Polpo serves Italian small plates at several London locations.
The Covent Garden branch was packed to the rafters when we arrived on a Wednesday night. While it’s always good to have your choice of restaurant approved by others, the layout of Polpo is so long and narrow waiting for a table is a stressful experience. Perched on high stools in the gangway,,we were constantly buffeted by passing staff and customers.
Ordering a round of negronis to take the edge off our growing anxiety, we were disappointed to have to wait 15 minutes to be served. Once they arrived, they were decently tasty. Once we were finally seat,ed things took a positive turn.
Our waitress was friendly and attentive despite the number of tables, and our food arrived within 30 minutes. The small plates concept is one that is incredibly popular around the world, meaning parties order a number of dishes to share. It makes for a more communal meal and means you can try a wider range of dishes from the menu. Polpo does it well, with plates to suit every taste.
After a rocky start, Polpo won me over, and if you manage to get there on a less busy day you won’t have to deal with the stress of waiting for a table. The bill came to $35 per person with wine and a digestif, which certainly isn’t bad considering the quality of the food and the location of the restaurant.
41 Beak Street
London W1F 9SB
England
44 207 734 4479
Read This Next
Ceviche Old Street
Restaurant
Jan 12, 2016#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Sep 21, 2026Check out Asheville, North Carolina’s, Fall Lineup
Asheville, North Carolina, stands out as a must-visit destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding areas as leaves begin to change color. The variation in elevation makes Asheville’s fall season one of the longest in North America. Fall colors here emerge slowly and work down from higher elevations over several weeks, according to Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, biology professor, Appalachian State University, who has tracked Southern Appalachian fall color for decades.
Sponsored Content
A New Rhythm of Work in Seoul
SEOUL REDEFINES THE FUTURE OF WORKATION by seamlessly integrating business, leisure and culture across the city. From the established MICE hub of Magok to the creative energy and scenic lifestyle along the Han River, it offers a dynamic ecosystem where productivity and relaxation naturally coexist — positioning Seoul as a global destination for a new way of working and living.
Destinations / Caribbean
Sep 21, 2026What to Expect from This Year’s Creole Music Festival
You’ve still got time to plan your trip to Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival. Taking place Oct. 23–25, this year’s event headliner is NE-YO, with a wealth of other Caribbean and Dominican musical acts complementing.
North America
Sep 21, 2026W Scottsdale Debuts Transformed Living Room
W Scottsdale, in the city’s Entertainment District, recently debuted its newly transformed Living Room, an immersive social destination inspired by the natural rhythm of the Sonoran Desert.
Sponsored Content
Taiwan: Whatever Your Pleasure
Taiwan’s wealth of offerings ensures travelers find destinations, activities and amenities to suit all interests.
Destinations / Caribbean
Sep 18, 2026UNICO Hotel Collection to Open First Property Outside Mexico
UNICO Hotel Collection, previously only with properties in Mexico, is officially welcoming guest reservations for its very first resort outside the country. The new UNICO 18˚77˚ Montego Bay will open March 1, 2027, and is an adults-only, all-inclusive property in Jamaica.
ShareThis