6 of the best places for a pre-theatre meal

Pre-theatre dining inspiration for groups planning a trip to the West End.

Rainforest Café 

Located in the heart of the West End, The Rainforest Café is designed to look like an exotic jungle. The restaurant recreates the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest through special effects like animatronic animals, including gorillas and trumpeting elephants.

The menu features American and International dishes. Set menus are provided for large groups such as the Nile, a three course menu, and the Safari, a two course menu. Options on both menus include the likes of Lamb La Bamba and Rainforest Burgers.  

Groups of all sizes are welcome at The Rainforest Café.

Closest theatres: Piccadilly Theatre, Queen’s Theatre and Gielgud’s Theatre.

Planet Hollywood

Conveniently located in Piccadilly, Planet Hollywood is a fitting restaurant for groups to dine in before going to watch a show in London’s West End. 

Guests will be welcomed upon arrival and when taken to their table will see their name up in lights on the screens around the venue. Music videos and Hollywood movie clips will set the scene and give all diners an enjoyable evening. 

The Hollywood memorabilia and stylish Americana creates a memorable atmosphere and visitors can view the famous wall of hands showing many celebrity handprints, James Bond’s suit and other interesting movie props either before or after their meal.

Set menus are available for groups, including a new fish and chips menu. Large group bookings, as many as 100 people, are available.

Closest theatres: Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Criterion Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Pictured: Planet Hollywood

The Strand Palace Hotel Carvery and Grill

The Strand Palace Hotel is located just minutes from Covent Garden, putting it in the ideal spot for groups to enjoy a pre-theatre meal.

The Carvery and Grill offers groups a typical British dining experience of roast dinners and fresh meat.

The restaurant offers two choices of roast per day, both served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and seasonal vegetables. All meat is sourced locally.

The eatery’s most famous dish is its tender rib-eye and sirloin steaks from their 21 day aged ‘Southern Gold’ beef.

Closest theatres: Vaudeville Theatre, Adelphi Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Novello Theatre.

Bubba Gump

Just a few minutes’ walk from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, Bubba Gump pays tribute to the film Forrest Gump and therefore serves food from the American South. 

Prawns are the specialty and the menu offers them in 20 different varieties. Other popular menu choices include the American burgers. 

Bubba Gump can seat groups of all sizes from 7 to 200 and offers set menus that can be created for groups in advance, to cater to all dietary requirements and tastes.

GTOs will be prioritised by organising staff when planning a visit, in order to ensure that each group gets the most out of their visit.

Closest theatres: The Harold Pinter Theatre, The Criterion Theatre, Apollo Theatre.

Eneko and Indigo, The One Aldwych Hotel

The One Aldwych Hotel is situated in Covent Garden and is in close proximity to Theatreland. One Aldwych Hotel has a choice of two restaurants in its complex, Eneko and Indigo. 

Eneko, named after its chef Eneko Atxa, serves guests Spanish cuisine. There are four different set menus available for large groups which include dishes such as Pisto Bilbaina, along with more British meals such as roast pork with a Spanish twist.

Indigo serves British cuisine and provides groups with a pre-theatre set menu which includes dishes such as Roast Fillet of Brixham Plaice and Confit Lamb Belly.

Indigo restaurant gives guest a more informal experience whereas Eneko is ideal for those who enjoy suiting and dressing up. Private rooms can also be booked for large groups to enjoy a private dining experience.

Closest theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum Theatre, Novello Theatre, Aldwych Theatre. 

The Old Masters Carvery and Grill, The Ruben’s Palace Hotel

The Old Masters Carvery and Grill, within The Ruben’s Palace Hotel, is a little further out, positioned on Buckingham Palace Road. For groups who have a day of sightseeing planned as well as theatre, this restaurant is ideal as it’s located nearby to Buckingham Palace and Westminster.

The restaurant offers visitors a traditional British dining experience.

The carvery’s classic roast dinners all include quality meat such as its specially selected beef from Scottish herds. 

The restaurant also offers pre-theatre dining prices for groups including the choice of a two course meal or a three course meal.

Closest theatres:  Victoria Palace Theatre

Pictured: Henry's Cafe Bar

Henry’s Café Bar

Henry’s Café Bar is set in the centre of Theatreland, within walking distance of many West End theatres.

The restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere with bar spaces and booths for diners to relax in. The venue also has private rooms, which are available for groups to hire.

A pre-theatre menu is available that offers a choice of a two course meal or a three course meal, which include dishes such as lasagne and calamari.

Closest theatres: Adelphi Theatre, Lyceum Theatre