Where to eat near the Royal Albert Hall before a show

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the few London venues where you can have a proper dinner without leaving the building: it runs several restaurants and bars of its own. Around it, South Kensington and Kensington High Street offer plenty of alternatives, from a historic Polish club to Levantine small plates. Here is where to eat, before or after the show.

Inside the Hall

The Hall's food and drink pages list several options:

• Verdi – Italian Kitchen: a casual Italian restaurant (pasta, pizza and mains). It is open to everyone, not only ticket holders, which makes it a convenient meeting point.
• The Elgar Room: a relaxed brasserie open to ticket holders before shows in the auditorium. The Hall recommends booking ahead, as demand can be very high.
• Coda, overseen by chef Éric Chavot: the Hall's fine-dining restaurant, on the Rausing Circle level, serving set menus. It is the base of the Hall's pre-show hospitality packages.
• The Café Bar, open during the day, and a champagne bar run in partnership with Laurent-Perrier.

You can also pre-order drinks through the Hall, for collection when you arrive. Opening times and menus change with the programme: check the Hall's "Food and drink" pages and book before you go.

Exhibition Road and South Kensington

On the way from South Kensington station, a few addresses stand out:

• Ognisko, the restaurant of the historic Polish Hearth Club, near Exhibition Road: hearty Polish and Central European cooking in a characterful setting, a few minutes from the Hall.
• CERU South Kensington: Levantine small plates, practical for groups and mixed dietary needs.
• Macellaio RC South Kensington: a Piedmontese-style steakhouse, a little further away (around 15 minutes' walk).

South Kensington station and the streets around it also have a wide range of cafés, chains and casual restaurants, useful for a quick bite before walking up to the Hall.

Kensington High Street

If you are coming from High Street Kensington station:

• Min Jiang, on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, is known for its Beijing duck and its views. Book well ahead for a special occasion.
• Zaika of Kensington, in a former bank building near Kensington High Street, serves North Indian cooking in a smart setting.

Our tips

• Book as soon as you have your tickets, especially for weekend shows and during the BBC Proms season, when the Hall is busy almost every night.
• Plan your meal around the start time on your ticket, and allow 10 to 15 minutes to walk from South Kensington or Kensington High Street, plus time for security checks.
• After the show, the restaurants on Kensington High Street and around South Kensington station are the most convenient; closing times vary, so check before you rely on a late table.

For the rest of your evening, see our guides to getting to the Royal Albert Hall, parking at the Royal Albert Hall and the best seats at the Royal Albert Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Can you eat at the Royal Albert Hall before a show?

Yes. The Hall has its own restaurants, including Verdi – Italian Kitchen (open to everyone), the Elgar Room brasserie for ticket holders and Coda, its fine-dining restaurant. Booking is recommended.

Where can I eat near the Royal Albert Hall?

Ognisko, the Polish Hearth Club restaurant near Exhibition Road, is a few minutes away. CERU and Macellaio RC are in South Kensington, and Min Jiang and Zaika of Kensington are towards Kensington High Street.

Do I need a ticket to eat at Verdi in the Royal Albert Hall?

No: according to the Hall, Verdi – Italian Kitchen is open to everyone, not only ticket holders.

Can I pre-order drinks at the Royal Albert Hall?

Yes, the Hall lets you pre-order drinks for collection. Orders must be placed a couple of hours before the start: check the cut-off on the Hall's food and drink pages.