I headed home to England earlier this month to see friends and get my fix of scones, Pimms, and Percy Pigs (the best gummy candies in world, available only at British food store Marks & Spencer). While I was in London, I spent a few days at OC's London store—kind of like a foreign exchange but with more pubs. I asked the team to show me around Covent Garden, the beautiful, historic neighborhood surrounding the store. The area is filled with legendary restaurants, cool bars and coffee shops, and incredible specialty stores stocking everything from crystals to kitsch. Take a tour of their favorite places below!
Name: ELOISE MORAN
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? Jubilee Market. It's a tacky but AMAZING tourist market, where you can find some really cool things! I am a sucker for collecting weird bits and bobs for my house, especially things that flash and glow in the dark! Jubilee Market is also home to one of my favorite restaurants, MeatMarket! It's my go-to place for deliciously greasy American food.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? Marks & Spencer, buying a nice sandwich and stocking up on Percy Pigs to fuel my afternoon's work.
On your coffee break? Notes does the best coffee—it's really calm inside with lots of people just sitting and reading books.
When the store closes? I usually walk into Soho to grab a bite to eat at Princi. It does the best Neapolitan food!
On your days off? If it's a sunny day, sitting in the beautiful fields behind my house and generally taking down time from the hustle and bustle of Central London.
Name: Dot Burns
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? I love The Astrology Shop on Neal Street. It's one of the few stores that are still here from the mid-90s when I was first discovering London. I can spend hours in there just looking at stones and jewelry and flicking through books about star signs and crystals.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? At my desk most of the time! But when the weather is good I like to eat in the churchyard of St Paul's Covent Garden. Even though it's right in the middle of the market, the garden is so quiet and there are lots of benches that get the sun all afternoon.
On your coffee break? New Row for coffee or Balthazar for ginger tea
When the store closes? Mishkins for a cocktail and some meatballs
On your days off? South of the river! I've lived in Borough for most of my London life and I love the vibe there. The Southbank always has something fun on offer and the green spaces, cafes, and pubs down south are the best!
Name: EMANUELE SANGALETTI
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? Penhaligon's. It's an old-school English perfume shop and I really love the vibe when you go into the store. It's amazing: you're suddenly relaxed and calm.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? Vapiano in Oxford Circus. I'm Italian so naturally I miss good, authentic Italian food. Vapiano's is as good as it gets.
On your coffee break? Maison Bertaux in Soho
On your days off? Broadway Market—my heart is in East London
Name: Shawana Grosvenor
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Name: ELOISE MORAN
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? Jubilee Market. It's a tacky but AMAZING tourist market, where you can find some really cool things! I am a sucker for collecting weird bits and bobs for my house, especially things that flash and glow in the dark! Jubilee Market is also home to one of my favorite restaurants, MeatMarket! It's my go-to place for deliciously greasy American food.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? Marks & Spencer, buying a nice sandwich and stocking up on Percy Pigs to fuel my afternoon's work.
On your coffee break? Notes does the best coffee—it's really calm inside with lots of people just sitting and reading books.
When the store closes? I usually walk into Soho to grab a bite to eat at Princi. It does the best Neapolitan food!
On your days off? If it's a sunny day, sitting in the beautiful fields behind my house and generally taking down time from the hustle and bustle of Central London.
Name: Dot Burns
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? I love The Astrology Shop on Neal Street. It's one of the few stores that are still here from the mid-90s when I was first discovering London. I can spend hours in there just looking at stones and jewelry and flicking through books about star signs and crystals.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? At my desk most of the time! But when the weather is good I like to eat in the churchyard of St Paul's Covent Garden. Even though it's right in the middle of the market, the garden is so quiet and there are lots of benches that get the sun all afternoon.
On your coffee break? New Row for coffee or Balthazar for ginger tea
When the store closes? Mishkins for a cocktail and some meatballs
On your days off? South of the river! I've lived in Borough for most of my London life and I love the vibe there. The Southbank always has something fun on offer and the green spaces, cafes, and pubs down south are the best!
Name: EMANUELE SANGALETTI
Favorite spot in Covent Garden and why? Penhaligon's. It's an old-school English perfume shop and I really love the vibe when you go into the store. It's amazing: you're suddenly relaxed and calm.
Where would we find you...
At lunch? Vapiano in Oxford Circus. I'm Italian so naturally I miss good, authentic Italian food. Vapiano's is as good as it gets.
On your coffee break? Maison Bertaux in Soho
On your days off? Broadway Market—my heart is in East London
Name: Shawana Grosvenor
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