There is something truly special about an evening at the opera or theatre in London the anticipation, the dressing up, the sense of occasion. And a great meal beforehand only makes it better. If you are looking for the best pre-theatre dinner in Covent Garden, your search ends at La Ballerina: a family-run Italian restaurant located right next door to the Royal Opera House on Bow Street, serving beautiful, authentic Italian food since 1999.
Whether you are heading to an evening performance at the ROH, catching a West End show nearby, or simply treating yourself to a fine dinner in one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods, La Ballerina offers an Italian dining experience that sets the perfect tone for your evening unhurried, elegant, and genuinely delicious.
Why Pre-Theatre Dining in Covent Garden Matters
Covent Garden is home to some of London’s most prestigious performance venues, with the Royal Opera House sitting at its very heart on Bow Street. Every evening, hundreds of theatre and opera-goers pour into the neighbourhood looking for somewhere to eat before the curtain rises somewhere that is close, reliable, beautifully prepared, and won’t leave them rushing to their seats.
Choosing the right restaurant for a pre-theatre dinner near the Royal Opera House makes all the difference. You want a menu with enough variety to please everyone in your group. You want a setting that feels special without being overly formal. And above all, you want food that genuinely satisfies — not a rushed plate of overpriced tourist food.
At La Ballerina Italian Restaurant in Covent Garden, we have been welcoming opera-goers and theatre lovers for over 25 years. We understand exactly what guests need on an evening out: beautiful Italian food, warm service, and an atmosphere that makes the entire evening feel like an occasion.
La Ballerina’s Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu – The Perfect Evening Package
One of the most unique things about dining at La Ballerina is our exclusive relationship with the Royal Opera House. We are ideally positioned — literally next door — to offer a seamlessly timed pre and post theatre dining experience that works perfectly around your performance schedule.
Our Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu is priced at just £25.95 per person — exceptional value in the heart of London’s West End — and includes a starter, a main course, and tea or coffee. Here is how a typical evening with us unfolds:
Before the Performance – Starters
On arrival, guests are welcomed and seated to enjoy their starter at a relaxed pace. Our pre-theatre starters include:
- Minestrone Soup — a warm, hearty Italian classic, rich with seasonal vegetables and perfectly seasoned. The ideal way to begin an evening.
- Avocado Prawn with Marie Sauce — a beautifully presented prawn cocktail with creamy marie rose sauce and ripe avocado, elegant and refreshing.
- Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil — a timeless Italian combination. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil: simple, authentic, and deeply satisfying.
During the Interval – Main Course
Here is where La Ballerina’s unique arrangement really shines. If your performance has an interval, your main course can be served during the break — so you step away from the performance, enjoy a full Italian main course at your leisure, and return refreshed and satisfied. It is a wonderfully civilised way to dine.
Our pre-theatre main course selections include:
- Ravioli in Tomato Sauce — handmade pasta parcels in a vibrant, fresh tomato sauce. A true taste of Italian comfort cooking.
- Grilled Salmon with Green Pepper and Pesto Sauce — for those who prefer something lighter, this beautifully grilled fillet with pesto is both elegant and flavourful.
- Pollo Milanese — golden chicken in crispy breadcrumbs, served with pasta. A classic Italian dish that never fails to please, and a perennial favourite among our guests.
- Lasagne (meat or vegetable) — layers of fresh pasta, rich sauce, and creamy béchamel. Available in both meat and vegetarian versions, this is the kind of dish that warms the soul on an evening out in London.
After the Performance – Tea or Coffee
Once the curtain comes down and the evening draws to a close, guests return to La Ballerina to finish their evening with a perfectly brewed tea or Italian coffee — rounding off the entire experience in style. It is the detail that turns a good night out into a truly memorable one.
Beyond the Set Menu – A Full Italian Dining Experience
Of course, our pre-theatre set menu is just the beginning. La Ballerina offers a full, extensive Italian menu that goes far beyond the set package. Guests who wish to explore more of what we have to offer — or who are joining us for a regular evening dinner without a performance to attend — will find a menu that covers the full breadth of authentic Italian cuisine.
