An evening at the Royal Opera House is one of London’s great cultural experiences. The building itself a Grade I listed landmark on Bow Street in Covent Garden has been staging world-class opera and ballet since 1858. What many visitors do not realise, however, is that the quality of the evening extends well beyond the auditorium.
La Ballerina, situated directly next door to the Royal Opera House at 7–8 Bow Street, has built an exclusive relationship with the venue over many years. The result is a pre-theatre dining experience that is genuinely designed around the rhythm of a performance evening not just a meal that happens to be nearby.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the set menu, the timing, the dishes, and why La Ballerina has become the first choice for pre-theatre dining in Covent Garden among both London regulars and visitors to the city.
Why Location Matters for Pre-Theatre Dining
The single biggest concern for anyone dining before a performance is time. Arriving late, rushing through courses, or spending the interval anxious about the bill these are the things that turn a special evening into a stressful one.
La Ballerina’s position on Bow Street — the same street as the Royal Opera House entrance — eliminates that concern entirely. From your table to your seat inside the auditorium is a matter of minutes on foot, with no navigating through Covent Garden’s busy piazza or hunting for a taxi. You arrive relaxed, on time, and having eaten well.
For post-theatre dining, the same logic applies in reverse. When the curtain falls, La Ballerina is the natural first stop — warm, unhurried, and ready to extend the evening with coffee, dessert, or a full meal if the performance ended early enough.
The Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu £25.95 Per Person
La Ballerina’s pre and post theatre set menu is priced at £25.95 per person and is structured specifically around a performance evening. The three courses — starter, main course, and tea or coffee — are timed so that each arrives at the right moment, whether you are dining before the performance, during the interval, or after the curtain call.
Starters
Choose from three starters, each a classic of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine:
- Minestrone Soup — a warming, herb-rich Italian vegetable soup, made from scratch and ideal as a light opener before a long evening.
- Avocado Prawn with Marie Sauce — a timeless combination of cold water prawns, creamy marie rose sauce, and ripe avocado. Light, elegant, and perfectly portioned for a pre-theatre course.
- Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil — the Italian classic, served with fresh buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened tomato, and fragrant basil leaves. Simple, seasonal, and consistently one of the most ordered starters at La Ballerina.
Main Courses
The main course selection covers fish, pasta, and meat — something for every preference:
- Grilled Salmon with Green Pepper and Pesto Sauce — fresh Atlantic salmon fillet, grilled and served with a vibrant basil pesto and a green pepper sauce. A lighter choice that does not compromise on flavour.
- Ravioli in Tomato Sauce — handmade pasta parcels in a slow-cooked tomato sauce, made fresh in La Ballerina’s kitchen. One of the most requested dishes on the set menu.
- Pollo Milanese — a classic Italian preparation of chicken in crisp, golden breadcrumbs, served with pasta. Satisfying, familiar, and expertly executed.
- Lasagne (Meat or Vegetable) — slow-baked lasagne with either a traditional Bolognese or a richly seasoned vegetable filling, topped with béchamel and aged Parmesan. A genuinely comforting dish after an evening at the opera.
To Finish – Tea or Coffee
Every set menu includes tea or coffee to close the meal. For those wishing to extend the evening, the full dessert menu including La Ballerina’s homemade Tiramisu is available to order separately.
View the full set menu at: laballerina.co.uk/pre-post-theatre-set-menu
How the Timing Works on a Performance Evening
La Ballerina’s pre-theatre set menu is specifically structured around a typical Royal Opera House evening. Here is how a performance night at La Ballerina unfolds:
- Arrive at La Ballerina before the performance your starter is served on arrival, giving you time to settle in and begin the evening at a relaxed pace.
- Head next door to the Royal Opera House for the first act of the performance.
- During the interval, return to La Ballerina your main course is ready and waiting. No ordering, no waiting. You eat during the break and are back in your seat before the second act begins.
- After the performance, return to La Ballerina to finish with tea or coffee and extend the evening if you wish.
This structure is unique to restaurants with a genuine relationship with the Royal Opera House. It requires coordination, trust, and an understanding of how performance evenings actually flow. La Ballerina has offered this experience for years and the kitchen team is accustomed to the rhythm.
Who Is the Pre-Theatre Menu For?
The short answer is: anyone attending an evening performance at the Royal Opera House. In practice, the set menu suits a wide range of guests.
- First-time visitors to the Royal Opera House who want the full Covent Garden evening experience a great meal followed by a world-class performance.
- Regular opera and ballet attendees who want a reliable, high-quality dining option without the stress of booking somewhere new each time.
- Groups and couples celebrating a special occasion a birthday, anniversary, or simply a treat who want the evening to feel considered from start to finish.
- Tourists visiting London who want to combine two of the city’s great experiences authentic Italian dining and a performance at one of the world’s most famous opera houses.
Beyond the Set Menu – La Ballerina’s Full Offering
While the pre-theatre set menu is the most structured dining option at La Ballerina, it sits within a much broader menu that has made the restaurant a Covent Garden institution since 1999.
Guests who arrive early or choose to dine independently of the performance schedule will find a full Italian menu covering handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood (Pesce Fresco), grilled meat (Carne), risotto, Italian soups, and an extensive selection of Italian desserts including the restaurant’s homemade Tiramisu.
The daily lunch menu and evening set menu offer additional value options for those visiting outside of performance evenings. La Ballerina also caters for private parties and group bookings, with dedicated arrangements available on request.
View the full menu: laballerina.co.uk/menu
Practical Information & Booking
La Ballerina is open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 10pm. The restaurant is located at 7–8 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AH directly adjacent to the Royal Opera House on the same street.
- Address: 7–8 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AH
- Telephone: 020 7379 6659
- Email: reservations@laballerina.co.uk
- Opening Hours: Mon–Sat 12pm–11pm | Sun 12pm–10pm
- Pre-Theatre Set Menu: £25.95 per person
- Online reservations: Book a table here
Advance booking is strongly recommended for performance evenings, particularly for Friday and Saturday night shows. Tables on these nights fill quickly, especially when the Royal Opera House is staging a popular production.
Make the Most of Your Royal Opera House Evening
A performance at the Royal Opera House deserves an evening that matches its quality from beginning to end. La Ballerina’s pre-theatre set menu with its thoughtful timing, classic Italian dishes, and unbeatable location on Bow Street is designed precisely for that purpose.
Whether you are visiting London for the first time or returning to a venue you know well, the combination of world-class opera and authentic Italian dining in Covent Garden is one of the city’s most rewarding evenings out.
Book your table at La Ballerina alongside your Royal Opera House tickets and let the evening take care of itself.
