Best Restaurants near The Old Vic Theatre London

A spot of fine food before the theatre is something of an institution for visitors to London, and nowhere is more quintessential than the Old Vic. Many greats have walked the boards of this famous playhouse, and in that tradition, a crop of great restaurants have broken ground nearby to feed the steady stream of hungry patrons.

Here are some of the best restaurants near London’s Old Vic Theatre.

Gilray’s Steakhouse, Southbank

For some classic steak and grilled dishes, get to Gilray’s Steakhouse, where Head Chef Jamie Welch plays his role with passion and expertise. A focus on prime cuts of beef make for a master performance in steak excellence.

Starters of Roasted Lobster salad with Thermidor mash and Caramelised White Onion Soup open up for hearty mains of Cote De Boeuf, T Bone and Tomahawks. For something more exotic, try a crossbreed of Japanese Wagyu, with a choice of sauces from Béarnaise to Bacon Jam.

TheFork Rating: 8.0 Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00PM - 10:00PM

BOOK Gilray’s Steakhouse, Southbank

Sticky Mango, Waterloo

Discover fragrant and authentic Thai cuisine at Sticky Mango in Waterloo, where you can experience all the smells and spices of South East Asia.

Chef Peter Lloyd treats the region’s popular cuisine with respect and reverence, and you can taste that in each delicious dish. From Miso Glazed Black Cod with picked Daikon, Cucumber Salad and Black Sesame, to Wok Fried Monkfish with Malaysian Chilli Sauce, sautéed Bok Choi and Apple Blossom.

TheFork Rating: 8.7 Opening Hours: Monday 05:00PM - 10:30PM, Tuesday - Saturday 12:00PM - 02:30PM, 05:00PM - 10:30PM, Sunday Closed

BOOK Sticky Mango, Waterloo

The Cut Bar and Restaurant, Southbank

This restaurant is certainly a cut above the rest, making the Southbank its home, and therefore well situated for theatregoers. The Cut Bar and Restaurant specialises in fine dishes and small-plates with a focus on fresh, high quality ingredients.

Get a sense of the freshness on offer in the vegetarian mezze platter, featuring vegan Hummus, Zhough, Roast Cauliflower, Vegan Feta, Olives, Pickles and Sourdough. Or enjoy small plates with style, like the Spice Roast Cauliflower with Chimichurr, or Chorizo Croquettes with Parsley Aioli.

TheFork Rating: 7.1 Opening Hours: Monday 04:00PM - 09:00PM, Tuesday - Friday 04:00PM - 09:45PM, Saturday 12:00PM - 09:45PM, Sunday Closed

BOOK The Cut Bar and Restaurant, Southbank

Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Waterloo

This famous name among London’s South East Asian cuisine scene now has a handful of locations, and its Waterloo branch sits in close proximity to London’s Old Vic Theatre, perfect for dinner or lunch before seeing a play.

Rosa’s Thai Cafe has a selection of mouth watering dishes, whether you’re a fan of Thai food, or new to the cuisine. Think Pumpkin Crackers served with a homemade sweet chilli dipping sauce, and skewers of succulent grilled chicken thigh Satay, marinated in lemongrass and fragrant Thai spices with a peanut dipping sauce.

Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00PM - 10:00PM

BOOK Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Waterloo

Fifth Element, Southwark

Just a stone's-throw from the Old Vic Theatre is this modern marvel of dining, Fifth Element. Specialising in Italian dishes and other Mediterranean flavours, you can book a table here today on TheFork.

Expect hearty plates with fresh flavours sure to wow critics. This can be experienced in the succulent pork neck fillets, served with skin-on fries, tomato, feta cheese and delicious greek tzatziki sauce. Alongside your main, enjoy sides like the Greek salad, Caesar salad and Truffle parmesa

BOOK Fifth Element, Southwark

The Library at County Hall, Westminster

Serving quintessentially British cuisine, The Library at County Hall is a real crowd-pleaser for those seeking some traditional Afternoon Tea before or after they take in a play at the Old Vic.

Each course from Head Chef Jamie Welch will leave fond memories. From finger sandwiches of Clarence Court ‘Burford Brown’ Egg Mayonnaise on Wholegrain Bread and Coronation Chicken on Caraway Bread, to warm Golden Raisin scones with basil, and delicious hot pastries.

TheFork Rating: 8.8 Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00PM - 05:00PM

BOOK The Library at County Hall, Westminster

The Distillery, Great Suffolk Street 

The spirit of British cuisine is the inimitable inspiration behind The Distillery, on Great Suffolk Street near The Old Vic, and it can be tasted in every one of Chef Ollie Couillaud's delicious dishes. Book a table here on TheFork for all theatrics of their world-famous food.

Sharing plates of Cheese & charcuterie warm you up, before nibbles and sandwiches of Grilled flatbreads, Spanish ham and Wild mushroom aranchini. Main dishes showcase their regional expertise, like the Aberdeen angus beef burger, with Streaky bacon, cheddar cheese, onion marmalade, caper & gherkin mayo, french fries. 

TheFork Rating: 8.7 Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM-12PM 

Book The Distillery  

Bala Baya, Southwark

Experience the fragrance and flavour of Israeli cuisine at Bala Baya, a trendy and sought after restaurant in Southwark, just a short walk from the famous Old Vic Theatre.

Celebrating Middle Eastern Cuisine in every dish, book a table on TheFork today to see what keeps bringing patrons back for more. Chef Eran Tibi sews passion and vibrancy into every dish, from the Braised Beef Hummus with spiced chickpea, coriander and chilli relish, to Shawarma sunroots, with Jerusalem artichoke, sun dried tomatoes and an olive caviar.

TheFork Rating: 9 Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00PM - 03:00PM, 05:00PM - 10:00PM

BOOK Bala Baya, Southwark

Seabird, Southwark

If you like to get the best seats in the house, then Seabird is calling you, with rooftop views over London from its Southwark perch. Patrons have come flocking, so book your table on TheFork next time you’re in town to visit the Old Vic Theatre.

Their approach to cuisine is sky high, with raw dishes like the Gin-cured salmon, and Heritage carrot ceviche with Beetroot caviar leading on freshness. Seafood, for which the restaurant takes its name, is a must-try, from the Octopus roll on brioche with aioli, to simple fried calamari with lemon.

TheFork Rating: 8.8 Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 12:00PM - 12:00AM, Friday - Saturday 12:00PM - 01:00AM

BOOK Seabird, Southwark