Harden's survey result
Summary
“On more than one occasion we have observed someone ‘popping the question’ here!” – the “magical” setting “never fails to impress” at this Covent Garden oasis, yet again voted London’s No.1 venue for romance in our annual diners’ poll. “Sitting in the conservatory is a joy, especially in good weather when the retractable roof is open” and its “most beautiful interior courtyard is tailormade for a date”. “The largely Provençal and Tuscan cuisine is good but the star of this show is the magnificent wine list, with choices from around the world and prices to suit all budgets. The only recommendation is to read the wine list at home in advance, otherwise you’ll spend the first hour ignoring your date!”.
Summary
“Get lucky and score a table in the conservatory and you’ve landed the most romantic rendezvous in town!” at this “lovely” oasis in bustling Covent Garden – for many years now, reporters’ No. 1 choice “for celebrating anniversaries, engagements, weddings, etc…”. The “beautiful glazed dining room is hung with blossom and has both a roof that opens in warm weather and a cosy fire for cold days”. And not everyone feels that all is lost if you don’t nab one of these prime seats (“everyone raves about the garden room but there is a small dining room upstairs that we love too!”). Though it has never been a prime foodie destination, the kitchen typically wins acclaim for its “accomplished modern European cuisine”, which is backed up by “the longest wine list ever seen” (although pricing of some vintages gave cause for complaint this year). There continues to be a school of thought that its food is “sadly not as good as it was pre-lockdown” or that “staff changes have made it seem less welcoming”. But ratings recovered well here this year after a dive last year, and on most of the very many reports we receive: “you always feel special here!”
Summary
“The perfect way to a loved one’s heart” – this “oasis of calm and tranquillity amid the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden” yet again tops our annual diners’ poll as London‘s No 1 spot for romance. “The best tables are in the conservatory” – “intimate, elegant and florally stunning” – which is “like being whisked away to a beautiful spot in the countryside” (but don’t despair if you don’t nab one of the prime slots as there are also may “soft, dark and secluded” tables elsewhere). Another “star attraction is the wine list of biblical proportions”, showcasing its “brilliant” and “fairly priced” cellar. In prior years, we have always said the food and service are surprisingly good for somewhere with so many other competing attractions, and many reports do still laud its “very good modern British cuisine”. There’s no glossing over a big slide in ratings here though this year. No single complaint was to the fore, standards just weren’t rated as excellently as usual. Hopefully a blip.
Summary
“I saw a guy go down on bended knee to his girlfriend… she said yes!” This “luxurious and magical” haven – somewhat unexpectedly located “in the heart of Covent Garden” – continues to “live up to its reputation as the most romantic restaurant in London”, and “for a meal with that special someone, you won’t find much better”, especially if you can bag a table (book months in advance) for the “blossom-festooned conservatory” (which some reporters feel is essential to a successful visit; to others it’s merely “the icing on the cake”). Unusually for somewhere “oozing romance”, standards elsewhere “are not compromised to deliver a memorable experience”: “the food might not be the absolute pinnacle of modern British cuisine”, but “it’s more-than-competent” and “the star gourmet attraction is a wine list of almost biblical proportions”. Top Tip – “lunch/pre theatre set menus offer superb value for the excellent quality”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Clos Maggiore?
33 King St, London, WC2E 8JD
Restaurant details
Clos Maggiore Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Will write review later"
"The service was attentive yet unobtrusive. The pre-theatre menu at £32.50 for 2 courses including a glass of bubbles was excellent value and delicious. The scallop starter a real highlight."
"The service was attentive yet unobtrusive. The pre-theatre menu at £32.50 for 2 courses including a glass of bubbles was excellent value and delicious. The scallop starter a real highlight."
"The service was attentive yet unobtrusive. The pre-theatre menu at £32.50 for 2 courses including a glass of bubbles was excellent value and delicious. The scallop starter a real highlight."
"I see why this restaurant always scores highly for romantic settings, Beautiful interior with fabulous staff. The food doesn't reach the levels of other restaurants, but the setting and experience make up for that. We went for Saturday lunch and there was a steady of stream of people trying to get lunch unsuccessfully. Its location and the incredibly friendly staff makes this a go to icon"
"Traditional white table cloth and silver service but a lovely meal. Lentil and yoghurt soup. Turbot and truffled mash."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.50 | £34.50 |  |
|
|
| Pretheatre | £32.50 | £39.50 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 85.00 | Dinner only | 5 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £19.30 | £36.00 | £14.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
33 King St, London, WC2E 8JD
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:15pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
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