The theatre has remained a staple of the London entertainment roster for 500 hundred years. When it comes to the performing arts, Covent Garden, is home to some of London’s most beloved institutions. The Royal Opera House, graced by the likes of Pavarotti, Andre Rieu, and Maria Calas – also the home of the Royal Ballet Company, is one of the area's biggest draws, as is The Lyceum Theatre, proud patron of its sellout event: Disney’s The Lion King since 1999.
No matter what performance is on the visitors' cards for the evening, finding the right pre-theatre dinner spot, is an essential pre-requiste to ensure a smashing success. Luckily, the Covent Garden area is brimming with fantastic dining options to suit every palate before rolling on to the main event.
The Ivy Market Grill
Every bit a London landmark as the likes of the Savoy and the Langham, The Ivy Market Grill offers a refined menu that features a combination of classic British dishes and continental staples from Pollo Milanese, to traditional beer-battered fish and chips. Its chic, art deco interior provides an elegant setting for pre-theatre dining, allowing diners to unwind before the big show.
Only a three-minute walk from the Lyceum Theatre, The Ivy Market Grill’s prime location ensures you can enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace without worrying about missing the curtain call. A well-crafted menu, and beautiful bar and dining area, tastefully styled with timeless elegance and ambience, is exactly why it has remained a fixture in the pre-show dining circuit for the last century.
Barrafina
For those craving Spanish flair and small plates, this exceptional tapas restaurant is celebrated for its authentic flavours and outstanding seafood options, including freshly shucked oysters and octopus with capers. The open kitchen adds a theatrical touch to the dining experience, providing a pre-theatre show of its own to go with the food, without trying to upstage the main event of course.
At around a minute's walk from the Lyceum, Barrafina’s lively atmosphere and open-plan dining style make it a worthy addition to the pre-theatre dining circuit with fast service, and bountiful flavours that make it an ideal spot for either an expedited dinner or, for those looking to indulge a little more, with bites from a delicious menu that is designed to encourage such behaviour.
Clos Maggiore
Widely considered one of London’s most romantic restaurants, Clos Maggiore at 33 King Street is known for its French-inspired menu and relaxing atmosphere. Deep, decadent flavours from roasted venison or truffle risotto, are crafted with exceptional finesse and are highly indulgent.
In fact, with such intimate settings, complete with a blossom-adorned conservatory, one has to remember not to get too carried away lest they miss out on the real performance of the evening. Whilst Clos Maggiore does offer a welcome escape from Covent Garden’s bustling streets, diners are close enough to the area’s theatre venues to not feel the need to rush and perhaps, find the time for another tipple or affogato post-meal.
Joe Allen
A favourite among theatre-goers for its brash Broadway influences, Joe Allen is an American-style brasserie with a lively atmosphere that is itself, almost performative. The menu features comforting classics such as smash burgers, Caesar salads, and mac ‘n’ cheese, alongside a range of daily specials that come in generous portion sizes.
With such crowd-pleasing, comforting dishes and conveniently located just three minutes from the Lyceum Theatre, diners at Joe Allen’s may need a bit more of a walk to help digest a pre-theatre menu specifically designed for diners on a schedule.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
This Michelin-rated restaurant is the ideal destination for an elegant dinner that’s sure to provide as much entertainment as any follow-up performance that's on the cards for the evening. The menu is an innovative showcase of French cuisine, with sumptuous dishes such as langoustine ravioli and quail stuffed with foie gras, prepared with precision and served with masterful creativity.
The sleek, and polished setting compliments the perfectly presented dishes, that taste on parity with how delicious they are to look at. This award-winning venue ensures an extraordinary meal to complement a follow-up evening performance, with a fantastic tasting menu and impeccable wine pairings making it a standout choice for a pre-show treat.
Boulevard Brasserie
Boulevard Brasserie provides a quintessential French dining experience. The menu features hearty favourites like coq au vin and steak au poivre, alongside lighter options such as smoked salmon tartine and tartiflette. The three-storey venue, with its charming Parisian décor, offers a surprisingly intimate setting for such an expansive establishment.
With an unbeatable location for theatre-goers planning an evening show or performance in the local area, and a satisfying menu that feels perfectly aligned to a night of culture, a dinner at Boulevard Brasserie will ensure diners enjoy a wonderful meal and arrive on time for the evening’s performance.
As the theatre remains such an incredibly popular pass time in London, reservations for both performances and dining must be booked well in advance. Fortunately, diners will be hard-pressed to find a better area in the city than Covent Garden for fantastic options, convenience, and haute cuisine, before making their way to a memorable evening’s performance.
