Pre-Theatre Dining in Covent Garden: Walk In at Six, Out by Quarter Past Seven
Curtain's at 7:30? Walk into Le Bab Covent Garden at six. Hummus first, then the paneer kebab or the salt beef, fries with the cheese fondue for the table. Out by quarter past seven, two or three minutes from your seat, wondering how that was a kebab place.
How close it is
Le Bab Covent Garden is at 4 Mercer Walk, WC2H 9FA, on the Seven Dials side of Long Acre. On foot from the door:
- Two or three minutes: Donmar Warehouse, Cambridge Theatre.
- About five: Royal Opera House, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, Fortune Theatre.
- Under ten: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum, Duchess, Novello, Aldwych, Noël Coward, London Coliseum, Wyndham's.
- Ten to twelve: the Strand houses (Adelphi, Vaudeville, Savoy) and the Shaftesbury Avenue run (Sondheim, Gielgud, Apollo, Lyric).
Nothing on that list needs a taxi. From the table to the Donmar is three minutes on foot.
The timing that works
Sit down at six for a 7:30 curtain. Order everything at once, starters and kebabs together, and say the curtain time when you order. You are eating by ten past six and asking for the bill by seven, which leaves half an hour you will not need.
For a 7:00 curtain, walk in at 5:30. Evening service opens at five Monday to Friday, so a 6:30 curtain still works: in at five, out by 6:15. For matinees, lunch at 12:30 does the same job; Saturday and Sunday run straight through, so a 2:30 curtain is an easy 1 o'clock table.
What to order when the clock is running
One thing to share, one kebab each, one thing for the middle of the table. Nothing here is slow.
- Hummus (v+), £7 or £10.50 for the large. Peanut-spiced pesto on top, flatbread to tear. Get the large for three or more; it goes first.
- Paneer Kebab (v), £14.50. Tikka paneer, sweet beetroot puree, crunchy cucumber and celery, curry mayo, crispy onions. The one meat-eaters order when the salt beef is right there.
- Salt Beef Kebab, £16. NY-style brisket, sauerkraut, a spicy gochujang relish that cuts straight through the fat.
- Lamb Adana, £16. Minced lamb skewer, slow-cooked onions, tzatziki, sundried tomato mayo. Served medium.
- Free-range Chicken Shish, £15. Charred thigh, hispi slaw, crispy chicken skin, garlic crème fraîche.
- Falafel Kebab (v+), £12. Sweet-pea falafel, fennel salad, confit garlic oil, vegan herb mayo.
- Signature House Fries (v+), £4, with the Cheese Fondue, £3. Fondue fries at a kebab restaurant. Photograph them, then eat them.
Hummus to share, a kebab each, fries and fondue for the table: around £20 to £25 a head before drinks, and done in an hour. Leave the Mixed Grill Platter (£24) for a night without a curtain time.
Book or walk in
Walk-ins get seated all week. On Friday and Saturday, and on any night a big show is in, book: the 6 o'clock tables go first. Booking is on OpenTable through the Covent Garden page. Put your curtain time in the booking note. Groups of six or more, book and mention the show.
4 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9FA. 020 7240 9781. Open Monday 12 to 4 and 5 to 9:30, Tuesday to Friday from 5 (until 10 on Tuesday, 10:30 Wednesday to Friday), Saturday 12 to 10:30, Sunday 12:30 to 9:30.
Questions people ask
How long does pre-theatre dinner take at Le Bab Covent Garden?
About an hour if you order in one go and say your curtain time. Seventy-five minutes gives you the walk and a coffee.
Do you have a pre-theatre set menu?
No. The full menu comes out fast enough that a set menu would only take dishes away. Order hummus, a kebab and fondue fries and you have built one.
Which theatres are closest?
Donmar Warehouse and the Cambridge Theatre are two or three minutes on foot. The Royal Opera House, Gillian Lynne, Phoenix, Palace, Shaftesbury and Fortune are about five.
Can we eat after the show instead?
On Wednesday to Saturday the kitchen runs to 10:30, so a 9:30 curtain-down works if you are quick. Sunday and Monday close at 9:30, so eat before.
Is there something for the vegetarian in the group?
The paneer kebab, and it is the one people argue over. The falafel kebab and the hummus are vegan.
Book Le Bab Covent Garden or see the Covent Garden menu.
