Off to the Royal Opera House or the English National Opera? Whether you’re a Baroque buff or a ‘Norma’ novice, seated in the gods or near the pit, with the children or with your grandmama, it’s always best to take a pew after a proper supper. A night at the London opera or ballet is always a glittering affair, and you’ll need sustenance to get you through the drama of the evening. So, without further ado, here are my favourite restaurants near the Royal Opera House and the London Coliseum, home of the English National Opera.
These are the best restaurants near the Royal Opera House, with walking times that are approximate. They are from the restaurant to the Royal Opera House on Bow Street and to the London Coliseum on St Martin’s Lane.
Dining inside the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House has several places to eat and drink under its own roof, perfect if you want some drawn-out taste bud pampering throughout the evening. Interval dining is pre-ordered online, with menus paired to each production, and you can see all the Royal Opera House restaurants and bars and book on the official website.
Cicoria by Angela Hartnett
The newest addition is Angela Hartnett’s Italian restaurant on the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House, with a classic menu inspired by her Turin roots. Expect dishes such as whipped ricotta and confit leek bruschetta, hand-rolled gnocchi with porcini and Fontina, and breaded lamb cutlets with Sicilian caponata. Upstairs, Bar Cicoria is a rooftop bar with panoramic views across Covent Garden. You don’t need a ticket to the opera to dine here, which makes it a lovely choice for a night out in its own right.
Walking time: inside the Royal Opera House · London Coliseum 10 minutes
Book Cicoria
The Crush Room
I always feel like the belle of the ball when I walk into the Crush Room. It literally sparkles. The 17th-century chandeliers are said to be made from the original chandelier that once hung in the centre of the auditorium. It is the Royal Opera House’s fine-dining space, and now has a seafood bar and hot food.
The Paul Hamlyn Balconies
Right: with Sarah and Lucy at the Balconies restaurant. We’re about to tuck into ‘Tosca’ next.
For the best view of the house, book the Paul Hamlyn Balconies. The Paul Hamlyn Hall, with its soaring glass roof, is also home to a bar for drinks before the curtain goes up, while the Dorfman Conservatory next door to the Crush Room is a lighter option for sandwiches and cakes.
Menus, prices and which spaces are open vary by performance, so check the Royal Opera House website when you book.
Dining inside the London Coliseum
American Bar
Upgrade your evening with ENO by joining the American Bar for a selection of small plates before heading into the auditorium. The chef’s selection is influenced by classic Italian ‘cicchetti’ and Spanish ‘tapas’ and is served before curtain up, followed by dessert brought to your reserved table during the interval. The bar is on the lower ground floor of the London Coliseum.
Book the American Bar on the ENO website
Special occasion restaurants near the Royal Opera House
The Original Ivy
The Original Ivy doesn’t need much of an introduction: it’s one of London’s most famous grande dame restaurants, established in 1917 and having served all manner of actors, politicians and literary types. Eating here feels like you’ve been ensconced in a very special dining room, one where your taste buds and your eyes are guaranteed to be tantalised. Thankfully, you can still sample some of the classics: the twice-baked soufflé, fish pie, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. There are vegan and vegetarian menus too, and a kids’ menu for younger diners.
If you’re driving, the nearest car park is the Q-Park Chinatown on Newport Place, about 3 minutes’ walk away.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 7 minutes · London Coliseum 5 minutes
Book The Original Ivy
Savoy Grill
The Savoy still feels like a London time capsule. I will never forget the day in 1989 when I walked into the hotel as Omar Sharif walked out. My middle name being Larisa, of Doctor Zhivago fame, it was a memory I will always treasure of the exquisitely beautiful actor and of the hotel. But I digress! If you really want to hit the golden dining ticket, head to the Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay. This restaurant was favoured by Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde and Frank Sinatra. The menu includes revived classics from Chef Escoffier’s days, when he ruled the London restaurant scene back in the 1880s and before he left in disgrace to open another rather famous hotel with Cesar Ritz. It’s a pricey à la carte, so look out for the pre-theatre menu.
You can also book by phone on +44 (0)20 7592 1600.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book the Savoy Grill
Rules
Rules is London’s oldest restaurant and serves traditional British fare. Some of its star attractions are its oysters, the potted shrimps, steak and kidney suet pudding, saddle of rabbit and golden syrup sponge pudding. Dine in the company of Rules’ legendary ghosts: Henry Irving, Laurence Olivier, Stan Laurel, Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Charles Dickens, John le Carré and Evelyn Waugh.
