The Black Penny | Covent Garden
Quick info
About The Black Penny | Covent Garden
The Black Penny in Covent Garden is a brunch restaurant on Great Queen St in London, with bare brick walls and a menu built around organic produce. The brunch and breakfast list includes the Crispy Duck Hash with sweet potato, duck and spinach, alongside poached eggs on sourdough. Coffee orders include the Long Mac, a macchiato. The dining room opens up at the back, and a private dining room is set aside for groups. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingUsually difficult to find a space
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crispy duck hash, poached eggs, halloumi starter and smoked salmon.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crispy duck hash, poached eggs, halloumi starter and smoked salmon.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch and breakfast plates draw the most praise, with diners singling out the Crispy Duck Hash, a mushroom, arugula and polenta mash with a poached egg that one couple would return for alone, and the smoked salmon. Close behind is the friendly staff, described as helpful with menu questions and accommodating on a catering order for a work event. Others praise the halloumi with bread, tender lamb, the cheesecake, the green eggs, and the long macchiato. Complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer received cold poached eggs and bacon and untoasted sourdough, with all four meals arriving within about five minutes of ordering. Another called an extra side of one and a half sausages poor value and did not care for the coffee. A reviewer also notes that tables sit close together and the room can feel crowded at busy times. One Sunday-noon diner who had not reserved still describes good service.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch and breakfast plates draw the most praise, with diners singling out the Crispy Duck Hash, a mushroom, arugula and polenta mash with a poached egg that one couple would return for alone, and the smoked salmon. Close behind is the friendly staff, described as helpful with menu questions and accommodating on a catering order for a work event. Others praise the halloumi with bread, tender lamb, the cheesecake, the green eggs, and the long macchiato. Complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer received cold poached eggs and bacon and untoasted sourdough, with all four meals arriving within about five minutes of ordering. Another called an extra side of one and a half sausages poor value and did not care for the coffee. A reviewer also notes that tables sit close together and the room can feel crowded at busy times. One Sunday-noon diner who had not reserved still describes good service.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Visiting on my brother’s recommendation and Black Penny hits the spot. The staff is so friendly and available to answer any questions about the menu or provide their favorites. I went with the Crispy Duck Hash - delicious. The ratio between sweet potato, duck and spinach was flawless and the portion was just right for a late breakfast. I’m new to Long Macs (macchiato) and it’s my new favorite coffee to order. Loved the atmosphere, friendly staff and hidden ambience of the dining room.”
- Google user
“Food was ok, I didn't like the coffee but it wasn't bad (I think it was a light or medium roast but could be wrong). £4.90 extra for only 1 and a half sausages is a bit ridiculous though. Id give it a 2/5 value for money.”
- Google user
“Delicious food, nice coffee and big portions. We had the green eggs and Pasha. Service was good on a Sunday noon and we didn’t make a reservation.”
- Google user
“Extremely disappointing breakfast. I ordered poached eggs on sourdough toast with a side of bacon for £15. The "toast" wasn't actually toasted, it was simply slices of sourdough bread. The eggs and bacon were also stone cold when they arrived. All four meals that my party ordered arrived within about five minutes of ordering, which made it seem as though they had been prepared in advance rather than cooked to order. If I hadn't been so hungry and short on time, I would have sent the meal back. To be fair, the food was still tasty enough to eat, which is why I'm giving 3 stars rather than less. If the food had been served hot and the sourdough had actually been toasted, I would have rated it much higher. At £15 though, I expected a better standard, so I don't think it represents 5-star value.”
- Google user
“Amazing place, very cute and staff outstanding. Food was very tasty, cooked perfectly and the lamb was so tender I loved it. We started with the halloumi which was perfect with delicious bread to go with it. Desert was the cheese cake which we definitely a winner and we were about to go for seconds but had to leave. Can’t wait to go back.”
Highlights
“Chic cafe with bare brick walls, for gourmet coffees and heath-conscious fare from organic produce.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 9
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Parking· 1
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Dining options· 8
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Planning· 1
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
Restaurants near The Black Penny | Covent Garden
- Hiba Express4.22,7330.2 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
lamb shawarma, complimentary baklava, toum garlic sauce
- Seven Dials Market4.59,0570.2 mi£10–20Good for kids
masa tacos, hash browns, order drinks to table
- Ben’s Traditional Fish & Chips4.89,3010.2 mi£10–20Good for kids
fish and chips, haddock and chips, tartar sauce
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Black Penny | Covent GardenOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.41,531 | — | £20–30 | crispy duck hash, poached eggs, halloumi starter |
| Hiba ExpressOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.22,733 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | lamb shawarma, complimentary baklava, toum garlic sauce |
| Seven Dials MarketGood for kids | 4.59,057 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | masa tacos, hash browns, order drinks to table |
| Ben’s Traditional Fish & ChipsGood for kids | 4.89,301 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, haddock and chips, tartar sauce |
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