London is one of the world’s greatest theatre cities and Covent Garden has a long been at the heart of the action. One of the most popular theatres is the Lyceum which first opened in 1765. Since 1999 it has been home to Disney’s The Lion King, which is a wonderful thing to do in London with kids.
If you have tickets booked to see The Lion King and are looking for a place to enjoy dinner then you’re in luck as there are lots of great restaurants near the Lyceum Theatre, London.
Other theatres and performance spaces in the neighbourhood include the iconic Royal Opera House and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where Frozen is currently being staged. The well-known Lyric Theatre and Apollo Theatre are not far away.
Many nearby restaurants offer a pre-theatre menu (often an express menu to ensure you make the theatre on time!) or post-theatre menus. Some are particularly good places to eat with kids and offer children’s menu All you need to do is book a table!
As you get ready to enjoy your night out, here are the best restaurants near the Lyceum Theatre in London to help with your planning.
Getting to the Lyceum Theatre
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The Lyceum Theatre is located in the heart of Covent Garden at 21 Wellington Street, in between the Strand and the Covent Garden market. The nearest underground stations are Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Temple, and Covent Garden itself. Holborn station is also just a short walk away.
The selection of restaurants listed below are marked on the above map in green. London’s most popular theatres are marked in purple.
The best restaurants near the Lyceum Theatre London
This list of the best restaurants are all within walking distance of the Lyceum Theatre with a maximum walking time of 10-15 minutes. I would recommend booking in advance to ensure that you get a table.
Cafe Murano Covent Garden
This excellent eatery falls under the same umbrella as Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Murano. Fortunately, however, Cafe Murano much more family-friendly and affordable. The kids’ menu at Cafe Murano includes all kinds of fresh pasta and a range of sauces plus fruit or ice cream for pudding. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an excellent meal before your theatre experience.
The restaurant is located around the corner from the Lyceum Theatre and is open for pre theatre dining from 5.30pm and they serve their post theatre menu from 10pm.
Address: 36 Tavistock Street, WC2E 7PB
STK Steakhouse
This American style high end steak house is located on the Strand attached to the ME Hotel. It’s not a subtle dining experience by any means (the dining room decor leans more nightclub than a restaurant) but if you’re looking for a fun pre or post theatre meal and some very tasty steaks then STK London is a good option.
Their pre-theatre menu with a choice of two or three courses guarantees that you will be in and out within 90 minutes. They also offer an after hours menu if you want to dine post-show.
Address: 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA
Boulevard Brasserie
Boulevard Brasserie is a Parisian style brasserie is a great choice for a pre or post theatre meal. Set over three floors, it’s a lively and popular spot and the food is excellent.
Their Prix Fixe Menu (set menu) is available from £17.95 and offered all day Sunday – Thursday and from 12pm – 6.30pm, and from 9pm onwards, on Friday and Saturday. Simply tell your waiter that you are heading to the theatre and they’ll ensure that everything is served promptly.
They offer a kids menu for £7.50, which is great value.
Address: 40 Wellington Street, WC2E 7BD
Rules
London’s oldest restaurant, Rules, is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion in a unique dining space. The restaurant was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 and remains an elegant place to dine. You may recognise it from the James Bond 2015 film Spectre when M (played by Ralph Fiennes) is told by Q and Moneypenny that Bond is heading to North Africa.
The menu is very British featuring classic dishes such as steak and kidney pie, pheasant, roast beef and braised venison. They are open from midday to midnight so arrive early if you want to enjoy dinner before your show. There is no kids’ menu available.
Address: 34-35 Maiden Ln, WC2E 7LB
Cinnamon Bazaar
This popular Indian restaurant with a twist offers dedicated pre and post theatre menu available Monday to Friday from 5 to 6.30pm and from 9.30pm onwards. It’s a fun place to dine with tasty sharing plates and a lively atmosphere. Cinnamon Bazaar offers a Junior Menu for children aged 10 years and under.
Address: 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS
Indigo at One Aldwych
The five star One Aldwych sits within the former headquarters of The Morning Post paper, a good-looking Edwardian building on Strand. It does an excellent Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea for kids but if you’re looking for something a little more substantial, book a table at Indigo.
One Aldwych is open for pre theatre dining Monday – Saturday 5.00-6.30pm with two courses for £38 and three courses for £46. There is also a children’s menu available.
Addresss: 1 Aldwych, WC2B 4BZ
Maxwells Bar & Grill
This American style family-run diner serves family-friendly favourites such as burgers, mac ‘n cheese, BBQ ribs, fajitas, salads and more. They also have a dedicated kids’ menu. One of the most popular items on the menu, however, are the Freakshakes, over-the-top, ultra-sweet milkshakes.
Maxwell’s is a great option for a pre-theatre dinner with the restaurant open from 12pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday and from 12pm to 12am Friday and Saturday.
Address: 34 King Street, WC2E 8JD
Theatre Diner Cafe
Extend the theatre theme into diner with a meal at the Theatre Diner Cafe. The highly entertaining menu features dishes such as Frank You For The Music, Cluck Be A Lady Tonight and I’m Getting Calamari-ed In The Morning and while the food might not be quite as good as the puns, it’s still a great place to eat an all-singing, all-dancing waiting team who bet out musical theatre classics while you dine.
The diner is open from 3.30pm to 10pm on Monday to Friday, from 11am to 10.30pm on Saturday and 12pm to 10pm on Sunday.
