Henry’s Cafe Bar

We (my boyfriend and I) dipped in here as we had some time to spare before we met my brother on a Saturday afternoon and in honesty I really needed the toilet (so we ran in).
We decided to grab a drink and take a perch for half an hour. Henry’s is an odd place — over two floors, in the heart of Covent Garden, you find yourself confused as to what this bar is trying to be. The décor is attempting to be quite decedent but because it’s been here for many years it’s kind of lost this and for me, what remains is quite a tacky bar with a grand staircase slap bang in the middle.
What I do like however is there is plenty of seating and hidden nooks which you can grab a table and hide away from the hen and stag party loudness of upstairs. Drinks and food are reasonable and for what it is, this pub is ok… You can get a drink, you can find a seat, you can most definitely people watch and have a chuckle and the atmosphere is enjoyable and full of the Covent Garden tourist buzz (if you like that sort of thing).
I wouldn’t rush back but it’s good to know it’s there if I ever need a toilet dash and a quick afternoon beverage!

Visited Henry’s today in the hope of watching the rugby in the bar downstairs. The décor inside is extremely impressive and I can imagine it would be a lovely place for a special meal. However, it’s not somewhere I’d go again to watch a game — despite showing it on a TV screen downstairs it was clear that nobody else would be watching the game. Moreover, we were advised by management (when we asked) that they wouldn’t be turning on the sound… I understand that not every establishment likes to show sports, but it seemed odd to be half showing it!
We decided to move on in the end — overall Henry’s just had a bit of a strange atmosphere, and didn’t seem conducive to a relaxed Sunday afternoon drink in front of the game.

If you’re looking for somewhere in the heart of Covent Garden that isn’t rammed to the rafters with tourists or completely overpriced head to Henry’s café bar to sample its sophisticated menu. I ended up here one work day lunchtime with a friend and his mum. As I didn’t have long it had to be somewhere nearby and we stumbled across this place. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but it is a lot bigger than it looks and the section at the back is beautifully lit thanks to the skylight.
We were told to take a seat wherever we liked and were quickly given menus and had our drinks order taken. The menu is varied with something for everyone and a reasonable price for the area. There was even, perhaps, a little too much choice as I struggled to make up my mind (not an uncommon thing with me!) before eventually deciding on the green Thai chicken curry with coriander & coconut fragrant rice. It was divine and just thinking about it right now is making me salivate!
The portion size was perfect, the spice was just right and the company was great which made for a very enjoyable meal. The service too was to be commended and they were more than helpful with getting our meals and the bill to us quickly so I could get back to work on time. They have a fairly extensive cocktail list as well so I feel a return trip should be on the cards fairly soon!

A terrific spot on Covenant Garden.
It’s not to pretentious, but very classy. The menu is simple and surprisingly done very well.
Service was excellent, the staff is very friendly and accommodating.
The food was excellent, I would highly recommend.

I was working in London on Friday, so had an extra night in London to see my brother and mum, which was nice. We went for dinner at Palm Court Brasserie, but met here first for drinks. I was working in the City, so was a short hop along the Central line followed by a 10 minute walk.
This place is in a good location and easy to find.
It was very busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, and seemed to have more after work types than tourists.
We managed to get a booth, which I expertly got when I noticed a group of people leaving. I think if you come on a Friday (or Saturday, I imagine) I wouldn’t get your hopes up and expect a seat, but it is a nice bonus if it happens.
I had a lime and soda (boring) as there was a disappointing non-​alcoholic selection. My mum had what smelt like a nice glass of red and my brother had a spiced rum and coke. My brother bought the round, and although he didn’t say how much it was, he did comment that it seemed reasonable for central London.
Overall, it’s not somewhere I’d make a special trip to visit, but if I’m in the area then I’d think about popping in.

We went here for a uni reunion. They had packed a lot of people in, it was very hard to navigate around the place. It took forever to be served; we were there for 2 hours and only managed to get served once before calling it a day and going elsewhere. I ordered a beer and my friend ordered a glass of wine. She didn’t like her wine much and the bar tender seems unaware of a custom of putting a ice cube in wine and was most perplexed at our request. But warm wine is not very nice (mulled wine being the exception). I had a beer and it was really quite warm. I had to get a glass of ice to decanter it into. Overall, location is all this place has to offer really.

