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Opera Tavern, London,

Opera Tavern

4.6
4.6
303 Reviews
£26 to £40
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 27 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
Opera Tavern is a beautiful two-storey bar and restaurant in the heart of central London’s theatre land. Located on Catherine Street we are opposite the Drury Lane Theatre, seconds from the Opera House, a stone’s throw from The Strand and a lovely walk across Waterloo Bridge from the South Bank.

A beautiful former pub, the exposed brickwork, bold artwork and flattering low lighting help our two-story restaurant create the perfect atmosphere for a pre-theatre meal or drink. The ground floor houses a long bar with the open grill at one end, and a few tables placed beside the theatre box windows, where guests can watch the world go by.

We specialise in Italian and Spanish influenced tapas and have a charcoal grill on the ground floor where we cook up all manner of stunning small plates.

For groups reservations and Private Hire enquiries, contact us directly at bookings@saltyard.co.uk

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Spanish
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Tue 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    020 7836 3680
  • Website
    https://www.saltyardgroup.co.uk/opera-tavern/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Łukasz Kiełbasiński
  • Private party facilities
    The upper floor of Opera Tavern is artistically designed, combining raw brickwork with an exquisite interior. Enhanced by impactful art pieces and soft, mood-enhancing lighting, it's an ideal setting for high-end events or professional meetings. The space caters to 45 seated attendees or 50 standing.
  • Location
    23 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JS
  • Neighborhood
    Covent Garden
  • Cross street
    Covent Garden
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Covent Garden Station - 4 min walkLeicester Square Station - 9 min walkTemple Station - 9 min walkCharing Cross Station - 13 min walk
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wine

Experiences

  • Valentine's Head Chef's Tasting Menu

    £50.00 per person

    Feb 10, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025
    This Valentine's week, experience a taste of the Mediterranean at Opera Tavern with our Valentine's Head Chef's tasting menu, inspired by the flavours of Spain and Italy. This year, not only do you get a taste of the Southern European lifestyle, but you also have a chance to live the life yourself. Every table that prebooks the Valentine's Head Chef's tasting menu from 10th-16th February will be entered into a draw to win a romantic trip for two to Logrono, the historic capital of La Rioja, Spain. Indulge in dishes such as Yellow fin tuna, Pil Pil Prawns , Tempura of Tenderstem Broccoli, Slow Cooked Pork Belly, Braised Ox Cheeks, Winter Tomato Salad. Head's chef tasting menu is subject to seasonal changes.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 303 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Energetic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Opera Tavern offers a vibrant pre-theatre dining experience with "amazing food, amazing service". The menu features delicious Spanish/Italian tapas with standout dishes like pork belly and croquetas. Guests praise the "superb dining experience" and "relaxed, cosy atmosphere". Attentive staff and "delightful wine list" enhance the overall experience, making it a "fabulous spot for sharing platters". Ideal for theatre-goers, it's a "highly recommended" destination in Covent Garden.

303 Reviews

  1. Jane

    Kent

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food delicious, good value, great service. Would definitely come again

    Is this helpful?

  2. Peter

    Buckinghamshire

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    This was a disappointing experience and I would not book here again. It was not clear from the website that having to book a 'HIGH SHARING TABLE ' meant we would be sitting on stools and I would not have booked if i had realised as we are all over 70. It was uncomfortable, the stools were not particularly stable and at least two of our party had to regularly stand up as the edge of the stools cutting into our legs was causing pins and needles. The food was reasonably tasty but not warm enough and the service hit and miss. It was also too noisy for us. It was also extremely expensive at around £240 for four of us - each having just two tapas plates each (2 also had desserts) and a few drinks. I know London is expensive but this was shocking.

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  3. Lisa

    Oxford

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tasty bites in a fabulous location - a little bit pricey on the drinks but I loved the broccoli!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Holly

    London

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely food, great service. Very prompt. Cocktails were good too. I would recommend this restaurant, it was my husband’s birthday and they brought out a special extra dessert too which was really nice of them.

    Is this helpful?

  5. David

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, ambience and great service we will be back

    Is this helpful?

  6. David

    London

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had good memories from the last time I went in 2013 so was very pleased to enjoy it just as much this time. Speedy service pre theatre. Mum loved it too. We sat at the counter on bar stools but I didn’t miss having g a table. Will come again.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Nick

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a lovely tapas dinner here. The food was delicious, especially the pork belly and patatas bravas. The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive, and the atmosphere is relaxed and cosy.

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  8. conor

    Hertfordshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    this is a great place for some tapas especially before a show, quick and efficient service and great tasting food. staff were knowledgeable and polite.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Jonathan

    Brighton

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good reviews had already set expectations high but they were exceeded. Delicious food expertly and originally presented, service perfectly attentive but not intrusive and friendly, I will be going back

    Is this helpful?

  10. Gary

    Norfolk/Suffolk

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really enjoyed the variety and taste of the food offered, good value and excellent service by Delia who was extremely knowledgeable about the menu items *****

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Opera Tavern is rated 4.6 stars by 303 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 27 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Opera Tavern

23 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JS

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Covent Garden
  • Neighborhood
    Covent Garden
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Tue 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Spanish
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Covent Garden Station - 4 min walkLeicester Square Station - 9 min walkTemple Station - 9 min walkCharing Cross Station - 13 min walk
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Łukasz Kiełbasiński
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.saltyardgroup.co.uk/opera-tavern/
  • Phone number
    020 7836 3680
  • Private party facilities
    The upper floor of Opera Tavern is artistically designed, combining raw brickwork with an exquisite interior. Enhanced by impactful art pieces and soft, mood-enhancing lighting, it's an ideal setting for high-end events or professional meetings. The space caters to 45 seated attendees or 50 standing.
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