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We've told you where to get the best set lunch deals in London - but another way to eat well at a bargain price is through the humble theatre menu. Available for a short period pre (and sometimes post) the curtain going up, these menus offer great value at some of London's top dining destinations. We've kept our choice centred around London's main theatre districts.
Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus
224 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HP
Masala Zone is one of the most beautiful restaurants in London's theatre district, set in the historic Criterion Restaurant building, which was built in 1873 and lovingly restored for the Indian restaurant's opening. Masala Zone are pioneers of Indian street food in London since 2001, with a menu featuring a huge range of thalis, flavourful grills, regional curries and biryanis. If you're visiting the theatre nearby, their sharing grazing menu would make the perfect pre or post-show dinner.
The offer: 5 small plates for £20.45 per person, 7 for £29.50
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West End
These restaurants are perfect for all the theatres in the centre of town including those along Shaftesbury Avenue, through into Drury Lane and along Aldwych.
Sushi Kyu
Soho- 30 Brewer St, London W1F 0SS
Omakase restaurant Sushi Kyu has a special speedy dining experience that's perfect for the pre-theatre crowd. The offering includes a chef’s seasonal appetiser, miso soup, five pieces of nigiri sushi, dessert, and a glass of Black Chalk English Sparkling Wine - or a non-alcoholic alternative.
The offer: £49.50 for a four course omakase
Available:Every day, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Estiatorio Milos
St James - 1 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4NW
Dining at this high-end Mediterranean restaurant is normally not the cheapest of experiences, so their pre-theatre menu is a good way to dine there without the high price tag. The pre-theatre menu includes grilled octopus, sea bream and filet mignon.
The offer: Three courses for £32 (add their lobster pasta for a supplement)
Available: Daily from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Covent Garden - Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF
With its own restaurant, this is the only theatre in the West End where you can enjoy a three-course menu before heading to a West End show without having to leave the building. Dine at The Lane and enjoy a British menu with vegan and vegetarian alternatives too.
The offer: Three courses, £49.50
Available: Two sittings per show
SOLA
Soho - 64 Dean St, London W1D 4QQ
Victor Garvey's Michelin-starred Soho restaurant takes its cues from Californian cuisine for a new theatre menu that features some of the best dishes the restaurant has to offer. The food here is extremely accomplished and the theatre menu itself is one of the best deals in Soho for this level of cooking (it's also available at lunchtime).
The offer: Three canapes, two dishes and a dessert for £74
Available: Wednesday - Saturday, 5-6pm
Toklas
Temple - 1 Surrey Street, London WC2R 2ND
Mediterranean-influenced restaurant Toklas is a great option for pre-theatre dining if you're going to something on the Strand. Plus, if the weather is decent, they have one of the best terraces in the area. Make sure to order the chips as a little extra.
The offer: 2 courses £26, 3 courses £30
Available: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Gaucho
Tower Bridge, Piccadilly and Covent Garden
If carbon-neutral steaks and Latin American cuisine are your thing then the brand new pre and post-theatre menus at select Gaucho restaurants will be right up your street.
The offer: Two courses £17.95, three courses £19.95
Available: Daily, between 5pm-6.30pm and 9.30pm-11pm
Nessa
Soho - 86 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UB
Right on the edge of Soho, Nessa features an express menu from chef Tom Cenci that mixes in a modern European approach with a few British twists. Cocktails are excellent here and there's a great bar space.
The offer: Two courses £28, three courses £35
Available: Available from 5pm
Bocconchino Soho
Soho - 59 Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7JY
Bocconcino in Soho is a high-ish end modern Italian restaurant with dishes from regions throughout Italy. The three-course menu here lets you choose options of pasta, pizza and more as well as desserts like homemade Sicilian cannolo.
The offer: 2 courses £30, 3 courses £35
Available: Mon - Thurs, 5-6.30pm, 9.30-10.30pm
Kolamba
Soho - 21 Kingly St, London W1B 5QA
This Sri Lankan restaurant in Soho is very popular and they put on a special deal for the pre-theatre crowd. At the time of writing, options included fish cutlets to start with as well as curries, Kalu Pol Pork and more for the main event.
The offer: Two courses £26 per person (add a dessert for £7 more).
Available: Monday - Friday until 4.30-6pm.
Lahpet
Covent Garden - 21 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB
Burmese restaurant Lahpet's express menu has a choice of curries, like king prawn or coconut noodles with chicken and sides that include shan tofu fritters.
