Covent Garden is probably one of the most underrated corners of London. It is the best place to wine and dine, and you can’t beat the shopping scene! If you have an opportunity to hop on the tube and check it out during your study abroad program, do it.
Here are my four favorite spots to visit in the beautiful Covent Garden area of London:
1. Covent Garden Market
Right when you exit the tube station you are faced with crowds of people. It’s London, so of course it is busy and fast-paced. Make a right out of the tube station and you are face-to-face the amazing shopping and eating center known as the Covent Garden Market.
Here you will find an array of high-end stores and outdoor eateries that will have you coming back for more. When I visited the Market, there was a quaint pop-up shop to promote British perfumer Jo Malone, decorated with gorgeous flowers and pastels. I couldn’t pass it by without a quick photo shoot.
2. Inamo Sushi
To be honest, I was surprised by the variety of food choices in not only Covent Garden, but London itself. I guess I was just prepared to eat fish and chips every night… but the city has so many different options to choose from. My friends and I were recommended to a small, yet very popular sushi restaurant in Covent Garden called Inamo Sushi. First of all, who doesn’t love sushi?! So, we made it a point to make our way there one evening and check it out. Needless to say, it was a fantastic experience. The staff was friendly, accommodating and the food was beautifully presented…but that is not even the best part. The table surfaces are interactive! You can draw, play games, and order from their menu using a small stylus. It added such a fun element to dinner and is not something I have seen before. 10/10 rating, if you ask me.
3. Milk Train
Ice cream is obviously a fan favorite, so I had to throw in my number one recommendation in all of Covent Garden… Milk Train! Milk Train is known for their inventive selection of flavors and elaborate presentations filled with cotton candy, popcorn, and other sweat treats. My friends and I walked over to the shop one night after finishing a big dinner; we always made room for dessert. Needless to say, it lived up to the hype.
The assortment of flavors and toppings are incredible, from classic Vanilla to Matcha Green Tea with salted caramel chips and popcorn, Milk Train has something for everybody. To better understand the nature of these treats, I would compare Milk Train to that of the Sugar Factory in the United States.. Of course, the store has a picture-perfect wall setup to snap a pic of your delicious treat in front of (pictured above). WARNING: try and go on an empty stomach because these treats are a meal in and of themselves.
4. Fumo
Italian food is my go-to when I am at home. So, I knew I would gravitate towards places like Fumo, where I felt comfortable and knew I couldn’t go wrong with some pasta and mozzarella. One of my friends who I met on my program had eaten at Fumo a previous time that she visited London and raved about it until we all agreed to check it out. Let’s just say, I am so glad that we did! Fumo is an elegant dining setting with a menu derived from the Milano region. Not much else I can say other than simply delicious. If you are ever in Covent Garden during your travels, make it a point to dine at Fumo.
