The Theatre Cafe
Main info
£8 - £20
/
British, Vegetarian options
188 Shaftesbury Ave, London
Opening hours
10AM-6PM
- Sunday 10AM-6PM
- Monday 10AM-6PM
- Tuesday 10AM-6PM
- Wednesday 10AM-6PM
- Thursday 10AM-6PM
- Friday 10AM-6PM
- Saturday 10AM-6PM
Strolling into The Theatre Cafe Diner, nestled snugly in the heart of London's shimmering West End, is like stepping backstage at a gloriously frantic musical production. You are welcomed amidst glitzy decor reminiscent of every theatre fan's daydreams, with your servers — part-time musical phenoms cradling microphones instead of notepads — ready to dish out hot plates and hit high notes. As the aisles fill with show-tune hummed soundtracks, it's clear these waiters have more than just tray-carrying finesse; they should audition for a lead role in the next West End revival. Each bite of my meal was accompanied by an enthusiastic scalp-tingling chorus of "Let It Go," sung so heartfully one might believe Idina Menzel herself was on stage — until realising it’s the chap who brought you that extra dollop of salsa moments ago.
However, while their vocal performances graze the edge of sublime theatricality, the kitchen’s output raised my eyebrows a couple of octaves lower. The burgers, though earnest in presentation, seemed as though they had been tutored more by benign background noise than a seasoned chef. Yet, despite any gastronomic hit-and-misses, the crescendo built perfectly with the atmosphere's electric pulse, akin mostly to a system-sprawling ensemble cast feeding off each other's zeal (for the love of Billy Elliot himself). True, prices may make your wallet shrink in mild panic, but frankly, here you’re trading in hard currency for vibrant energy and some fabulously belted showtunes. Would I go again? Perhaps, armed this time with a pre-theatre appetite just for witnessing those fiery duets delivered between tables A13 and B7, rather than expecting gourmet masterworks. Yet as preambles to a grand theatre night go, this diner's melodious chorus line should not be missed.
However, while their vocal performances graze the edge of sublime theatricality, the kitchen’s output raised my eyebrows a couple of octaves lower. The burgers, though earnest in presentation, seemed as though they had been tutored more by benign background noise than a seasoned chef. Yet, despite any gastronomic hit-and-misses, the crescendo built perfectly with the atmosphere's electric pulse, akin mostly to a system-sprawling ensemble cast feeding off each other's zeal (for the love of Billy Elliot himself). True, prices may make your wallet shrink in mild panic, but frankly, here you’re trading in hard currency for vibrant energy and some fabulously belted showtunes. Would I go again? Perhaps, armed this time with a pre-theatre appetite just for witnessing those fiery duets delivered between tables A13 and B7, rather than expecting gourmet masterworks. Yet as preambles to a grand theatre night go, this diner's melodious chorus line should not be missed.
How to get there
188 Shaftesbury Ave, London
London City Airport — 8.08 mi
Leicester Square - 130 yd
