Refuel & Relax: Top 10 Pubs and Cafés in Covent Garden
All that exploring, shopping, and show-watching is thirsty work, especially with kids! Covent Garden is dotted with wonderful historic pubs and charming cafés that are perfect for a family pitstop. Here’s where you can find a welcoming cuppa, a tasty snack, or a refreshing pint (for the grown-ups, of course!).
Covent Garden Pubs & Cafés – Family Checklist
| Establishment Name | Location | Price Guide | Family-Friendly Features (e.g., space, menu, high chairs, garden) | Website (if available) |
| Ladurée | 1 Market Building WC2E | ££-£££ | Macarons & pretty pastries are a kid-pleaser for a treat. Elegant, better for older kids. Afternoon tea. | laduree.co.uk |
| Wild Food Café | 14 Neal’s Yard WC2 | ££ | Vegan/vegetarian, healthy options. Colourful Neal’s Yard location. | wildfoodcafe.com (historic) |
| Freud | 198 Shaftesbury Ave W1 | ££ | Primarily adult cocktail bar. Daytime coffee with older teens might be okay. Basement setting. | freud.com / freudbars.com |
| Covent Garden Grind | 42 Maiden Lane | £-££ | Brunch menu, casual dining, dog-friendly, outdoor seating. Gluten-free/vegan options. | grind.co.uk |
| The Lamb and Flag | 33 Rose St WC2 | ££ | Historic pub, Sunday roasts. Upstairs dining. Can be crowded. | (Fuller’s pub) |
| Snog Frozen Yogurt | 5 Garrick St WC2 | £ | Fun, customizable frozen yogurt. Big hit with kids. Late opening. | (Check social media) |
| Monmouth Coffee Company | 27 Monmouth St WC2 | ££ | Excellent coffee (for adults), delicious pastries. Small café. Reusable cups. | monmouthcoffee.co.uk |
| Lowlander | 36 Drury Lane WC2 | ££ | Belgian/European cuisine, relaxed grand café setting. May have kid-friendly options. | www.lowlander.com |
| Porterhouse | 21–2 Maiden Lane WC2 | ££ | Large, multi-level Irish pub. Pub classics. Live music/sports. Spacious. | (Porterhouse group) |
| Gordon’s Wine Bar | 47 Villiers St WC2 | ££ | Ancient, atmospheric cellar wine bar. Primarily adult. Unique but not typical family café. | www.gordonswinebar.com |
Ladurée: A Parisian Treat
For a touch of Parisian elegance, Ladurée in the Market Building (1 Market Building, WC2E) is famous for its exquisite macarons, but they also serve other stunning cakes, pastries, and even champagne.
Opening Hours: The restaurant part is generally open Mon-Thu 10 am-7 pm and Fri-Sun 10 am-8 pm, while the retail side for buying those famous macarons is Mon-Sun 9 am-8 pm..
Menu & Price: This is a premium experience, so expect prices to match. Macarons are the star, but their pastries and cakes are equally beautiful. They also offer afternoon tea.
Family Appeal: Those colourful macarons and delicate pastries are a definite hit with children (and adults!) for a special treat. The atmosphere is quite elegant, so it might be better suited to slightly older children who can appreciate a ‘fancy’ outing, or for a celebratory moment. An afternoon tea here could be a memorable family experience. Ladurée offers that little bit of luxury that can make a day out feel extra special.
Website: laduree.co.uk
Wild Food Café: Healthy & Wholesome in Neal’s Yard
Nestled in the vibrant Neal’s Yard (14 Neal’s Yard, WC2), the Wild Food Café (long known as the Whole Food Café) is a haven for those seeking vegan and vegetarian options. Their focus is on organic, wild foods, often cooked as little as possible to retain their natural goodness.
Opening Hours: You can pop in Monday to Saturday from 11 am to around 8:15 pm, and on Sundays from 11 am to 6:15 pm.
Menu & Price: Expect innovative plant-based cuisine. While specific prices weren’t detailed, it’s likely in the mid-range for a specialist café in this area.
Family Appeal: This is a fantastic choice for families with vegan or vegetarian members, or for anyone keen on trying healthy, inventive food. The “wild food” concept itself could be an interesting talking point for more adventurous young eaters. Plus, being in Neal’s Yard, the location is colourful, fun, and a bit different.
Website: Historically it was wildfoodcafe.com, though not explicitly provided in the latest snippets.
Freud: Basement Bar Chic
Freud, located in a basement at 198 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1, is known for its coffees, cocktails, and bottled beers, attracting a stylish, designer crowd, especially in the evenings.
