Food
The Barbary packs diners around a compact, bustling counter where the cooking happens right in front of you, and reviewers highlight the breads, chicken, and squid as particular standouts within a beautifully prepared, North African and Southern European-inspired menu. The energy of watching food prepared at close range is part of the draw, and staff are noted for being flexible even as the small space fills up quickly. At 4.6 stars and expensive pricing, it suits a lively, sociable dinner or lunch for couples or small groups happy to share plates rather than settle in for a formal, spaced-out meal. Its high trendy score reflects sustained popularity in Covent Garden's dining scene.
✨ Reasons to go
💡 Good to know
⏱️ Typical visit
1h40
🕰️ Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening
🚶 Walking intensity
Easy pace
What people say
"The food was excellent—we absolutely loved it. The breads, chicken and squid were particularly delicious, and every dish was beautifully prepared. Watching the chefs at work added to the experience and made the meal even more enjoyable. The only downside was that the portions felt quite small for the price. Service was generally good, although it sometimes felt a little cold and transactional. On a few occasions, dishes were simply placed in front of us without any explanation, and one of our orders was missed. No one checked-in with us even once on how everything was going. None of the issues significantly affected our evening, and we were happy to let it slide. We also used a gift voucher, and although we had provided the details when making the booking, there were some issues redeeming it at the end because the system wasn’t cooperating. Thankfully, it was eventually resolved. A lovely touch at the end of the meal was the complimentary birthday shots, which were a thoughtful gesture and much appreciated. Overall, the quality of the food was outstanding and the open kitchen made for an enjoyable dining experience. With slightly warmer, more engaging service and smoother handling of the bill, it would have been an exceptional visit."
— Thomas
