Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. London
  4. West End London
  5. Covent Garden
Opera Tavern, London,

Opera Tavern

4.6
4.6
281 Reviews
£26 to £40
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
  • 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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 281 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

Loved For

  • West End London

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Opera Tavern offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing small plates" and a "lovely atmosphere." Located in the theatre district, it's perfect for pre-show meals. Guests rave about the "excellent service" and the standout "pork and tuna dishes." Despite being "a bit pricey," the quality and taste make it worthwhile.

281 Reviews

  1. Melissa

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food, amazing service and overall just a lovely place to have a cosy, dim lit dinner!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Richard

    VIP

    London

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service great food. Just round the corner from the Opera house so truly was a night at the opera

    Is this helpful?

  3. Rachelle

    New York City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We were looking for a good meal at a reasonable price before seeing a show in Covent Garden and Opera Tavern delivered! While small they sat us quickly and we ordered off the menu with help from the server. I will note that while this restaurant is listed as Italian Id describe it as more of a tapas bar. We started with grilled peppers and flatbread and a small charcuterie. Then moved on to the oox cheeks and pork belly. Everything was very good and flavorful. We enjoyed a bottle of wine as well. We enjoyed our meal and were very happy with everything and the value, often difficult to find in an area filled with tourists.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Iain

    Cambridge

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I’ve eaten at this restaurant twice in the last two weeks, absolutely love it. Great food, lovely people, great service!!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Elena

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely cosy place in Covent Garden with excellent food.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Nathan

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All the food was fantastic and the service was outstanding!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Georgina

    Newcastle

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waitress was outstanding, Fantastic service, the food was lovely except our prawns were a bit fishy. Would still recommend. We visit every time we go to London!!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Michael

    London

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Booked a table for 18.45 only to be told an hour in that the kitchen shuts at 8 and the bar. Should have been informed when booking. I used to come here a lot maybe 5 years ago. I think it has declined in terms of food quality and ambience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Janet

    Surrey

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Generally the food was delicious and authentic except for one dish pork belly which was overcooked. We had told the restaurant and they offered to replace the dish but we were too full so we didnt ask for anything else. To oursurprise when we asked for the bill they didn’t charge us for that which was a nice gesture from them!! I would recommend this restaurant and would come again.

    Is this helpful?

  10. John

    Cambridge

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service was excellent, apart from Brussel sprouts on one of the dishes 😂 I can't downgrade my review because of that though, as it's just a personal choice. I'm sure they would be nice to someone who likes them. I would definitely recommend and return myself.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Opera Tavern is rated 4.6 stars by 281 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 14 times today
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.
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Open for Business Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo