Brasserie Max at Covent Garden Hotel

Covent Garden Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Brasserie Max is the calm amongst the buzz of the independent shops of Seven Dials. The interior is elegant, with polished woods, cosy alcoves and a long pewter bar at the end of the restaurant, ideal for a martini or glass of Champagne. Outside, guests can sit on the terrace on Monmouth Street and watch the world go by.

Head Chef Martin Sweeney, whose pedigree includes HIX and Petersham Nurseries, serves brasserie classics alongside more modern, European dishes. Simplicity is key, with a focus on quality, seasonal produce, often coming from Pusey Farm in the Cotswolds. Popular for pre and post theatre dining, dishes include Beef tartare with an egg yolk and toasted sourdough, and Native lobster tagliatelle with tomato and chilli.

The restaurant, designed by Kit Kemp, blends old world wonder with contemporary flair to achieve a sense of romantic escapism. Dark woodwork is offset with a palette of greens and florals, uplifted by mirrors and mediaeval style candelabras that lend a warm glow to the space. The walls display an eclectic mix of artwork, from Victorian paintings to Perspex framed fish sculptures, reflecting the quirky modern take on traditional English style that you find across the hotel.