London Takeaways

4-6 Russell Street Covent Garden, London, West London, WC2B 5HZ

Balthazar at 4-6 Russell Street in Covent Garden WC2 is a large French brasserie modelled on the celebrated original in Manhattan's SoHo, opened by restaurateur Keith McNally and brought to London in 2013. The London Balthazar occupies the historic Flower Cellars building. Hardens describes it as "a big, buzzy faux-Parisian brasserie in the heart of Covent Garden that certainly looks the part" with "lots of classic French cuisine." The menu covers the full French brasserie repertoire: rock oysters, crab mayonnaise, French onion soup, steak frites, bouillabaisse, plateau de fruits de mer. The room — vintage mirrors, leather booths, golden back-lit wine cabinets, mosaic floors — is widely considered one of the most beautiful brasserie interiors in London. Best suited to groups and special occasions.

Available for dine-in at 4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden WC2B. Phone 020 3301 1155. Own website: balthazarlondon.com. Book ahead.

43 Drury Lane Covent Garden, London, West London, WC2B 5AJ

Barrafina at 43 Drury Lane in Covent Garden WC2 is the third of the Hart brothers' Michelin-starred Spanish tapas restaurants. Hot Dinners calls it the group's most comfortable branch for outdoor dining: the wraparound terrace makes it "the best in the group for alfresco dining." Like its siblings on Frith Street and Dean Street, Barrafina Drury Lane serves authentic Spanish tapas at a marble counter: tortilla española, croquetas de jamón, gambas rojas, milk-fed lamb sweetbreads, Cantabrian anchovies and razor clams. The menu changes daily. Drury Lane puts the restaurant at the centre of London's theatreland — the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Royal Opera House are both within a two-minute walk. The walk-in and reservation policy operates across all Barrafina sites.

Available for dine-in at 43 Drury Lane, Covent Garden WC2B. Walk-in or reservations. Own website: barrafina.co.uk.