Opening Hours: They have quite varied hours, generally opening around 4 pm on weekdays and earlier on Saturdays (perhaps 12 pm or 3:30 pm depending on the source), and staying open late, sometimes until 1 am or 2 am. It’s best to check their website for the specific day you plan to visit.
Menu & Price: Cocktails are a big draw, with a Happy Hour offering selected cocktails for £7.50. They also serve coffee and tea.
Family Appeal: This spot is primarily an adult-oriented cocktail bar, particularly as evening approaches and the “electric buzz” takes over. While you might grab a coffee here during a quieter daytime opening (if available on your visit day) with older teenagers, the basement setting and evening atmosphere are generally less suited to young families. It represents Covent Garden’s more sophisticated nightlife scene.
Website: freud.com or freudbars.com.
Covent Garden Grind: Coffee, Brunch, and Cocktails
The Grind group is well-known for its top-class coffee, and their Covent Garden outpost at 42 Maiden Lane doesn’t disappoint. They offer a popular brunch menu and, as the day progresses, serve cocktails and sharing plates in the evening.
Opening Hours: They have long opening hours, typically from 8 am on weekdays (9 am Sat, 10 am Sun) and stay open until 10 pm or 11 pm on many evenings (closing earlier on Mon & Sun at 5 pm/7 pm respectively).
Menu & Price: You can get your caffeine fix, fresh juices, or enjoy their all-day food menu, which includes brunch items. In the evening, it transitions to more of a cocktail bar vibe with sharing plates. The price point is generally £25 and under for food.
Family Appeal: The brunch menu makes it a great option for families. The dining style is casual, and they are dog-friendly, which is a bonus for pet owners. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options, catering to various dietary needs. The availability of patio/outdoor dining is also a plus when you have kids who might appreciate a bit more space or fresh air. Its versatility makes it a trendy yet accessible spot.
Website: grind.co.uk
The Lamb and Flag: Historic Pub Charm
Tucked away on Rose Street (33 Rose St, WC2), The Lamb and Flag is a traditional pub steeped in history, claiming to be one of the oldest in the West End. It was even frequented by Charles Dickens!. They are known for serving cask bitter and, a family favourite, delicious roasts on Sunday lunchtimes.
Opening Hours: Generally open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 12 noon to 10:30 pm.
Menu & Price: Expect traditional pub fare and Fuller’s ales. Sunday roasts are a specialty. Prices are likely mid-range for pub food in central London. One recent review was mixed, calling the food “below average” and the pub a “tourist pub,” with a bill of £170 for four roasts and wine. However, another review from a few years prior praised the food under Fuller’s management. It might be worth checking more current food reviews if a meal is your main goal.
Family Appeal: The historic pub experience can be very appealing to families wanting a taste of old London. Sunday roasts are a classic family meal. There’s an upstairs dining room which might offer a slightly quieter space. However, being a popular and historic pub, it can get very crowded, which might be challenging with young children or a stroller. The pub’s quirky, if slightly gory, history of being known as “The Bucket of Blood” due to bareknuckle fights held there in the past is a tale that might amuse older kids.
Website: As a Fuller’s pub, details would likely be on the Fuller’s website.
Snog Frozen Yogurt: A Cool Treat for Everyone
If you’re looking for a relatively healthy yet indulgent treat, Snog Frozen Yogurt at 5 Garrick Street, WC2, is the place to go. They offer fat-free organic yogurts in various flavours, and the best part is choosing from a huge array of toppings – from fresh fruit and crunchy granola to more decadent chocolatey bits.
Opening Hours: They keep long hours, typically Monday to Sunday from 11 am right through to midnight , making it a great option for a daytime refreshment or a post-theatre dessert.
Menu & Price: It’s all about frozen yogurt here! You choose your yogurt flavour and then go wild with the toppings. Prices aren’t specified but will be typical for a frozen yogurt bar where cost often depends on size and number of toppings.
Family Appeal: Snog is a massive hit with kids and adults alike. The ability to customize your own creation makes it a fun and interactive experience. It’s a perfect light dessert or a refreshing snack on a warm day. The long opening hours are also very convenient for families out and about in Covent Garden. While their Uber Eats listing showed them as unavailable “at this time” , this likely refers to delivery rather than their physical shop presence.
Website: Not directly provided in the snippets for the shop, but you can often find frozen yogurt chains on social media.
Monmouth Coffee Company: For Serious Coffee Lovers (and Pastry Fans!)
The Monmouth Coffee Company, at 27 Monmouth Street, WC2, is legendary among London coffee aficionados. They are specialists in single-origin coffee beans and expertly brewed filter coffee. Alongside their exceptional coffee, they have a wonderful (though small) café that serves delicious French pastries.
