London has a world-class theatre scene with some fabulous restaurants ready to feed the audiences before curtain up. Now, while we would obviously recommend attending any of London’s theatres if you get a chance, guess what? You don’t have to be going to the theatre to take advantage of the local restaurants’ prix fixe, or fixed price, pre-theatre dinner deals; as long as you’re happy with dining a little earlier than usual, you can grab some serious bargains.
And while we’re on the topic of bargains, if you haven’t booked tickets yet, see our article on how to get cheap theatre tickets in London.
N.B. The listings below are for the fixed price offerings. Do note the times they are available as some have a limited Cheapo window of opportunity.
Soho
Blacklock Soho
Chop house, in the classic London tradition. Check out the selection of cocktails for a fiver – and if you have a sudden craving for a burger, Blacklock have a ‘secret’ off-menu one you can ask for instead. Lunchtime menu also available.
Sample Menu: Egg & Anchovy bites; Beef, Pork & Lamb Skinny Chops on Charcoal-grilled Flatbreads; Beef Dripping Chips
Price: ‘All In’ sharing menu for 2 people or more, £22.00 per person
Veg options: None, a la carte only
Available: 12pm-3pm and 5pm-10:30pm
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Blanchette
French bistro restaurant with a sharing plates menu from snacks to larger dishes with an interesting section of cheese and honey pairings. Given that main courses here come in around the £20 mark, this is a great Cheapo hack. Lunchtime menu also available.
Sample Menu: Sea Bream Tartare; Moules Mariniere; BBQ Peaches & Vanilla Mascarpone
Price: 2 courses £15.00, 3 courses £19.50
Veg options: None, a la carte only
Available: Monday-Saturday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-6pm
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Bocca di Luppo
Award-winning Italian restaurant from chef Jacob Kenedy with unusual dishes from across all twenty regions of Italy on a daily changing menu. If you call in advance, there is a special dog-friendly seating area. Post-theatre dining also available.
Sample Menu: Sea Bream; Spaghetti with Squid Ink; Tiramisu
Price: £15.00 for starter, main & salad, + £10.00 to add dessert, glass of wine & coffee
Veg options: None, a la carte only
Available: Monday-Sunday 5pm-6.30pm and 9.30pm-11pm
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Brasserie Zedel
French Brasserie. They have also recently launched a Moulin Rouge cocktail menu in Bar Américain as part of their partnership with the play. Go for the ridiculously good value two-course Prixe Fixe menu and add their legendary Floating Islands dessert for £6.75. You haven’t really been to Brasserie Zedel until you’ve tried this.
Sample Menu: Prix-Fixe: Shredded Carrots; Chopped Steak Frites with Peppercorn Sauce; Manjari Chocolate Tart. Formule: Shredded Celeriac; Blanquette of Lamb; Lemon Meringue Tart.
Price: There are two set menus available – Prix-Fixe, 2 courses £13.00, 3 courses £17.25 and Formule, 3 courses and a glass of wine £27.00
Veg options: None – a la carte only
Available: All day
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Gunpowder (Soho)
Modern Indian Restaurant. This has a fine dining vibe, so put all thoughts of Friday night curries out of your head. The dessert wouldn’t look out of place in a French patisserie window. Lunchtime menu also available.
Sample Menu: Bengali Beetroot Croquettes; Kerala Beef Pepper Fry & Rice; Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon, Passion Fruit Shrikhand
Price: 2 courses £22.00, 3 courses £25.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Monday-Saturday 12pm-2:30pm and 5pm-6.30pm
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Covent Garden
Cafe Murano
Upmarket but relaxed Italian restaurant from chef Angela Hartnett, with a focus on seasonal dishes. Lunchtime menu also available.
Sample Menu: Charred Leeks & Romesco Sauce; Meatballs, Tomato & Parmesan Polenta; Saffron Poached Pear & Ricotta
Price: 2 courses £23.00, 3 courses £28.00
Veg options: None, a la carte only
Available: Tuesday-Saturday 12-3pm and 5-7pm
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Cora Pearl
British restaurant named after a nineteenth-century courtesan serving comfort food done very, very well. Don’t leave without trying the legendary chips. Note the fairly brief pre-theatre dinner window is 5:30 – 6:15pm.