Really excellent for food and drink. With regards to food, not only is it fantastic but there is a really great range on the menu and they do tastecard offers too!
The cocktails are very good standard London prices for those.

Always passed this place, but never actually went in. Mr. Snarky suggested a drink before we walked to dinner and as we exited the Apple Store, he suggested Henry’s. He couldn’t believe I hadn’t been in before… with as often as I frequent Covent Garden. We went in, lots of people like to stand in front of the door, so be prepared. He said that I could have tea or coffee if I wanted, but I ended up with a lager. Stella to be exact. The Wifebeater… I went with it because typically lagers like that are served icy cold. And it was a bit warm inside. This one wasn’t quite as cold as I had hoped. If you are looking for a seat and can’t find one in the bar area, head downstairs as there might be some seats and tables there. If you are looking for food, you can get a meal here, but it looked pretty busy, so book ahead! I can’t speak to the price, but the service for our drinks was quick and the ambience was very nice.

Nice staff and food. Service good too. Music reasonable volume.

Food is ok, been there a few times.
My friend saw a mouse last night on 12÷2÷13.
I freaked out and ran out.
Will never go back there!

Nothing too special about Henry’s Café bar. The food and the service were both average. We had nachos as a starter which were actually less than average. The guacamole must’ve came out of a can and the salsa was more like catchup. Had a pulled pork burger as the main, which was fairly decent. It was worth the trip but won’t be making a return.

This is generally a nice place for a bite to eat, well furnished and a good buzz but why oh why charge nearly £5 for a pint of lager that I can get for £3 in my local! I know tourist laden places always over charge but it really irritates me and stopped me drinking due to feeling ripped off.
The food on the other hand was not too over-​priced and was of good quality. I had a prime beef burger ant my wife had a chicken and prawn jumbalia, both of which were very tasty. I would not go as far to say it was the best pub meal I have had but it was enjoyable and the staff were friendly and helpful.
I would visit again for food but I would not bother if I just wanted a few pints with friends.

Love this place. I’ve been here twice now on visits to London. Prime location for people watching… They have a nice choice of cocktails and the house red wine was pretty decent too. The food menu is interesting, reasonably priced and well thought out. We were a party of 4 and our choices were salmon fish cakes with salad, lamb shanks, fillet steak with mushroom sauce and a chicken pasta dish. All fantastic!!! Henrys is definately a good option when swamped by the many offerings from trendy Covent Garden.

To all the Americans forced to stay in Canary Wharf by their company, who show up on a late Sunday night and everything else is closed, you don’t want to order room service, or you don’t feel like mall food with no beers on draft — this is your place. Bit of a walk over there though… but what they heck, makes you earn your beer…
Got the Henry’s IPA. First time I have had a Pressed Ale, or whatever that type is called. Basically, its flat beer that they have to hand pump out of the barrel. Apparently it was only made a few days before — maybe that’s why low alcohol content. Very malty though. Wouldn’t order it again, went with a Black and Blue after, but would try it to say you have!
Got the Chicken Caesar Salad — I must admit it sounded better than it tasted. But it was not bad, I just didn’t get all the flavors I was hoping to, the red peppers kinda overtook everything. Also, we got the bread and oils, and the bubble and squeak. Waitress couldn’t describe the bubble and squeak beforehand, so here goes. Smashed potatoes, topped with a piece of ham sausage, and that is topped with a egg, sunny side up, with a hollandaise-​ish bit of sauce on the top. Enjoyed it, would order again!
Had plenty of other appealing options. This places breakfast probably beats your hotel breakfast hands down.

Good cocktails, with bartenders twirling glasses and bottles left right and centre. The atmosphere is great here, though being located on a corner of the main Covent Garden it does get very busy and so it takes a while to get served thanks to the limited bar staff and everyone ordering cocktails which do take time to make.
I’ve never tried the food here as the price of the cocktails is enough to know the food will be expensive too but maybe one day if I’m feeling adventurous. If that day comes I’ll let you know, but for now I’ll stick to the occasional drink… occasionally.