Address: 154 Shaftesbury Ave, WC2H 8HL
Wahaca
Easy, quick, fun and with tasty Mexican fare that kids will enjoy, Wahaca is a very good option for pre-theatre dining with the family. They have branches across London and the one in Covent Garden is typically colourful and bright. Small plates favourites include pork pibil, fish tacos and crab and avocado tostadas. They do serve set menus and kids’ menus.
Address: 66 Chandos Pl, WC2N 4HG
Inamo
Kids and teens will love a pre theatre meal at Inamo because not only does this Pan-Asian restaurant serve delicious Japanese, Chinese, and Thai dishes but it also features interactive tables where you can not only order your food but choose from around 20 games to play.
There is no set theatre menu (or kids’ menu) but there’s a huge choice of sharing plates and the restaurant is open throughout the day (check website for specific timings).
Address: 1-14 Hanover Pl, WC2E 9JP
Franco Manca
For a quick, easy and tasty sourdough pizza, head to the Covent Garden branch of the popular pizza chain, Franco Manca. They offer a range of different pizza toppings with a special kids menu that includes pizza, a drink and an ice cream for £7.75. The Covent Garden branch is located behind the market and is open from 11am to 11.30pm.
Address: 36-39 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LJ
The Port House
Located just moments away from Covent Garden’s Piazza is this atmospheric tapas restaurant with an extensive menu. The small plates are excellent and the wine menu has been carefully chosen.
The Port House is open from 12pm until late and they do accept walk-ins.
Address: 417 Strand, WC2R OPD
The Savoy Grill
London’s Savoy Hotel opened in 1889 and has hosted everyone from Edward VII and Oscar Wilde to Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles. Its Savoy Grill and the American Bar is where author Ian Fleming (of James Bond fame) liked to dine.
Today the Savoy Grill is part of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant empire and is a great option for a delicious meal post-theatre. Available Monday to Thursday from 9.45pm the menu offers a main course and dessert option.
The Savoy Grill is ideally place for the Lyceum Theatre but it’s even better located for the Savoy Theatre, which is right next door!
If you would like to dine earlier then there is an A La Carte menu and a children’s menu.
Address: Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2R 0EZ
Joe Allen
Joe Allen has been keeping hungry customers happy with crispy shrimp burgers and baby back ribs since it opened in 1977. Open from 12pm for all-day dining, this is a really fun place to come for a meal and is a great option for a pre-theatre meal and it has a kids’ menu too.
Address: 2 Burleigh Street, WC2E 7PX
San Carlo Cicchetti
Enjoy Italian small plates in an elegant setting before the theatre at San Carlo Cicchetti. There is no pre or post theatre menu, rather the sharing plates (all rich with authentic Italian goodness) are prepared as you order. Just make sure to arrive with enough time before your show starts – although given how close you are to the Lyceum Theatre here you will no doubt be in plenty of time!
Address: 30 Wellington St, WC2E 7BD
Gordon Ramsey Street Burger Covent Garden
For a quick and tasty pre-theatre meal head to Gordon Ramsey’s Street Burger outlet in Covent Garden. There’s a huge range of burgers to choose from including chicken, lamb, mushroom and, or course, beef. Side option include fries and salad. The kids’ menu offers meat and veggie burgers.
Street Burger is open throughout the day from 11.30am to 10/11pm daily making it an easy option for a quick meal.
Address: 13-14 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NE
Tuttons Brasserie
You’ll find this buzzy brasserie on the East Piazza serving British classics such as shepherds pie and fish and chips. Tuttons is within walking distance of some of London’s most famous theatres and, conveniently, they offer a two- or three-course pre-theatre set menu (£22.95/26.95). A kids’ menu, with a main dish and a drink, is available for a bargain £6.50.
Address: 11/12 Russell St, WC2B 5HZ
J Sheekey
J Sheekey has been serving delicious seafood, fresh fish and tasty shellfish for over 125 years. Tucked away in the heart of theatre land, this London institution is the perfect place to treat yourself after the theatre (bring the teens but not the toddlers).
They are open daily from 12pm to 11pm (last seating at 10.45pm) meaning you can catch Simba and co. on stage and then pile into one of J Sheekey’s comfy booths and order on of their favourite shellfish platters.
Address: 28-32 St Martin’s Court, WC2N4AL
The Ivy Market Grill
Tuck into a luxury truffle burger, a Keralan duck curry or The Ivy’s very own fish and chips surrounded by stars of stage and screen (both on the walls and sometimes at adjoining tables) at the Ivy Market Grill.
Located in the heart theatre land the restaurant offers a theatre menu from 11.30am to 10pm Monday to Wednesday allowing diners to eat pre and post show. On Thursday and Friday a pre-theatre menu is available from 11.30am to 6.30pm.
Address: 1a Henrietta St, WC2E 8PS
Bow Street Tavern
This convivial Covent Garden pub has been around since 1763 and at one point was associated with the Bow Street Runners, the first police force in Britain. Housed over five floors, the cellar of Bow Street Tavern is still home to a former prison cell.
The menu is all about British classics (think sausage and mash, fish and chips and chicken, ham hock and leek pie) with some delicious desserts as well.
Address: 37 Bow Street, WC2E 7AU
Seven Dials Market
Located in what was once an enormous banana warehouse is the fantastic Seven Dials Market, one of the best places to eat in Covent Garden.
This is where bananas were stored to ripen before being sold on the “foreign fruit exchange” in the nearby Covent Garden Market. Today, this building is filled with fun, family friendly restaurants and food stalls cooking everything from crab rolls and steamed buns to decadent cheese toasties, delicious doughnuts and more.
