Food Guides
Looking for the perfect spot for a delicious Pre-Theatre meal? We’ve got you covered with our latest Covent Garden Pre-Theatre Dining Guide. Find some of the best dining in the heart of Theatreland, visit before your show or enjoy a post-theatre drink!
Balthazar is an elegant Parisian style brasserie, with beautiful interiors, serving classic French cuisine in the heart of Covent Garden. Perfect for a romantic dinner date, power business lunch or family get-together - the extensive à-la-carte menu offers bistro favourites, from moules frites and steak tartare to garlicky escargots.
The pre theatre menu includes something for everyone. Start with a glass of wine and freshly baked French baguette with a generous portion of butter. We loved the delicious twice baked cheese souffle (to start), classic cassoulet and salmon with creamy mash (for mains) and save room for the creme brulee and chocolate fondant (to finish).
Clerkenwell Boy Approved
Immerse yourself in the captivating energy of Covent Garden at Gaucho. Serving carbon-neutral steak, fine wines and classic cocktails, this Argentinian steak restaurant is the ideal West End spot for a meal pre and post theatre. Alongside an array of delicious options, the menu offers vegetarian options and a lively atmosphere that compliments the culinary experience.
The pre and post theatre menu offers 2 courses for £27 and 3 for £30, which includes favourites like the Chorizo Sirloin Steak, Fillet Steak Salad and Classic Burger. Make sure you leave room for a Chocolate Volcano or Affogato for dessert!
Henrietta Street's newest resident, Mrs Riot. An ode to Kitty Clive, a pioneering feminist who transformed the London scene in 1700s. This experience led bistro and cocktail bar offering mind-blowing live entertainment every day of the week. Interiors designed by Hollywood film designer Sonja Klaus, Mrs Riot is not only a feast for the eyes but the soul. Whether its signature cocktail or a curated wine, Kitty will definitely be returning for an unexpected curtain call.
For pre-theatre diners, we highly recommend their signature Pinsa Romana (pizza with a lighter, crispy, delicious base) with mouth-watering toppings. [Pre-theatre pizza and a cocktail £25]
We also loved the fresh burrata drenched in truffle oil, pea and mozzarella arancini balls with preserved lemon mayo, to creamy gooey truffle mac & cheese to die for!
Clerkenwell Boy Approved
RedFarm brings inventive Chinese food and super-charged dim sum dishes to London. Signature items include clever dim sum creations such as Pac Man Dumplings, Giant Soup Dumplings, Hamburger Spring Rolls and more!
Pre-theatre menu diners can choose from a huge selection of starters including - Crispy Kale Cutlets, BBQ Chicken Skewers, Spicy Crispy Beef, Vegetable Dumplings or Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup. Mains include a selection of - BBQ Scotch Prime Bavette Fried Rice, Chili Chicken Served with Jasmine Rice, Grilled Pork Belly Served with Wide Rice Noodles or Vietnamese Vermicelli Noodles served with Grilled Prawns. Save room for the Custard Lava Bao!
Clerkenwell Boy Approved
Sister restaurant to celebrity favourite Kitty Fisher's, Cora Pearl is the younger sister restaurant that brings a touch of decadent dining and classy vibes to The West End.
The perfect place to visit pre-theatre for cocktails and delicious treats. Imagine hearty yet refined comfort food & handcrafted cocktails served in a historic, chic Covent Garden townhouse.
The pre-theatre menu changes on a regular basis. Other signature dishes include Devilled Eggs, Cod's Roe Crumpet, their insta-famous “Ham & Cheese Toastie”, NEXT LEVEL Potato Chips and seasonal specials. Save room for the fruit crumble with ice cream!
Clerkenwell Boy Approved
Known for celebrating the culture & cuisine of Japan, Brazil and Peru - SUSHISAMBA is the perfect spot for a pre-theatre cocktail and a delicious meal in the heart of Covent Garden.
Surrounded by stunning interiors and a buzzy open kitchen, pre-theatre diners can enjoy a choice of tasty starters, mains & desserts. Starters include a choice of Vegetable Taquitos, Ribeye Anticuchos or Tuna Ceviche.
Mains include a choice of Shrimp Tempura sushi rolls, Salmon & Asparagus rolls, Veggie rolls, Robata Grilled Salmon or Poussin, or Mushroom Tobanyaki. Save room for the Yuzu & Coconut Tart or Assorted Mochi!
Clerkenwell Boy Approved
Inspired by the brasseries of Paris, Story Cellar offers classic plates, counter dining and fine wines. All dishes are curated by two-time Michelin star-rated chef, Tom Sellers. Their Pre-Theatre Menu includes highlights such as the Pork Rump Cassoulet and Brown Sugar Brulee, with 2 courses for £40 and 3 for £45.
Set in the heart of Covent Garden, overlook the Piazza and enjoy a pre-theatre dining experience inspired by Italian flavours crafted by their head chef Filippo Bellani
Pre-Theatre at The Petersham
Curated by award-winning chef Mark Greenaway, Pivot epitomises British cuisine at it’s very best. Their Pre-Theatre Menu includes highlights such as the Chicken & Hazelut Terrine and Wild Mushroom On Toast
Overlooking the Piazza, join Tuttons for 2 courses for £19.95 or 3 courses for £21.95 with their Pre-theatre dining menu.
Visit The Ivy Market Grill for the ultimate dining experience. The restaurant offers a selection of delicious dishes and cocktails, made from the highest quality ingredients. Acting as a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of London, the venue enables visitors to overlook the exciting Covent Garden Piazza whilst being able to unwind and enjoy a wonderful meal.
