9 Best Pubs in Covent Garden

One of the most unique things about London is the pub culture. From historic watering holes to modern gastropubs, pubs are the city’s communal living rooms. I’ve discovered a lot of good ones over the years, and today I want to share my guide to the best pubs in Covent Garden with you. Right in the heart of the West End, this popular area is packed with great places to eat and drink. Read on for a list of my favorites. I’ve included a map as well.

Covent Garden Pubs

I’ve been coming to this famous part of central London since I moved to the UK, and I’ve spent a lot of time with friends in the local pubs here over the years. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Covent Garden.

I’ve enjoyed summer afternoons outside The Lamb & Flag, and winter evenings holed up at the Crown & Anchor. Which is to say nothing of the nights I whiled away eating poutine with Canadian expats at the Maple Leaf.

Suffice it to say I’ve gained a thorough knowledge of Covent Garden pubs since moving to London. Today I want to share my findings with you.

Whether you want to seek out classic English drinks or traditional British food, Covent Garden pubs with historic roots or ones with top-notch food and drink, this area has you covered.

While each pub on my list is worth a special trip, you can see a number of them in one go on my free self-guided Covent Garden walk. It’s a great way to explore the area and enjoy food and drink along the way. If you prefer a guided tour, this one is just the thing.

And if you need a few days to give each one its due, there are great places to stay in the area. My top pick is the St Martin’s Lane hotel. It’s in an amazing location near some of London’s top attractions, and it has great style.

You can see a range of other options and book one here, too. And if you’re interested in finding a pub you can call home-away-from-home, check out my post about the best pubs with rooms in London.

1. The Lamb & Flag

I’ll start my list of the best pubs in Covent Garden with The Lamb & Flag. Located down a narrow street near the piazza, this historic watering hole is known for being a favorite of Charles Dickens.

Both the downstairs bar rooms and upstairs dining room have loads of atmosphere. If you like wooden furniture and fireplaces, you’re in for a treat.

I love this pub at any time of year. In the winter, it’s a great one to hole up in and feel cozy. In summer, the windows open and the crowd spills out into the street.

2. Crown & Anchor

Next on my list of the best Covent Garden pubs is the Crown & Anchor. Situated on the famous Neal Street in Seven Dials, its eye-catching facade offers guests a warm welcome.

Inside, this traditional British pub is spread over two floors. It features an array of wooden tables and chairs alongside old-world decor. It’s a fun place to channel your inner pub lover.

Located right near the Covent Garden Piazza, Neal’s Yard, and the best shops and theaters in the West End, the Crown & Anchor is the perfect spot for classic homemade pub food, cask ales, and gin cocktails.

3. The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys is another of my favorite pubs in Covent Garden. Right in the middle of Endell Street, this place is famous for its stunning facade and characterful interior.

With plants growing wild on the outside and eclectic memorabilia on the inside, The Cross Keys has everything one could want in a historic London watering hole. If you like good ambience, you’ll love the low lighting, cozy seating, heritage photos, and brass finishes.

While here, you can tuck into classic pub grub, burgers, pies, sandwiches, and a wide range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

4. The Harp

The Harp is another of the best pubs in Covent Garden. Located on Chandos Place, this award-winning spot is known for everything from its cask ales to its ciders and perries.

The Harp is a fine example of a traditional British ale house. From its dark wood counter to the historic art on the walls and the plethora of beer mats above the bar, it has lots of atmosphere.

The Harp is one of the most popular pubs in Covent Garden, and it’s worth a special trip. Whether you go for a drink after a day of shopping or a pre-theater tipple, it’s a fun spot.

5. The Porcupine

Next on my list is The Porcupine. Located on Charing Cross Road near Leicester Square and Chinatown, this unique historic pub is known for its picturesque facade.

The Porcupine was once a haunt of Freemasons. The Lodge of Confidence met here from 1807 to 1829. The pub was rebuilt in 1880, and its interior features great tiling on the back bar and photos of theater stars on the walls.

Whether you want to tuck into a plate of classic British food, enjoy real ales, or try one of the pub’s premium gins, there’s plenty to get excited about here.

6. The Coal Hole

Right on the bustling Strand, The Coal Hole is another famous pub in Covent Garden. This place is unique in that it’s said to be located on the site of a former coal cellar of the iconic Savoy hotel (which is next door).

Whether that’s true or not, today’s incarnation of the Grade II-listed pub was built by architect T.E. Collcutt in 1903. Once a popular song and supper club, it was frequented by the likes of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The Coal Hole is known for its antique tile flooring and selection of real ales. Whether you want to tuck into classic fish and chips or sip a pint in historic surroundings, this place has you covered.

7. Maple Leaf

Next on my list is the Maple Leaf in Covent Garden. Opened in 1986, this Canadian-themed spot on Maiden Lane is famous for everything from its decor to its food. It’s one of my favorite international pubs in London.

There are enough Canadian flags for an army of Mounties, and lots of Moosehead beer and poutine on offer (although my Canadian friends say the latter isn’t as good as it is back home). The walls are adorned with ice hockey shirts and baseball memorabilia, too.

Best of all for us homesick North Americans, the pub also shows lots of Canadian and American sports on TV. Better yet, there’s a beer garden outside.

8. The Porterhouse

On the newer end of the spectrum, The Porterhouse is another of the best Covent Garden pubs. It’s split over three floors, each of which features a bar serving a broad selection of craft beer and pub food.

Established in 2000, gleaming copper pipes, low light, and dark wood make The Porterhouse look deceptively old. High ceilings and tilework complete the look.

Regardless of age, the pub has lots of screens for watching sports and a late-night Basement Bar with live music. Add to that one of central London’s largest beer gardens, and this place is worth a trip.

9. The Marquis

Right near Trafalgar Square, The Marquis is another of the area’s most popular pubs. Housed in a building that dates back to the 1600s, its historic interiors and memorabilia attract locals and visitors alike (Charles Dickens even came here in his day).

Covent Garden’s “rock and roll watering hole”, The Marquis boasts a vast collection of records. It’s also a hub for live music, which you can enjoy most nights. The pub made history in 2023 when it hosted a surprise Green Day gig. It’s also made cameos in movies like Mary Poppins Returns and Last Christmas.

If you want to enjoy a meal here, the upstairs bar and dining area is called Fagin’s Den. It offers a cozy space for home-cooked meals.

Map of Pubs in Covent Garden

Best Pubs in Covent Garden

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at my favorite Covent Garden pubs. This area is a great place to eat and drink in the UK capital, and I’m sure you’ll love these places as much as I do when you’re in the area.

If you want to explore further afield, The Ship Tavern and the Princess Louise in Holborn are worth discovering. And that’s to say nothing of the Sherlock Holmes and the Ship & Shovell in Charing Cross. And if you like bars, don’t miss Mr Fogg’s Tavern.

If you want to see more, I’ve written a lot about pubs in London. You can take a look at my pub itinerary to get started.

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