Strand Archives | London Cheapo

London has a world-class theatre scene, and fabulous local restaurants with quick, tasty and affordable pre-theatre set menus for an early dinner 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 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, check out our article on how to get cheap theatre tickets in London. N.B. The listings below are for the fixed price set menus. Do note the times they are available as some have a limited Cheapo window of opportunity. Soho Blacklock Soho Good for hungry meat-lovers A chop house in the classic London tradition, they don't have a traditional pre-theatre menu but the 'All In' is one of London's best bargain feeds. Check out the selection of cocktails from - and if you have a sudden craving for a burger, Blacklock had a ‘secret’ off-menu one that was so popular it made it to the list. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Egg & anchovy bites; Beef, pork & lamb skinny chops on charcoal-grilled flatbreads; Beef dripping chips ‘All In’ sharing menu for 2 people or more: per person Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 4.45pm-11pm; Saturday 12pm-11pm; Sunday 11.45am-8pm Piccadilly Circus Book here Blanchette Good for a touch of French flair A French bistro restaurant with a sharing plates menu ranging from snacks to larger dishes, with an interesting section of cheese and honey pairings. Given that main courses here come in around the mark, this is a great Cheapo hack. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Cod croquettes & parsley mayo; Moules marinière; French toast & vanilla ice cream 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Saturday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-6pm Oxford Circus Book here Norma Good for Southern Italian/Moorish food with bold flavours This relaxed but stylish restaurant skirts the very edge of Soho as it nudges into Fitzrovia, but is handy for theatres such as The Dominion and The Shaftesbury. Expect seasonal menus with a regional focus and some really skilful cooking. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Sicilian caponata or wild boar arancini; Rigatoni, beef ragu & Grana Padano or sea bream fillet, pilacca, garlic aioli & sumac 2 courses Monday-Friday 12pm-5.30pm Goodge Street Book here Mele e Pere Good for family-run restaurant vibes A cosy, family-run trattoria serving house-made pasta, pizzas and ice creams as part of a wider classic Italian menu; there's also a spritz bar and a basement cocktail bar if you want to get into the Mediterranean spirit. The set menu is great value, coming in at the average price of a single main course. Sample Menu: Pork and fennel meatballs with tomato sauce, Pecorino cheese & focaccia; 9” Pizza Margherita with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella & basil; Tiramisu 2 courses , 3 courses 12pm-6pm Sunday-Friday Piccadilly Circus Book here Hawksmoor (Air Street) Good for top-quality steak A theatre-friendly site of this consistently excellent 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 . Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Potted beef & bacon with Yorkshires; Steak frites; Sticky toffee sundae 2 courses , 3 courses: Monday-Friday 5pm-6.30pm Piccadilly Circus Book here Ham Yard Hotel Good for stylish courtyard dining This modern hotel has a lovely courtyard area with trees and fairy lights just off the chaos of Piccadilly Circus where you can relax with a glass of something chilled or, indeed, a pre-theatre set menu. The availability runs right from lunchtime, so is one of the more flexible options. Sample Menu: Iced gazpacho, olive oil & basil; Sutton Hoo chicken ballotine, pancetta, dressed lentils, gremolata; Mango and yoghurt rum baba, Chantilly cream 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Saturday, 12pm-10.30pm Piccadilly Circus Book here Bocca di Luppo Good for an elegant lighter bite This much-loved award-winning Italian restaurant from chef Jacob Kenedy features less well-known dishes from across all twenty regions of Italy on a daily changing menu. This is also a post-theatre favourite as it is open until midnight, and they have changed their set menu timings to start at lunchtime. Sample Menu: Farinata (chickpea pancake) & agrodolce courgettes; Minestrone verde with pesto Genovese; Persimmon sorbet & candied walnuts for starter & main, + to add dessert Monday-Friday 12pm-6.30pm Piccadilly Circus Book here L'Escargot Good for classy, old-school decadence A Soho classic that has been around in one form or another since 1896, L'Escargot is the oldest French restaurant in London and one of the most atmospheric. This