St Martin’s Theatre on West Street has been home to Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap since 1974, and the production itself is now booking into its 75th year, the longest continuously running play 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 0.3 miles from St Martin’s Theatre’s door, a very close, easy 6-minute walk. It’s one of the nearest 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 St Martin’s Theatre Right Now
The Mousetrap Now booking into its 75th year | Age guidance: 7+ | Running time: approximately 2 hours 5 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Agatha Christie’s genre-defining murder mystery needs little introduction. Snowed into a remote guesthouse with a killer among them, a group of strangers must work out who is responsible for a murder before the culprit strikes again. It’s the show that millions have seen and, famously, sworn never to reveal the ending of, a genuine piece of West End history, and still one of the cleverest nights of theatre in London.
Please note: children under 5 are not permitted entry, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by, and seated next to, an adult ticket-holder aged 18 or over. Every child needs their own ticket.
Performances run Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm. The Dress Circle Bar opens an hour before curtain-up for pre-show drinks, and the auditorium doors open 30 minutes before the performance starts.
La Ballerina: 6 Minutes from St Martin’s Theatre
St Martin’s Theatre sits on West Street, London WC2H 9NZ. La Ballerina is a short walk away at 7-8 Bow Street, a comfortable 6 minutes on foot, and one of the closest proper Italian dining rooms to this corner of Covent Garden. No tube, no taxi, no stress.
That’s well worth building into your evening, especially with a running time of around 2 hours 5 minutes. A 6-minute walk either side still leaves plenty of room 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.
A 7.30pm evening performance should have you out by around 9.35pm, leaving a comfortable window for a proper late dinner at La Ballerina straight after. A 3pm matinee wraps up by around 5.05pm, making an early evening table an easy option too. Either way, a table at La Ballerina works comfortably around St Martin’s Theatre’s schedule.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at weekends and around matinee times, so a call or email the day before is well worth it to 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
St Martin’s Theatre: West Street, London WC2H 9NZ — 6 minutes’ walk
Whether it’s your first time trying to keep the secret or you’re returning to see how it’s held up after 75 years, La Ballerina makes the whole evening easier, tastier and a great deal more Italian.
