Garden date as it evolves into night.
I have visited Sidecar with girl friends. The interiors are stunning, the atmosphere feels wonderfully luxurious and the cocktails are some of the best you’ll find in the area. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes an occasion feel elevated.
Dinner: El Pastor Soho or Berner’s Tavern
Again for dinner, I have two recommendations for your date day, depending if you want casual or upscale dining – both are equally delicious with excellent vibes!
For a Relaxed and Casual Mexican Food: El Pastor Soho £££
First up is one of my all time favourite spots in London – El Pastor! And yep – you guessed it – the Margaritas are also top tier. I also dream about the tacos, Guac and chips on a regular basis. This is an authentic Mexican restaurant which has a few different sites across London. Take the short walk from to El Pastor Soho and enjoy the buzzing streets of the West End. It’s ideal for a cool but relaxed date night before heading on to evening entertainment. Photos from my most recent trip to El Pastor Soho.
For a Upscale Brasserie in a Spectacular Setting: Berners Tavern ££££
For something more memorable and indulgent, book a table at Berners Tavern. Set within the ever so chic London Edition hotel (another great base if you want top end luxury), it’s one of my favourite dining rooms in London and takes me back to my London days (I actually got to interview Jason Atherton who is the Patron Chef here). The grand interiors and high ceilings make every meal and drink here feel like an occasion, while the menu consistently delivers.
Evening: Dazzling Theatre or Top Secret Comedy Club
If you want your Covent Garden date night to extend right into the night, I have two sensational options for you. If you didn’t already know your London bearings, Covent Garden is in the heart of the West End and theatre land, with the iconic Drury Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue nearby.
If you’re in the mood for a classic London experience, round off the day with tickets for a West End show. There are few better ways to end a day in the capital.
If Theatre isn’t your thing or you need something a little more affordable, an equally amazing option is to head to the Top Secret Comedy Club. Despite what the name might suggest, this place is in-fact incredibly popular (mainly with local Londoners in the know). I have been to at least 6 stand up shows with my fiance at the Top Secret Comedy Club – it is our absolute FAVOURITE date night place in the West End. The Top Secret Comedy Club now has two venues at 170 Drury Lane and 23 Kingsway. Check the website and see what’s on – pre booking tickets in advance is essential. If Nico Yearwood is your compare for the night – you’ve struck gold!
This is a genuine and authentic West End comedy club where famous comedians often rock up last minute to practice their new material. They claim to have the cheapest bar in the West End (which I can absolutely vouch for). I’ve seen some famous acts here but it’s pot luck on the day who will be on the set list. Heading here offers an unexpected alternative to the traditional theatre experience for your date night.
Where to Spend the Night: Best Hotels in Covent Garden
If you’re not quite ready for the day to end, you could always turn your Covent Garden date day into a little London staycation. I’m including the hotels I have already mentioned in this article, so everything can flow seamlessly for you – as well as an affordable wildcard in The Z Hotel.
Luxury 5*: NoMad London
Address: 28 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AW
If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday or simply want to treat yourselves, NoMad London would be my first choice.
Set within the former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court, it’s one of the most beautiful hotels in central London, blending historic 1880 architecture with luxurious interiors and exceptional dining. The location couldn’t be better either – just moments from Covent Garden’s shops, theatres and restaurants.
Boutique 4*: Henrietta Experimental
Address: 14–15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH
I’ve already mentioned Henrietta Experimental for cocktails, but it’s also a fantastic place to stay. The boutique hotel has a distinctly Parisian feel, colourful interiors and one of the best locations in Covent Garden. If you’re looking for something stylish and romantic without the formality of a larger luxury hotel, it’s a wonderful choice.
Affordable 3*: The Z Hotel Covent Garden
Address: 31–33 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ED
If you’d rather spend your budget on cocktails, theatre tickets and a memorable dinner, The Z Hotel Covent Garden is a fantastic option.
Tucked away just behind the Piazza, this stylish hotel offers one of the best locations in the neighbourhood, placing every stop on this itinerary within easy walking distance. While the rooms are compact, they’re thoughtfully designed and ideal for a weekend city break or spontaneous London staycation.
What I love most is that you can step out of the hotel and be wandering through Covent Garden’s boutiques, cafés and hidden courtyards within minutes. For those of you looking to extend your date day without the luxury price tag, it’s a smart and affordable choice in the heart of the action.
Browse all hotels in Covent Garden.
Why Covent Garden Is the Perfect London Date Day
I think the best thing about Covent Garden isn’t any single attraction. It’s how effortlessly everything fits together. In the space of one day, you can browse independent boutiques, discover hidden courtyards, enjoy world-class culture, sip cocktails at beautiful hotels, share a memorable dinner and finish the evening with theatre or comedy, all without spending half your day travelling across London.
In a city that often feels overwhelming to me, Covent Garden offers something refreshingly simple: the chance to slow down, stay local and enjoy the best of London at a gentler pace. And for me, that’s what makes it the perfect to enjoy a London date day.
Browse more cool things to do in Covent Garden.
Read my blog 10 things to know before visiting London.
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