Handmade Pizza Near the Royal Opera House
Our wood-fired pizzas are among the most popular dishes in the restaurant. Every pizza is made fresh from scratch, with a hand-stretched base and the finest toppings. Highlights include:
- Margherita Pizza (£11.50) — the classic. Tomato, mozzarella, basil, and oregano: proof that the simplest things are often the best.
- Sicilian Pizza (£16.50) — topped with mozzarella, Parma ham, pepperoni sausage, basil, and oregano, this is a bold, indulgent option for those who want something truly special.
- Ballerina Pizza (£14.50) — our signature pizza, topped with tomato, mozzarella, pineapple, and Parma ham. A La Ballerina classic that guests have loved for years.
- Fiorentina Pizza (£14.50) — tomato, mozzarella, spinach, and egg. A vegetarian favourite that never disappoints.
For lovers of great Italian pizza in Covent Garden, La Ballerina is the undisputed destination.
Pasta, Risotto, and Fresh Seafood
Our full menu also features the entire range of homemade pasta dishes — from Spaghetti Carbonara and Linguine Pescatore to Tagliatelle al Salmone and Gnocchi — alongside beautifully prepared risotto and fresh seafood from our Pesce Fresco section. Every dish is crafted fresh in-house daily. Nothing frozen, nothing pre-packaged.
The Perfect Location – Steps from the Royal Opera House
La Ballerina’s address at 7–8 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AH places us in one of the most coveted restaurant locations in all of London. We are:
- Next door to the Royal Opera House — the most convenient Italian restaurant near the ROH you will find anywhere in the city.
- Steps from Covent Garden Piazza — right in the heart of one of London’s most beloved neighbourhoods.
- Minutes from multiple West End theatres — making us an ideal choice for any theatre evening, not just the opera.
- Easily accessible from Covent Garden and Temple tube stations — convenient for guests arriving from across London.
For decades, guests visiting the Royal Opera House have made La Ballerina their restaurant of choice before and after performances. Our location is not just a convenience — it is part of what makes the experience special. There is something uniquely satisfying about stepping out of the opera into the cool Covent Garden evening and walking the few metres to a restaurant where your table is waiting and your evening is about to get even better.
A Restaurant That Understands the Theatre Experience
What truly sets La Ballerina apart from other pre-theatre restaurants in Covent Garden is our genuine understanding of what theatre and opera-goers need. We know that timing matters. We know that guests arriving before a performance want to feel relaxed, not rushed. We know that the last thing you want on an evening out is to be watching the clock.
Our team is experienced in accommodating performance schedules, and our service is tailored to ensure that your meal fits seamlessly around your evening. From the moment you arrive for your pre-show starter to the moment you finish your post-opera coffee, La Ballerina is designed to make your night out in London as enjoyable as possible.
We also cater for groups and private dining — ideal for corporate theatre evenings, birthday celebrations, or any special occasion where a group of guests wants to enjoy a private Italian dining experience near the Royal Opera House. Our private party arrangements can be tailored to your requirements; simply get in touch to discuss your needs.
Practical Information for Your Visit
Planning an evening at the theatre or opera? Here is everything you need to know about dining at La Ballerina:
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12pm – 11pm Sunday: 12pm – 10pm
Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu: £25.95 per person (starter + main course + tea or coffee)
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on performance evenings when Covent Garden is at its busiest. You can book directly through our website or by calling us on 020 7379 6659.
Dietary requirements: We accommodate a range of dietary needs, including gluten-free pasta options. Please let us know your requirements at the time of booking and our team will be happy to assist.
Book Your Pre-Theatre Dinner at La Ballerina Today
An evening at the Royal Opera House or the West End deserves a dinner to match. At La Ballerina, we have been making evenings in Covent Garden more memorable since 1999 — with authentic Italian food, warm hospitality, and a location that simply cannot be beaten.
Whether you choose our Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu or settle in for a full evening of Italian dining, you will leave La Ballerina feeling exactly as you should before a great performance: satisfied, relaxed, and ready for an unforgettable night.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant 7–8 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AH 📞 020 7379 6659 📧 reservations@laballerina.co.uk 🕐 Mon–Sat: 12pm–11pm | Sunday: 12pm–10pm
👉 Book Your Table Online 👉 View Our Pre & Post Theatre Set Menu 👉 Explore Our Full Menu
