Fresko

Fresko is a Greek yogurt bar on Bedford Street, on the western side of Covent Garden a short walk from the Strand. The concept travelled from Athens to London with a simple pitch: authentic Greek yogurt that is high in protein and low in calories, served in made-to-order bowls and smoothies rather than as a fixed dessert menu. It is a single Covent Garden shop, backed by occasional pop-ups elsewhere.

Ordering follows three steps. You pick a bowl or a yogurt smoothie, choose one of five yogurts (Traditional, Light, Creamy, Protein+ or Vegan), then add toppings from a range that runs from fresh fruit, crunchy nuts and organic honey to Greek spoon sweets and chocolate. For anyone who would rather not build their own, the Fresko Favourites are ready-made combinations: Sweet Darkness with black cherry spoon sweet, Mykonos Magic with chocolate, hazelnuts and sprinkles, Forbidden Fruit with quince spoon sweet and almond flakes, Love From Athens with thyme honey and walnuts, The Greek Escape with strawberries, pine honey and hazelnuts, and Santorini Style with seasonal fruit and granola.

Greek yogurt bar in Covent Garden

As a Greek yogurt bar in Covent Garden, Fresko sits at the lighter end of the area's dessert options. Pricing is straightforward, with a regular bowl at £5, a large at £6.50, smoothies at £7 and toppings at 50p each, and the protein and vegan yogurts make it a workable breakfast or post-gym stop as well as a treat. Seating is limited, so many customers take their bowl away.

What to expect on a visit

The shop opens early, from 7am on most days, and runs late into the evening, which suits both a healthy breakfast before the shops open and a lighter alternative to gelato after a show. A loyalty programme, Fresko Fans, rewards regulars. For the richer Italian option nearby, Gelatorino on Russell Street makes award-winning gelato, and the directory lists the other dessert shops in Covent Garden.