Pre- Theater Restaurant Recommendations

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 12:38pm

Going to be in London in March. Just looking for some restaurant recommendations for before the show dinner.  Got tickets so far for "Curious Incident" and "The Play That Goes Wrong". My family likes all types of food with Italian being our favorite. Thanks in advance.

Updated On: 1/17/16 at 12:38 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 2:21pm

We were always so busy and short on time that we usually ended up picking up sandwiches from Pret A Manger!  

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 2:57pm

OK - lol. There are places near our hotel but was just wondering where might be good near theater.

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 4:13pm

Where is your hotel?  But beware that West End theatres do start shows on time - and you want to be early for The Play That Goes Wrong.

And we used TripAdvisor a lot - like a lot.  TimeoutLondon has lots of good resources for restaurant selections.  

Updated On: 1/17/16 at 04:13 PM

[Nickhutson]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 4:22pm

For Play that Goes Wrong - there are some lovely eateries in Covent Garden Piazza itself.  There's a pie restaurant... a Shake Shack (ugh), Union Jacks (Jamie Oliver) and lots of other little places!

 

For Curious Incident - you've got Shaftesbury avenue and Piccadilly circus at your disposal - so many, many restaurants! Do check out The Theatre Cafe opposite Les Miserables and avoid Bubba Gumps and The Rainforest Cafe.  

 

Enjoy! 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 4:59pm

"Where is your hotel?  But beware that West End theatres do start shows on time - and you want to be early for The Play That Goes Wrong."

 

Hotel is by Buckingham Palace.  I drive my family crazy about being early so it is not an issue - lol

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 5:00pm

"For Play that Goes Wrong - there are some lovely eateries in Covent Garden Piazza itself.  There's a pie restaurant... a Shake Shack (ugh), Union Jacks (Jamie Oliver) and lots of other little places!

For Curious Incident - you've got Shaftesbury avenue and Piccadilly circus at your disposal - so many, many restaurants! Do check out The Theatre Cafe opposite Les Miserables and avoid Bubba Gumps and The Rainforest Cafe.  

 

Thanks for the help, it is appreciated. 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 5:02pm

"And we used TripAdvisor a lot - like a lot.  TimeoutLondon has lots of good resources for restaurant selections."

 

We use TripAdvisor a bunch also but thought I would see what opinions I could get from theater fans. Thanks for the help !!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/17/16 at 8:58pm

If you like Chinese? I love it! The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is opposite China Town, which I mean 2 minutes walk away and there is such a vibrant place anyway. A cool place to spend 2-3 hours before a show soaking up the atmosphere and having some food. China Town leads onto Leicester Square.

The Play That Goes Wrong is in Covent Garden another place that maybe on your bucket list , if not it should be, another very vibrant place and you could easily spend 3-4 hours there before your show, no shortage of eating places there, the place is full of restaurants anyway, so you won't struggle there.

what I am trying to tell you here is that theatres are in good tourists spots anyway, you can combine the three with eating and save yourself time to visit other great places.

 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 9:40am

"If you like Chinese? I love it! The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is opposite China Town, which I mean 2 minutes walk away and there is such a vibrant place anyway.
 

 

We all love Chinese food, sounds great. Thanks !!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 9:42am

"The Play That Goes Wrong is in Covent Garden another place that maybe on your bucket list , if not it should be, another very vibrant place and you could easily spend 3-4 hours there before your show, no shortage of eating places there, the place is full of restaurants anyway, so you won't struggle there."

 

Nice to know there will be plenty of options !!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 1:12pm

I am sure then some great Chinese will find you well. If you get a chance have a walk around the theatre on Goggle maps, China Town is virtually opposite the theatre on the other side of the street, some places are set meals and. Several are eat as much as you like for about £8. IMHO Chinatown in London is better than the one in New York as it is in the middle of the theatre district, also opposite is the theatre cafe if you like theatre themed coffee.

if you got a spare bit of cash and you like table cloth restaurants in Covent Garden you have the Ivy, pricey yes, if not many restaurants around including Prets, you won't starve.Are you seeing anymore shows? Let us know how you get on? How long are you over? Is this your first trip to London?

