Our beloved capital is famous the world over for being one of the best places in which to see plays, musicals, and West End shows. But most shows start at 7:30pm at the latest – causing quite the time crunch for those looking to dine beforehand. Well fear not dear reader, as we’re here to help. These restaurants and eateries pride themselves on efficient service, and in many cases even offer a special menu for theatre-goers. These are the best spots for a pre-theatre dinner in London.
1. Fatt Punditt, Covent Garden and Soho
Kicking off this roundup of pre-theatre dinners in London we have Fatt Pundit – a fantastic little spot in both Soho and Covent Garden that rustles up some absolutely delicious Indo-Chinese cuisine. The pre-theatre menu offers up a curated selection of two or three courses that treat you to the eatery’s most popular items. Dishes include the likes of Momo (Nepalese dumplings), Bombay Chilli Prawns, Malabar Monkfish Curry, Tamarind Glazed Potatoes, and more. And to cap it all off, it’s just £30 for two courses, or £33 for three!
📍You’ll find Fatt Punditt at 77 Berwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 8TH and 6 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7NA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Charing Cross.
2. The Petersham, Covent Garden
We’re a major fan of Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, and we’re equally enamoured with its sister restaurant Covent Garden. Aside from looking absolutely STUNNING, this elegant, à la carte spot is one of London’s best pre-theatre restaurants, and it offers all-day dining in a swishy setting with a menu heavy on delightful Italian flavours. The pre-theatre menu here runs is available from Monday to Saturday from 5-6pm. Priced at two courses for £39, or three for £44, diners can expect the likes of Rock Oysters, fresh pasta dishes, Tiramisù, and more.
📍You’ll find The Petersham at 2 Floral Court, Covent Garden, WC2E 9FB.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
3. NoMad, Covent Garden
In keeping with the theme of visually stunning spots, NoMad is also a great spot for a quick pre-theatre dinner. This glitzy hotel is set within a former 19th-century courthouse right across from the opulent Royal Opera House – so maybe we should say pre-opera dinner? Either way, here you’ll head to the namesake restaurant – which features a soaring glass ceiling – for two courses at £45pp that will more than set you up for the night. The menu is seasonal, with an emphasis on local and regional produce and dishes.
📍You’ll find NoMad at 28 Bow Street, London, WC2E 7AW.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
4. Joe Allen, Covent Garden
First opened in 1977, Covent Garden’s branch of Joe Allen is the sister brasserie to the original New York site, named after its owner and creator. Their American all-day dishes are perfect for a pre-theatre dinner they’re right in the epicentre of Theatreland. You’ll likely want to opt for the rotating set menu, available from 12-6pm, Monday to Friday, which will fill you up with two courses for £26.50 or three for £32. Expect anything from a soup of the day to Chicken Milanese, and their famous cheesecake. They’ve also got live piano music here most evenings – perfect for a post-theatre hang!
📍You’ll find Joe Allen at 2 Burleigh Street, London, WC2E 7PX.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
5. Gunpowder, Tower Bridge & Soho
This authentic Indian kitchen uses responsibly sourced ingredients to shine a spotlight on the banging flavours of the Indian subcontinent. And at two of their London restaurants, diners can pop in for the set menu that nets them six small plates for just £25 a head. With dishes ranging from Gunpowder Chaat and Norfolk Potatoes to Bengali Beetroot Croquettes, and Tandoori Chicken Chop it’s a flavour-packed affair that will still have you in the theatre in time for a West End show. The menu is also available for lunch if you’re after a speedy mid-day meal!
📍You’ll find Gunpowder at 4 Duchess Walk, SE1 2RZ and 20 Greek Street, W1D 4DU.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Tottenham Court Road.
6. Whitcomb’s, Leicester Square
This fantastic spot right on bustling Leicester Square is one for the foodies, as they whip up some bloomin’ fantastic French-Mediterranean fare. Based in the five-star Londoner Hotel, they offer a set menu that works perfectly for those looking for some pre-theatre dining, with two courses available for just £34. With options that include Steak Tartare and Marinated Baby Chicken, you can be sure you’ll be eating well for the price, too. And thanks to its location right in the middle of Theatreland, you can easily make your way to the show when you’re done eating, without any rush or stress.