To read more about Rules, see my post Midnight in London.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 5 minutes · London Coliseum 4 minutes
Book Rules
Simpson’s in the Strand
A London legend since 1828, Simpson’s in the Strand reopened in March 2026 after a lavish restoration led by restaurateur Jeremy King. The star of the show is still the roast beef, carved at your table from the trolley. It’s the grandest of British dining rooms, and a wonderfully theatrical way to start an evening at the opera.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 9 minutes · London Coliseum 6 minutes
Book Simpson’s in the Strand
Clos Maggiore
Often called the most romantic restaurant in London, Clos Maggiore has a courtyard dining room with a blossom-draped tree and a retractable glass roof. It’s tucked down King Street, a stone’s throw from the Piazza. The pre-theatre menu is served early, so book for the first sitting if you’re heading to a 7.30pm curtain.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 3 minutes · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book Clos Maggiore
Spring at Somerset House
Skye Gyngell’s elegant restaurant in the New Wing of Somerset House is light-filled and beautifully calm, with seasonal, ingredient-led cooking. It’s a little further than the others on this list, but the stroll along the Strand is part of the pleasure.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 12 minutes · London Coliseum 14 minutes
Book Spring
Pre-opera restaurants near the Royal Opera House
Opera Tavern
This is one of my favourite pre-opera restaurants and sister to Salt Yard restaurant in Soho. It’s a Spanish meets Italian tapas menu featuring all sorts of divine small plates. I’m not a meat eater but my friends rave about the Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, and I could wax lyrical all day about the haddock croquetas and the courgette flower with goat’s cheese and honey. I recommend the Affogato to finish, which literally means a drowned coffee dessert. That should keep you from snoozing!
Look out for the pre and post-theatre menu.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 2 minutes · London Coliseum 8 minutes
Book Opera Tavern
Balthazar
Here I am wedged in between my two favourite men at Balthazar: my husband Mark (left) and Jarod (right). We were about to head off to see ‘Eugene Onegin’ at the Royal Opera House. This New York outpost is one of my favourite restaurants around Christmas. It’s cosy and glamorous at the same time, it has a children’s menu making it great for families, and it’s right next door to the Royal Opera House, so you don’t need to panic to get to your performance. The duck shepherd’s pie is famous, but I’m a fan of the nettle agnolotti and the moules frites.
Look out for the prix fixe menu.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 1 minute · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book Balthazar
Café Murano
Angela Hartnett’s delizioso northern Italian restaurant has two London outposts, but it’s the one in Covent Garden to which you want to head over. Look out for the pre and post-theatre menu.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 2 minutes · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book Café Murano
Giovanni’s
Giovanni’s is on Goodwin’s Court, one of the most hidden alleyways in London, hiding in plain sight of Covent Garden. Step off St Martin’s Lane and you’re in a candlelit lane of houses dating back to around 1690, with this old-school Italian restaurant tucked into the corner. It was launched in 1952 by the Ragona family from Sicily and is still family-run, serving traditional Italian food in one of London’s older restaurants.
It’s closed on Sundays, and on Mondays it’s dinner only, so check before you go.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 8 minutes · London Coliseum 2 minutes
Book Giovanni’s
Ivy Market Grill
Not to be mistaken with The Original Ivy, the market grills offer fantastic all-day dining in well-designed surroundings and with good service. And it’s much easier to get a table! The Ivy Market Grill overlooks the busy Piazza and is a stone’s throw from the Royal Opera House. I favour the wild mushroom on toasted brioche and the salmon and smoked haddock fishcake with poached egg. The final act has to be the chocolate bombe.
