Saturday 14 November 2026
On Catherine Street, just across from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and a short stroll from the Royal Opera House, Opera Tavern has been serving some of Covent Garden’s best-loved tapas since 2011. Run by the Salt Yard Group, the team behind Salt Yard and Dehesa, it turned an old Victorian pub into a buzzy two-floor bar and restaurant specialising in Spanish and Italian small plates. It’s a favourite for pre-theatre dinners, date nights and festive get-togethers alike. Here are five reasons to book a table.
1. Spanish and Italian Tapas Done Properly
The menu blends the best of Spain and Italy, with seasonal small plates, charcuterie and dishes cooked over the grill. Classics such as croquetas and patatas bravas sit alongside more inventive plates, and recent additions have included a vegan chargrilled artichoke with spiced chickpeas and pomegranate. Opera Tavern first made its name with indulgent bites such as its tiny Iberico pork and foie gras burgers, which reviewers have long called worth the trip alone. The kitchen is led by executive chef Łukasz Kiełbasiński, who came up through the ranks at sister restaurant Salt Yard. If you can’t decide, a tasting menu lets the kitchen choose for you, which is often the best way to explore.
2. The Perfect Pre-Theatre Pit Stop
Tapas is the ideal food for theatregoers, and Opera Tavern’s location could hardly be better. It sits opposite the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, currently home to Jesus Christ Superstar starring Sam Ryder, and close to the Royal Opera House and plenty of other West End stages. Ordering a few plates to share means you can eat as much or as little as you like and still make curtain-up without rushing. For a lighter midday option, the Tapas Trio lunch runs from Sunday to Friday between 12pm and 4pm. Afterwards, the Nell of Old Drury pub, just a few doors along Catherine Street, is handy for a post-show nightcap, making this little stretch of theatreland a perfect night out.
3. A Victorian Pub With a Modern Twist
Opera Tavern opened in January 2011, taking over two storeys of an 1870s pub, and some of that old pub architecture still gives the place its character. Downstairs is a stylish bar with counter seating and a communal table, livened up with striking graphic prints by street artists including Ben Eine. It’s the spot for a more casual, sociable meal, perched at the bar with a glass of wine and a few plates. Upstairs, the first-floor dining room combines raw brickwork with a warm, atmospheric interior for a more relaxed sit-down dinner. On sunny days, a few pavement tables under the awning offer a spot of al fresco dining in the heart of theatreland.
4. Christmas Menus and Festive Parties
With the festive season approaching, Opera Tavern has Christmas menus at £65 and £85 per person, plus a festive drinks list, making it a great choice for a work do or a catch-up with friends. Larger groups of eight or more can choose from set menus at £40, £55 and £75 per person, which takes the stress out of ordering for a crowd. The upstairs private dining room seats up to 42 guests, and the events team can help plan anything from a Christmas party to a birthday dinner. Combine it with a show across the road for a really memorable festive night out in the West End. Book early, as December dates in Covent Garden fill up fast.
5. Part of a Much-Loved London Group
Opera Tavern belongs to the Salt Yard Group, which helped popularise sharing small plates in London and celebrated its 20th birthday in 2026 with a series of guest chef residencies across its restaurants, including Ixta Belfrage at Opera Tavern in June. The group is known for mixing Spanish and Italian influences in a way that takes it beyond a standard tapas bar. Diners clearly approve: the restaurant holds a 4.6 rating on OpenTable, with reviewers praising the friendly service and cosy atmosphere. Its drinks list is well worth exploring too, with plenty of wines by the glass to match your plates. Whether it’s lunch, dinner or a festive party, it’s a dependable favourite in the heart of Covent Garden.
Book
Opera Tavern, 23 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JS
Phone: 020 7836 3680
Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday 12pm–10.45pm, Wednesday to Saturday 12pm–11pm, Sunday 12pm–8pm
Christmas menus: £65 and £85 per person
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden