Summer holidays are expensive! And we’re not just talking about a two-week vacay in California. Just the sheer act of having to keep your child entertained, out of trouble and away from a screen can burn a serious hole in your pocket. That’s why Kids Week is a must for anyone looking after a child aged 16 or under. And it’s not just for the free theatre ticket. We’ve teamed up with restaurants all over the West End to offer you great deals on pre- or post-show meals, too.
To help you choose where to go, we’ve picked a few restaurants your kids will love that are close to Kids Week shows.
Caffe Concerto, Haymarket
Nearby shows: The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Where Is Peter Rabbit? and The Phantom Of The Opera.
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Where Is Peter Rabbit? and The Phantom Of The Opera. Four shows that are worlds apart but the Criterion, Harold Pinter, Her Majesty’s and Haymarket theatres sure aren’t. If you’re planning to burn some extra calories laughing by watching The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, feel peckish after seeing Peter nibble carrots or feel like eating your emotions after seeing Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, why not consider visiting Caffe Concerto? They serve delicious Italian food so you can have a proper meal which doesn’t involve nuggets and your little one can have a yummy dish that they’ll love. Kids can choose a free meal from a set menu, plus a drink when an adult purchases a main course. Or, if you’d prefer, you can get 15% off your bill. Just be warned, there’s a lot of cake on display at Caffe Concerto so be ready to either say no or embrace the sugar rush.
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, Planet Hollywood is also a great shout and offers 20% off food, soft drinks and merchandise when you show your theatre tickets. Or Riley’s Haymarket who also offers 20% off your food bill.
Maxwell’s, Covent Garden
Nearby shows: The Girl On The Train, Brainiac Live, The Night Of The Iguana and On Your Feet
If you’re a regular theatre-goer, you’ve probably visited St Martin’s Lane more times than you can count. And this Kids Week will just keep racking up those visits as there are loads of shows on offer on the famous theatre road. If you’re planning on seeing The Girl On The Train at the Duke Of York’s Theatre, Brainiac Live at the Garrick Theatre, The Night Of The Iguana at the Noël Coward Theatre, or On Your Feet at the London Coliseum, Maxwell’s could very well be your saving grace when you have a hungry child in tow.
Serving hearty, all-American grub, Maxwell’s will be an absolute hit with your kid. From creamy mac and cheese to finger-licking ribs, this diner-style restaurant will fast become their favourite – so be ready to visit time and again. Kids can enjoy a free main course when they accompany an adult who has a full price main.
If burgers aren’t quite your thing, Bella Italia is just on the corner of St Martin’s Lane and Garrick Street where you can get 20% off your food bill from Sunday to Friday. Or Palm Court, which offers authentic French cuisine, is a short walk away and offers 25% off your food bill when you order off the a la carte menu.
Talli Joe, Seven Dials
Nearby shows: The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – The Musical, The Mousetrap and Matilda
A new musical and London’s longest-running play sit next to each other just off Seven Dials. And if you’re planning on seeing either The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – The Musical or The Mousetrap – or managed to snap up tickets to Matilda – there’s a brilliant restaurant serving traditional flavours in a unique way.
Talli Joe sits on Shaftesbury Avenue, just moments away from West Street. It’s a casual eatery which has been featured on the Best Indian Restaurants in London by Evening Standard, Best Restaurants in London by Conde Nast Traveller, and Time Out’s Best 100 dishes lists. It serves small plates and half plates which showcase tastes from all over India and it’s a great way to introduce new foods to both your palette and your little one. You can either get 15% off your food bill when you order off the a la carte menu between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Saturday or enjoy a set menu for £15 between 5pm and 6.30pm and from 9.30pm.
If you don’t mind a wee walk, inamo Covent Garden is just five minutes away and your kids will LOVE it. It serves pan Asian food which you order on the interactive tables. The tables also have games, a kitchen cam and more to keep your youngun entertained. Kids can get a free dessert when they order a dish and a drink from the a la carte menu.
Shoryu, Soho
Nearby shows: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – Part Four, Thriller Live, The Gruffalo, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Just like St Martin’s Lane, Shaftsbury Avenue is a haven for theatre lovers. With Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – Part Four, Thriller Live, The Gruffalo, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, chances are you might be trotting down the glitzy street over the next few weeks. And while you’re there, you may as well visit Shoryu.
Serving up authentic ramen which has been simmered for 12 hours, you and your child can enjoy a comforting and filling meal which will curb any tummy rumbles during the show. And if you think it’s too hot for soup, Shoryu also serves fluffy, melt-in-the-mouth bao buns, sushi, rice dishes and more. You can save 20% off ramen dishes and the a la carte menu.
Bodean’s, Covent Garden
Nearby shows: Waitress, The Woman In Black, The Play That Goes Wrong, 9 To 5 The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King and Mamma Mia
Hailing to the east of Theatreland lies Waitress, The Woman In Black, The Play That Goes Wrong, 9 To 5 The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King and Mamma Mia!. If your kid is lucky enough to be seeing any of these giant shows, they’ll need a giant meal, too.
Offering Kansas City-style barbecue, Bodean’s is a meat-lovers dream. Discover the true flavour of an all-American grill with all the fixins. As well as ribs, chicken, burnt ends, pulled pork and more, there’s also a wide selection of salads, sides (include cornbread muffins), and even veggie options. With your theatre ticket, you can get 20% off both your food and drink bill.
If a full-on BBQ is just too much for a pre- or post-theatre meal, then why not try Farmstand, Savoy Grill, Boulevard Brasserie or Roka? All offer great offers and even better food.
There are plenty of other restaurants offering meal deals with your theatre tickets. Click here to find the whole list.
Still don’t have your Kids Week tickets? Don’t worry! There are still plenty available. There are even some activities left for your kids to take part in, too.
Please note that terms and conditions apply to each restaurant booking and offer and some of the Kids Week shows mentioned are now sold out.