The Best Cafés in Covent Garden

Usually, cafes in London struggle to find the balance between aesthetics and taste. Either our Instagram looks amazing because of the floral beauty, but our stomachs pay the price because we literally just ate raw rose petals. Zero satisfaction. But Drury absolutely nails both.

We all know pistachio is having a moment right now—a trend we couldn’t resist either. We were lucky enough to try one of their new specials: the Baklava pancakes. Spongy, fluffy layers filled with pistachio cream, topped with the most decadent pistachio sauce, kernels, and even filo flakes. A total sensory delight! And if that sounds too sweet for you, don’t worry—they’ve got all your favourite savoury options too (but honestly, you won’t truly get it until you try the pancakes).

We also love that they open early—7:30 am! So many brunch spots open so late that it becomes awkwardly timed between breakfast and dinner. Finally, a place that gets it.

Have to try: Baklava pancakes
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £20-£50

Santa Nata is a cute, modern, and bright spot on Russell Street, specialising in—you guessed it—pastel de natas.

It’s not your typical cafe with a whole pastry case of croissants and tarts, but what they do serve, they absolutely smash. Potentially dangerous for your self-control, because once you start, there’s really no going back. Honestly though, it’s a must-try.

They’ve got a brilliant deal too: a pastel de nata and an espresso for just £3.50. In this economy, that’s practically a steal. They also do all your standard coffees, so you can sit, sip, and savor—without feeling guilty for downing four in ten seconds when you were “supposed” to save half for later!

Have to try: Pastel de nata and espresso deal
Perfect for: A quick sweet treat
Approx price for 2:  £4- £25

26 Grains is a quirky, cosy spot in Neal’s Yard, and honestly, it’s the menu that steals the show. There isn’t a single boring, bog-standard item in sight—everything takes your favourites and makes them fun, healthy, and extra filling, so you leave properly satisfied. The menu isn’t huge, but whether you’re savoury or sweet, choosing just one thing is going to be tough.

Our favourite had to be the fried eggs in chilli butter. As if that alone doesn’t sound delicious enough, they come with sweet piquillo peppers, garlic yogurt, mint, dill, and sourdough—basically every flavour you could dream of in one dish. And for our breakfast dessert, we went for the strawberry and cream brioche. Perfectly summery: caramelised brioche, strawberry, rose & lemon syrup, mascarpone cream, and matcha meringue crumb.

If you’re after something warm, cosy, and indulgent, the banana and tahini porridge is sending the sweetest, most decadent aromas straight to your nose.

Have to try: Strawberry and cream brioche
Perfect for: Unique breakfast options
Approx price for 2:  £20- £40

With a name like Abuelo, you just know it’s going to be cosy, homely vibes all the way. This is hearty food that hits every spot and somehow manages to make you feel like you’re eating something cooked just for you—grandparent style, IYKYK. It just hits different.

We went around lunch, so the breakfast options weren’t calling our name (though they sounded amazing). Instead, we went for the pulled chicken ciabatta sandwich, smothered in chipotle mayo with pickled cabbage and chillis. SO many flavours, zero dryness—it was just perfect.

But the real star? The banana bread. Not your lockdown-expert-level banana bread, no. This one was so moist, topped with vanilla ricotta, honeycomb, and toasted coconut. Honestly, you just can’t compare.

Have to try: Banana bread with vanilla ricotta, honeycomb, and toasted coconut
Perfect for: Casual lunch with friends
Approx price for 2:  £30- £50

If the name didn’t already give it away, this one is for sweet treat fiends. The outdoor seating is a winner—sometimes we’d rather be in crepe gardens than pub gardens, right? Just us?

We love a place that specialises in a single dessert because it usually means they’ve nailed every flavour combo you could want. They’ve got your classics—lemon and sugar, Nutella and strawberries—but if you’re going out of your way to a place that celebrates crepes, we suggest pushing the boat out a bit. Our fave? The banoffee pie—banana, caramel, biscuit, cinnamon, and cream. Absolute perfection.

They also do savoury for those weirdos who prefer that over sweet. Only joking—but in your defence, the Buffalo Bill crepe sounded pretty damn good: chicken, cheese, buffalo wing sauce, ranch. An American dream. Even better? Get a savoury and a sweet.

Have to try: Bannoffee pie crepe
Perfect for: Sweet treat
Approx price for 2:  £16- £30

The Black Penny has that sleek and modern vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into one of those retro, industrial-chic cafés from TV. The ones you always wish actually existed in real life.

They’ve got all your classic breakfast staples—eggs any way you like, porridge, the works—but since we’ve been there, done that, we wanted to switch it up. Enter: the crispy duck hash. Sweet potato (a fun twist on regular hash browns), spinach, chilli, and a perfectly poached egg. Unreal.

Close runner-up? The brioche French toast. Lemon ricotta (so light and fresh), black cardamom sugar, blueberry compote, and toasted almonds. Tell me that doesn’t sound like pure joy on a plate.

Have to try: Brioche french toast
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £30-£50

WA Café isn’t your regular café. it’s a Japanese patisserie, and with chains all over London, you just know it’s the real deal. So yeah, don’t come expecting those day-old triple chocolate brownies or generic cookies you know were shipped in from the same supplier that stocks your local supermarket’s 99p baked goods.

Here, everything is fresh. Our favourites had to be the matcha roll cake and the strawberry shortcake. You look at them and think, “Right, that’s lunch sorted,” but they’re actually so light, spongy and fresh that they’re the perfect post-lunch pick-me-up instead. Plus, they’re seriously aesthetic. Pair one with a green tea or a matcha latte and honestly—you’re golden.

Have to try: Matcha roll cake
Perfect for: Post lunch pick me up
Approx price for 2: £8-£15

Grind is just cuteness all over — baby pink interiors, modern and vibrant setting, honestly just such a great spot for catch ups or even to get some work done. Most cafes go for that dim, mellow vibe which, let’s be real, is not how you want to be working… unless the plan was to fall asleep. Grind gets that and totally flips it.

They’ve got all day breakfast as well as lunch-to-dinner small and main plates, so whatever you’re craving and whatever time, you’re sorted. They even do bottomless brunch! We went for the smoked salmon crumpets which came with herb cream cheese, poached eggs and rocket. Light, healthy, and honestly the perfect thing to keep you going the rest of the day.

And you have to get a coffee here. It’s what they’re famous for. They even sell their pods worldwide so you know it’s the real deal.

Have to try: Smoked salmon crumpet
Perfect for: Working
Approx price for 2: £30-£50

Café de Provence keeps it much more casual — proper nostalgic vibes, like the cafes from your childhood where no one cared about aesthetics, it was just all about those comforting, hearty, cosy meals.

In true British style, we went for their loaded jacket potatoes and fair warning: once you start, you will definitely finish the whole thing, even though that potato will sit like a rock in your stomach after. Worth it. Obviously we had to go for the holy trinity — beans, cheese and coleslaw. Argue with the wall.

They also do super fresh baked bread, so we’re pretty sure their sandwiches hit just as hard.

Have to try: Jacket potato
Perfect for: Casual breakfast with family
Approx price for 2:  £15- £40