Spinning the roulette wheel of pre-show dining can often be as dramatic as the theatre experience itself – too slow, and you’re jogging to your seat with indigestion; too complicated, and you’re halfway through dessert when the curtain rises. Covent Garden has mastered the art of quick-but-solid dinners, and here, at least, are three spots where you can eat well and still make it to your seat with time to grab a bottle of wine.
Crust Bros is a new firm favourite of mine – it’s the sort of place that understands urgency, though you wouldn’t guess it just by looking around. Their pizzas are fired faster than you can decide which combination from the A4 sheet of toppings you’re having, and that’s exactly what makes them ideal for theatregoers in a rush. Just off Covent Garden square, the setup is slick and snappy. Attentive staff serve cocktails while you wait, the sourdough base is chewy with just enough blister, toppings generous, and their bomba doughnut balls (sweet and savoury) are absolutely worth the extra few minutes. Read the full review here
29 Bedford St, London WC2E 8JF
Pivot Bistro sits right above the Covent Garden performers, offering one of the area’s most animated dining backdrops. The space itself feels part of the pre-show buzz, and the menu keeps things focused and unfussy. British classics, served at pace – think confit chicken terrine, an Isle of Wight tomato and burrata salad, or mains like cod loin with herb sauce, roasted half chicken or minute steak and fries. With set pricing at £32 for two courses or £38 for three, it’s a straightforward choice that fits neatly into an evening at the theatre.
3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU
Marugame Udon, which takes the speed of a Tokyo train station lunch stop, combines it with Ikea canteen efficiency and drops it into London. Trays glide, tempura is ready on standby, and bowls of udon arrive steaming seconds after you order. The White Fish Tom Yum broth with pumpkin tempura is their autumn special – hot, sour, and unapologetically comforting – it’s the perfect warming bowl for the colder months. It’s trendy, reliable, and before you’re pulled into the dark grip of 2:22 A Ghost Story, you want something warm, fast, and easy.
There’s a time and place for long lunches and wine pairings – just not an hour before curtain up. With these three, you’ll be fed, watered, and comfortably in your seat before the overture even begins.
