A Guide to Covent Garden in London

London’s Covent Garden offers the perfect mix of glitz, glamour, and al fresco entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a tasty meal, a lively watering hole, an exciting shopping experience, or a spot of sightseeing, you’ll find something to like here. But if you’re stumped on where to go, then this guide—and a little help from Uber—can help:

London Transport Museum

A museum about trains, trams and buses may not sound very interesting, but a trip to the London Transport Museum should be high on any visitor’s to-do list. The London Underground is one of the world’s most famous transport systems and you can trace its roots from the 1800s to the modern day with original artefacts, old London buses, interactive displays, and mind-blowing videos. And it’s not just about London; New York, Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai, and New Delhi are discussed, too.

Apple Market

Covent Garden’s Apple Market stands right next to the square and plays host to some of the city’s finest independent antique dealers, home-ware suppliers, jewellery makers, and collectables vendors every day of the week. If you’re searching for something unique, you’ll be sure to find it here, and if you find yourself craving some high-end high shopping, stores like MAC, Pretty Green, Pop Boutique, and Orla Kiely are all just a short walk away.

Covent Garden Square

Often overlooked by tourists and locals hastily scurrying to their next destination, the square is one of London’s most entertaining hangout spots. Come rain or shine, street performers from across the globe take to the square to offer audiences jaw-dropping displays, from short plays and monologues to fire-eating and sword-juggling. Take a walk over to the square, find yourself a comfy spot and enjoy all the sights and sounds.

Cross Keys

Some central London pubs are noisy, packed, and lack atmosphere, but the Cross Keys is not one of those places. Stepping through their doors feels like travelling back 30 years, and the pub’s loud carpet, coupled with ornate knick-knack clad walls, are unlike anything else you’ll see in the area. For beer lovers, the Cross Keys boasts a healthy choice of guest ales, and wine lovers won’t be disappointed with the pub’s extensive vino menu. This is the place to go for a couple of quiet drinks, or a proper London knees-up.

Dishoom

A quick uberPOOL or uberX ride will take you to Dishoom, where even the fussiest of eaters will find something to enjoy within these four walls. Sporting a Bombay-inspired interior, Dishoom is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Modelled on an authentic post-colonial Irani café, expect low-level lighting, retro decor, and homely hospitality. The menu offers traditional breakfast and lunch favourites with a fresh eastern twist; the sausage naan rolls with chilli jam and house lassis are particularly good.

CellarDoor

There’s nothing better than a cocktail after a satisfying meal. Not only does CellarDoor, a cosy subterranean hot spot, offer one the area’s most robust cocktail lists, but the neon-lit seating area offers the perfect place to enjoy a couple of drinks while soaking up the best cabaret in town. This is a place you’ll no doubt be talking about for years to come.