Russell Street, Covent Garden — just 3 minutes on foot
There’s something genuinely special about a West End evening that begins well before the curtain rises. If you’ve got tickets to the Fortune Theatre and right now, there’s a very good reason to the question of where to eat beforehand deserves a proper answer rather than a last-minute dash into the nearest chain.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant is 0.1 miles from the Fortune Theatre’s front door on Russell Street. That’s a 3-minute walk. It’s the closest proper Italian restaurant to the venue, and it’s been serving Covent Garden for over 25 years. If you’re looking for a pre-theatre dinner that feels like part of the evening rather than a hurried obligation, this is where to go.
What’s On at the Fortune Theatre Right Now
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Running: 29 March 2023 – 26 September 2026 | Now booking to February 2027
Tickets from £22 | Age Guidance: 6+
The Fortune Theatre’s current show is, by any measure, a phenomenon. Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical, and now a Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway. The best-reviewed show in West End history has extended its stay at the Fortune Theatre for the eighteenth time.
The story itself is extraordinary. The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. It’s been described as Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train which, if you’ve seen it, is exactly right. Fast, funny, and surprisingly moving. If you haven’t booked yet, do it now.
Please note: The production contains loud noises, flashing lights, and smoke effects. Contact the box office if you need further information.
Natalie Cassidy: LIVE with Nat
Sunday 8 November 2026 | One Night Only
Tickets from £22 | Fortune Theatre, Russell Street WC2B 5HH
One for the EastEnders faithful and podcast listeners. After jabbering about it every week on her hit podcast Life With Nat, ultimate hun Natalie Cassidy is stepping into the world of live podcasting with a very special live show. The evening will be filled with chat and laughter, as well as possible guest appearances from celebrity friends plus the fans themselves, who have made the podcast what it is. A proper Sunday night out.
La Ballerina: 3 Minutes from the Fortune Theatre Door
The Fortune Theatre sits on Russell Street, WC2B 5HH. La Ballerina is at 7-8 Bow Street, a flat, straightforward 3-minute walk along Russell Street and round onto Bow Street. No tubes, no taxis, no stress.
That proximity matters more than it might seem. A 3-minute walk means you can linger over dessert without checking your watch every two minutes. It means if the service is wonderful (and it usually is), you’re not going to miss the first act because you got carried away over a second glass of Barolo.
What to Eat at La Ballerina Before the Show
La Ballerina’s menu is built around authentic Italian cooking handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood, and proper Italian desserts. Everything is made from scratch using quality ingredients, and the kitchen understands that a pre-theatre table operates to a different rhythm than a lazy Saturday lunch.
Here’s what works best on a show night:
To Start
Minestrone Della Nonna
The restaurant’s Italian grandmother’s vegetable soup with pasta and fresh herbs. Deeply comforting, ready quickly, and exactly the right weight before a show. A bowl of this and you’ll be satisfied without feeling sluggish in the stalls.
Calamari Fritti
Crispy fried squid with a tangy dipping sauce. La Ballerina’s most popular starter, done properly golden, light, not greasy. Arrives fast and disappears faster.
Caprese Salad
Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze. Simple and brilliant. A good choice if you’re going straight into a pasta main and want something fresh to begin.
Zuppa Funghi
Rich mushroom soup with pancetta, cream, thyme, and Parmesan. Earthy, warming, and genuinely special. If the evening has a chill to it, this is the one.
Pasta & Main Courses
Tagliatelle Al Salmone
Handmade tagliatelle with smoked salmon in a rich cream sauce. One of the most popular dishes on the menu, and rightly so. Satisfying without being heavy exactly what you want before two hours in a theatre seat.
Spaghetti Carbonara
The Roman classic, made properly: eggs, Parmesan, pancetta, black pepper. No cream, no shortcuts. A dish that tells you a great deal about a kitchen’s confidence, and La Ballerina’s version passes with distinction.
Pollo Milanese
Breaded chicken breast, golden and crispy, served with a fresh salad. Simple, well-executed, and a reliable choice for anyone who prefers to keep things straightforward before a performance.
Risotto Pollo Funghi
Creamy Arborio rice with roasted chicken, sautéed mushrooms, sage, and aged riserva cheese. It takes a little longer to prepare, but worth every minute if you’ve given yourself the time.
Lasagne alla Bolognese
Layers of pasta, slow-cooked meat ragu, and béchamel. Hearty and genuinely satisfying — the kind of dish that makes you feel properly looked after.
Pizza
Margherita
Hand-stretched thin-crust pizza baked in a stone oven with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. The benchmark of any Italian kitchen, and La Ballerina’s version is excellent.
Quattro Formaggi
Mozzarella, gorgonzola, Parmesan, and provolone on a crispy thin base. A proper cheese lover’s pizza — rich, indulgent, and deeply satisfying.
Prosciutto e Funghi
Silky Italian prosciutto with earthy mushrooms on a mozzarella and tomato base. A classic pairing that works every time.
Desserts — If Time Allows
Tiramisu
Made in-house at La Ballerina. Espresso-soaked savoiardi, rich mascarpone, cocoa. If you’ve left yourself enough time, this is non-negotiable. It takes five minutes to eat and it’s the thing you’ll mention on the walk home.
Panna Cotta
Silky vanilla-set cream with fruit coulis. Light, elegant, and a lovely way to close the meal if you’ve been fairly generous with the main course.
Cassata Siciliana
Authentic Sicilian dessert with layers of sponge cake, ricotta, candied fruit, and almond marzipan. Something genuinely different from the usual dessert menu — and very much worth trying if you haven’t had it before.
Timing Your Evening
For an evening performance at the Fortune Theatre, the schedule below works well:
| Time | What You’re Doing |
| 5:30 PM | Arrive at La Ballerina, be seated |
| 5:35 PM | Order drinks and starters |
| 5:55 PM | Starters arrive |
| 6:20 PM | Main courses arrive |
| 7:00 PM | Dessert or coffee if time allows |
| 7:15 PM | 3-minute walk to Fortune Theatre |
| 7:30 PM | Curtain up |
When you book, simply mention your show time. The staff at La Ballerina are used to theatre diners and will pace the meal accordingly — there’s no need to keep one eye on your watch throughout.
Coming Out After the Show?
La Ballerina stays open late — until 11:00 PM Monday to Saturday, 10:00 PM on Sundays. If you’d rather eat after the performance than before it, the kitchen will still be running. Operation Mincemeat runs at roughly 2 hours 30 minutes, so a post-show table from 9:30 PM onwards works perfectly for a Monday to Saturday performance.
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 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.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at the weekend. 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
Fortune Theatre: Russell Street, London WC2B 5HH — 3 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re heading to Operation Mincemeat or the Natalie Cassidy evening in November, La Ballerina makes the whole night easier, tastier, and a great deal more Italian. Which, in Covent Garden, is really saying something.