Sample Menu: Devilled Whitebait & Lemon Mayo; Cheeseburger & Chips; Seasonal Sorbet
Price: 2 courses £23.00, 3 courses £27.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Tuesday-Saturday 5:30pm-6:15pm
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
The Delaunay
European cafe & restaurant in the old tradition. They also have a Menu Rapide with your choice of tarte flambée, a glass of wine or beer and a tea or coffee for £16.25.
Sample Menu: Truffled Cauliflower Soup; Grilled Spatchcock Chicken with Salsa Verde; Sachertorte
Price: 2 courses £29.75, 3 courses £34.75
Veg options: Yes
Available: All day
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden/Temple
Hawksmoor (Air Street)
Theatre-friendly site of this renowned restaurant group, undoubtedly one of the best places in London to eat steak (they are also famously lovely to their staff, which makes me happy to give them my hard-earned dosh). Talking of steak, you can upgrade your main course to a 35-day aged rump or fillet tail for an extra £6.50. That’s a hard yes.
Sample Menu: Ash-baked Beetroot Salad; Royal Sea Bream; Pear & White Chocolate Cheesecake
Price: 2 courses £24.00, 3 courses: £28.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Monday-Sunday 5pm-6.30pm
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Spring
Skye Gyngell’s seasonal British restaurant in a gorgeous 19th century drawing room in Somerset House, serving seasonal dishes from a daily-changing menu. This is their inventive ‘Scratch’ no-waste menu, creating simple but delicious dishes from produce that would otherwise be thrown away. This is several levels up from the tired veg in the back of your fridge drawer though – think a crab bisque made from fish trimmings or fruit used to make an apricot and almond tart.
Sample Menu: Golden Turnip Soup with Greens; Beef Kofte with Slow-Cooked Greens & Salsa Verde; Ice Cream with Caramel & Candied Citrus
Price: 3 courses £25.00
Veg options: None – a la carte only
Available: Wednesday-Saturday 5:30pm-6:30pm
Nearest Tube: Temple
Tutton’s
Old-school British brasserie right on Covent Garden piazza with both indoor and outdoor terrace seating, serving up the classics. Post-theatre dining also available.
Sample Menu: Pea & Mint Soup; Smoked Chicken Salad; Passion Fruit & Vanilla Creme Brulee
Price: 2 courses £19.95, 3 courses £21.95
Veg options: Yes
Available: Monday-Thursday 12pm-6pm & 9pm-close, Friday 12pm-6pm, Sunday 6pm-close (not December)
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden/Charing Cross
Pivot
A classic, grown-up option offering modern British cuisine overlooking Covent Garden Piazza; quiet, comfortable, air-conditioned and civilised (although be aware there are stairs involved, to the restaurant and then to the loo). The addition of a carafe of wine to the set menu is great value.
Sample Menu: Scottish Smoked Salmon with Capers, Shallots & Dill; Free Range English Chicken with Mushroom & Tarragon Cream Sauce; Chocolate Mousse with Cherries and Clotted Cream
Price: 3 courses £28.00, with a 500ml carafe of house wine £39.00
Veg options: Yes
Available: Monday-Saturday 5pm-6.30pm
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Waterloo
Paladar
A Latin American restaurant and wine bar, this fabulous little gem is hidden off the beaten tourist track just moments from the Old Vic and less than a ten-minute walk from Waterloo and the South Bank. For those in the know there is a lovely outdoor terrace, although the interior is also pretty cool; great cocktails, fairy lights, friendly service, plus the art on the wall is for sale. As a bonus for anyone who doesn’t eat gluten, the entire food menu is gluten-free.
Sample Menu: Crispy pork belly lettuce tacos, agave sriracha chilli sauce reduction; Grilled lamb anticuchos, Ajipanca and tomato puree, minty crispy potatoes; Purple corn churros with dipping sauce
Price: 2 courses £19.90, 3 courses £25
Veg options: Yes
Available: Monday-Friday, 5pm-6pm
Nearest Tube: Elephant and Castle
Map
Map below:
