The Savoy Theatre has stood on the Strand since 1881, once famous as the first public building in the world lit entirely by electric light, and today it’s home to one of the West End’s biggest family hits. A night here deserves a proper Italian dinner beforehand, rather than something eaten on the run.
La Ballerina Italian Restaurant is around 0.9 miles from the Savoy Theatre’s door on the Strand, a comfortable 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 Savoy Theatre Right Now
Paddington The Musical Now booking until Sunday 13 February 2028 | Tickets from £42 | Age guidance: 6+ | Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 15-minute interval
Winner of seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, Paddington The Musical brings Michael Bond’s much-loved bear to life on the Savoy stage. Directed by Luke Sheppard, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale, the show follows Paddington as he arrives in London from Peru with nothing but a hat, a coat and a case full of marmalade sandwiches, before a mysterious villain sets her sights on him and the Browns are drawn into a rescue mission of their own. It’s a warm, funny and spectacularly staged evening that has become one of the biggest new hits in the West End.
Please note: the production contains strobe-like effects, loud noises and pyrotechnics, along with themes of loneliness, homesickness and peril. Children under the age of 3 are not permitted, and guests aged 16 or under must be seated next to an accompanying adult.
Tuesday is the theatre’s dark day, with performances running across the rest of the week. It’s worth checking the calendar for exact times when you book, as these can vary slightly by day.
Paddington The Musical – Relaxed Performance Friday 11 September 2026 | Age guidance: 6+ | Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval Once or twice a year, the Savoy adapts Paddington into a relaxed performance, with softened sound and lighting and a more relaxed house policy, designed for guests who benefit from a more informal theatre environment. It’s the same joyful production, staged with a little extra care.
La Ballerina: 9 Minutes from the Savoy Door
The Savoy Theatre sits at Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET. 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 stretch of the Strand. No tube, no taxi, no stress.
That’s well worth building into your evening, especially with Paddington’s 2 hour 45 minute running time. A 9-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.
An evening performance of Paddington The Musical, running at around 2 hours 45 minutes including its interval, should still leave you comfortable time for a proper late dinner at La Ballerina once you’re out particularly on a night when the show starts a little earlier. 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 Savoy’s schedule.
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 families make Paddington part of their day out.
How to Book
La Ballerina fills up on show nights, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, when Paddington draws a devoted family following. 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
Savoy Theatre: Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET — 9 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re introducing the family to London’s favourite bear for the first time or returning for another marmalade-fuelled adventure, La Ballerina makes the whole evening easier, tastier and a great deal more Italian.
