Margot

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Covent Garden Address That Earned Its Stripes

Margot occupied a quietly commanding spot on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden, bringing a considered approach to Italian fine dining to one of London's most theatrical neighbourhoods. Recognised by Gambero Rosso and singled out by Bloomberg as one of the best new London restaurants — on the recommendation of chef Daniel Boulud, no less — it built a reputation that stretched well beyond its postcode. The Spectator called it "as good as you will find in the city," while food writer Tom Parker Bowles noted that "every element comes seamlessly together." A nomination for Best Newcomer at the Cateys and a feature on Celebrity MasterChef added further weight to a story told largely through the food itself.

The Menu: Italian Classics, Handled with Care

The cooking drew on the full breadth of the Italian repertoire without chasing novelty for its own sake. Antipasti ranged from burrata with datterini tomatoes and pickled onion to sautéed scallops with pea purée, crispy pancetta and mint snow, and vitello tonnato served in its proper Piedmontese manner. The pasta section was a particular strength: native lobster tagliolini in bisque, crab ravioli with mascarpone and saffron, strozzapreti with Tuscan duck ragù, and a vegetarian fagottini with asparagus and smoked scamorza that held its own against the richer options. Main courses leaned classical — veal ossobuco with saffron risotto alla Milanese, a 6 oz beef fillet with confit garlic mash and red wine jus, and a seabass fillet paired with mussels and saffron sauce.

A set lunch and pre-theatre menu at two or three courses offered an accessible entry point to the same Italian fine dining kitchen, available Tuesday to Saturday.

The Bar and the Room

The drinks programme took the negroni seriously enough to offer four variations — classic, barrel-aged, a banana-inflected Banoffee riff, and a mezcal version — alongside a list of Italian-leaning signature cocktails. The room accommodated private dining and events, and the front of house earned a Tatler mention for its quality, a detail that speaks to the whole tenor of the place: attentive without being stiff.

A Closing Note

After much reflection, the team made the difficult decision to close Margot, with the final day of service on 28th June 2025. "Thank you for allowing us to serve you over the years" — a straightforward farewell from a restaurant that, at its best, made Italian cooking in London look effortless.