Condesa

Condesa is a tapas bar and restaurant on Maiden Lane, the quiet street that runs behind the Strand on the southern edge of Covent Garden, serving small plates inspired by both Mexico and Spain. It is a short walk from Covent Garden and Charing Cross stations and sits among the restaurants and stage doors of the Theatreland streets.

The kitchen draws on the two cuisines at once, so a table might mix Mexican and Spanish tapas rather than choosing between them, and the format is built for sharing several dishes over an evening rather than ordering formal courses. The drinks side keeps its own menu, with cocktails and wine chosen to sit alongside the food, which lets a visit be built around the bar or around the table. The website publishes separate food and drinks menus and takes reservations online.

Tapas and cocktail bar on Maiden Lane

Maiden Lane is one of the calmer addresses in the district, a couple of minutes from the piazza yet away from its crowds, which makes Condesa an option for a pre-theatre bite or a longer dinner with drinks. The sharing plates suit groups, and the intimate room works for a couple as well.

What to expect on a visit

Opening hours are not published on the website, so check before travelling or book ahead through the reservations page. Expect a relaxed, food-led take on a cocktail bar rather than a late-night room. For a cocktail-first alternative a street away, Eve Bar on Southampton Street focuses on champagne, caviar and cocktails, and our guide to cocktail bars in Covent Garden covers the rest of the area.