La Goccia, Italian Restaurant in Covent Garden

"Here’s a fun story. Two weeks into this job I fractured my ankle and quickly discovered that most restaurant bathrooms in Covent Garden require enough steps to make even a Sherpa weep. Enter my port-in-the-storm, or rather, pasta-spot-in-the-storm, La Goccia. An Italian-inspired small plates restaurant that looks like a deluxe spa designed by the Queen of the Fairies, an evening here is very Midsummer Night’s Dream meets spaghetti vongole. On top of all the foliage indoors, they also have a quaint little courtyard that’s perfect for al fresco dining." - heidi lauth beasley

"For lovers of pastas and peonies We once called this place the beautiful lovechild of a spa and a florist, and when you see its outdoor set-up you’ll understand why. The flowers, Italian-esque garden, hell—even the backs of the chairs are metal mouldings in the shape of leaves. Basically, as far as a great summer day out, this will be up there with your Kew Gardens excursion last summer, unless you get seated inside. So don’t let that happen. Book a table outside, order the ravioli if it’s on, and make a mental note of your favourite plants for your unnecessary trip to B&Q on the way home." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak

"Not all post-shopping meals are the same. Sometimes you just want to be fed and watered like a little doggo who can’t believe they didn’t get to spend the day at the park, and then sometimes you want to sit in a glorious setting and rehash every single item in your shopping bags in excruciating detail. When it comes to the latter, La Goccia has got you covered. A high-end Italian small plates spot from the people behind Petersham Nurseries, their hidden courtyard is the perfect place to hide from the crowds, eat some burrata, and discuss all the reasons you absolutely had to buy that silk blouse." - heidi lauth beasley

"We once described La Goccia at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden as “the beautiful lovechild of a spa and a florist”. With tables set up outside on Floral Court in Covent Garden, it makes for a serene spot to enjoy a few Italian small plates and a bottle of wine." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Jake Oliver

"Italian small plates, botanical cocktails, and fresh seasonal produce—that’s what La Goccia is all about. Even the interiors of this restaurant feel very garden of Eden and their large courtyard has several tables for twos and fours with plants, trees, and flowers all over the place. On a sunny day with a bowl of ricotta gnudi and some courgette fritti in front of you it’s very easy to forget you’re in the middle of Covent Garden." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak