Penelope’s

Name: Penelope’s
Address: 34 Russell St, London, Greater London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5HA
Telephone: 07442 631181
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.4

4.4

254 Reviews

£26 to £40

Middle Eastern

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

11:00 p.m.

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Good for groups
Lively

Penelope's, part of the AMANO Group, is redefining London’s dining and nightlife scene. In 2024, Penelope’s won Best Luxury Restaurant at the British Food Awards, a testament to its culinary excellence. Executive Chef Fez Ozalgan curates a menu that merges Middle Eastern and Spanish flavors, using the finest ingredients. The restaurant’s ambiance is equally compelling, with mirrored ceilings, plush seating, and dramatic lighting. The experience is further enhanced by the open kitchen, offering diners a front-row view of the culinary artistry.

Named after founder Ariel Schiff’s daughter, the restaurant is a heartfelt tribute to the vibrant cultures of Spain and Tel Aviv. Schiff describes Penelope’s as "truly a matter of the heart," a place where the exuberance of Berlin meets the sophistication of London. On weekends, Penelope’s transforms into a lively party scene, featuring London DJs and the legendary Isramani dinner party, imported from Berlin.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Middle Eastern, Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of Operation
Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am Pre Theatre Dining Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
07442 631181
Website
https://www.amanogroup.com/en/restaurants/london-covent-garden-penelopes
Payment Options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Fez Ozalgan
Catering
We have a number of set menus to suit your budget & requirements.
Private party facilities
Our private dining room offers natural light in abundance, an LCD screen and plenty of space and comfort so you can enjoy an intimate dinner of an evening with friends. It is equally suitable to catch up with your colleagues for a boardroom style meeting.

Location
34 Russell St, London, Greater London WC2B 5HA
Neighbourhood
Covent Garden
Parking details
None
Public transit
Covent Garden Tube - Piccadilly Line - 0.3miles<br />Holborn Tube - Central Line - 0.3miles<br />
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

New Year's Eve Isramani Party! Dine-Drink-Dance!
£120.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 31, 2024 only
Get ready to EAT, DRINK, and DANCE your way into the New Year at ISRAMANI, the most legendary New Year's Eve celebration in town! 🥂 HIGHLIGHTS: 🍽️✨ Indulge in a 4-course Culinary Journey with a indulgent set menu✨🍽️ -Rock Oyster, Cucumber Mignonette, Caviar -Gordal Olives -Burrata, Pistachio Gazpacho, Rose Cranberry Salsa -Beef Kibbeh, Seeded Cracker, Macadamia, Oyster Aioli -Half Lobster, Saffron Thermidor, Baharat Potatoes -Galician Blonde Striploin, Date Jus, Coal Aubergine -Penelope’s Treat Board - Alfajores, Turron, Baklava Cheesecake, Preserved Lemon Tart Let's make this New Year's Eve the talk of the town! 🥳🎆🥂 A discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your final bill
Friday's Isramani EAT-DRINK-DANCE (a la carte)
Multiple dates available
One of the special events at Penelope´s is the weekly ISRAMANI, where friends and family get together, laugh, drink and dance. This incredible legendary event is the perfect dinner party, with a table filled with the most authentic cuisine from Spain and Israel. Good food to share, an atmosphere out of the ordinary where our chefs and staff turn the restaurant into a dancefloor, showing everyone how they party in Tel Aviv. Stunning Decoration & Israeli tunes by DJ Moshico. A la carte dining for up to 9 guests. Payment due at the restaurant. A discretionary service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill.
Shawarma Tuesdays
£29.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Shawarma Tuesday's Menu Start your week with a sizzle! Enjoy chicken, lamb & beef for £29 Served with Laffa Bread, Ancient Grain Mujadara, Israeli Tomato Salad, Sumac Onions and Amba Yoghurt. £29 per person Shawarma’s: Amba marinated chicken Coffee and Cardamom Beef Red Pepper Lamb Adena Payment is due at the restaurant Prices are inclusive of VAT A discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your bill

Manouri Bourekas£12.00
Truffled Honey, Raspberry
Roasted Aubergine£12.00
Pomegranate Pico de Gallo, Tahini
Beetroot Tartare£9.00
Preserved Lemon, Sour Cherry, Avoganoush
Charred Celeriac£11.00
Herby Pil Pil, Caper Zhug, Kombu
Seabream Tartare£13.50
Gazpacho, Caviar, Habanero
Tuna Ceviche£15.00
Aji Blanco, Seawood, Mango
Salmon Ceviche£13.00
Red Velvet Tigermilk, Avocado
Spanish Hoso Gambas£14.00
Preserved Lemon, Chimichurri
Calamari£14.00
Black Challah, Coriander Aioli, Chilli Ferment
Lamb Sweetbread£13.00
Chicken Sauce, Seaweed, Tarragon
Ibérico Pork£14.00
Anchovy Aioli, Bitter Leaves, Sobrasada
OX Cheek£16.00
Jerusalem Artichoke Puree, Chestnut Dukkah
Chicken Pastel£12.00
Banana Leaf, Chicken Aioli, Creolla