Look out for the pre and post-theatre menu.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 4 minutes · London Coliseum 5 minutes
Book the Ivy Market Grill
Sushisamba
Sushisamba brings a Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian mash-up to the Covent Garden Piazza, with rooftop views over the market. If you’re short on time, the theatre menu offers two courses for £29.50, served daily from midday to 6pm and again from 9pm.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 2 minutes · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book Sushisamba
Harry’s Covent Garden
Harry’s opened its glamorous Covent Garden branch on Russell Street in November 2025, with Italian classics and a large terrace. It’s just round the corner from the Royal Opera House, so it’s perfect for a leisurely pre-ballet supper. To read about my lunch at the Knightsbridge original, see my post Harry’s Dolce Vita.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 3 minutes · London Coliseum 8 minutes
Book Harry’s
Bubala
Bubala is my favourite vegetarian chain in London, and its colourful Middle Eastern small plates are now served on Garrick Street, right between the two opera houses. It’s the largest Bubala yet, so a handy spot for supper before curtain up. Make sure you go for the fennel and chamomile halloumi (trust me on this one) and the oyster mushroom skewer. Oh, and the confit potatoes are to die for.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 3 minutes
Book Bubala
Mr Fogg’s
You could travel through time to Mr Fogg’s Tavern for some Victorian-inspired cream cakes and gin. Try the First Audition (Hendrick’s gin, elderflower, lime and rose lemonade) or the Critics’ Choice (Tanqueray gin, lemon juice, crème de framboise and sparkling wine).
Walking time: Royal Opera House 7 minutes · London Coliseum 2 minutes
Book Mr Fogg’s
J Sheekey
J Sheekey is my absolute favourite London restaurant. Tucked away in St Martin’s Court, this Theatreland institution has been serving fish since 1896, and its panelled dining rooms, lined with photographs of the actors who have eaten here, feel wonderfully clubby. My favourite dishes include the jalapeño prawns and the soufflé. The fish pie is a dish made in culinary heaven and not to be missed, and for pudding I always order the iced berries in white chocolate sauce.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 8 minutes · London Coliseum 3 minutes
Book J Sheekey
A quick fish and chip fix
Rock & Sole Plaice
Short on time before curtain up? For the quickest of all the restaurants near the Royal Opera House, try this old-school chippy on Endell Street has been frying fish since 1871, and is one of London’s oldest fish and chip shops. Grab a takeaway or sit outside in the warmer months.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 9 minutes
Visit Rock & Sole Plaice
Family-friendly restaurants near the Royal Opera House
These chain restaurants are tried and tested, and good for families as well.
Wahaca Covent Garden
Wahaca is a chain of Mexican restaurants owned by MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers, and I love its authentic, fresh and seasonal food. Plus, it has a fantastic range of pure agave tequila.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 2 minutes
Book Wahaca
Busaba Covent Garden
Conceived by restaurateur Alan Yau (of Hakkasan fame) in 1999, this chain of Thai restaurants is still going strong. Expect stir-fries, curries, salads and Asian-inspired juices. There’s a special menu for children as well.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 2 minutes · London Coliseum 7 minutes
Book Busaba
Dishoom Covent Garden
If you go early enough, you’ll be able to bag a table at this insanely popular chain of Bombay-inspired cafés. My favourite dishes are the okra fries and the mahi tikka, but the bhel (puffed rice with pomegranate, tomato, onion, lime, tamarind and mint) is moreish as well.
Reservations are limited to larger groups and later sittings, so check before you go.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 4 minutes
Book Dishoom
Fire & Stone
Sometimes only a pizza will do, especially if you’re heading to the ballet with the kids. Fire & Stone is perfect for the whippersnappers and not bad for adults too, with a baked camembert, polenta chips and buttermilk calamari on the starter menu and a Global Pizza menu to follow.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 6 minutes · London Coliseum 3 minutes
Book Fire & Stone
Pubs for a pre-performance drink
The Harp
Tucked down Chandos Place beside the Coliseum, this tiny, award-winning real ale pub is a Theatreland institution and the nearest good pint to the English National Opera.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 8 minutes · London Coliseum 2 minutes
Visit The Harp
Nell of Old Drury
This cosy Catherine Street pub is named after Nell Gwyn, the orange-seller who became Charles II’s mistress, and sits opposite the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It’s a handy spot for a quick drink before the Royal Opera House.
Walking time: Royal Opera House 3 minutes · London Coliseum 9 minutes
Visit Nell of Old Drury
More places to eat in London
I hope this guide to restaurants near the Royal Opera House helps you plan a perfect night out. If you enjoyed it, you might also like my review of Harry’s Dolce Vita in Knightsbridge.
First written in 2017 and updated in 2026. Menus, prices and opening times change, so please check each venue’s own website before you go.