The offer: Curry and side for £17.50
Available: Monday - Friday until 6pm
Maresco
Soho - 45 Berwick St, London W1F 8SF
Maresco mixes up Spanish tapas with Scottish produce for a unique offering in Soho. This theatre menu lets you choose from a range of tapas dishes like crab croquetas with salsa rosa and you can combine that with a main like their presa Iberica.
The offer: Tapas for two - £23 per person inc 3 starters and one main to share
Available: 5pm-6pm
Manzi's
1 Bateman's Buildings, Soho, London W1D 3EN
This huge seafood restaurant in Soho comes from the same group that owns The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel. It has a dramatic look and the bar's great too. In addition to their set menu there's also an oyster hour that works for a pre-theatre option.
The offer: Two courses £23.50, three courses and a glass of wine £29.50
Available: Tues to Fri until 6.30pm
Mildreds
Covent Garden - 79 St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4AA
If you're looking for a plant-based/vegan option before heading to the theatre, this outpost of Mildreds is a good bet, with options like a salsa verde burrito and kimchi bokkeumbap on the menu.
The offer: Two courses for £24, or three for £32
Available: Mon to Fri 3pm - 7pm
Balthazar
4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ
Originating in New York, the London Balthazar is a popular Covent Garden destination. Expect brasserie-style food in an impressive dining room.
The offer: Two courses £24.50, three courses £27.50 which includes a glass of wine or non alcoholic cocktail.
Available: Mon - Fri 11am - 7pm
Bocca di Lupo
12 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7BB
Jacob Kenedy's longstanding Soho spot is a top place for seasonal Italian food. Best place to perch? Up at the counter.
The offer: £18 for starter and main, add £6 for dessert.
Available: Monday to Friday until 6.30pm
Brasserie Zedel
20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED
This huge basement restaurant in the heart of Piccadilly is surprisingly affordable for such a central and lavish looking restaurant. The prix fixe isn't strictly a theatre menu, but still represents a great deal - and it's available all day.
The offer: Two courses £17.50, three courses £21.50.
Available: All-day, every day.
Cafe Murano
36 Tavistock Street, London WC2E 7PB
This is Angela Hartnett's more casual offering. It serves regionally focused Italian dishes in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
The offer: Two courses for £27, three for £32.
Available: Monday - Saturday from 5pm-7pm
Clos Maggiore
33 King St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JD
Clos Maggiore is often touted as one of the most romantic restaurants in London and is blessed with a fantastic-looking (and heated) courtyard. Expect a modern European menu and a huge wine list too.
The offer: Two courses (with fizz) for £32.50, three with fizz for £39.50
Available: Mon - Sunday, 5-6pm
Cora Pearl
30 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8NA
This restaurant comes from the same people behind Kitty Fisher's. Expect a modern European menu - and maybe get their famous ham and cheese toastie as an added extra. They'll even ask you what time curtain up for your show is to make sure you don't miss it.
The offer: Two courses for £32, three courses for £35.
Available: 5pm - 6.15pm
The Delaunay
55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB
One of the ever-reliable Wolseley Hospitality Group restaurants, this is extremely handy for a pre or post-theatre visit, with a classic central-European menu on offer. They also do special packages with the theatre tickets included.
The offer: Two courses £29.95, three courses £34.95
Available: The prix fixe is on all the time
Hawksmoor Air Street & Hawksmoor Seven Dials
5a Air Street, London, W1J 0AD and 11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG
Hawksmoor's two central steak restaurants aren't what' you'd normally consider the most affordable affairs, but their express menu does give you a taste of Hawksmoor at a very good price, leaving you more to spend on their cocktails...
The offer: Two courses £32, three courses £35
Available: Mon-Sat 5pm-6.30pm
Ivy Market Grill
1 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8PS
A spin-off of the London institution, The Ivy, this Covent Garden spot serves up all the usual brasserie fare. Their 1917 heritage set menu is the option to go for when looking for a pre or post-theatre deal.
The offer: Two courses £20.95
Available: Mon-Thurs all day, Fri till 6.30pm.
Margot
45 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5AA
This high-end Italian restaurant in Covent Garden has a strong focus on service and it's one of the smartest Italian options in the area and just off Drury Lane so very handy for several theatres.
The offer: Two courses for £39, three courses for £43.
Available: Tues to Sat 5pm-6.30pm
NOPI
21-22 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NE
One of Yotam Ottolenghi's two main central London restaurants, NOPI serves up a global menu that places particular focus on seasonal produce.
The offer: Six dishes to share, £46 per person, £67 with wine pairing.
Available: Mon - Fri - 5pm - 6:30pm
Spring
Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA
This is Skye Gyngell's restaurant at Somerset House, where there's a strong focus on sustainability. The set menu is a "scratch" menu that specifically makes use of surplus ingredients.