Large Plates

Artichoke Paella£25.00
Freekeh, Sun-dried Tomato, Green Harissa
Israeli Couscous£24.00
Aged Castellano, Wild Mushrooms, Tahini, Aji Verde
Octopus Paella£35.00
Freekeh, Israeli Style, Squid Ink
Sea Trout£29.00
Saffron Cream, Keta, Chard
Seafood on Fire£70.00
Fruits of the Sea, Arak, Brown Crab Cream, Pita
Monkfish£33.00
Brown Crab XO, Shellfish Crema, Shimeji
Beef Short Rib£36.00
Mushroom Jus, Baharat Potato, Onion Ketchup
Lamb Cutlets£35.00
Garlic Toum, Preserved Lemon, Chimichurri
Ribeye 255g£36.00
Almond Salsa Macha, Guindilla
Chicken Shawarma£25.00
Amba Yoghurt, Mujadara
Sirloin 700g£80.00
Himalayan Salt Aged, Matbucha
Pork Tomahawk£30.00
600g, Kasari Corn Grits, Guanciale

Sides

Baharat Patatas£6.00
Lime, Confit Garlic
Mushroom, Kale, Confit Garlic£7.00
Israeli Tomato Salad£6.50
Grape, Mint

Desserts

Milhojas£12.00
Pistachio Cream, Rose, Strawberries
Baklava Cheesecake£12.00
Pistachio, Honey Syrup
Chocolate Tart£10.00
Miso, Hazelnut, Salted Date Caramel
Bomba de Helados
Selection of Handmade Ice Creams
- per scoop£2.00

What 254 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.3Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Energetic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Penelope's offers a vibrant dining experience with "amazing food" and a lively atmosphere. Known for its Israeli-Spanish fusion, standout dishes include the "Israeli Style Paella" and "Baklava Cheesecake." Guests appreciate the "excellent service" and festive vibes, making it a top choice for celebrations and pre-theatre dinners.

254 Reviews

F
Florence
London
36 reviews
4.0
36 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Very good experience overall. Good food, good atmosphere. Busier than I expected for an early dinner time. A few disappointments. - The front of the house was disorganised. I was asked to sit down and wait only for 10 people to arrive after me and be attended to before I was. The waitress I flagged that to could not care less and was borderline rude. - The pre theatre menu had to be requested despite the fact I mentioned it in the booking. It is much cheaper than the standard one. Call me a cynic. The rest was good and good value for money.
Is this helpful?
K
Karen
London
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went for the shawarma Tuesday deal which was really nice. Friend had small plates, which were yummy
Penelope’sResponded 4 days ago
Dear Karen, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We are lad to hear you had a good time during your recent visit. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best, Penelope's Team
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c
claudine
London
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Penelope’s a great lively venue. Amazing food and an energetic vibe. A real party night with sparklers, flashing head bands and great music. The food has a Middle Eastern/ Spanish theme…. Well presented and delicious
Is this helpful?
S
Sadiq
London
27 reviews
2.0
27 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
The seating was limited to one section of the restaurant. No advance notice nor explanation given. We were sat next to someone Woking on their laptop which felt like a wework. The attitude from the servers gave the impression they didn't want to be there.
Penelope’sResponded on November 21, 2024
Dear Sadiq, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are sorry to hear about your recent experience, it’s disappointing to learn that we fell short on providing a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. Please accept our sincerest apologies for the limited seating and for any discomfort caused by the setting or the service. We strive to create a warm and accommodating environment for all our guests, and we regret that this was not reflected during your visit. Your comments are incredibly valuable, and I will ensure they are shared with the team so we can address these concerns and improve moving forward. We hope you will give us another opportunity to provide you with a much better experience. Best, Penelope's Team
Is this helpful?
L
Linda
London
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food was good as was the wine of if I but pricey but it’s London so…the restaurant is buzzy with open kithchen and a lot of young men - and the chefs were all men - making quite a display cooking. There was a female who passed the orders on to them and she shouted as loud as she could. It was a bit of a performance tbh. I guess because the pass is noisy but it really didn’t make for a relaxing meal. I’d say don’t go if you want a nice romantic dinner.
Penelope’sResponded on November 20, 2024
Dear Linda, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the food and wine, even though we understand that the atmosphere didn’t fully meet your expectations. Our open kitchen and counter seating are designed to offer guests a behind-the-scenes view of the preparation and interaction between the chefs, but we understand that the volume may have impacted your experience. Your feedback is important to us, and we will take it into consideration as we work to create a more balanced and enjoyable dining environment. We hope to welcome you back in the future for a better experience. Best, Penelope's Team
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A
Alastair
London
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really, really good food. Lovely staff. Great vibe
Penelope’sResponded on November 20, 2024
Dear Alastair, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent visit to Penelope's. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best, Penelope's Team
Is this helpful?
E
Emily
London
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, great entertainment. A little loud and service was soso but the food and atmosphere totally win it over.
Penelope’sResponded on November 12, 2024
Good evening Emily, Thank you for the review! We are glad you enjoyed your food and our Isramani party evening. We hope that you return to us in the near future so we can show you an improved service. Once again, thank you for choosing Penelope’s. Best, Penelope’s
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J
Jo
London
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely meal and service and great atmosphere. Looking forward to returning on another occasion.
Penelope’sResponded on November 12, 2024
Good evening Jo, Thank you for the review! We are delighted that you had a wonderful time at our restaurant. Whenever you plan to visit us next, we’re ready with open arms. Best, Penelope’s
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L
Lilia
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice food and good service, we will go back again and recommends to friends as well ☺️
Penelope’sResponded on November 7, 2024
Dear Lilia, Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we did. We are glad to hear you had a good time during your recent visit to Penelope's! We look forward to welcoming you back again. Best, Penelope's Team
Is this helpful?
R
R
London
9 reviews
3.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 31, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Decent service, but nothing special about the place or food
Penelope’sResponded on November 7, 2024
Dear R, Thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the service, though we are sorry to hear that the experience didn’t stand out as much as we'd hoped. We are always working to improve, and we would love to know if there is anything specific that could make your next visit more memorable. We hope you will give us another try soon! Best, Penelope's Team
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Penelope’s is rated 4.4 stars by 254 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