📍You’ll find Whitcomb’s at The Londoner Hotel, 38 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7DX.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
7. Bocca di Lupo, Soho
This beloved Italian restaurant is situated right in the heart of the West End and serves up a delicious (and very affordable) pe-theatre menu. Bocca Di Lupo specialises in obscure Italian regional cooking, highlighting the different cuisines and wines from all across the country’s twenty different regions. And for just £18 you can enjoy a starter and a main from the set menu – with the option to add an affogato for a reasonable £7. And since the menu is available from Monday to Friday, until 6:30pm each night, it’s equally suited for an affordable lunch or pre-theatre dinner.
To entice you back after the show, they also have a special post-theatre wine deal for you to round out the night in style. Join them after 9:30pm from Monday to Friday and they’ll happily open any bottle of wine from their list (up to £300) for you to enjoy by the glass. Cheers to that!
📍You’ll find Bocca Di Lupo at 12 Archer Street, London, W1D 7BB.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
8. Spring, Covent Garden
Over at Spring, they’re offering a different sort of set menu that makes for a very handy pre-theatre dining experience. The ‘Scratch Menu’ is available from Tuesday to Saturday, between 5:30-6:30pm, and comprises part of the restaurant’s sustainable approach to cooking. The set menu serves up food made from overlooked and ‘waste’ produce – including fruit and veg that would otherwise be discarded for being ‘imperfect’. Using these ingredients they can create a delicious meal at a very affordable price; three courses cost just £30! And you can expect the restaurant’s attention to highlighting ingredients to carry over here into hearty, warming food.
📍 You’ll find Spring at Somerset Place, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
9. thirty7 Restaurant + Bar, Covent Garden
Covent Garden’s relative newcomer, thirty7 Restaurant + Bar, recently launched its own entrant into London’s pre-theatre dining scene with a two-course ‘express’ menu. Available from Monday to Friday, between 12-6pm, the menu is priced at just £25 (!) and includes a variety of dishes that showcase the restaurant’s “commitment to high-quality, ingredient-led dishes”. Choose from the likes of Pork Rilettes and a Classic Caeser Salad before moving on to mains that range from the crispy Chicken Schnitzel to the indulgent Raclette-topped 37 Burger. And then it’s up to you to roll yourself out the door and along to the theatre!
📍 You’ll find thirty7 Restaurant + Bar at 37 Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9EN.
🚇 Nearest stations are Covent Garden and Charing Cross.
10. Clos Maggiore, Soho
Whilst London is blessed with plenty of French and Italian restaurants, Covent Garden‘s Clos Maggiore stands out from the crowd. Yes, they have fancy food and an award-winning wine list, but the ace up their sleeve lies in their gorgeous Tuscan-style conservatory ‘The Fairy Room’. If you’re taking a date to the theatre, this might just be the most romantic pre-theatre dining spot in London. For £32.40 you can enjoy two courses, or for £39.50 you’ll get three courses – plus both options come with a glass of bubbles to boot! And with dishes on offer ranging from Guinea Fowl and Apricot Terrine to Slow Cooked Belly of Tamworth Pork, and Ricotta ‘Gnudi’ White Peach, there’s something for all appetites.
If you weren’t quite hungry enough for a three-course meal before the show, their post-theatre menu offers the same experience to be enjoyed after the show. Just head on down between Monday and Friday, from 9-10:30pm, or on Sunday before 9:30pm.
📍 You’ll find Clos Maggiore at 33 King St, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JD.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
11. SUSHISAMBA, Covent Garden
SUSHISAMBA sits atop the historic Market Building in Covent Garden and offers stunning views across the piazza for you to enjoy while you wine and dine. And amidst the theatrical interiors, theatre-goers can enjoy a flavour-packed pre- and post-theatre dinner menu. From 12-6pm and after 10pm until close, diners can enjoy three courses for just £36 a head, which range across a variety of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian delights. Dishes include Vegetable Taquitos, the Sasa Roll with tempura shrimp, Robata Salmon, and more.
📍 You’ll find SUSHISAMBA at 35 The Market, London, WC2E 8RF.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
12. Café Murano, multiple locations
Another fantastic location for a pre-theatre dinner in London is Café Murano. The group of restaurants in London is all about “true Italian dining” and is the brainchild of the highly-regarded chef Angela Hartnett. Across the St James’s, Covent Garden, and Bermondsey sites you can net yourself a two- or three-course meal for just £25 or £30 respectively. Simply join them for a meal between Monday and Saturday from 5-7pm for a meal with dishes such as Bruschetta with spiced aubergine, Spaghetti aglio, olio e pepperoncino, Veal escalope, and Peach Melba Ice Cream with Prosecco. The special menu is also available for lunch on the same days between 12-3pm.
