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Food - Opera Tavern, London,

Opera Tavern

4.6 (608)
£41 and over
Mediterranean
23 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JS

Make a booking

A photo of Opera Tavern restaurant

Opera Tavern

4.6
£41 and over
Mediterranean
Covent Garden

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 25 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
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
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    Irina Buhlea: 07951 974595
  • Location
    23 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JS
  • Area
    Covent Garden
  • Cross street
    Covent Garden
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Public transport
    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, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wine

Experiences

  • Head Chef’s Tasting Menu with a Glass of Wine

    GBP 52.00 per person

    2 - 7 people

    Multiple dates available
    Experience the vibrant soul of Opera Tavern with our Head Chef’s sharing tasting menu, designed for the table and inspired by bold Mediterranean flavours. Guests enjoy a generous selection of tapas served as they’re ready, encouraging relaxed sharing and discovery setting. The sharing menu includes dishes such as Padrón peppers, Jamón Ibérico & Manchego croquetas, tiger prawns with garlic and red chilli, yellowfin tuna tartare, burrata pugliese, slow‑cooked Iberian pork belly, chargrilled beef fillet, tempura tenderstem broccoli, and a classic tiramisu with pistachios to finish. Your experience includes a glass of wine, chosen on the day, with a choice between: Terradura Pecorino 2024, Abruzzo – fresh, mineral and aromatic, or Da Vero Biologico Nero d’Avola 2024, Sicily – rich, smooth and fruit‑forward. Please note: the tasting menu is subject to seasonal changes and served as tapas to share, with dishes selected by the kitchen on the day.
    Head Chef’s Tasting Menu with a Glass of Wine photo

  • Tapas Trio Lunch Experience at Opera Tavern -£25pp

    GBP 25.00 per person

    1 - 7 people

    Multiple dates available
    Discover a beautifully curated lunchtime offering at Opera Tavern, showcasing the very best of our Spanish‑Italian inspired small plates. Available Sunday to Friday from 12pm–4pm, the Tapas Trio Lunch invites guests to explore a refined selection of dishes crafted with quality ingredients and seasonal flair. Begin by choosing one dish from our Bar Snacks selection, perfect for opening the palate with bold, flavour‑forward bites. Guests may then tailor their experience with either: One fish dish and one vegetable dish, or One meat dish and one vegetable dish, allowing for a balanced and personalised tasting journey. Savour tapas such as Jamón and Manchego croquettes, slow‑cooked pork belly, and aubergine parmigiana — all for only £25pp. Enhance the experience further with the option to add a dessert for just £5, a delightful way to complete your meal with something sweet and indulgent. Full à la carte menu available , please note that charcuterie and cheese boards are excluded from this offer.
    Tapas Trio Lunch Experience at Opera Tavern -£25pp photo

Private dining

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from Opera Tavern.

Tapas to share

Tapas to share

  • Padron peppers

    • Charcuterie & cheese board (small)

      • Chargrilled flatbread with confit garlic butter

        • Jamon & Iberico croquetasGBP 2.00

          supplement

          • Tiger prawns, garlic, hot red chilli salsa

            • Yellow fin tuna tartare, avocado puree, tapioca crisps, radishes, aleppo pepper

              • Aubergine parmigiana, fior di latte, basil

                • Chargrilled lamb rump, caponata, rosemary jus

                  • Slow cooked ox cheeks, truffled mash potato, porcini sauce

                    • Patatas bravas, aioli, aged manchego

                      • Churros, chocolate sauce

                        Last updated: 2 March 2026

                        Powered by OpenTable

                        Reviews

                        OpenTable reviews from verified diners

                        Reviews from people who have dined at Opera Tavern.

                        4.6

                        4.6
                        (608)
                        • 4.6Food
                        • 4.6Service
                        • 4.5Ambience
                        • 4.3Value

                        Noise • Energetic

                        Loved For

                        • West End London

                          Mediterranean

                        Review summary

                        AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                        Opera Tavern offers a delightful dining experience with "excellent food," "fabulous service," and a "vibrant atmosphere." This charming spot is ideal for pre-theatre meals, with "creative and delicious" tapas and a "friendly" staff. Located near theatres, it's praised for "attentive service" and "wonderful taste combinations." Highly recommended.
                        608 Reviews

                        1. Trevor

                          London34 reviews

                          5.0

                          Dined 2 days ago

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          Great pre theatre dinner , served by very friendly staff

                          Is this helpful?

                        2. Karen

                          London4 reviews

                          5.0

                          Dined 4 days ago

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          Met a friend for lunch, great food and good place to chat

                          Is this helpful?

