Pre-Theatre Dining in Covent Garden: A Thai Square Guide

Eating before a West End show is a small art. You want a proper meal, not a rushed bite, but you also need to make the curtain. Thai Square Covent Garden sits a few minutes from the major theatres, which makes it one of the easier places in the area to get the timing right.

What should you order before a show?

Keep it light enough to enjoy the second half without flagging. A couple of starters to share, a single curry or a plate of pad thai each, and you are well fed without feeling heavy. Save the sticky rice pudding for after the show if you are coming back into town.

How early should you arrive?

For a 7.30 curtain, a table at 6 gives you a comfortable ninety minutes. Tell the team you are heading to the theatre when you sit down and they will keep things moving at the right pace. It is a routine they know well.

Make a night of it

Covent Garden rewards an early arrival. Wander the piazza, catch the street performers, then settle in for dinner before the lights go down. Browse the menu in advance and reserve your table so the only thing you are watching is the stage.