Barrafina, Covent Garden

If you’re near Covent Garden and want a lunch that feels a bit special, Barrafina is a great pick. It is one of those rare restaurants where counter dining feels like a front-row seat, watching the chefs cook everything right in front of you. Lively, casual, and full of great smells and flavours, it draws you in from the moment you sit down.

It specialises in Spanish tapas, small plates that are perfect for sharing. We keep coming back because the food is always excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed, and there’s something nice about sharing plates together. It’s a reminder that a good lunch doesn’t have to be fancy or long to feel like a proper break. It’s the kind of place that reminds us why eating well, and sharing it, is one of the simplest joys.

We tend to go for the same favourites. We usually start with anchovy tostadas, pan con tomate, and jamón croquetas, then share a mix of seafood and meat, like chipirones, gambas rojas, or chicken thigh with romesco. The baked rice with mackerel and paletilla ibérica are standouts, rich, smoky, and full of flavour.