11:00 p.m.

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

34 Russell St, London, Greater London WC2B 5HA

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighbourhood
Covent Garden
Hours of Operation
Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am Pre Theatre Dining Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Middle Eastern, Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Public transit
Covent Garden Tube - Piccadilly Line - 0.3milesHolborn Tube - Central Line - 0.3miles
Payment Options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Fez Ozalgan
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.amanogroup.com/en/restaurants/london-covent-garden-penelopes
Phone number
07442 631181
Catering
We have a number of set menus to suit your budget & requirements.
Private party facilities
Our private dining room offers natural light in abundance, an LCD screen and plenty of space and comfort so you can enjoy an intimate dinner of an evening with friends. It is equally suitable to catch up with your colleagues for a boardroom style meeting.

Penelope’s

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

New Year's Eve Isramani Party! Dine-Drink-Dance!

Friday's Isramani EAT-DRINK-DANCE (a la carte)

Shawarma Tuesdays

Breads and Dips

Coca Bread£8.00

Pao de Queijo£8.00

Pita Bread£4.00

Mushroom Hummus£8.00

Whipped Cod's Roe£9.00

Nibbles

Chicharrones£6.00

Pan Con Tomate£8.00

Iberico Jamon Croquetas£8.00

Gordal Olives£5.00

Small Plates

Manouri Bourekas£12.00

Roasted Aubergine£12.00

Beetroot Tartare£9.00

Charred Celeriac£11.00

Seabream Tartare£13.50

Tuna Ceviche£15.00

Salmon Ceviche£13.00

Spanish Hoso Gambas£14.00

Calamari£14.00

Lamb Sweetbread£13.00

Ibérico Pork£14.00

OX Cheek£16.00

Chicken Pastel£12.00

Large Plates

Artichoke Paella£25.00

Israeli Couscous£24.00

Octopus Paella£35.00

Sea Trout£29.00

Seafood on Fire£70.00

Monkfish£33.00

Beef Short Rib£36.00

Lamb Cutlets£35.00

Ribeye 255g£36.00

Chicken Shawarma£25.00

Sirloin 700g£80.00

Pork Tomahawk£30.00

Sides

Baharat Patatas£6.00

Mushroom, Kale, Confit Garlic£7.00

Israeli Tomato Salad£6.50

Desserts

Milhojas£12.00

Baklava Cheesecake£12.00

Chocolate Tart£10.00

Bomba de Helados

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Penelope’s restaurant rated?

Is Penelope’s currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information