The theatre menu is available to customers from 11:30am to 10pm Monday-Wednesday, offering diners the chance to eat pre and post show, and 11:30am to 6:30pm Thursday-Friday. Pre-theatre diners can enjoy 2 courses for £18.95 or a 3 course meal for £23.95. Choose from a selection of starters including Wild Mushroom Soup, Kiln-roast Salmon Rillete and Gratinated Goat's Cheese Salad. For the main course, diners can choose from options such as the Chargrilled Rump Steak or the Malaysian Prawn Curry Vol-au-Vent.
Pair your meal with a delicious side of Truffle and Parmesan Chips, and finish off with a Crispy Madagascan Vanilla Cloud or Pineapple Upside-down Cake.
Fancy something quick before heading to a West End show? Seven Dials Market is a mix of the best independent street food and drink vendors in London, with something for everyone to enjoy! Home to almost 20 pioneering food businesses, from sushi at Sukoshi and Syrian cuisine at Arnabeet to gigantic pizzas at Bad Boy Pizza Society, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
There's Mexican cuisine, fried chicken, curry and so much more! You could even head over to Pick & Cheese (the world's first ever cheese conveyor belt restaurant) for some UK sourced cheeses and hand picked wines. Make sure you leave room for something sweeter like ice cream from Soft Serve Society.
Perfect for the whole family, kids, picky eaters, vegans and more, Seven Dials Market is an excellent choice for pre-theatre dining in Covent Garden.
The Homeslice menu is focused on fresh, seasonal produce sourced responsibly and locally, with their dough, sauces and oils being made in-house. The restaurant has a simple menu of pizza, beer and wine, served in a relaxed and friendly space. Pizza is available to buy whole, half & half or by the slice, making Homeslice the perfect place for a casual, quality dinner before a show in the West End.
Serving sophisticated French classics since 1991, Boulevard Brasserie is the tour de force of French gastronomy in London’s West End. Experience a taste of classic French cuisine with favourites such as Steak Tartare, French Onion Soup, Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin. The restaurant is situated in the heart of the theatre district and is only a small walk from the iconic Royal Opera House, making it the perfect place to enjoy a pre-theatre meal.
Pre-Theatre at St Martin's House
Café Murano brings a relaxed, welcoming and intimate feeling to the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden. Serving fresh seasonal flavours, owner Angela Hartnett brings sophisticated yet simple, Italian inspired cooking to London.
The menu is small and thought-out, with each dish bringing you a perfect, modern take on timeless Italian flavour. The pre-theatre menu is available from Monday to Saturday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-7pm, making Café Murano a great place for a comforting, delicious meal before rushing off to a West End show. Pre-theatre diners can choose from a selection of starters including Bruschetta, Roasted mackerel and Jerusalem artichoke & Delica squash salad. For mains (or Secondi!) there is Pork Loin, Brixham Cod or a comforting Carnaroli Risotto. Finish with something sweet such as the Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse, Caramleised Figs or Caciotta with Crackers.
Depending on how hungry you are, Café Murano offers a choice of 2 courses for £25 and 3 courses for £30.
Not in the mood for a three-course meal pre-theatre? Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels is a French-inspired bar, restaurant and delicatessen offering over 400 handpicked wines and a selection of charcuterie and cheeses. Situated in the heart of Neal’s Yard in Seven Dials, it is the ideal place to grab a glass of wine and a light, delicious meal before an evening at the theatre.
LIMA CANTINA brings a taste of Peru to London! Curated by Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez, the restaurant shares the soul of their hometown with high quality ingredients, bursting with flavour. The perfect place for pre-theatre diners, LIMA CANTINA offers classics such as Pollo Brasa (Peru’s national dish) and a selection of foods to share like Home Baked Bread, Beef Empanadas and Pork Belly Bao. The menu offers a collection of Lima locals’ favourites, and leave some room for Piura Chocolate Cake!
Cinnamon Bazaar is an innovative dining concept that mixes real Indian heritage with urban London. Their cross cultural dining experience embraces the democratic spirit of a bazaar making it the perfect place to eat, drink, relax before enjoying a West End show.
Luckily for show-goers, Cinnamon Bazaar offers pre and post theatre meals. A special menu is available Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6:30pm for those with a curtain to catch, or from 9:30pm to late for those feeling peckish post-show.
The 2 course meal is £24pp, or opt for the 3-course menu priced at £28pp and complemented with a ‘Bazaar’s Punch’ on arrival. Tuck into dishes including the baked Tilapia fillet with pickling sauce & mash potato, the Lamb Roganjosh Shepherd's Pie or the incredible Jungle Chicken Curry. For a sweet treat to finish, indulge in the Pistachio Kulfi or Homemade Sorbet.
Based in the heart of Covent Garden, Maaxwell’s is the perfect stop to have a delicious meal with family or friends, before enjoying the best of London’s West End. The bar and grill offer a selection of mouth-watering American favourites including burgers, ribs, fajitas, wings and milkshakes to die for! Maxwell’s boasts the perfect location, with more than 20 theatres close by it is the ideal spot to grab a bite before a show or to unwind and relax after.
Indulge in a pre-theatre meal at One Aldwych's signature restaurant, Indigo. Overseen by Head Chef Dominic Teague, the menu at Indigo highlights his penchant for British cuisine. The pre theatre menu offers 2 courses for £39 and 3 for £47, and includes favourites such as Chalk Stream Trout to start and Lightly Spiced Roast Monkfish Tail with mussels for the main course. Make sure you leave room for dessert, including a delicious Cornish Chocolate Brownie served with pecan caramel and whiskey ice cream.
