St Martin's Courtyard

What is it?

It’s just across Long Acre from Covent Garden station, but St Martin’s Courtyard feels miles from the street performers and selfie sticks. This pretty, pedestrianised pocket is lined with flower-draped walkways, terraces and smart shops. It’s now the heart of The Yards, a cluster of courtyards and backstreets that also takes in Slingsby Place, Mercer Walk and Neal Street, and it’s one of the nicer ways to do Covent Garden without the crush.

The White Company has a store right in the courtyard, Bloom Perfumery on Slingsby Place is great for a sniff around, and Townhouse is on hand if your nails need some love. Round the corner on Long Acre, you’ll find Swarovski, Lululemon, Reiss and Whistles.

Food is the real draw these days. Brother Marcus serves Eastern Mediterranean brunch and mezze across two floors, with terraces looking over the courtyard. Lahpet does brilliant Burmese cooking (get the tea leaf salad), and Dalla Terra is a laid-back Italian wine bar with a global list. For sushi, dim sum and curries, there’s Gura Gura. Dishoom sits on the corner with its big queue and Bill’s is still going strong for a dependable all-day plate.

Why go?

It’s all the highs of Covent Garden, but at a slower pace. It’s ideal for a long lunch between shops, a boozy brunch, or a pre-theatre bite that doesn’t involve fighting through the Piazza.

Don’t miss

Oriole on Slingsby Place, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant across two floors with live jazz, Latin flavours and very good cocktails. It’s the kind of place where one drink turns into a whole night.

When to visit

Summer, when the terraces are full and the courtyard turns into one of the best spots in the West End for a drink outside. Weekend mornings are lovely too, before the brunch crowd piles in.

Time Out tip

Get your coffee from Fair Shot on Slingsby Place. It’s a social enterprise café supporting young adults with learning disabilities, and the speciality coffee is very good.