I don’t normally frequent the touristy mass that is Covent Garden, but having been sick of always existing in my little bubble in Camden (sometimes I get crazy and go to Hampstead… but woah! Don’t get too crazy now :), thought we would venture out and try some new places.
This was the 3^rd restaurant we went to and, after two winners, this one fell flat. Yes, it’s a pretty place – all dark wood and nice-​pub furniture (as opposed to bad pub furniture… and every Londoner knows the fear of sitting in a pub chair and it being wet or nearly falling apart) and chandaliers. But the drinks were a fail. I had a margarita and was not impressed in the slightest. It tasted like a Whetherspoon’s Margarita, just more expensive. The chips, again, could have come straight from a typical pub (read: slightly soggy) and the waitress all but tossed the ketchup at my friend’s head.
Meh, maybe it’s good for lunch? But for a Friday night out in Cov Garden, try one of the other million touristy places around and at least get your money’s worth.

This is a nice trendy bar perfectly located in Covent Garden, which was a great place to sit down and take a break from all the shopping in the area. The place was busy, but we were fortunate enough to get one of the tables at the window (I love people watching!). Like most bars I’ve discovered in London, there is a limited beer selection compared to the States. Asking for a pale ale may be received with a quizzical look (I felt like a silly American). Their cocktail section wasn’t bad though, and we came during happy hour, which made more room in the wallet for additional drinks. :)

Nice looking place in convenient location, but slow sloppy service.
The food, when it arrives, is however good.
Overall, avoid!

Having lived in London for five years before moving to the North, you would have thought I would have been able to spot a tourist trap like Henry’s from a mile off. However, when I was in London a few months back with friends, we ended up in Covent Garden with rumbling bellies and somehow decided to pop into Henry’s for a bite to eat.
Christ I wish we hadn’t. Whilst I was aware that it was a busy Saturday night in Central London, and therefore the place was quite busy, it took us a ridiculously long time to be served our food — or even for someone to come and take a drinks order from us. When we received our meals, they were cold from taking so long to arrive. My steak was tough and under seasoned, and the bearnaise sauce which accompanied it was gloopy and practically curdled. Thank goodness the wine came in huge goblets — this was the only thing which managed to carry me through a thoroughly insipid, bland and overpriced meal.
Whilst I’m sure that Henry’s is a great place for a quick drink prior to a big night out, avoid eating here at all costs. Well, unless you like slow service and appalling food. There are many excellent places to dine in Covent Garden, and this really isn’t one of them.

Despite Covent Garden being a regular haunt of mine for 3 years, I hadn’t been to Henry’s before. Perhaps the white doors seemed too imposing, or perhaps weren’t noticed. I do not know. Recently, again thanks to the TasteLondon card, I decided to have dinner there. For 50% off the food bill ;)
Service could, in one instance, afford to be less abrupt, but all other instances were absolutely lovely and efficient. We were in a hurry, and our waitress took our dessert order along with our meal and made sure to ask for it at the right time, so we got it shortly after we finished our dinner.
We both had Steak & Chips, and YUM! I’d much rather have steak here than at Café Rouge or Sophie’s Steakhouse! Why? They can cook their meat! And they got a good cut or something. Anyway, for £9.50, that was a good steak & chips. Now if they ditched the big chunky chips for thin yummy frites, it would be the perfect meal!
As dessert I dived into the chocolate fondue. A little pot of melted chocolate with pieces of strawberry, banana, brownie and waffle to dunk into the melted chocolate. With a 2 for 1 on the desserts (a Henry’s dinner special, available to all!!), my friend indulged as well and had a Sticky Toffee Pudding that had her moaning at every spoonful. Odd from what isn’t much more than a restaurantified pub!
Having had a rough Monday (or a rough several months, rather) we decided to indulge, and had a bloody mary each while waiting for our food. With happy hour making them be £5 each, those bloody marys were exquisite. A bit watery for my taste (and full of ice, so not for those with sensitive teeth) it was one of the best bloody mary’s I’ve had. Must admit I like them thicker though, so if they’d used those same spices with a bit less ice and V8 instead of tomato juice, I’d have been in heaven!
Overall, a lovely dining experience with truly good food (a surprise for us both as the items on the menu are things you’d find in most pubs), great drinks, and desserts to moan for.
The décor is beautiful too. Though painted white and perhaps not used to their full potential, stunning Art Nouveau mirrors adorn the back of the building where the dining room is. Definitely worth dropping by for a drink after work, or a nice dinner.