Opera Tavern

You'll find yourself on Catherine Street, tucked between the theatre crowds and the souvenir shops, but once you're through the door of Opera Tavern it's all dark wood, chattering voices and the smell of jamón. This is the kind of place where locals actually eat—standing at the bar with a glass of manzanilla, sharing plates of croquetas and pan con tomate with mates. The menu reads like a genuine Spanish bar, none of that Instagram-bait nonsense. It's got the energy of somewhere that doesn't try too hard, where the staff know what they're doing and the wine list makes sense. Covent Garden gets a lot of noise, but this place justifies it.