Best Pre-Theatre Dinner in London

Nearby theatres: Kit Kat Club, National Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre

Dip below the arches of Charing Cross to find a cosy wine bar that really looks after its pre-theatre crowd. You'll be able to sample an excellent value two-course meal between 5 and 7pm every day except for Sundays, washed down with a couple of glasses of wine from their extensive selection to set you up for a memorable evening in the West End. For just £23, you could be tucking into the likes of potted Devon crab, chargrilled sirloin steak or roasted chimichurri aubergine on one of the best pre-theatre menus in London.

Nearby theatres: Dominion Theatre, The Shaftesbury Theatre

Going to the theatre is usually a swanky experience so why not treat yourself to a top notch dinner with Bloomsbury Street Kitchen? This places specialises in Japanese and Mediterranean small plates, which you can enjoy three of for £28 anytime from 12 until 10pm Sunday to Tuesday, or before 6:30pm on Saturdays and 3pm every other day. Think miso-roasted baby chicken, gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes, black truffle beef tataki and much more. And if you're not so hungry? Pick two dishes for £23 instead.

Nearby theatres: The Shaftesbury Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Aldwych Theatre

Covent Garden's non-stop piano bar isn't just a place to storm the dance floor until the early hours of the morning (though it's definitely good for that), they've also got an amazing pre-theatre offer, where you can enjoy a tasty dish and a glass of prosecco for £20. Choose from beef, chicken or spiced plant-based based burgers, or glazed pork ribs instead, and there are plenty of scrumptious sides to add on too.

Nearby theatres: Royal Albert Hall

Perfect for a little pre-show bite, Chenestons at The Milestone Hotel and Residences brings you a classic selection of British dishes in gorgeous surrounds. You'll find this destination in Kensington, close to the Royal Albert Hall, dishing out two courses for £65 or three for £75. Think wild mushroom risotto, chicken and bacon pot pie or confit duck with goose liver terrine, finished off with an indulgent sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Nearby theatres: St Martin's Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre

Perfect for fuelling up before a night at the theatre, this chic barbecue restaurant on Mercer Walk is home to some of the best pre-theatre dinner in Covent Garden to share. Offering mouthwatering goat's cheese or cheeseburger tacos, and some seriously impressive steak action, temper is enough of a night out in itself. You can get your hands on this feast for £45, which serves two people and includes three delicious courses.

Nearby theatres: Victoria Palace Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre, The Other Palace

Bbar is a South African inspired restaurant, bar and event space situated in the heart Victoria, within easy walking distance to some of the best theatres in the city. Their pre-theatre menu is available from 5 until 7pm every single day, including three courses for £30, or two for £25. Think buttermilk fried chicken wings, double cheeseburgers or fish and chips, with a dreamy baked vanilla cheesecake for dessert. Tuck into their plates of seasonal cuisine with over 110 bottles of wine and 60 cocktails to choose from.

Nearby theatres: Piccadilly Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre

If you're looking for a pre-theatre dinner in Soho, swish hotel Karma Sanctum could be the perfect spot. The Warwick Street beauty offers a dedicated menu for early evening diners that includes two or three courses of delicious Japanese eats and a glass wine or cocktail, with prices ranging from £24.50 to £29.50. You can enjoy everything from cod tempura fish and chips to miso roasted aubergine here, as well as a panna cotta with matcha tea for dessert.

Nearby theatres: National Theatre, Dorfman Theatre, The Old Vic

When it comes to cheap pre-theatre dinner in London, you can't really beat The Green Room. Found in Southwark, this quirky indoor-outdoor space will have you dining on a stunning set menu of European classics while surrounded by a luscious sustainable garden. Two courses will set you back just £23.50 here, featuring everything from smoked cheddar sauerkraut croquettes to jerk chicken skewers and spiced vegan burgers.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Haymarket, His Majesty's Theatre, Wyndham's Theatre

This French Mediterranean fine dining restaurant is one unmissable place to eat in the West End. Head over to Whitcomb's At The Londoner in Leicester Square for a sublime selection of dishes including pan-fried seabass, portobello mushroom carpaccio and gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. This tasty meal can be enjoyed between 5 and 10pm Sunday to Thursday, or until 6.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays - at £39 for three courses or £34 for two.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum Theatre, Aldwych Theatre

A prime spot for cheap pre-theatre dinner in Covent Garden, Tuttons is a gorgeous restaurant for you to settle down and fuel up for the night ahead. From its beautiful terrace overlooking the markets to a seasonal British menu, this one's a crowd-pleaser for sure. Available on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 until 6.30pm and 9pm until close (or all day Monday to Wednesday), you can nab three courses for just £27.95 here - or two for £23.95. Think roasted summer squash risotto, chicken liver parfait, grilled seabass fillet and so much more.

