Pre-theatre meal near Palace Theatre
If you’re seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, you’ll be heading to Shaftesbury Avenue for the show. And with two shows per day, at 2 pm and 7pm, you might be looking for a restaurant near to Palace Theatre on for a pre or post show meal.
Our menu includes pasta with fresh sauces made in-house every day, made to order pizzas, and Italian-American classics such as mozzarella sticks, chicken parm, Caesar salads, and our seafood cocktail.
Desserts are home made daily, and we serve wine, beer on tap, classic cocktails, and low and no alcoholic options too.
Whether you’re headed to a show during the week, or on a Saturday, we’d advise booking a table, as we can get quite busy - so it’s best to give yourself enough time, and to guarantee a space.
Grasso restaurant near the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is just a five minute walk from Grasso, making it a solid choice for a pre-theatre dinner. All you need to do is turn right out of the restaurant, and head south down Dean Street, turn left onto Bateman Street, and then right onto Greek Street. From there, the theatre will be on your left. Making
Palace Theatre is a short walk from Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus.
Palace Theatre pre-show menu
If you’re heading to Palace Theatre, and looking for something to eat before (or after!), then our Italian-American menu should fit the bill.
We serve pasta, made-to-order pizza, New York classic mains, and a range of starters and sides. Everything is prepared in-house, by our mother, and team of chefs.
We welcome groups of all sizes, families and children - but we would advise booking to give yourself enough time before the show.
FAQs
How far is Grasso from the Palace Theatre?
Grasso is a short five minute walk from the Palace Theatre, making it a great option for a pre-theatre meal.
Should we mention that we’re going to the Palace Theatre when visiting Grasso?
If you’re worried you might be running late, and would like the food to arrive quickly so you don’t miss the start of the show, then let the team know and we’ll make sure it comes out quickly.
Should you book a pre-theatre meal at Grasso if y?
If you’re looking for a pre-Palace Theatre menu, and thinking about visiting Grasso, then we would advise making a reservation as we can get very booked up and busy.
Does Grasso do post-theatre meals?
If you’re looking for a post-theatre meal, then check our kitchen opening times to make sure you have enough time to get to us from the Palace Theatre, to order, and to enjoy your meal.
How much time should I allow for my pre-theatre meal at the Palace Theatre?
We would suggest giving yourself around an hour and a half for your pre-theatre meal.
Do you cater for different dietary requirements?
Yes we do! For some, there may be more limitations than others. All allergen info can be found here.
About the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is one of London's most recognisable buildings. Standing at the junction of Cambridge Circus, where Shaftesbury Avenue meets Charing Cross Road, its striking red-brick facade has dominated this corner of Theatreland since 1891.
The building has quite a story. It was commissioned by Richard D'Oyly Carte — the man who brought Gilbert and Sullivan together — and was originally called the Royal English Opera House. Carte had grand ambitions: he wanted to establish a home for English opera, much like he'd done for comic opera at his Savoy Theatre. The opening production, Arthur Sullivan's Ivanhoe, ran for 160 performances. But when that ended, Carte had nothing else ready to fill the theatre. Within a year, he'd sold it at a loss.
What seemed like failure turned into something else entirely. The building was converted into a music hall, renamed the Palace Theatre of Varieties, and became one of the most successful entertainment venues in London. The architect Thomas Edward Collcutt's design was genuinely innovative for its time — heavy steel cantilevers built into the back walls meant no supporting pillars blocking the view. Even today, the sight lines are excellent.
Over the decades, the Palace has hosted some of the West End's longest-running shows. The Sound of Music played here for 2,385 performances in the 1960s. Jesus Christ Superstar ran from 1972 to 1980. And then came Les Misérables, which called the Palace home for nineteen years — from 1985 until 2004 — before moving down Shaftesbury Avenue to what's now the Sondheim Theatre.
Andrew Lloyd Webber owned the Palace for many years and oversaw a careful restoration in the early 1990s. The work included stripping away layers of paint to reveal the original marble and onyx panels in the auditorium, and restoring the distinctive terracotta exterior that gives the building its warm, reddish colour.