set menu is a very affordable way to dine somewhere steeped in history and genteel glamour; if your theatre trip is part of a celebration, this feels special. Sample Menu: Céleri rémoulade et jambon de Bayonne; Salmon & smoked haddock fishcake, parsley sauce; Mousse au chocolat 2 courses , 3 courses Daily 5pm-6.15pm Covent Garden Book here Brasserie Zedel Good for an impressive dining room A French brasserie in the Grand Cafe theme, they're not as good or as cheap under the new management sadly. Still, part of the fun of meeting friends at Brasserie Zedel is that the entrance is a very modest cafe; once you descend the staircase you enter a glamorous Art Deco 1930s time warp. Sample Menu: Prix-Fixe: Creamed leek & potato soup; Chopped steak Americain; Chocolate & passion fruit delice. Formule: Celeriac salad; Coq au Vin; Lemon meringue tart. Prix-Fixe 2 courses , 3 courses Formule 3 courses and a glass of wine All day Piccadilly Circus Book here Macellaio RC Good for steak, and Italian regional ingredients This Italian steakhouse prides itself on sourcing top-quality, authentic Italian ingredients and on its beef; macellaio means "butcher" in Italian and their beef is exclusively Fassone, a Piedmontese breed of cattle from the mountain valleys in the north of Genoa. Sample Menu: Caprese with Genovese pesto; Cheeseburger (home-made burger bun with dry-aged beef & cheddar) and chips; Apple tart topped with caramel 2 courses , 3 courses Daily 12pm-6.30pm Piccadilly Circus Book here Gunpowder (Soho) Good for a modern spice hit This modern Indian restaurant has an upmarket dining vibe with a selection of small plates, so put all thoughts of takeaway curries out of your head. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Gunpowder chaat, Norfolk potatoes; Bengali beetroot croquettes; Tandoori chicken chop; Egg curry Masala; Steamed rice 5 dishes pp (min 2 people) Monday-Saturday 5pm-6pm Tottenham Court Road Book here Cheapo Top Tip: Combine your pre-theatre dining with some sightseeing and grab a bite in London's Chinatown - check out our useful guide here. Berners Tavern Good for seriously impressive glamour This one's not the cheapest menu on the list, but if you fancy treating yourself or someone special to a meal in a Jason Atherton restaurant, this is the kindest option for your credit card. Sample Menu: Berners Tavern Niçoise salad (artichoke remoulade, confit potatoes, white anchovies, confit tuna, quail egg, Parmesan cheese); Grilled Cornish squid (lobster bisque, Romesco sauce, heritage tomato salad, jalapeño dressing); Bread and butter pudding (brioche, vanilla-orange custard, dark chocolate gianduja, chocolate ice cream) 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Saturday 5pm-6.30pm Tottenham Court Road Book here Covent Garden Town Good for foodie cred Stevie Parle's new restaurant in Drury Lane could hardly be closer to Theatreland and has an absolute belter of a quick lunch menu if you're going to a matinee. You'll also be rubbing shoulders with every foodie in London; right now, it's the place to be. Sample Menu: Steak tartare, black garlic, candied walnuts, cheese whizz; Day boat fish, broad beans, Jersey Royals, verbena sauce; Buttermilk pudding, honey-roasted nespole, elderflower granita 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm Covent Garden Book here Cafe Murano Good for a relaxed touch of class Good for a light but flavourful supper, this upmarket but relaxed Italian restaurant from renowned chef Angela Hartnett OBE focuses on seasonal dishes. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Stracciatella, grilled peaches & smoked almonds; Lamb leg steak, new potatoes, pine nut & parsley butter; Amalfi lemon posset, olive oil 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm, Saturday 12pm-7pm Covent Garden Book here Penelope's Good for a sophisticated supper Velvet banquettes, dark wood and dramatic lighting set the tone in this stylish Israeli/Spanish fusion restaurant; as it's part of the Amano hotel group, there is also a bar worth heading back to. Sample Menu: Roasted Israeli aubergine with pico de gallo, date, tahini & soy; Chicken shawarma, amba marinade, ancient grain mujadara; Baklava cheesecake with pistachio & honey syrup 2 courses , 3 courses Tuesday-Saturday 5-6pm Covent Garden Book here Cora Pearl Good for a modern take on British comfort food A highly-rated British restaurant, Cora Pearl is named after a nineteenth-century courtesan; it's a foodie favourite known for serving comfort food done very, very well. Even if they're not on the set menu, don't leave without trying the legendary chips. Sample Menu: Crispy black pudding & quail egg salad; Butter-poached cod, potatoes & courgettes; Valrhona chocolate cremeux 2 courses , 3 courses Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-6:30pm Covent Garden Book here Joe Allen Good for American dining Lively and atmospheric, New York brasserie Joe Allen is a stalwart of London's theatre dining scene; allow time for a drink at the legendary Joe's Bar. Sample Menu: Joe’s shrimp cocktail; ‘JFC’ crunchy fried chicken & waffle with devilled gravy; Vanilla crème brulée 2 courses , 3 courses All day, every day Covent Garden Book here The Delaunay Good for traditional, classic vibes Everything you would expect from a European cafe & restaurant in the old tradition, The Delauny offers a Full Haus set menu. They also have a Menu Rapide with your choice of tarte flambée, a glass of wine or beer and a tea or coffee for . Sample Menu: Monkfish tartare; Grilled spatchcock chicken with salsa verde; Black Forest gateau 3 courses and a drink for Monday-Friday 4.30pm-6pm Covent Garden or Temple Book here Mildred's Good for vegetarians If you're after some full-flavour veggie food, then Mildred's is always a good option. The two-course set menu at their Covent Garden branch is particularly good value as a quick pre-theatre meal. Sample Menu: Lime leaf corn ribs (sweetcorn on the cob, lime leaf infused butter, corn mole, toasted lime coconut); Salsa verde burrito (chorizo red rice filled burrito in tomatillo sauce, jalapeno slaw, garlic cream, pico de gallo & lime pickled onions); White chocolate tiramisu 2 courses , 3 courses Weekdays 12pm-7pm Leicester Square Book here Spring Good for sustainable, high-end cooking Skye Gyngell's seasonal British restaurant in a gorgeous 19th century drawing room in Somerset House serves an inventive 'Scratch' no-waste menu, with 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 rich, reduced bisque made from fish trimmings or surplus fruit used to make an apricot and almond tart. It's an affordable way to eat in a highly-regarded restaurant (most à la carte main courses cost more than this whole menu) but not one for picky eaters; the Scratch menu is only devised on the day and there are no choices, just one option for each course. Sample Menu: Leek, potato and cauliflower soup with crispy cauliflower leaves; Grilled beef kebabs with slow cooked beetroot tops, borlotti beans, herby anchovy dressing and flatbread; Ice cream with caramel & candied citrus 3 courses Tuesday-Saturday 5:30pm-6:15pm Temple Book here Tutton’s Good for experiencing the buzz of Covent Garden piazza Tutton's is an old-school British brasserie right in the heart of Covent Garden piazza with both indoor and outdoor terrace seating, serving up the classics. Post-theatre dining also available. NB: this menu is not available during December. Card/contactless payments only. Sample Menu: Chicken liver parfait with apricot & thyme chutney and toasted sourdough; Wild mushroom & marsala risotto, black truffle, chives, parmesan crisp; Vanilla crème brûlée 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Wednesday 12pm-close, Thursday-Friday 2pm-6.30pm Covent Garden or Charing Cross Book here Pivot Good for escaping the buzz of Covent Garden piazza A classic, grown-up restaurant serving modern British cuisine, the dining room quietly overlooks Covent Garden piazza. Great for taking a break from the relentless energy of central London. Sample Menu: Scottish smoked salmon with capers, shallots & dill; Free range English chicken with mushroom & tarragon cream sauce; chocolate mousse with caramelised hazelnut and clotted cream 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Saturday 12pm-9pm Covent Garden Book here Balthazar Good for familiar French classics A French brasserie with a set menu that runs from lunch through to mid-evening, this is a good option for matinee lunches as well as pre-theatre suppers. New Yorkers should recognise enough touches from the well-known original to feel at home. Cheapo Top Tip: If you book between 11am and 3.45pm you get a free glass of wine. Sample Menu: Wild mushrooms, porcini sauce, toasted brioche, rocket & garlic chives; Seafood tagliatelle; Crème brûlée 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Friday 11am-7pm Covent Garden Book here Flesh & Buns Good for hanging out and/or meeting up with a group Inspired by the Japanese izakaya, expect drinks and small plates - sushi, sashimi, robata grill options and their famous bao buns. The Express Omakase includes a bowl of edamame, followed by robata-grilled yaki skewers and a Flesh & Bun platter with unlimited buns. Their indulgent desserts start from on the à la carte menu, but you can add