Nearby theatres: Victoria Palace Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Nestled right by the station, The Palm House is a stunning space for a pre theatre dinner in London Victoria. The two-storey venue is inspired by the clubhouses of 1930s Miami and the menu has the Cuban influence to match. You can enjoy two courses for only £21.50 here, or three for £24.50, with everything from plant-based lamb enchiladas to tequila-cured salmon and dry-aged double steak cheeseburgers.

Nearby theatres: The Other Palace, Victoria Palace Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Located inside The Rubens at The Palace hotel, The New York Bar is a superb spot to wolf down a tasty pre-theatre dinner. Chow down on a range of delicious bites, including a free range chicken and smoked bacon club, slow-cooked beef ragu rigatoni or burrata salad, all in slinky surrounds. This offer is available between 5 and 6.45pm every day, promising two courses for £29.95, or three for £39.95.

Nearby theatres: His Majesty's Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Trafalgar Theatre

Fronting scrumptious Italian snacks, delicious pastas, seafood and fresh burrata, Bardo St James's is one of the best Italian restaurants right before your show. They're offering two courses for £39, or three for £47, and you can pair your meal with glasses of wine or a tantalising cocktail. Between 5 and 6pm Monday to Saturday, you could be chowing down on everything from creamy mushroom polenta to rib-eye steak and tiramisu.

Nearby theatres: His Majesty's Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Harold Pinter Theatre

Tucked away near Leicester Square, Farzi London offers two brilliant menus to take advantage of before your show. This stylish Pan-Indian restaurant is known for its brilliant cocktails, which you can pair with their pre-theatre menu for £22.95 per person. This two-course feast features spicy smoked paneer tikka, braised Welsh lamb curry, tandoori salmon tikka and more, available from 12 until 6.30pm, and then from 9.30pm onwards for a post-theatre treat. And for a cheaper option? Their Thali menu costs just £15.95 each for up to six people.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum Theatre, Cambridge Theatre

After a pre-theatre dinner in Central? Head to Gaucho Covent Garden for an elevated meal. Start off your evening with seabass ceviche or Argentine sausage plates, all before checking out the mouthwatering selection of steaks. From 12 to 6.30pm on weekdays, or from 9.30 until 10.30pm, you can enjoy two courses for £27, or add on a delicious dessert like the chocolate volcano for just £3 extra. If you're feeling thirsty, opt for a thirst-quenching cocktail.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Haymarket, His Majesty's Theatre

After a pre-theatre dinner in London Piccadilly? Check out Steak and Company for prime cuts from an award-winning butcher. Their pre-theatre menu is available from 4 until 6pm, or after 10pm, featuring two courses for £25.50 - or three for £29.50. Start with burrata or cheeseburger spring rolls, before moving on to steak and fries, smoked mozzarella pappardelle and chicken schnitzel. 

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Aldwych Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Lyceum Theatre

One of the most affordable pre-theatre dinners around, Boulevard Brasserie offers delicious French cuisine across its three-storey space. Step inside this West End hub, where you'll be met with decor inspired by 1960s Paris, alongside a delicious menu boasting best-loved classics. You can enjoy two courses for £18.45, including baked brie in filo pastry, chicken liver parfait and grilled seabass fillet, and for just £4.50 extra you can add on a delicious dessert.

Nearby theatres: The London Palladium

Looking for a prime spot to wow your date with a pre-theatre dinner near London Palladium? Look no further than Aqua Kyoto. This swanky joint is the sushi bomb, featuring unique Japanese dishes that'll have your taste buds doing a happy dance. Nab three courses for £39 between 5 and 6.30pm, or from 10pm onwards, including everything from rock shrimp tempura to mushroom teriyaki noodles and miso rice pudding. With a stunning covered rooftop terrace, it's the perfect spot to chill out and enjoy some delicious cocktails, too.

Nearby theatres: St Martin's Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre

For a decadent pre-theatre dinner, visit the mysterious speakeasy Oriole in Covent Garden, named after an exotic bird. It provides a glamorous space with tropical wallpaper and plush leather seating to enjoy an award-winning drink, as well as three courses of delicious international fare. Enjoy its dinner and a show menu starting from £70 and including delicious treats like sea bass ceviche, smoked aubergine with miso and applewood, and delica pumpkin green curry ice cream.

Nearby theatres: Sondheim Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Lyric Theatre

Located behind a nondescript jade green door in Chinatown, Opium is the cocktail bar and dim sum parlour that's on everyone's lips when it comes to seductive sips and a bite to eat. But did you know that it also offers a tempting pre-theatre menu between 5 and 6.30pm? For £25 per person, you can enjoy two dim sum baskets (think crab and samphire dumplings and Cantonese BBQ pork buns) and a signature cocktail, like the grapefruit gin-based Mind The Gap.

