The Best Pre-Theatre Dining in London

There are few spots better placed for a pre-theatre meal than in the theatre itself. Situated inside the Royal Opera House – a fixture of the Covent Garden theatrical scene with so much visual splendour it rivals the performances themselves – Cicoria is a stylish Italian eatery run under the auspices of Chef Angela Hartnett. Best known for MICHELIN-Starred Murano, her influence is evident across a menu of satisfyingly simple, ingredient-led dishes. Look out for fixed-price menus paired with the current shows.

Did you know that The MICHELIN Guide also recommends hotels? NoMad London is close to Cicoria and has earned a MICHELIN Key.

Named after a 19th-century courtesan who lived nearby before becoming the queen of Parisian nightlife, this bistro-like restaurant has a buzzing yet cosy atmosphere. It sits inside a characterful Covent Garden townhouse and offers a menu that pushes British produce to the fore. The team recommend a cocktail to go with your pre-show meal and pride themselves on making sure you get to your seat on time, whether you're visiting the nearby Adelphi, Lyceum or Vaudeville.

If you're staying overnight, the St Martins Lane Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from Cora Pearl.

Like its older sister, The Wolseley, the inspiration for this bustling restaurant, set just round the corner from The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is the grand cafés of Europe. As such, the menu is a roll-call of classic dishes from Central European cuisine – be it schnitzel, sachertorte or sausages. The affordable fixed-price menu is a great option for pre-show dining and there’s a wonderfully grand feel to the interior. Look out for future dates of ‘The Delaunay Presents’, when you are invited to join a star of stage and screen for dinner.

One Aldwych, just a two-minute walk from The Delaunay, is a One-MICHELIN-Key hotel.

Another spot conveniently located within a theatre, Lasdun sits on the upper floor of the National Theatre – which is actually a collection of several performance spaces inside one big, Brutalist building – and is a large, lively brasserie serving full-flavoured modern British cooking. Much of its business is conducted pre-show, with a sensibly priced pre-theatre menu for the purpose. If you’ve arrived late and only have time for a drink before your play starts, there’s also a large bar on hand to satisfy.

Take a stroll along the river from Lasdun and you'll find Sea Containers London.

There was much excitement when Argentine chef Fernando Trocca announced he was to open a branch of his famed Buenos Aires restaurant in London. The building he chose is, appropriately enough, a 300-year-old former concert hall and is almost as appealing as the cooking itself. A midweek pre-theatre menu includes dishes cooked over the open fire of a parrilla and their basement cocktail bar is the perfect way to round off an evening.

The Two-Key Ham Yard Hotel, a Firmdale Hotel, is a short walk from the restaurant.

Offering the rare combination of an affordable pre-theatre menu and MICHELIN-Star quality, Wild Honey St James again proves itself to be an invaluable part of the London dining scene. For a fraction of the usual price, you can sample Chef Anthony Demetre’s signature pared-back cooking that trades unnecessary showmanship for quality and substance – hopefully the play you see at the Theatre Royal Haymarket or His Majesty’s Theatre will pull off the same trick. If you’re celebrating, the menu can be upgraded with a glass of champagne.

You needn’t look far for a hotel, as Wild Honey sits within the One-Key Sofitel London St James.