The London Coliseum is the largest theatre in the West End, home to English National Opera and, through the year, everything from touring illusion spectaculars to major concert residencies. A night here whatever’s on the bill deserves a proper Italian dinner beforehand, rather than something grabbed on the way in.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant is around 0.6 miles from the London Coliseum’s door on St Martin’s Lane, an easy 9-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 London Coliseum Right Now
Now You See Me Live 31 July – 6 September 2026 | Age guidance: 5+ | Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes, including one interval
From the producers of The Illusionists, and inspired by Lionsgate’s blockbuster film franchise, Now You See Me Live brings The Horsemen to the London Coliseum stage for a strictly limited summer season. Expect high-tech illusions, solo stunts and jaw-dropping spectacle, alongside guest acts drawn from the Britain’s Got Talent stage, in a show Broadway World called a high-energy blend of wonder and jaw-dropping illusion.
Please note: the production includes strobe and laser lighting, loud bangs, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze, and features a live scorpion. Children under 5 are not permitted in the auditorium.
Performances run across the week with a mix of evening shows and matinees
Captioned and audio-described performances are also scheduled during the run. It’s worth checking the calendar for your preferred date, as cast appearances can vary slightly from night to night.
Sam Smith: To Be Free 8 – 19 September 2026 | Tickets from £55 | An 8-night residency
Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY®, BRIT, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning artist Sam Smith brings their global ‘To Be Free’ residency to the London Coliseum for eight nights, ahead of their fifth studio album Hazel Eyes. Expect a set drawn from across In the Lonely Hour, The Thrill of It All, Love Goes and GLORIA, including the record-breaking “Unholy”. Children under 5, including babes in arms, are not permitted in the auditorium.
La Ballerina: 9 Minutes from the Coliseum Door
The London Coliseum sits on St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES. La Ballerina is a short walk away at 7-8 Bow Street, a comfortable 9 minutes on foot, and one of the nearest proper Italian dining rooms to this corner of the West End. No tube, no taxi, no stress.
That’s well worth building into your evening. With Now You See Me Live running at around 2 hours 10 minutes, a 9-minute walk either side still leaves plenty of time for a relaxed sit-down meal without cutting it fine before curtain-up. For a concert night such as Sam Smith, where finish times can run later and less predictably, it’s often easiest to enjoy dinner beforehand and treat the evening as your main event.
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 typical evening performance of Now You See Me Live, at around 2 hours 10 minutes including its interval, should leave you comfortable time for a proper late dinner at La Ballerina once you’re out. For matinee performances, an early or late-afternoon table is an easy option, well within opening hours. Either way, a table at La Ballerina works comfortably around whatever’s on at the Coliseum that night.
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.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at weekends and around major Coliseum events. 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
London Coliseum: St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES — 9 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re catching the illusionists this summer or Sam Smith this September, La Ballerina makes the whole evening easier, tastier and a great deal more Italian.