Anything else, just ask.

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 4:14pm

I went to Fire & Stone Pizzeria in Covent Garden before seeing GYPSY last year. They had a pre-theatre dinner deal (2 courses £12.95) plus they took reservations. 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 4:17pm

"

Are you seeing anymore shows? Let us know how you get on? How long are you over? Is this your first trip to London?

Anything else, just ask."

 

Thanks. We got tickets for the ballet (Giselle) and have room for one more show.  We will be in London Easter Sunday (flying from Dublin) and will leave the following Friday. This will be my wife's 3rd time in London and my 2nd. Our daughters will join us after spending several days in Paris. Will let you know how the trip was when we get back.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 5:00pm

Where is Gislle on?

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/18/16 at 7:13pm

"Where is Gislle on?"

 

Royal Opera House

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 12:47am

I hate to rain on the parade - but since it's London, it'll be raining -  the better Chinese food was not in Chinatown. There is an Italian restaurant that was mentioned on a theatreforum thread from several years ago - La Porchetta Pollo on Old Compton Street and Jamie's Italian (one in Covent Garden and one in Picadilly) but reportedly Jamie's is more expensive and I don't know if they do a pre-theatre menu.  

And you can also pop into a Marks & Spencer as they have lots of premade meals/food.  If you don't go the Pret route.  

And there's a gelato place near The Royal Drury Lane (where Charlie is playing)  but I can't recall the name! Sorry.  (there's actually two - one is really excellent - the other is just really good).    

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:16am

The Royal Opera House is on Covent Garden, which is about 5 minutes walk from The Play Goes Wrong. Again lots of restaurants.

Agree that Chinatown isn't the best place for Chinese food, but it is famous and cheap and across the road from their theatre so convent.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:26am

"For Curious Incident - you've got Shaftesbury avenue and Piccadilly circus at your disposal - so many, many restaurants! Do check out The Theatre Cafe opposite Les Miserables and avoid Bubba Gumps and The Rainforest Cafe.  

 

Thanks, I really appreciate all the suggestions.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:27am

"I went to Fire & Stone Pizzeria in Covent Garden before seeing GYPSY last year. They had a pre-theatre dinner deal (2 courses £12.95) plus they took reservations."

 

Sounds good, do they have other things besides pizza?

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:29am

"

here is an Italian restaurant that was mentioned on a theatreforum thread from several years ago - La Porchetta Pollo on Old Compton Street and Jamie's Italian (one in Covent Garden and one in Picadilly) but reportedly Jamie's is more expensive and I don't know if they do a pre-theatre menu.  

And you can also pop into a Marks & Spencer as they have lots of premade meals/food.  If you don't go the Pret route.  

And there's a gelato place near The Royal Drury Lane (where Charlie is playing)  but I can't recall the name! Sorry.  (there's actually two - one is really excellent - the other is just really good). "

 

 

Will check them out, thanks for the help. My wife and daughters love gelato !!

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:57pm

You must have gone to Wong Kei's then Phantom??!! Some great Chinese food on Gerrard Street

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/23/16 at 9:16am

I have been there several times, this restaurant is very close to Curious Incident.

The food has to be good, as you don't want to complain or might you?

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 1/25/16 at 11:30pm

I would recommend Salieri's for Italian 376 Strand..  From there you can walk to the Play That Goes Wrong.  You just keep walking on the Strand and bear left and you will see the theatre on the left.  About a 10 minute walk because you will be checking where you are going.  Very nice and more reasonable than Jamie's.  They have pre-theatre dinners and will take a reservation.  Another nice restaurant in the area is Zizi's which is right there also.  Zizi's usually has meal deals which you should check out before you go.  Just click their website. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/25/16 at 11:41pm

If you are walking down the Strand - there is a tapas place just past the Adelphi - I think.  It's called The Port House.  We had some really excellent tapas there - but, in interest of full disclosure - one disappointing visit.