Last Updated on June 1, 2026
Sycamore Vino Cucina: The Perfect Spot for Authentic Italian Dining in Covent Garden
If you’re anything like me, whether you’re in the middle of a shopping spree in Covent Garden or gearing up for a night at the theatre in London’s buzzing Theatreland, knowing where to grab a great bite is a must. That’s where the restaurant Sycamore Vino Cucina comes in. Tucked away inside the ultra-modern, 5-star Middle Eight hotel, this spot is the perfect stylish place to unwind and enjoy a taste of authentic Italian dining, right in the heart of Covent Garden.
Walking into the high-ceilinged lobby, you’re immediately struck by the chic, contemporary vibe. With statement art and sweeping clean lines, it’s designed to impress, transitioning seamlessly into the bar and restaurant.
Sycamore Vino Cucina, the hotel’s main restaurant, offers everything from breakfast to pre-theatre menus.
The modern design carries through with a high ceiling adorned with autumnal-coloured sycamore leaves, walls lined with light stone panels and recessed lighting, and a stunning marble-topped central bar surrounded by high bar stools. Upholstered metal-framed chairs accompany the sleek wooden tables.
Inspired by the head chef’s Northern Italian roots, their menu invites sharing with handmade pizzas, dolce, Cicchetti, authentic small plates, hand-rolled pasta, pit-grilled meats, fresh artisan bread, and traditionally cured meats. The Italian theme extends to the drink’s menu, featuring a wine list that highlights Piedmont, Lombardia, and Tuscany, along with award-winning U.S. vineyards. The selection also includes eight different Italian draft beers, a wide range of bourbon and ryes, and more.
But first things first – cocktails! They boast an extensive menu, and if you’re a Negroni fan like I am, you’ll be thrilled with their eight different variations. My companion went for the Mezcal Negroni, featuring Quiquitriqui Mezcal, Campari, and Antica Formula -seriously strong and smoky. I decided to try something new and chose the Sacred Infusion from their summer menu: a sophisticated blend of vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and vanilla syrup, finished with fresh rosemary leaves and foaming bitters. Shaken to perfection, it had a smooth, unusual vanilla undertone with a bright citrus finish…delicious!
For Cicchetti, we enjoyed Nocellara olives, an ideal match for the cocktails, and Cacio & Pepe arancini – served with punchy parmesan sauce and a crisp and smoky anchovy charcoal, which had a hint of spice and a light, fluffy interior. We paired it with a bottle of Gavi Marne Bianco 2020 from Le Marne di Carraro in Piemonte, Italy – wonderfully rounded, with notes of lemon and apricot.
From the Antipasti, we enjoyed beautifully fresh, melted-in-the-mouth tuna carpaccio, paired with a citrus dressing, crispy sweet shallots, and a crisp and light slice of fried bread.
For Primi, the standout dish of the evening was the divine black linguine, slathered in a rich blend of brown and white Devonshire crab meat, garlic and chilli – providing a warm chilli burn. For a lighter meal, I could easily enjoy this dish with a glass of wine and be perfectly content.
For the Secondi, the pan-roasted stone bass came with roasted cauliflower and a piquant red bell pepper sauce – beautifully composed, with the pepper sauce exquisitely balancing the natural sweetness of the bass.
The chicken supreme Milanese, a classic I often return to, was tender, and moist, with a good crunch, complemented by a fresh rocket and Parmesan salad, and enlivened by a sprinkle of Parmesan and a good squeeze of lemon.
And finally, for dessert, we shared an orange blossom and cardamom panna cotta with pistachio and strawberry coulis on a bed of chocolate soil. It looked gorgeous but was a bit over-worked. The pistachio and orange blossom were barely detectable… but it hit the sweet spot.
Sycamore Vino Cucina is a charming and sophisticated place to dine at any time of day, whether you’re catching up with friends over a light meal, having a romantic dinner, or gathering with family.
Sycamore Vino Cucina
Middle Eight Hotel
66 Great Queen Street,
Covent Garden
London WC2B 5BX ·
020 7309 9300
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