📍 Find your nearest Café Murano here.
13. Kahani, Sloane Square
Kahani has some incredible theatres right on its doorstep, such as the renowned Cadogan Hall, The Chelsea Theatre, The Royal Court, and more. So, naturally, they’ve also got some banging pre-theatre dining options. With three courses available for £38, you’ll struggle to choose between the mouthwatering “contemporary Indian food”. Dishes range from Kolkata soft shell mustard crunchy crab to Lamb seekh kebab, Chettinad Fish Curry, Chicken makhani, and Heritage carrot Halwa Tiramisu. Oh, and your meal even comes with complimentary Yellow dal, Saffron rice, and Roti. Pre-theatre dining? More like pre-theatre feasting! The menu is available Monday to Friday, from 5-6pm, and on Saturday between 12-2:30pm and 5-6pm.
📍You’ll find Kahani at 1 Wilbraham Place, London, SW1X 9AE.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
14. The Goring, Belgravia
Moments away from the likes of The Apollo Victoria Theatre and Victoria Palace Theatre, The Goring is another great choice for a pre-theatre dinner in their Michelin-starred The Dining Room. That’s right, you could preface some world-class theatre with some world-class food! The three-course pre-theatre menu is available for £80pp, from Monday-Friday between 5-6:30pm, and includes the likes of Wye Valley asparagus with sheep’s curd and Imperial caviar, and The Goring native lobster omelette. How’s that for some impressive pre-theatre dining?!
📍 You’ll find The Goring at 15 Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW .
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
15. Luci, Covent Garden
This charming Italian bakery and restaurant is perfectly situated for many of London’s most popular West End theatres. They know many people will be rushing off to a show, so they’ve got a wonderful pre-theatre menu. Diners can enjoy two or three courses of “unpretentious, mouth-watering food” for just £26 and £29 respectively. Dishes range from the Polenta Fritta with pecorino cheese and truffle oil to the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe – and don’t leave without trying their famous Tiramisu. Available for lunch or before a show, the menu can be enjoyed daily between 12-3pm and 5-7pm.
📍 You’ll find Luci at 136 Long Acre in The Yards in Covent Garden.
🚇 Nearest stations are Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
16. STK Steakhouse Strand, The Strand
This American-style steak restaurant is located right by The Strand and specialises in the likes of steaks, surf’n’turf, seafood, and Mac & Cheese. If you’re heading here for a pre-theatre meal, you can grab two courses for £28, or three for £34. Dishes include everything from a Blue Iceberg salad and Crispy Chicken Bites to Beef Fillet Tacos, Stracciatella Ravioli, and more. There’s also a selection of sides and special Mac & Cheese dishes to supplement the meal if three courses aren’t enough!
📍You’ll find STK Steakhouse Strand at 336-337 Strand, London, WC2R 1HA.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
17. Norma, Fitzrovia
Located on the ever-buzzing Charlotte Street, Norma is a contemporary spot inspired by the food and the culture of Sicily. There’s a lovely outdoor terrace for al-fresco drinks and bites, and their pre-theatre dinner menu has everything on it from Sicilian caponata and chickpea panelle to rigatoni with beef ragu. Plus, it’s just £20 for two courses (available 12-3pm and 5-6pm from Monday to Saturday). That’s a banger of a deal!
📍You’ll find Norma at 8 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2LS.
🚇 Nearest stations are Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road.
18. Casa do Frango, Piccadilly and Victoria
Head to the Piccadilly or Victoria locations of this Portuguese restaurant group for a convenient and tasty pre-theatre dinner. Casa do Frango’s newly launched offering invites guests to try out their famed Piri-Piri Chicken as they enjoy two or three courses (with a side!) for just £24 or £27 respectively. Other dishes include the likes of Grilled Chorizo, Corn Ribs, and the Bacalhau Fritters (salt cod and potato fritters). And don’t forget to finish things off with a Pastel de Nata, some Chocolate Mousse, or some sorbet!
📍 31-33 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BN and 2 Sir Simon Milton Square, London, SW1E 5DJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Victoria.
So there you have it: the best spots to catch a pre-theatre dinner in London. No matter what you’re craving, there’s something for everyone here, with the chance for some proper good deals too which is always a bonus!