Aldwych, Covent Garden — just 5 minutes on foot
Few nights out in the West End feel as joyfully unstoppable as an evening at the Novello Theatre, home to one of the biggest musical phenomena the stage has ever produced. It’s exactly the kind of evening worth building around a proper Italian dinner, rather than squeezing in a rushed meal on the way.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant is just 0.3 miles from the Novello Theatre’s door on Aldwych, a 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 very first course, this is where to start it.
What’s On at the Novello Theatre Right Now
MAMMA MIA!
Now booking until Saturday 13 March 2027 | Day tickets from £30 | Age guidance: 5+ | Running time: approximately 2 hours 35 minutes, including a 15-minute interval
MAMMA MIA! needs little introduction. First staged in the West End over 26 years ago, it remains, in the words of Classic FM, “the ultimate feel-good show” a warm, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible fathers, all set on a sun-drenched Greek island and told through ABBA’s timeless songbook. It’s since been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide and inspired two hit films, but there’s still nothing quite like watching it live, surrounded by an audience singing along.
Performances run Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with additional matinees at 3pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus a handful of extra Tuesday matinees throughout the year. The production contains flashing lights, and everyone attending regardless of age needs their own ticket; children under 3 aren’t admitted, and under-16s must be seated next to an accompanying adult.
A limited number of £30 day tickets are released each morning at 10.30am for that day’s performance, and family ticket bundles are also available on selected Monday to Thursday performances, both worth knowing about if you’re planning a flexible or budget-conscious visit.
La Ballerina: 5 Minutes from the Novello Door
The Novello Theatre sits on Aldwych, WC2B 4LD, on the eastern edge of Covent Garden. La Ballerina is a short walk away at 7-8 Bow Street. It’s slightly further than some of the other Covent Garden houses, but still a comfortable 5 minutes on foot ,no tube, no taxi, no stress.
That matters more than it sounds with a show as long as MAMMA MIA!. A 5-minute walk still leaves plenty of breathing room either side of a 2 hours 35 minute performance, so you can enjoy a proper sit-down meal without watching the clock all evening.
Coming Out After the Show?
La Ballerina stays open late until 11:00 PM Monday to Saturday, which lines up neatly with MAMMA MIA!’s own schedule, as the Novello doesn’t currently stage Sunday performances.
MAMMA MIA! runs to roughly 2 hours 35 minutes including its interval, so a 7.30pm evening performance should have you finishing around 10.05pm, leaving time for a late table at La Ballerina from around 10:15 PM. A 3pm matinee, by contrast, wraps up by around 5.35pm perfect timing for an early dinner instead.
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 family groups make their way to MAMMA MIA!.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at weekends and around matinee days. 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
Novello Theatre: Aldwych, London WC2B 4LD — 5 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re catching an evening performance or one of the popular Thursday and Saturday matinees, La Ballerina makes the whole MAMMA MIA! outing is easier, tastier and a great deal more Italian.
