Tucked behind the bustle of Covent Garden’s main piazza, The Yards offers a welcome breath of fresh, curated air—an effortlessly stylish enclave where independent boutiques, artisan eateries, and a relaxed, village-like atmosphere come together in quiet contrast to the surrounding crowds and known hustle and bustle of London city centre. Whether you're in search of a leisurely lunch, a new favourite foodie find, or just a place to wander without the rush, The Yards feels like London on a slower, more refined setting; is home to some of London’s top dining spots; and we were kindly invited down To The Yards to try and review some for ourselves.

Including Dalla Terra. A laid-back, unpretentious Italian spot known for its good food, and even better wine. Think hearty bowls of tagliatelle with fresh pesto, comforting slow-braised lasagna - its thick ragu cooked in a healthy glug of Merlot and sweet pillows of fresh gnocchi bathed in brown butter and crisped sage. Make sure to take advantage of their expertise in wine here. Their sommeliers are well adverse in picking unique, best-loved and perfectly paired wines for your mood, dishes or occasion. They have over 600 different varieties all tucked in their small intimate store, with many available per glass, making it a fantastic Italian cove in the heart of The Yards. It’s one of our must-visit spots, for a long lingering evening with a glass of vino, but our favourite find in The Yards is actually next door.

Brother Marcus is a beautifully designed restaurant with a brightly lit upstairs, more cosy down and ample alfresco space in both.

Seasonality is huge here and so is variety. Their Welcome Drink (offered to everyone on arrival, free of charge, and available in both Cocktail or Mocktail versions) changes every two weeks, based on what’s in season. For us. A Pomegranate Lemon Ouzo and Gin and the perfect way to start our meal.

While perusing the menu, cocktails were of top priority. We had already seen what they could do with their welcome drink and it whet our appetite for more. Choices were made: A Mov Levanta - a pink peppercorn infused gin with damson syrup, lemon juice and lavender foam. A sticky and sweet drink, without being too overpowering. The lavender foam adds a great aesthetic and a first hit on the nose before mellowing out. And a Rakonelo Tai - Planetary 3 Stars Rum, Roots Rakoneo, pineapple juice, lime and orgeat syrup - the bartender’s current choice. A Greek twist on the classic Mai Tei. Although quite an unusual, and albeit rather scary list of ingredients, the flavours make for a great refreshing long drink. With flavours of pineapple and rum at the forefront and the rest just muddled in the background.

They know their flavours. In their drinks and their food. Known for their Eastern Mediterranean-inspired small and sharing plates, Brother Marcus offers a wide variety of dishes to pick and choose from. And if you are feeling adventurous - let them choose for you. Their Marcus Choice. For just £42pp and a few simple dietary likes and dislikes questions, the servers and chefs take control and curate a selection of dishes from the menu just for you. You will receive between 4-5 mezze dishes, with the option to add on extras, as well as a rip and dip platter. Trust us when we say you will not go home hungry.

The rip and dip platter mentioned is a selection of fluffy warm pittas, that are coated in butter and served with a selection of four toppings and olives. Our choices included Roasted Beetroot Hummus and Herb Oil finished with Aurfa Chilli which was rich, and earthy - thick and spoonable. The Fennel Tzatziki was creamy and thick as expected. The fennel adds brightness and a difference to the usual cucumber and the Aleppo adds a hint of spice without being overpowering. And the Cod Roe Taramasalata with Sumac onions was a favourite on our table. Not strong, but mellow and Moorish with the acidic onions cutting through.

A smoked Aubergine Baba Ghanoush with Harissa Oil was the final item on the platter - awaiting a double dip if you dare. The smoke hits you first but quickly mellows out on the palate as the sweetened aubergine comes through. Served traditionally cold which works wonderfully against the warm pitta.

After devouring our pitta platter, it was time for more mezze. They come as and when they are ready in the kitchen allowing you to explore each dish individually as it comes and then together with a mixture of different flavours and textures creating new flavour combinations and bites as the meal expands.

The Courgette with Dill Alioli packed a punch with a smack-you-in-the-face finish. A creamy delicious zing. The courgettes held their own, with an al dente bite but filled with their juices they had been cooked and finished with perfect chargrill lines adding subtle smoke and finished with crunchy almonds and an earthiness and freshness from the pea shoots on top.

Tomato with Kalamata Olive Oil was a luxurious dish. The toasted buckwheat on top added nuttiness in flavour and crunch in flavour with a fresh herb oil bringing it all together. Our advice: make sure to spread the dish down, as it comes towered. Ensure the buckwheat spreads across all the tomato slices and not just on the top —spread the love here - it needs to be eaten together to make the dish sing.

Kofta and Aubergine Begendi - rich and earthy with a smokiness that builds without taking over. The kofta is thick and needs the sauce to break through the fat and the spring onions add a herbaceousness bringing the dish together with sweetness.

The Halloumi with its puddle of sauce that is sticky and sweet like honey and soy with seeds and mint encased inside its tar-like texture. It gives you all the flavours you didn’t know you needed but now can’t live without. The halloumi is cooked to perfection without any squeak or rubberiness. The ‘Watermelon Jam’ on the side is actually just chunks of soft gooey watermelon that have been sweetened and kissed by the mint. It’s fresh, it’s light and it’s pretty damn delicious and genius. Perfect alone. Together with the sauce and the halloumi - outstanding.

And finally - Sun-dried Harissa Chicken that has a slight heat that grows but never burns. Mellowed out with labneh, a natural thick yoghurt accompaniment. The chicken - moist and juicy with a crisp skin. A great crowd-pleaser and super-filling dish.

Flavour. Seasonality and Variety. The three key components of Brother Marcus’s success. Their dishes change slowly across the seasons, two or three at a time as they welcome in new ingredients. Giving you different flavours and choices every time you return. We already have our eye on the new Greek Feta Sausage on the menu that comes with Grated Plum and a Tomato and Herb Salad and the classic Baklava Sandwich with Pistachio Ice Cream and Honey Cream which we didn’t have space for on our last visit as we already had our eyes on the pistachio scoops at Badiani, just over the way.

Located in Mercer Walk, a stone, skip and short walk through the arch and across the road from Brother Marcus. Mercer Walk is an extension of The Yards containing even more eateries including the best-loved steak house Hawksmoor and the beautiful Florence-inspired gelato house - Badiani - complete with an art-installed giant ice-cream cone adorned with flowers.

What sets The Yards apart, and the main reason we love it, is its seamless blend of flavours, moods and moments—from lazy weekend brunches and quick midweek bites to indulgent date nights and after-work catchups, there’s always somewhere in The Yards that fits the moment. It’s this variety—thoughtfully curated, never chaotic—that makes The Yards feel so unique. More than just a place to eat, it’s a destination where good taste, atmosphere and character come together effortlessly and always a must-visit whenever in the city.

Our Favourite Foodie Finds In The Yards

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