There are hundreds of restaurants in walking distance of London’s theatres, serving every type of cuisine you could possibly wish for. First up are two affordable classic Italian chains with several restaurants across Theatreland.

Bella Italia 

Maintaining an authentic Tuscan country kitchen feel, Bella Italia offers great Italian food. See their website for details of locations and to view sample menus.

Pizza Express

Pizza Express offers dishes made from fresh ingredients with friendly and efficient service. Perfect if you don’t have hours before your show starts!

More of our favourite cheap eats:

• Stockpot - Cheap and cheerful traditional English food served quickly for when you haven’t got hours to mull over your meal.
  
  
• Food For Thought - Excellently priced vegetarian food. You might have to queue to get a table in the rather pokey basement, but for the large servings of their delicious daily specials, it’s well worth it!
  
  
• Yo! Sushi - For a meal with a difference, why not sit around a conveyer belt and try some sashimi! With over 90 different dishes priced between £1.70 and £5, you can be as frugal or as extravagant as you wish! Just avoid the squid if you’re squeamish…
  
  
• Leon - Good, wholesome, yummy food with main dishes around the £6 mark.
  
  
• Wagamama - Offering a variety of noodle dishes and their famous Katsu curry, this is the perfect pre-theatre restaurant – your food always arrives pronto and you rarely have to queue for the canteen style seating.
  
  
• Belgo - From 17:00-18:30 Monday-Friday, this ingenious restaurant charges you in relation to when you placed your order. So order at 17:27 and you’ll pay £5.27 for your meal!
  
  
• Fire and Stone - When an ordinary pizza won’t do, be more adventurous and go for a curry or oriental topping at this restaurant.

TheatreFix Top Tips!

Special theatre menus – Many restaurants in London’s Theatreland offer set pre-theatre menus, which means you get a great deal and know your meal will arrive in time for you to enjoy it before the show.

• Check online! – There are some plus points to the credit crunch – many restaurants are offering 2 for 1 deals, so check online before you eat.
  
  
• NUS Discount – Don’t forget, if you’re a student many restaurants offer a NUS discount. Check www.nus.org.uk for the full list.
  
  
• Drinks – If you want to go for a drink before the show, avoid expensive theatre bars and pop round the corner to the local pub instead!
  
  
• Time Out – Have a look at the Time Out London website for special offers and their handy restaurant recommendations.