                        3. Debbie Gold

                          Kent4 reviews

                          5.0

                          Dined 5 days ago

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          Great food with a lovely vibe. Great location for pre theatre meal. Will definitely go again.

                          Is this helpful?

                        4. Joanna

                          Hampshire1 review

                          5.0

                          Dined 6 days ago

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          The food was excellent, good portion sizes and very tasty. Staff were attentive and friendly.

                          Is this helpful?

                        5. Priya

                          London1 review

                          5.0

                          Dined on 31 October 2026

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 4
                          Every dish we tried was excellent! In particular, a call out to the courgette flower, pork belly, tuna tartare & tenderstem broccoli. They use gluten free batter so it was great for my husband who got to try some dishes he normally wouldn't be able to have. Will definitely be coming here again!

                          Is this helpful?

                        6. Jacqueline

                          London2 reviews

                          3.0

                          Dined on 31 October 2026

                          1. Overall 3
                          2. Food 3
                          3. Service 4
                          4. Ambience 1
                          Table wasn’t ready for us but didn’t wait too long. Too many tables packed into tiny room. Extremely loud and noisy. Food average. Expensive for what it was. Disappointed but the friendly chatty waitress was delightful

                          Is this helpful?

                        7. Diane

                          Berkshire3 reviews

                          5.0

                          Dined on 31 October 2026

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          We loved being able to order different dishes as we felt like it.

                          Is this helpful?

                        8. Clare

                          London1 review

                          5.0

                          Dined on 31 October 2026

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 4
                          Delicious and varied food, cooked with skill We were pleased to have the chance to dine upstairs, which was very quiet.

                          Is this helpful?

                        9. Oscar

                          Berlin1 review

                          5.0

                          Dined on 30 October 2026

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, I will definitely come back

                          Is this helpful?

                        10. Martin

                          Toronto / Ontario8 reviews

                          5.0

                          Dined on 27 October 2026

                          1. Overall 5
                          2. Food 5
                          3. Service 5
                          4. Ambience 5
                          A friendly welcome and attentive service throughout, without being intrusive. Good advice regarding tapas menu, regarding how many dishes would be appropriate. Very tasty food and drink, fast service, relaxed atmosphere. Tables fairly close together, but we were given a bit of elbow room at our table. Overall, would recommend.

                          Is this helpful?

                        Dining areas

                        Additional information

                        • Dining style
                          Casual Elegant
                        • Price
                          £41 and over
                        • Cuisines
                          Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian
                        • Hours of Operation
                          Mon–Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
                        • 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.
                        • Private party contact
                          Irina Buhlea: 07951 974595
                        • Location
                          23 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JS
                        • Area
                          Covent Garden
                        • Cross street
                          Covent Garden
                        • Parking Details
                          None
                        • Public transport
                          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, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wine

                        FAQs

                        For a quieter visit, Tuesday evenings tend to be the best; if you’re after a lively pre‑theatre buzz, Saturdays are a popular choice.

                        Yes, the team accommodates gluten‑free diners (guests report an allergen menu and separate fryers for coeliacs), and the a la carte menu includes clear vegetable and vegetarian dishes such as aubergine parmigiana and roasted delica pumpkin.

                        Guests commonly find the tapas substantial, many report leaving comfortably full after sharing several plates.

                        Yes, Opera Tavern’s flattering low lighting, cosy two‑storey dining rooms and several guests’ anniversary visits make it well suited to a special evening.

                        Opera Tavern feels cosy and intimate across two storeys, exposed brickwork, bold artwork and flattering low lighting set a warm pre‑theatre tone, with an airy upstairs dining room and attentive service.

                        Smart casual is the guide, aim for polished but relaxed attire (neat rather than formal).

                        Opera Tavern is ideal for an early evening pre-theatre meal, arrive before your show for a relaxed, well-timed service; if you prefer quieter dining, guests note Tuesday evenings tend to be fairly quiet.

                        Yes, Opera Tavern lists set group sharing menus at £75 pp and £55 pp, and a Head Chef’s Tasting Menu (minimum two people), all presented as group/sharing dining experiences on the menu.

                        Yes, families are welcome: one family reported staff (Richie and Gloria) went above and beyond to make their 7‑year‑old comfortable and well looked after during a pre-theatre visit.

                        How FAQ content is generated

                        1. Home
                        2. United Kingdom
                        3. London
                        4. West End London
                        5. Covent Garden

                        Make a booking

                        A photo of Opera Tavern restaurant

                        Opera Tavern

                        4.6
                        £41 and over
                        Mediterranean
                        Covent Garden

                        Make a booking

                        2 people
                        7:00 pm
                        Booked 25 times today
                        Experiences are available.
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