Covent Garden is one of the most well-known spots in the city, famous for its iconic market-style structure and the shops and eateries within. Seven dials and Piccadilly is a short walk away and the area is surrounded by places to eat, drink and shop till you drop. With so much choice, it can be overwhelming deciding where to stop for a bite to eat, particularly if you are mid-shop or at the end of the day and don’t necessarily want anywhere fancy, but also don’t want to go to a run-of-the-mill chain. Until now. Doughnation is one of the newcomers to the scene, having opened in May 2024, yet it’s causing a storm with its mouth watering pizzas, delicious cocktails and relaxed atmosphere.
Located at 3 Henrietta Street, Doughlicious feels a little like a secret that once you know about it, you just can’t keep to yourself. The branding on the outside is minimal and if you don’t notice their terrace which offers outside seating right by the piazza, then you’d be forgiven for almost missing it. To get to the restaurant, you need to enter the main door and are led past a couple of other restaurants to the back. Here you’ll be greeted by soft interiors, comfortable seating and the scent of freshly baked pizza from the ovens.
A reprieve from the mania that is Covent Garden just outside, you can sink into a seat and peruse the menu with a glass of wine, feeling yourself relax. We visit on a weeknight when the chill of Autumn is just starting in the air and the warm lighting and heady cooking smells feel a far cry from the calls of Winter. The main focus on the restaurant, as you can guess, is pizza. You can choose their Pizza and Spritz happy hour offer for £28pp which includes any pizza and a pitcher of spritz, including Aperol Spritz, Grapefruit & Rosemary Spritz or Hugo Spritz. This can be enjoyed Monday to Thursday 4-6:30pm.
If you don’t fancy this, their main menu includes sides and salads such as ripped burrata, mixed caesar salad or a garlic bread which you could choose as a starter if you wish. Pizza wise, there are six to choose between – margherita, pepperoni, truffled mushroom ragout, 3 prawn deluxe, potato pizza, nduja sausage and the Covent Garden Vegan. You can also add extras such as buffalo mozzarella, baked free range hens egg, pesto and shaved parmesan. Each pizza is cooked to perfection in their ovens.
The base is crispy, the toppings are perfectly portioned, it’s hot and covered in delicious cheese. Accompany this with one of their mouthwatering crust dippers, either made from crushed cherry tomatoes with diced shallots and torn basil leaves, or basil pesto with confit garlic, and grated pecorino romano. Both are amazing, but the basil pesto wins by just a fraction!
Dessert wise at Doughnation, there are two to choose from, either a skillet cookie complete with chocolate chip ice cream and a white chocolate sauce, or an English rhubarb knickerbocker glory. Both are utterly divine, offering a throwback to your childhood favourites while adding a refined twist.
Drinks wise, they have a range of sparkling wines, champagne, white, red and rose as well as spirits, sodas and beers. Prices are reasonable, with a 175ml glass of wine starting at £9 and a pint of beer at £8. Cocktails include the Il Botanista Spritz, Jubilee Spritz, D-Nation Espresso Martini and Covent Garden Fizz as well as three different mocktails.
We fill our faces with pizza, sip a cocktail and just enjoy the general atmosphere of Doughnation. It’s a spot you can head with friends after work, go for a chilled date night, or even just by yourself if you’re shopping and want a bite to eat. It has a friendly, welcoming and relaxing vibe where you can just enjoy really good pizza without any fuss. They have a passion for creating your pizza favourites alongside their own signature flavours using meticulously sourced artisanal ingredients and provide an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Service is quick, food is delicious and it offers everything you could need from a pizza place. But don’t just take our word for it, make your reservation now.
Plus! Don’t miss their festive offerings! Doughnation is the spot for social dining and drinking over the festive period. Cocktails, free-flowing prosecco, and plenty of delicious pizzas with creative toppings. Perfect for a laid-back tear and share evening with friends, or some post work pizza and tipples. Indulge in Doughnation’s innovative selection of slices, steering away from the traditional and injecting some real flavour flair.
https://3henrietta.com/doughnation-pizza/
