With a constantly full cafe - both for tables and a heaving queue for takeaway food - Scotts is a popular and thriving business, and it’s easy to see why - just try one of their jacket potatoes.

The Venue
A huge window, taking up the entire side of this building, is the first inviting aspect of Scotts that grabs the attention. Next comes the location: right next to Covent Garden and The Strand - perfect for tourists, locals and office workers.

It’s simple in design, but not cold and sterile. A main counter area displays ingredients for the many sandwiches, boards behind describe the specials and prices, and there are several tables (you have to be lucky to get these though, they’re almost always crammed with hungry people and the set up lends itself to languishing for a few hours).

The Atmosphere
Scotts is very relaxing, helped by the large windows, letting in light and overlooking a quiet little street with a stamp shop. The staff are very friendly and helpful and they seem to know many of their clientele, which is unusual considering the high numbers of tourists that saturate this area of London.

The Food
It’s all about lunchtime fare at Scotts - sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes. Prices are steep (although average for this area of Covent Garden), coming in at an average of a fiver; but be sure to try the jacket potatoes. The size of the average face, you’ll end up with half a plate of filling and the biggest potatoes to have ever come out of the earth. Light and fluffy inside with a crunchy skin, the fillings are all fresh and tasty - and for a small extra fee you can even get additional choices (only for the very hungry).

One of their specials, if you’re not up for quite so large a carb fix, is the salt beef on rye. Coming with gherkins, it’s an interesting, unusual choice that many come here especially to try. And at £4 a pop, they’re not too high on the expense side - worth a taste, at least.

The Drink
Soft drinks, teas and coffees. The usual cafe mix, at quite expensive prices (why is coca cola so pricey in restaurants?).

The Last Word
Scotts is a decent lunchtime venue on the popular New Row, the light and airy vibe and excellent food in large venues is enough to keep it pumping all the time. Just be prepared to wait for a table - it’ll be worth it.

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