Since 2016, the Palace has been home to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The production has become the most awarded play in West End history, winning a record-breaking nine Olivier Awards including Best New Play. With 1,400 seats spread across four levels, it's one of the larger theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue — and one of the most atmospheric.
The Palace Theatre is just a five minute walk from Grasso, making it an easy choice if you're looking for somewhere to eat before the show.
Things to do near the Palace Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue is the hub of London's Theatreland, and in the heart of the West End. From here, you're a short walk from Chinatown to the south, and Old Compton Street to the north, where you'll find bars, restaurants, and shops.
Chinatown is practically on the doorstep. Head south from the theatre and you'll hit Gerrard Street within a minute or two. The ornate gates, red lanterns, and rows of restaurants serving everything from dim sum to Sichuan hotpot make it feel like a different world. If you're after a pre-show snack, the bakeries do excellent egg custard tarts.
Charing Cross Road runs north from Cambridge Circus and is famous for its bookshops. Foyles, at 107 Charing Cross Road, has been a London institution since 1906. Four floors of books, a café, and regular author events. It's the kind of place where you pop in for a quick browse and emerge an hour later with three books you didn't know you needed.
Leicester Square is a short walk south, past Chinatown. The cinemas here host most of London's major film premieres, and the square itself is usually buzzing with street performers.
Soho spreads north and west from the theatre. Cafe Boheme is a good place to drink and people watch, and Ronnie Scott's on Frith Street is worth a visit if you're looking to plan ahead and see some live music. And if you're looking for a late night espresso to keep you up on the way home, Bar Italia is open to 4am.
And if you're wondering what else you can get up to, we've created a list of our favourite places and things to do in Soho.
Palace Theatre FAQs
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been running at the Palace Theatre since 2016. It's the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first to be presented on stage. The production has won more Olivier Awards than any other play in West End history.
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The show is performed in two parts. Part One runs for approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes (including a 20 minute interval), and Part Two runs for approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 20 minute interval). You can see both parts on the same day — matinee and evening — or on consecutive days.
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On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Part One is at 2pm and Part Two is at 7pm. On Sundays, Part One is at 1pm and Part Two is at 6pm. Performance schedules can vary, so it's worth checking when you book.
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The show is recommended for ages 8 and above. All children under 5 are not permitted, and anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone entering the theatre needs a ticket, regardless of age.
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The Palace Theatre is at 113 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY. It sits at Cambridge Circus, where Shaftesbury Avenue meets Charing Cross Road. You can't miss it — it's the large red-brick building dominating the corner.
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Leicester Square is the closest tube station, about a 3-5 minute walk away. It's on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. Tottenham Court Road (Northern, Central, and Elizabeth lines) is also nearby, roughly the same distance.
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The Palace Theatre is about a five minute walk from Grasso. When you leave the restaurant, head down Dean Street towards Shaftesbury Avenue, turn left, and the theatre is just ahead on your right at Cambridge Circus.
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The theatre recommends arriving around an hour before the performance. There are security checks at the entrance, and arriving early gives you time to get through, find your seats, and visit the bar or merchandise kiosk before the show starts. Latecomers may not be admitted.
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Yes — and we'd suggest Grasso. We're just five minutes away on Dean Street, and our Italian-American menu is ideal for a pre-theatre meal. Pasta, pizza, chicken parm, and desserts made fresh each morning by our mamma. If you're coming before the show, it's worth booking a table so you're not rushed.
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Our pizzas are made fresh with 48-hour fermented dough. For something more substantial, the chicken parm with spaghetti is a favourite. And we'd always suggest finishing with the tiramisu — it's handmade by our mamma every morning and has been recognised as one of the best in London.
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The theatre has step-free access via the entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue. There's wheelchair seating available, and an accessible toilet in the foyer. The theatre also offers audio described, captioned, and BSL interpreted performances throughout the year. Contact the box office directly for specific access requirements.
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The Palace Theatre opened in 1891 as the Royal English Opera House. It was designed by architect Thomas Edward Collcutt and commissioned by Richard D'Oyly Carte, who wanted it to be a home for English grand opera. The foundation stone was laid in 1888.
Theatres near Grasso
Gielgud Theatre
Piccadilly Theatre
Sondheim Theatre
Lyric Theatre