Best Restaurants In London Theatres

The West End is awash with restaurants offering pre- and post-theatre menus. But what about if you could eat a great meal and catch a play all within one venue? Over the past few years, we’ve seen a spate of trendy eateries popping up inside London’s theatres – from a new branch of Peckham hotspot Forza Wine in the National Theatre to an Artusi offshoot at Soho’s Underbelly Boulevard. Theatre dining has upped its game, offering high-quality food amid buzzy surroundings – plus that all-important efficient service to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the show. Here are some of the best restaurants in London theatres.

Best Theatre Dining In London

Lasun Restaurant, National Theatre

Lasun comes from the trio behind beloved Hackney pub The Marksman: Jon Rotheram, Tom Harris and John Ogier. The name is a tribute to architect Denys Lasun, who designed the National Theatre back in 1976, though the interiors veer away from the building’s Brutalist roots, opting instead for an elegant look. The menu is relaxed and pubby, with some signatures from The Marksman, like the famed beef and barley bun, and the pressed guinea fowl and tamworth terrine. Pre-theatre specials, meanwhile, include a sharing beef pie, plus a smoked haddock fishcake and roscoff onion tart. Cocktails are a highlight here, with an array of twists on classics: there’s a lemon and thyme margarita, for instance, and a fig old fashioned, alongside an extensive wine list.

National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX, nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Lane at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Theatre Royal Drury Lane has become quite the hotspot for theatre lovers and foodies alike. The 17th century venue underwent a restoration project headed up by Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber in 2019, revealing its jazzy new look two years later. This included a new food and drink offering, which includes afternoon tea in the historic Grand Saloon, created in collaboration with artisan baker Lily Vanilli. There’s also a new three-course, pre-theatre menu for £49.50pp, featuring starters of smoked salmon with rye bread, and pork terrine with brandy cherries, ahead of mains including ox cheek bourguignon, British fish pie, and Jerusalem artichoke risotto. For dessert, there’s sticky toffee pudding, or a Black Forest coupe.

Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF; thelane.co.uk

Caitlin Isola

Forza Wine, National Theatre

Another recent addition to the National Theatre’s culinary offering is Forza Wine, a second branch of Peckham’s cult small plates restaurant. Set on the venue’s top floor, with both indoor and outdoor seating, it offers lovely views of the river, with an equally delightful menu of Italian-inspired fare. Although everything is described as ‘snacks’, portions are pretty generous, with a daily changing offering which includes dishes like cauliflower fritti, seabass with winter tomatoes, and burrata with blood orange and almonds. Or, if you’re feeling extra hungry (and rich), you can order the whole food menu for £145. Just like its sister venue, wine is a big part, with a carefully curated list alongside an array of cocktails – both the classics and some unique concoctions. A cool and buzzy spot to add to your list, whether you’re catching a show there or just looking for a bite to eat on the Southbank.

National Theatre, London SE1 9PX, nationaltheatre.org.uk

Artusi, Underbelly Boulevard Soho

A third branch of Italian favourite Artusi arrived at Underbelly Boulevard Soho recently, serving homely seasonal fare on the theatre’s first floor. Opened in March 2014 in Peckham, with a sister restaurant to follow in Deptford, the eatery serves a simple yet delicious menu designed to reflect the best seasonal produce each week, alongside Italian wines. If you’re catching a show, pop in beforehand to try the pre-theatre menu, which includes two courses for £25 or three for £30. But you don’t need a show ticket to dine here. With an appetizing menu of dishes like tagliatelle with Datterini tomatoes, grilled hispi cabbage with black olives, and pistachio and chocolate cake on offer, it’s worth stopping by next time you’re in Soho.

6 Walker’s Ct, London W1F 0BT, underbellyboulevard.com

Paro, Lyceum Theatre

Theatre dining doesn’t always have to be about British classics. Throwing out the rulebook is Paro, the restaurant at Covent Garden’s Lyceum Theatre, which serves food inspired by the cuisine of Calcutta. Up-and-coming chef Niaz Caan is patron aged just 23, focusing on modern Indian fare: small plates, tandoori grills, curries, biriyanis and more. The pre-theatre menu is available everyday from 11.45 until 6.30pm, and includes dishes like butter chicken, lamb samosas and rogan josh, with a separate menu for children featuring chicken tenders and mildly spiced curries.

21 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DN, paroindian.com