The Lyceum Theatre has been part of London’s cultural fabric since 1772, and its current resident is one of the most beloved musicals in the world. A night here deserves a proper Italian dinner beforehand, rather than something rushed on the way in.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant is around 0.6 miles from the Lyceum Theatre’s door on Wellington Street, an easy 5-minute walk. It’s one of the closest proper Italian restaurants to the venue and has been serving Covent Garden for over 25 years. If you want the evening to feel considered from the first course onwards, this is where to begin it.
What’s On at the Lyceum Theatre Right Now Disney’s
The Lion King Now booking open-ended run | Tickets from £39 | Age guidance: 6+ | Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 15-minute interval
Disney’s The Lion King needs no introduction. Directed by Julie Taymor, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and a score by Hans Zimmer, it has been running at the Lyceum since 1999 and remains one of the true landmarks of the West End. The show tells Simba’s journey from wide-eyed cub to rightful King of the Pride Lands, brought to life through extraordinary puppetry, colour and live orchestration that still stops audiences in their tracks decades on.
Please note: the production features strobe lighting and loud music at points throughout. Children under 3 are not permitted into the theatre, and anyone aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Performances run Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm, with additional matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm, a Saturday evening performance at 7.30pm, and a Sunday matinee at 2.30pm. There is no performance on Mondays.
Families booking ahead should also look out for Disney’s Magical Mondays offer, released weekly for a limited number of seats worth asking about when you call.
Disney’s The Lion King – Relaxed Performance Sunday 27 June 2027 | Age guidance: 6+ | Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including an interval
Once a year, the Lyceum adapts The Lion King into a relaxed performance, with a softened sound and lighting design and a more relaxed house policy, designed for guests who benefit from a more informal theatre environment, including those on the autism spectrum. It’s the same beloved production, staged with a little extra care.
La Ballerina: 5 Minutes from the Lyceum Door
The Lyceum Theatre sits at 21 Wellington Street, WC2E 7RQ. La Ballerina is a short walk away at 7-8 Bow Street, a comfortable 5 minutes on foot, and one of the nearest proper Italian dining rooms to the theatre. No tube, no taxi, no stress.
That’s well worth building into your evening, especially with The Lion King’s 2 hour 30 minute running time. A 5-minute walk either side still leaves you plenty of time for a relaxed sit-down meal without cutting it fine before curtain-up.
Coming Out After the Show?
La Ballerina stays open late — until 11:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 PM on Sundays. If you’d rather eat afterwards, the kitchen will still be running.
An evening performance at 7.30pm should have you out by around 10.00pm, leaving plenty of time for a proper late dinner at La Ballerina from around 10:15 PM. A Wednesday or Saturday matinee at 2.30pm wraps up by around 5.00pm, making an early dinner or a leisurely afternoon table an easy option too. The Sunday matinee at 2.30pm finishes by around 5.00pm, which fits comfortably within La Ballerina’s Sunday hours for an early evening meal. Either way, a table at La Ballerina works comfortably around the Lyceum’s schedule.
Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-Free Options La Ballerina caters well for varied dietary requirements. Vegetarian options include the Margherita and Quattro Formaggi pizzas, Penne Arrabbiata, Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci, Caprese Salad and Minestrone Della Nonna. Vegan dishes are available too, including a Vegan Lasagne, and gluten-free options can be discussed with the team when you order. The restaurant is also child-friendly, with a welcoming atmosphere for families, useful given how many families make The Lion King part of their day out.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at weekends and around matinee times when families and theatre-goers arrive together. A call or email the day before will secure your table.
📞 Phone: +44 20 7379 6659
✉️ Email: reservations@laballerina.co.uk
🌐 Online: laballerina.co.uk/reservation/
📍 Address: 7-8 Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7AH
Lyceum Theatre: 21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ — 5 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re introducing the family to Pride Rock for the first time or returning for the tenth, La Ballerina makes the whole evening easier, tastier and a great deal more Italian.
