Why Fitzrovia Is the Better Choice for Pre-Theatre Dining

Planning a theatre trip in London? The usual instinct is to head straight for Soho or the heart of Theatreland for dinner before the show. But there’s a quieter, smarter option just a few minutes away: Fitzrovia.

For a pre-theatre meal, location matters — but so does how you spend the hour or two before the curtain goes up. And this is where Fitzrovia has a distinct advantage.

Escape the Soho Rush

Soho is brilliant, but before a West End show it can become seriously busy. Crowded pavements, packed restaurants and people rushing between dinner, drinks and theatres can make the start of your evening feel more stressful than it needs to be.

Fitzrovia offers a different experience. Just north of Oxford Street, it has the same central London convenience without quite the same intensity. You can sit down, enjoy your meal and actually have a conversation rather than feeling as though you're part of the pre-theatre rush.

Close to the West End Without Being in the Middle of It

One of the best things about Fitzrovia is its position. You're close enough to the West End to make getting to your show straightforward, while avoiding the busiest parts of Soho and Theatreland.

Sushi Atelier is at 114 Great Portland Street, close to Oxford Circus and Portland Place.

That makes it particularly convenient if you're heading towards theatres around Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road or the northern side of Theatreland.

In other words, you don't necessarily need to eat right next to your theatre to make a good pre-theatre choice.

Sushi Makes a Great Pre-Theatre Meal

There’s another reason Fitzrovia works particularly well for pre-theatre dining: sushi.

Unlike a heavy three-course meal, sushi gives you plenty of choice over how much you want to eat and how quickly you want to dine. You can enjoy a selection of nigiri, sashimi and rolls, add a few small plates, or make the meal more of an occasion with premium sake or Japanese beer.

At Sushi Atelier, the chefs work at a long sushi counter, giving the meal an element of theatre of its own. The menu combines modern sushi with dishes such as carpaccios, dumplings and other Japanese-inspired plates.

And, importantly, you don't have to sacrifice quality simply because you're dining before a show.

A More Relaxed Start to Your Evening

The best pre-theatre meal shouldn't feel like something you have to squeeze into your evening.

It should be the beginning of the experience.

Fitzrovia gives you the opportunity to start your night with good food, a glass of sake and a little time to relax before heading towards the theatre. It's central, well connected and close enough to the West End — but just removed enough to feel like you've escaped the crowds.

So next time you're booking tickets for a West End show, look beyond Soho.

Make Fitzrovia part of the evening.

And make Sushi Atelier your first act.

Sushi Atelier
114 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6PH
Modern sushi, Japanese small plates and premium drinks, just minutes from Oxford Circus.