Opening Hours: They are open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm. Note that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Also, important to know: they operate on a card payments only basis.
Menu & Price: The focus here is on high-quality coffee, available as beans to take home (whole or ground) or as expertly prepared drinks. They also offer pastries and sweet treats from acclaimed local bakeries like Little Bread Pedlar. Expect premium coffee prices, reflecting the quality.
Family Appeal: While the coffee is primarily for adult appreciation, the delicious pastries are a definite plus for children. The café itself is small , so it might be a bit of a squeeze with a stroller, making it better for a quick, high-quality coffee and pastry stop rather than a lengthy family hangout. A noteworthy point for eco-conscious families: Monmouth no longer uses paper cups for takeaway coffee. You can have your coffee to stay in a ceramic cup, bring your own reusable cup, or use one of their reusable cups under a deposit scheme. This makes it a good talking point about sustainability!
Website: monmouthcoffee.co.uk
Lowlander Grand Café: Belgian Beer & European Bites
Lowlander, situated at 36 Drury Lane, WC2, is a popular spot known for its extensive range of Belgian beers and a menu of European cuisine, all served in a relaxed grand café setting.
Opening Hours: They are open daily. For example, one day’s hours were listed as 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with food served from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It’s always good to check their website for specific timings for your visit.
Menu & Price: You’ll find a wide selection of Belgian beers here, which is their specialty. The European cuisine is likely to offer a good variety. Prices weren’t detailed but expect mid-range for a grand café in this area.
Family Appeal: The “relaxed setting” is a positive for families. European cuisine often includes dishes that can be child-friendly – think frites (Belgian fries!), perhaps some pasta dishes, or simpler meat/fish options. It would be worth checking if they offer a specific children’s menu or have high chairs available. The grand café style often means a bit more space than a traditional small pub, which can be beneficial for families. It could be a good option for a family lunch or an early dinner before a show.
Website: www.lowlander.com
Porterhouse: A Multi-Level Irish Pub Experience
The Porterhouse, at 21–2 Maiden Lane, WC2, is not just any pub; it’s one of London’s largest, with bars spread over an incredible 12 levels!. This cavernous Irish pub is renowned for its excellent own-brewed beers (hand-crafted in Dublin) and a vibrant atmosphere, often featuring live music and sports events.
Opening Hours: They are typically open Monday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11 pm, Friday to Saturday from 12 pm to 12 am, and Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm.
Menu & Price: Alongside their impressive range of beers (including their signature Porterhouse Stout and Temple Lager), they serve up delectable pub classics like fish and chips, succulent burgers, and flavourful pies. On Sundays, traditional roasts are added to the menu. Prices are likely to be standard for London pub food.
Family Appeal: The sheer size of The Porterhouse, with its “three main floors, several mezzanine levels” , means there’s plenty of space, which can be a real advantage for families, especially those with strollers or children who like a bit of room to move. Classic pub food often includes options that appeal to children. The lively atmosphere with music or sports could be a draw for some families, though perhaps a distraction for others seeking a quiet meal. Its multi-level layout might offer different nooks and crannies, some potentially quieter than others. The Irish pub theme usually implies a welcoming and convivial environment.
Website: While not directly in the snippets, it would be part of the Porterhouse Brewing Co. group of pubs.
Gordon’s Wine Bar: An Atmospheric Cellar (Mostly for Adults)
Gordon’s Wine Bar, at 47 Villiers Street, WC2, is a true London institution – an ancient and incredibly atmospheric candle-lit cellar bar that has been serving wine, port, and Madeira from the barrel for generations.
Opening Hours: They are open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm. The kitchen, serving cheese, charcuterie, and bar snacks, operates Mon-Sat 12 pm-10 pm and Sun 12 pm-9 pm.
Menu & Price: It’s all about the wine here, with an extensive list. They also offer a good selection of cheeses and other deli-style food. Prices will vary depending on your choice of wine and food.
Family Appeal: The “ancient and atmospheric candle-lit cellar” certainly sounds intriguing and could be a unique experience. However, Gordon’s is very much a wine bar, and its ambiance is geared towards adults. They operate on a “first come, first served” basis with no reservations , and it can get very busy and crowded, especially in the cave-like cellar areas. While UK licensing laws don’t explicitly ban children from bars serving food during the day if accompanied by an adult, the dimly lit, bustling, adult-focused environment might not be ideal for young families. It could potentially be an interesting stop for families with much older teenagers who can appreciate the history and unique setting, perhaps for a quick look or an early evening cheese board if it’s not too packed. It’s not your typical family café. Website:www.gordonswinebar.com
