Restaurants, bars and cafes near Criterion Theatre - London

Planning a pre‑show meal near Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus

Set beneath Piccadilly Circus, Criterion Theatre is surrounded by streets that have fed theatregoers for generations: Piccadilly itself, Regent Street St James’s and Haymarket to one side, and Coventry Street and Denman Street as you head towards Soho. All are within a short walk, so you can choose a restaurant or café that suits how you like to arrive for a performance—whether you prefer a quieter meal just off the Circus or the livelier atmosphere towards Soho—then allow a little extra time to enjoy the area’s historic streets before curtain up. This guide highlights nearby dining areas rather than individual venues; once you’ve chosen a place, always check its official website or a current listings service for up‑to‑date details such as opening hours, menus and reservation policies, as these can change.

Restaurants steps from the theatre on Piccadilly

Several restaurants are effectively next door to Criterion Theatre along Piccadilly and Piccadilly Circus, which is useful if you prefer to stay very close to the entrance before or after a performance. Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus and Granaio are both located at 224 Piccadilly Circus, only a very short walk from the theatre, giving you restaurant options almost directly across from the venue. Carlo Cicchetti at 215 Piccadilly is also close by on the same street, while The Hard Rock Cafe at 225–229 Piccadilly offers another named option along this stretch. These Piccadilly addresses are all within roughly a minute or two on foot from the theatre, so you can finish your meal and reach the auditorium without needing to cross into other parts of the West End.

• Masala Zone Piccadilly CircusAbout 9 m from Criterion Theatre at 224 Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HP
• GranaioAbout 14 m away at 224 Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HP
• Carlo CicchettiAround 62 m away at 215 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HL
• The Hard Rock CafeRoughly 61 m away at 225/229 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HR

Regent Street St James’s and Jermyn Street options

If you are happy to walk just over a minute from the theatre, Regent Street St James’s and nearby Jermyn Street add more restaurant choices while still keeping you close to Piccadilly Circus. On Regent Street St James’s, Pizza Hut at 29–31 Regent Street St James’s provides a named pizza restaurant within a short walk south of the theatre. Getti on Jermyn Street is another nearby option, listed as an Italian restaurant, which may appeal if you prefer that style of food. These streets run just off Piccadilly, so they are straightforward to reach on foot from the theatre without needing to navigate the busier parts of Soho or Leicester Square.

• Pizza HutAbout 57 m from the theatre at 29–31 Regent Street St James's, London SW1Y 4ND
• GettiRoughly 74 m away at 16–17 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE
• Rowley'sAround 100 m away at 113 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6HR

Cafes and coffee spots within a short walk

If you only need a light bite, dessert or coffee before heading into the auditorium, there are several cafes near Criterion Theatre that keep you close to Piccadilly Circus. Simit Sarayi at 1 Piccadilly Circus is a cafe very close to the theatre, while Carpo at 16 Piccadilly and carpo Piccadilly on Glasshouse Street both appear as cafe-style venues within about 100–120 metres. Costa at 15 Regent Street St James’s is another named coffee shop option a short walk away. Caffee Concerto on Haymarket also shows up as a cafe near the theatre. These cafes are useful if you want somewhere to sit briefly, meet your group, or grab a drink before taking your seats.

• Simit SarayiAround 65 m from the theatre at 1 Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 0DA
• CarpoAbout 100 m away at 16 Piccadilly, London W1J 0DE
• Carpo PiccadillyRoughly 117 m away at 10 Glasshouse Street, London W1B 5AR
• CostaAround 115 m away at 15 Regent Street St James's, London SW1Y 4LR
• Caffee ConcertoAbout 74 m away at 45 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4SE

Haymarket, Coventry Street and Denman Street restaurants

Moving a little further, but still within a short walk, Haymarket, Coventry Street and Denman Street give you more restaurant names to consider on the way towards Leicester Square and Soho. On Haymarket, Angus Steakhouse on Coventry Street and Wok and Fire on Haymarket are both within just over 100 metres of the theatre, adding steakhouse and Chinese-labelled restaurant options in the immediate area. Haidilao Hot Pot on Coventry Street is another Chinese hot pot restaurant listed nearby. Flat Iron Piccadilly on Denman Street appears as a steak house within roughly 115 metres, while Fallow on Haymarket is another named restaurant close to the theatre. These streets are straightforward to reach by walking a short distance from Piccadilly Circus towards Leicester Square.

