Sarastro is based in the heart of Theatreland and is ideal for pre and post theatre dining, serving a variety of Mediterranean dishes with a Turkish Cypriot slant in a great atmosphere. The restaurant is much like a theatre itself, with its balcony seats, a royal box, a dress circle and stall seats. They have opera showing from 8.30pm on Mondays and Sundays. The staff are polite and efficient. Catering for private parties of up to 120 guests is available upon request.
Sarastro
Mediterranean Restaurant in Covent Garden
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4 / 10 from 7 reviews
Address
126 Drury Lane
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 5QG
126 Drury Lane
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 5QG
Telephone
020 7836 0101
020 7836 0101
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Mediterranean
Region
Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Opening Times
| Monday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Tuesday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Wednesday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Thursday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Friday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Saturday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Sunday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00 |
Sarastro Picture Gallery
All In London Review
I absolutely adored this place. Totally unique. A fantastic experience.
Tucked away on Drury Lane in Covent Garden, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed the place before. I guess the small doorway belies the treasures inside. Anyway, when you step through it is like entering Aladdin’s cave – your eyes are assaulted with deep reds, luscious golds and all manner of ornaments (puppets, masks, statues etc) on the walls and suspended from the ceiling. It’s a bit like entering the tall, narrow streets of an extravagantly decorated Middle Eastern souk. Even the floor is cobbled stone.
The waiting staff wear striking black and white striped waistcoats – it’s all part of the drama. As you weave past the tables you can’t help look upwards as the walls are full of ornately decorated opera boxes. Yes, opera boxes. And in each is a table full of people having dinner and a right royal time.
On the ground there are raised tables, and enclosed sleigh-booth tables and the walls are stone and bedecked with yet more puppets and pictures. Even the ceiling’s air conditioning pipes – somewhat hidden by the stunning Tiffany shades and old-fashioned candelabras - are swathed in purple velvet and gold rope.
I met my colleague who was seated at a small table near a central open area. It was hard to greet him properly as my eyes were still trying to take in the cornucopia of visual treats all around me and at every level. Soft opera music was playing in the background.
He ordered a bottle of Sancerre while we looked at the small, cream printed menus. The starter is a mezze to share and a sea of little plates arrived containing hummus, cacik (yoghurt with cucumber and garlic), kisir (cous cous salad), piyaz (bean salad), cheese and mushroom borek (puff pastries) and sucuk (beef slices). There was far too much for us to eat but each bite provided a little taste sensation.
At this point the central area filled with a standing string quartet who played popular tunes from Hungary and operas while dancing around and encouraging the diners to join in with clapping and singing. Those celebrating birthdays were called down from their boxes and encouraged to join in to the Can Can. And they did. It really was rather wonderful.
My friend ordered the lamb Anatolian for his main course and a huge hunk of lamb shank appeared alongside mashed potatoes and vegetables. A feast. My Sea Bass fillet was beautifully cooked and the mashed potatoes were light and creamy, the asparagus had bite and the black caviar sauce was sublime.
Just as we were about to finish our meals, the central area was taken over by a woman opera singer with an incredibly powerful voice and a younger male companion who’s charm and wit won over the diners instantly. They stuck to popular opera songs that we all knew. And even those who were not keen on opera would have felt compelled to join in and savour the spectacle.
Two courses cost £27.50 and three courses for £29.95. There is also a 12.5% service charge. And it is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
It is rare that I find a restaurant that is so entertaining and has such a huge impact. Whilst it isn’t the very best food you can find in London, it is certainly well prepared and reasonably priced. I absolutely adored this place. Totally unique. A fantastic experience. And it really cheered me up. I shall be returning soon.
Reviewed by KimT
Published on May 21, 2013
User Reviews
Anonymous
May 31, 2010
Fantastic decor, great food, great atmosphere. The highlight of my trip to London - eating wise.
Anonymous
Dec 7, 2008
Well I visited this restaurant today and it was great! Good food, fantastic atmosphere, polite staff and above all, something different from the normal run of the mill - sure it was busy and bustling but that's all part of it! Maybe someone looking for a quiet, romantic, candle-lit evening should think twice but lets be honest, it should be obvious to anyone checking out the pics on the web-site that its not a normal restaurant...
lollie
May 4, 2008
Yuk! Yuk! and Yuk! again. Only thing nice about the place was the smiling waitress.Gordon Ramsey would have a FFFFFField day in this place.Do they have a chef I asked myself lastnight.I was dying to get into the kitchen and show who ever served up this pathetic excuse for food how it should be done.
My wonderful man had booked this for our first anniversary.The look of disppointment on his face was horrible when I had to give in and confess to not being able to eat my meal as it was so bad.
The couple on the next table left theirs too.So did my man.
Yes folks I did complain.cheeseboard was my compensation.Well wont be going there again.Gordon where where are yer????????????????
My wonderful man had booked this for our first anniversary.The look of disppointment on his face was horrible when I had to give in and confess to not being able to eat my meal as it was so bad.
The couple on the next table left theirs too.So did my man.
Yes folks I did complain.cheeseboard was my compensation.Well wont be going there again.Gordon where where are yer????????????????
Ellie122
Mar 6, 2008
Quite possibly the worst food I have ever eaten. Plus there was a funny smell in the restaurant and the toilets were dirty. Do not waste your money here as it is not a pleasant experience.
blue driver
May 12, 2007
This used to be a good restaurant but it is now rou by easten europeans and the food is unedible and the service is the worst i have ever had in London
DO NOT GO
DO NOT GO
end4all
Feb 15, 2006
Took my partner here for valentines. They lost my booking. They crammed everyone in. We got seated between 2 couples on a table setup for 6. Bang went the romantic, intimate evening.
The food was restricted to a set menu based on their sunday menu. This normally goes for £20pp. They charged £33:50pp. There was a "discretionary service charge of 12.5%" added to the bill. This was printed in bold on the set menu. How is that discrete? They instantly made a +£20 extra profit on anyone who sat down.
There was no atmosphere, except couples complaining, making the most of it, or walking out in disgust.
Cost around £100. I have eaten at top restaurants for that. Happy valentines my arse!
The food was restricted to a set menu based on their sunday menu. This normally goes for £20pp. They charged £33:50pp. There was a "discretionary service charge of 12.5%" added to the bill. This was printed in bold on the set menu. How is that discrete? They instantly made a +£20 extra profit on anyone who sat down.
There was no atmosphere, except couples complaining, making the most of it, or walking out in disgust.
Cost around £100. I have eaten at top restaurants for that. Happy valentines my arse!
p.sentobe
Jan 5, 2005
the worst restaurant, serving the worst food I have ever had. If you think that this is how they treat customers in Turkey and the rest of the the Med...think again. Stale bread, tasteless food, rude staff, overpriced. Forget it !
Caroline Carr
Dec 9, 2004
DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT.
I booked a table for 7th Dec 2004 with friends.
After looking at the menu, I turned round and the bag I had hung on my chair was gone.
I informed the manager and he told me I must be mistaken, I had not come in with a bag.
He called the owner of the restaurant, who accused me of pretending my bag had been snatched in order to obtain a free meal.
They then manhandled me and my friends out of the restaurant.
I booked a table for 7th Dec 2004 with friends.
After looking at the menu, I turned round and the bag I had hung on my chair was gone.
I informed the manager and he told me I must be mistaken, I had not come in with a bag.
He called the owner of the restaurant, who accused me of pretending my bag had been snatched in order to obtain a free meal.
They then manhandled me and my friends out of the restaurant.
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