one to your set meal for a fiver. Sample Menu: Chilli BBQ edamame; Piglet yaki; Japanese fried chicken, beetroot pickle & cucumber pickle, unlimited bao buns. Add a S'more (strawberry marshmallows, almond chocolate, graham crackers) for . £25 Monday-Sunday before 6.45pm Covent Garden Book here SushiSamba Good for light delicious dishes, a cool dining room, and views of the piazza This will stand out on your socials. A good choice for a younger crowd, the Covent Garden outpost of SushiSamba is on the Opera Terrace; the glass walls and ceiling give you a view of the piazza that can't be beaten, while the extravagant greenery adds to the tropical feel. The food is mostly Nikkei, Japanese/Peruvian fusion, and done well; this is both style and substance. Sample Menu: Crispy squid with yuzu kosho mayo & chilli; Robata poussin or salmon donburi, teriyaki, japanese rice, charred green beans; 'Welcome to the Rainforest' dessert (Valrhona chocolate, creamy vanilla bean custard, strawberry mousse, vanilla ice cream, almond-chocolate soil) 3 courses Daily 12pm-6pm Covent Garden Book here Note: There's also a Hawksmoor in Covent Garden - Hawksmoor Seven Dials - with the same offer as the Soho site above. Waterloo Tas at The Cut Good for fresh and tasty sharing plates Anatolian Turkish restaurant dishing up both hot and cold meze, sharing plates and freshly-baked pide bread, Tas is a good choice for vegetarians and vegans. There are a number of set menus that would work as a pre-theatre meal, depending upon how hungry you are and how much time you have; we've gone for the lighter versions, to avoid you nodding off during the show. Sample Menu: The Renk Meze Menu is a set group of ten meze including houmous, borek, deep-fried king prawns served with garlic sauce, battered squid rings and falafel, served with pide. The Sahan Menu is a two-course starter and main set menu; think a feta salad followed by a chicken skewer and couscous, or red lentil soup with lamb meatballs in tomato sauce. Cheapo Top Tip: Show your theatre tickets to bag a 10% discount. Both menus are a happily affordable All day Waterloo or Southwark Book here Paladar Good for vibrant flavours and friendly service 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; fairy lights, great cocktails, friendly service, plus the art on the wall is for sale. Ask for the Weekday Set Menu when booking and/or when you arrive (the restaurant don't technically call it a pre-theatre menu). The set menu finishes at 5.45pm, so order sharpish to make sure you get the deal! Tables must be returned by 7.15pm. Cheapo Top Tip: As a bonus for anyone who doesn't eat gluten, the food menu is almost all gluten-free. Lunchtime menu also available. Sample Menu: Criollo-corn empanadas of the day, serrano chilli salsa; Grilled chicken thighs, achiote & red chilli mojo, torched sweetcorn; Purple corn churros, coffee dulce de leche & chilli chocolate sauce 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Friday, 5pm-5.45pm Elephant and Castle Book here Lasdun Good for a show at the National Lasdun is run by the same team behind Hackney's The Marksman pub, famous for its modern British menu and next level Sunday roasts, so expect fresh, seasonal ingredients and accomplished cooking with a light touch. And if you're looking for somewhere close to the National Theatre - this is actually in the National Theatre, on the Olivier side above the bookshop. Sample Menu: Potted sea trout, creme fraiche & pickled cucumber; Braised pork shoulder, fennel and olives; Strawberry and chamomile tart 2 courses , 3 courses Monday-Saturday 5pm-6.30pm Waterloo Book here Meson Don Felipe Good for classic tapas and generous portions A popular, family-run Spanish tapas bar, Meson Don Felipe is just minutes from the Old and Young Vic theatres and about 10 minutes from the National on the South Bank. The advantage of tapas is that you can decide on the size and length of your meal, depending on curtain-up time. Although there is no specific pre-theatre menu, it is a great place to grab a quick, delicious bite; we're not the only ones who think that, so booking is recommended. Sample Menu: All your favourites: patatas bravas, pan con tomate, Iberico ham croquetas, paella, garlic prawns, tortilla. Portions are on the generous side, so you might want to order in batches; several of the wines are under a bottle. Tapas dishes average around each All day Waterloo or Southwark Book here While we do our best to ensure it is correct, information is subject to change. This article was originally published in Jan 24, 2022. Last updated in June 2025. Map

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