Where to eat in Covent Garden upon late night flight arrival

Ask the driver to point out a couple of places. i think the big issue is that you will be arriving in the Covent Garden around around 1 am and looking for someplace that is open at 1.30 or 2 am maybe unreasonable, especially a family restaurant. Perhaps a Pub but I thought that Pubs closed around 2 am. I think you need to find some take away at the airport. I don't think this is a good plan.

Where are you coming from and how long is your flight that gets in at that hour? If it is an across the Atlantic flight they usually feed you a “meal” of some type about 2 hours before landing so you won’t need to rush out and eat again.

You might also email the hotel for a recommendation or maybe they have room service. You might need to pack some snacks or pbj sandwiches to eat after your flight knowing your family’s hunger requirements.

It’s your timing that’s going to drastically affect your food options. Research here to see if any place will stay open past midnight.

https://www.coventgarden.london/restaurants

If nothing is staying open rearrange your drivers pick up time and grab something at LHR but no guarantee the food stalls will be open that late either.

Also use google maps street view to see what’s around the address of where you are staying then use the internet to check their hours.

There are very few places open past midnight. The only places that I am aware of are the Burger King on Leicester Square and the Noodle Bar on Cranbourn Street.

I’d suggest you bring some snacks with you.

There are likely to be one or two drive thrus open on your way into London, McD or KFC. Not my food of choice but a viable option at that time of night.

Or, embrace the London culture whole heartedly and get your driver to divert to the 24/7/365 Bagel shop on Brick Lane, grab some proper salt beef or smoked salmon bagels. It’s not far from CG especially with the quieter night traffic.

Bring a bag of granola bars, or some such snack. Eating heavy that late is not appealing. Just enough to ward off hunger and hit the sack. Will be ready to enjoy the 'full English breakfast' in the morning.

Kid friendliness and late night Covent Garden do not mix, I’m sorry. I’ve done a few late night meals around there and I can guarantee that only you and your kids will be sober. That’s a pretty major nightlife area, especially if the flat is closer to Soho.

hey hey queen
with you landing at LHR at 10:50pm, you need to expect time to go thru customs and passport, pick up baggage and find driver, plus the time to get to your place. is your host meeting you at the flat that late, i say after midnight to 1am if you're lucky? i really doubt you'd find anything open or food delivery at that hour. i would see what terminal you come into, what kind of food court available at that hour and just have your pre-arranged driver wait for you or have him stop at a 24 hour opened place. it may cost you a little more but it's worth it and let your host know. otherwise pack some snacks before you leave and eat light when you get into your place. may be foggy and jet-lagged next morning, how old are the kids? while we were in paris we had our taxi driver stop at a store on our way to our place, with meter running, to get necessities we needed. they were all willing. good luck
aloha

I’ve gotten to my hotel in London about 10:30 pm on a couple trips, and I’ve walked to a BP petrol station with a convenience store near the hotel and made do with snacks. I was staying in Bayswater not Covent Garden, but I bring it up to echo what a few other posters have written. Your supper may be a triangle box sandwich and a stack of Pringles. And, honestly, that’s okay. One night out of your life type of thing.

Not sure which Heathrow Terminal you will be in, but there’s usually a WH Smith after arrivals, and they may still have some boxed sandwiches and fruit remaining at that hour.

If you do want to stop at a market, there is an all-night Tesco Superstore on the way to Covent Garden, right off the A4/Cromwell Road at Earls Court. Food Court will be closed, but groceries etc available.

My goal is to get onto the local schedule as quickly as possible, including meal times, so I wouldn't want to eat a meal upon arrival even if something tempting was available. I'd take something with me on the plane in case I needed to supplement the airline food and I'd try to eat it before landing, rather than after. If you have hungry teenagers with you, you would probably want to do that anyway.

Although I don't know what the UK's specific rules are, I would not expect to be able to carry unsealed/unpackaged food items (pieces of fruit, etc.) into the country. Sealed packages left over from the plane ride should be OK.

Have you checked with the apartment rental company? Perhaps they can stock the flat with a small supply of suitable food?

Also there is a Tesco Express on the strand near Trafalgar Square. Open 24 hours and you may be able to pickup some basics like milk, juice, yogurt.