Big Easy Covent Garden offers a vibrant dining experience in London's theatre district, featuring a nine-metre-long display kitchen known as 'the wall of fire.' The menu showcases American barbecue classics like beef brisket, pulled pork, and St. Louis-style ribs, complemented by fresh East Coast lobster. The restaurant's industrial-chic decor pays homage to its 1887 heritage, with steel beams and vintage elements. Guests can enjoy live music daily, adding to the lively atmosphere. The extensive bar serves frozen cocktails, craft beers, and the house-made Big Easy Brew, making it a popular spot for both dining and socializing.
What each source says
- Open Table 3.7 8,723
- Google Places 4.1 6,286
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Authentic Louisiana Flavors This restaurant offers a rare taste of authentic Louisiana cuisine outside of Louisiana, making it a must-visit for those craving genuine Southern flavors.
- Bottomless Brunch Value The bottomless brunch option is highly recommended for its great value, offering plentiful drinks and delicious food.
- Excellent Food Quality Many dishes, especially the BBQ and seafood, are consistently praised for their flavor and quality, promising a satisfying culinary experience.
- Friendly and Accommodating Staff The staff is frequently mentioned for being warm, welcoming, and accommodating, contributing to a positive and enjoyable visit.
- Lively Atmosphere The restaurant boasts a fun and vibrant atmosphere, often featuring live music, creating an enjoyable and energetic dining experience.
Criticised
- Cleanliness Issues Cleanliness standards may need improvement, with reports of dirty plates accumulating and a general need for a deep clean.
- Inconsistent Food Quality Some meat dishes, particularly the chicken and pulled pork, can sometimes be dry, suggesting a lack of consistent quality.
- Inconsistent Service Service can be intermittent, with slow drink refills and difficulty getting attention, leading to frustration.
- Noise Levels The restaurant can be very noisy, especially during peak hours and events, making it difficult to have conversations.
- Seating Issues The restaurant can be overcrowded, with tables placed close together, and issues with honoring seating requests, leading to a cramped dining experience.
The longer read
Big Easy Covent Garden is a lively restaurant known for its BBQ and seafood, often mentioned as a good spot for groups and pre-theater dining. Many reviewers highlight the generous portions and flavorful dishes, particularly the BBQ blowout platter, St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and lobster bake. The cornbread receives consistent praise. Several reviewers found the food to be authentic to Louisiana cuisine. The bottomless brunch is a popular option, with reviewers noting the plentiful prosecco and frozen mojitos. Live music generally enhances the atmosphere.
However, some aspects receive mixed feedback. Some reviewers found the food quality inconsistent, with complaints about dry pulled pork and chicken, and ribs being dry on initial servings. The BBQ sauce and baked beans have been criticized for being overly sweet. Service experiences vary significantly; while some reviewers praise the friendly and attentive staff, others report slow or inattentive service, forgotten orders, and long waits for drink refills during bottomless brunch. Cleanliness and maintenance are occasionally mentioned as concerns, with some reviewers noting dirty conditions and out-of-order facilities. Noise levels can be high, especially during busy periods, which may not be suitable for quiet meals. Seating can be cramped, particularly in certain areas of the restaurant. Some reviewers felt the restaurant was overpriced for what it offered, while others considered it good value, especially the pre-theater menu. The pre theater menu is considered by many reviewers to be good value and quality, especially for the burger. The lobster has come under scrutiny for not always containing chips as part of the meal. Some reviewers found the lighting to be too dark. The restaurant's popularity can lead to delays in seating even with a reservation. The restaurant is known for its large portions. Multiple reviewers note that the staff are friendly and attentive, but also note that the service can be slow at times. Portions are large and filling.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 020 4580 1173
- Website
- bigeasy.co.uk
| Mon | 12:00 - 22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Wed | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Sat | 11:30 - 22:30 |
| Sun | 11:30 - 21:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 3.9 against a median of 4.5 across the 94 places to eat we hold for Covent Garden, where the most-reviewed is Ave Mario.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What are the standout American barbecue items and seafood dishes that most guests recommend at Big Easy Covent Garden?
- What type of live music is performed daily and at what times can diners expect performances at Big Easy Covet Garden?
- Do I need to book a table in advance for peak theatre‑district evenings, and what is the cancellation policy at Big Easy Covet Garden?
- What is the typical price range for main courses and sharing plates at Big Easy Covent Garden, including any recommended budget options?
- Does Big Easy Covet Garden offer a children’s menu or suitable dishes for families, and how is the ambience for younger guests?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.