Chez Antoinette, Covent Garden – A Little Corner of Paris in London

Returning to London after a recent trip to Paris, I didn’t expect to find myself transported straight back to France so quickly – but stepping into the newly reopened Chez Antoinette in Covent Garden felt like walking through a familiar Parisian doorway. Reopening after an elegant redesign and extension, this beloved, family-run restaurant has managed to preserve its soul while embracing a new sense of theatre and warmth that suits its Covent Garden home perfectly.

The charm begins before you even enter. Tucked within the historic Covent Garden Market building, the restaurant’s rustic brick archways and softly glowing lights feel effortlessly romantic. There is something undeniably magical about dining here, surrounded by the hum of the Piazza, the echo of street performers, and the gentle bustle of market life. It’s the kind of place where time seems to slow down – just as it does in the best cafés of Paris.

Inside, the newly reimagined space blends the lived-in comfort of a Lyonnais café with the quiet elegance of a Parisian townhouse. Soft fabrics, brass accents, antique mirrors, and a pâtisserie counter that immediately draws the eye all contribute to a space that feels both intimate and deeply personal. You can sense the care that Aurélia and Jean-Baptiste Noël-Delclos have poured into it. Even before tasting the food, you feel welcomed – almost as if you’ve been invited into someone’s home.

We began with the French onion soup, a dish so deeply comforting it could have been lifted straight from a Left Bank bistro. Rich, deeply caramelised onions swam beneath a molten canopy of Gruyère, the broth hearty and nostalgic without feeling heavy. It instantly set the tone: this is classic French cooking made with heart.

The duck leg dish that followed was equally memorable – tender, flavourful, and cooked with a precision that speaks to the restaurant’s renewed focus on traditional French cuisine. It arrived beautifully plated yet unfussy, the kind of simple perfection that French home-style recipes so often strive for but few truly capture.

Of course, no French meal feels complete without something sweet, and Chez Antoinette’s selection of fresh cakes on display makes decision-making pleasantly difficult. We tried a couple, both light, fresh, and clearly crafted with the same love that flows through the savoury dishes. Watching guests choose their desserts from the pâtisserie counter adds a sense of joyful anticipation to the experience.

What strikes me most about Chez Antoinette is how deeply French it feels, not in a cliché, decorative way, but in its spirit. It’s in the warmth, the generosity, the sense of nostalgia woven into its dishes and design. After eleven years, and now with a thoughtful redesign, the restaurant has reclaimed its place at the heart of Covent Garden life.

For anyone yearning for Paris, or simply for a meal that feels personal and heartfelt, Chez Antoinette is a little love letter waiting to be read – and tasted.

Find out more > www.chezantoinette.co.uk