• Angus SteakhouseAbout 103 m away on Coventry Street, London W1D 7AG
• Wok and FireAround 107 m from the theatre at 33 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4SE
• Haidilao Hot PotRoughly 115 m away at 13 Coventry Street, London W1D 7DH
• Flat Iron PiccadillyAbout 115 m away at 21 Denman Street, London W1D 7HS
• FallowAround 117 m away at 52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP

Bars and casual drinks near Piccadilly Circus

If you are mainly looking for a drink near the theatre, there are several bar-category venues within an easy walk of Criterion Theatre. Black Tap on Glasshouse Street appears as a bar within about 87 metres of the venue, and Box Game Changer on Shaftesbury Avenue is another bar option roughly 100 metres away. FOWL on Norris Street is listed as a chicken restaurant but may also work for visitors who want a more casual food-and-drink stop within a short walk. These spots sit just off Piccadilly Circus towards Glasshouse Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Norris Street, so they are convenient if you want to step slightly away from the busiest part of the circus while staying close to the theatre.

• Black TapAround 87 m from the theatre on Glasshouse Street, London W1F 7BL
• Box Game ChangerRoughly 100 m away at 23 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7NE
• FOWLAbout 117 m away at 3 Norris Street, London SW1Y 4RJ

What to double-check before you go

Because the area around Criterion Theatre is busy and restaurant details can change, there are a few things worth confirming directly with your chosen venue before your visit. First, check current opening hours for the day of your performance, as these can vary between weekdays, weekends and holidays. Second, look up whether the restaurant accepts or recommends reservations at your preferred time, especially if you are planning to eat close to the evening show start. Finally, if you have specific dietary needs or accessibility requirements, review the latest information on the restaurant’s own channels or contact them so you know what to expect when you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there restaurants immediately next to Criterion Theatre. London?

Yes. Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus and Granaio are both listed at 224 Piccadilly Circus, only a few metres from the theatre on Piccadilly. Carlo Cicchetti at 215 Piccadilly and The Hard Rock Cafe at 225–229 Piccadilly are also within a very short walk, giving you several dining options effectively on the same stretch as the theatre.

Where can I get coffee or a light snack near Criterion Theatre?

Several cafes are close to the theatre. Simit Sarayi at 1 Piccadilly Circus, Carpo at 16 Piccadilly, carpo Piccadilly on Glasshouse Street, Costa at 15 Regent Street St James’s, and Caffee Concerto on Haymarket all appear within roughly 70–120 metres of Criterion Theatre, so you can pick up a drink or snack within a short walk.

What restaurant options are there towards Haymarket and Coventry Street?

Towards Haymarket and Coventry Street you will find Angus Steakhouse on Coventry Street, Wok and Fire on Haymarket, Haidilao Hot Pot on Coventry Street, Flat Iron Piccadilly on Denman Street, and Fallow on Haymarket. All of these are within a short walking distance of Criterion Theatre and sit between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.

Are there bars close to Criterion Theatre for a drink before or after the show?

Yes. Black Tap on Glasshouse Street and Box Game Changer on Shaftesbury Avenue are both listed as bars within about 100 metres of the theatre. FOWL on Norris Street is another nearby venue that may suit visitors looking for a more casual food-and-drink option.

Do I need to book a restaurant near Criterion Theatre in advance?

There is no single rule for all nearby restaurants. Booking policies and how busy a place gets can vary by venue, date and time. Once you choose a restaurant such as Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus, Granaio, Flat Iron Piccadilly or another nearby option, check its official information or a current listing to see whether reservations are available or recommended for your preferred time.

How far should I be willing to walk from the theatre for more dining choices?

Within roughly 100–120 metres of Criterion Theatre you already have a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, including options on Piccadilly, Regent Street St James’s, Jermyn Street, Haymarket, Coventry Street and Denman Street. If you are comfortable walking that distance, you can compare many named venues while still staying very close to Piccadilly Circus.