Cavo London restaurant review, Outernet, West End

Cavo is located at the top of Outernet London’s Now Building

(Image credit: Cavo London)

published 28 June 2023

London’s newest entertainment district, the Outernet, is situated at the intersection of Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross Road. The huge development includes retail, dining and residential spaces, as well as a 2,000-person capacity music venue located in the basement of a four-storey structure called The Now Building, clad in an imposing black and gold framework.

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The complex has had mixed reviews, mainly because of the historic aura surrounding Denmark Street, fondly known as London’s “Tin Pan Alley”, where most of the transformation has taken place. The street has a hallowed past as a music destination once known for its guitar shops, drum stores, recording studios, agents’ offices and music publishers. Close by, the famous Astoria concert venue, which was demolished to make way for the construction of Crossrail, is part of this mythology, as are the music legends who once performed there, including Radiohead, Metallica and Nirvana. David Bowie’s first agent operated out of Denmark Street, and he, along with Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton all shopped along this strip for their instruments and favourite audio gadgets.

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Without question, it’s an audaciously modern makeover for such a nostalgic heritage spot, but it is also a place that encourages interaction and revelry – a big plus for this somewhat forgotten patch, previously visited by tourists as a cut through to Soho, and which now also benefits from the Elizabeth line at Tottenham Court Road tube station. With more time, the Outernet, with its state-of-the-art music venue, the largest to be built in central London since the 1940s, will come into its own (Alison Goldfrapp, Jai Paul and FLO have all received rave reviews following performances here) and the same goes for its two main restaurants, Tattu and Cavo.

Cavo, situated on the rooftop of the Now, hasn’t yet reached the same level of popularity, but it’s better off for it. It’s more intimate, more chic with a spacious outdoor terrace equipped with big blue umbrellas and wooden decking. Really, it’s about as Mediterranean as the West End can get, with a dog-friendly policy, an excellent bar menu (lots of exotic botanical bases and citrus infusions) and great panoramic views of the capital’s entertainment district. Admittedly this isn’t the Amalfi Coast, but it’s still a lovely place to watch the sun set and it’s surprisingly quiet given the hustle and bustle below – plus the distant BT Tower can pass as a giant lighthouse.

Representing the best of Italy is the Piedmont-inspired black truffle tagliolini al tartufo doused in melted 36-month aged parmesan and the pan fried Sicilian red prawns, which are naturally succulent and sweet-tasting. French dishes are a little unrepresented (avoid the spicy mussels in choux pastry, they just don’t work), but the seafood platter to share is really well priced at £70 for two and suitably overflowing and indulgent with plenty of langoustine and razor clams to crack into.