The offer: Three courses - £40
Available: Tues-Sat 5.30pm - 6.15pm
Sushisamba Covent Garden
The Opera Terrace Covent Garden, The Piazza, London WC2E 8RF
It may not have the view of the City original, but this Sushisamba is in an impressive central Covent Garden position. Here, the food is a mix of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine.
The offer: Three courses £39
Available: Monday – Friday, 12pm - 6pm and after 10pm
Wiltons
55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX
One of London's oldest and most prestigious restaurants, the seasonal menu here may be one of the pricier theatre menus but it does have an option of half a dozen oysters to start.
The offer: Two courses £47.95, three courses £57.95
Available: Mon - Sat 5.30pm - 6pm
Victoria
Heading to a production at the Victoria Palace or Apollo Victoria? Here's where to eat pre and post-performance.
The English Grill
The Rubens at The Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
If you're looking for something a little more fancy before the theatre, the beautiful room at The English Grill is a great option. The menus here offer a take on British classics, with the lamb croquette being a must-have.
The offer: 3 courses £55. Add a visit from the cheese trolley for an extra £5.
Available: Tuesday - Saturday 5.30-7pm
The Palm House
150 Victoria St, Westminster, London SW1E 5LB
Part of the big Nova complex, this is a lively place that's particularly good for groups and very close to all the theatres near here.
The offer: Two courses £19.50, three courses £22.50.
Available: Mon-Fri 4pm - 8pm.
Lorne
76 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE
This restaurant in Victoria is run by a duo consisting of an ex-sommelier from River Cafe and a former chef from Brawn, so expect a particularly good wine list and a modern British seasonal menu to match with it.
The offer: Three courses £36.
Available: Tues-Sat 5.30pm - 6.15pm
Rail House Victoria
8 Sir Simon Milton Sq, London SW1E 5DJ
The Victoria sibling to the Riding House Cafe, this is a contemporary brasserie focusing on Modern European and Asian dishes. There's an extensive counter dining area, so it's well worth popping in, even if you haven't booked.
The offer: The pre-show menu is three courses for £25
Available: Monday - Saturday for dinner
The Stoke House
81 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0AJ
Nova Victoria spot The Stoke House is all about the meat which is cooked in the wood fire smoker, but there’s also an in-house salad wall.
The offer: Two courses for £20, three for £25
Available: Mon-Sat, 12pm-7pm
South Bank
For all the theatres and performance spaces ranged along the South Bank, these are the handiest restaurants for theatre dinners.
Gillray's
County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
One of the higher-end options on the South Bank and with fantastic views across the river, this is a British steakhouse with steak and chips available on their Butcher's Menu.
The offer: You pick a steak (ranges from £25 - £30) and then choose a sauce and a side.
Available: Mon-Sat 12pm to 6pm.
Lasdun
National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
The people behind Hackney's hugely popular pub, The Marksman also run this restaurant in The National Theatre, making good use of the Brutalist architecture while serving up a menu that celebrates British produce.
The offer: Two courses £32, three courses £38
Available: 12-2pm and 5-6.30 pm
Skylon
Belvedere Rd, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX
This restaurant on the river is part of the Royal Festival Hall and has huge windows giving a very impressive view of the Thames. That's paired with a modern European menu.
The offer: Three courses £35
Available: 12pm to 6.30pm.
Tower Bridge
Booked in to see a performance at The Bridge theatre? Here's where to eat close by.
The Coal Shed
One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, London SE1 2RZ
Originally from Brighton, this restaurant is mainly about steak and grilled food and even the set menu has a steak frites option available.
The offer: Two courses £26, three courses £30
Available: Mon-Fri 12pm - 6.30pm
Gunpowder
One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, London SE1 2SE
Gunpowder is an Indian restaurant that bills itself as "celebrating traditional family recipes with a modern twist" with lots of small plates available.
The offer: Five small plates for £22
Available: Mon-Sat until 6pm.
Ivy Tower Bridge
One Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2AA
The closest restaurant to The Bridge Theatre (it's right next door), this puts the Ivy's modern brasserie offering right in front of Tower Bridge. Opt for their 1917 heritage menu.
The offer: Two courses for £20.95
Available: Mon-Thurs until close, Fri until 6.30pm
Le Pont de la Tour
The Butlers Wharf Building, 36d Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE
Just a short walk from The Bridge Theatre, this longstanding restaurant has spectacular terrace views of Tower Bridge and features a modern French menu.
The offer: Two courses £35, three courses £40
Available: Every day 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Also see - set lunch deals
Going to a matinee? Here's how you can save money on lunch
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