Nearby theatres: Bridge Theatre, Unicorn Theatre

For a pretty, cherry blossom-adorned space, silk wallpapers and delicious Pan Asian eats, head to Sticky Mango in London Bridge. The riverside spot has a tempting pre-theatre menu whipped up by chef patron Peter Lloyd too. Tuck into two courses for £24.95 or three for £29.95 and choose from the likes of Malaysian chicken curry puffs, Thai green mango salad, miso-glazed salmon and its signature dessert, Sticky Mango, which features black sticky rice, mango sorbet and coconut cream.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Novello Theatre, Lyceum Theatre

You won't find a much more convenient location for a pre-theatre meal, as Balthazar is situated right in the heart of Covent Garden's theatre district. Between 11am and 7pm on weekdays, you can enjoy three courses for only £27.50 on their prix fixe menu (or two for £24.50). Their elegant French menu ranges from buffalo mozzarella with marinated courgette to seafood tagliatelle and steak tartare, with a tantalising creme brulee for dessert.

Nearby theatres: Lyric Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre

Found on Shaftesbury Avenue, Albert's Schloss is a Bavarian-inspired beer hall and restaurant that's one of the most fun places you can stop for a pre-theatre meal. Available from 12 until 6m every say except for Sunday, their set menu includes three courses for £30, or two for £27, including tasty German dishes such as Scottish smoked salmon on Rye bread, classic chicken schnitzel and Alpine chocolate cheesecake. To wash it all down? Steins of beer imported from Germany, Belgium, Czechia and beyond.

Located in the Bankside Hotel just off of Southbank, Art Yard Bar and Kitchen is a trendy spot filled with colourful artwork and cool patterned furnishings. Their culture fixe menu offers three delicious courses and a glass of welcome bubbles for just £38 per person, showcasing some of their tastiest dishes. Get stuck into confit artichoke, pan-fried bream fillet, onglet steak and more, with chocolate fondant to finish.

Situated on The Strand, you won't find a much more convenient location than STK London when it comes to pre-theatre dining. This sleek restaurant has outposts all over the world, originating from the Unites States and maintaining and American-inspired menu.

If you think their luxe purple interiors are impressive, just wait until you see the food. You can secure two courses for £28 here, or three for £34, featuring the likes of tuna tacos, juicy beef burgers or sweet pea and truffle ravioli.

Nearby theatres: Dominion Theatre, The Shaftesbury Theatre

Found just shy of Tottenham Court Road station, as well as the neighbouring Dominion Theatre and nearby Shaftesbury Theatre, Bloomsbury St Lounge is the Mediterranean-inspired spot inside Radisson Blu Hotel. They serve dinner starting at 5pm sittings - perfect for pre-theatre - spanning fish and chips, burgers and small plates ranging from chilli garlic prawns to aubergine with goma and crumbled feta.

Nearby theatres: Theatre Deli

Found in the iconic Heron Tower on Bishopsgate, SUSHISAMBA is one of the most stunning venues to enjoy an early evening meal in. Available from 12 until 6pm, and from 10pm onwards, this offering includes three delicious courses for £36 per person. While admiring the amazing views from their rooftop terrace, you can tuck into a Peruvian-Japanese fusion of vegetable taquitos, shrimp tempura with spicy mayonnaise, California rolls and a selection of assorted mochi.

Nearby theatres: The London Palladium

Looking for somewhere stylish to dine before your show? Then head to the iconic Claridge's in Mayfair. Their set menu is available on weekdays, offering two courses for £45, or three for £55. Tuck into elegant eats like Wye smoked salmon with creme fraiche, potato gnocchi cooked in black garlic and an indulgent chocolate souffle tart. There's an impressive selection of cocktails to match - we recommend the apple highball.

Nearby theatres: Bridge Theatre, Unicorn Theatre

Gunpowder is all about bringing home-style Indian dishes to the heart of London, and their Tower bridge location lets you get a taste of all their best dishes on the pre-theatre menu. Nab six small plates for just £25 per person, perfect for sharing, available from 5.30 until 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. We're talking Bengali beetroot croquettes, egg curry masala, grilled summer pumpkin and more, with an extensive drinks menu to match.

Nearby theatres: Sondheim Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre

You'll find Bocca Di Lupo close to Piccadilly Circus, offering one of the most affordable pre-theatre menus around. This quaint italian restaurant is family-owned, serving dishes that are inspired by chef-owner Jacob Kennedy's childhood in Italy. Before 6.30pm Monday to Friday, you can enjoy sliced grezzina courgettes topped with pecorino followed by squid ragu spaghetti, with the option to add on dessert and an espresso for an extra £7.

Nearby theatres: Aldwych Theatre, Novello Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Inspired by grand cafes all across Europe, The Delaunay is a swish spot in the heart of Covent Garden. The all-day venue oozes class and sophistication, with elegant, dark interiors and a killer cocktail list to boot. Their fixed price menu is perfect for pre-theatre dining, costing just £34.75 for three courses, or £29.75 for two. Think oak smoked salmon, grilled spatchcock chicken or seared mackerel, with a Bavarian chocolate mousse for dessert.