Each of the restaurants listed is located within a 5-10 minute walk of the theatres mentioned, ensuring you’ll get to your show on time.
(10 Gillespie Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4HS)
Harajuku Kitchen serves up Japanese classics. Picture: Harajuku Kitchen
Just a short walk from King’s Theatre on Leven Street, Harajuku Kitchen is one of Edinburgh’s favourite Japanese eateries.
The pre-theatre menu offers a taster of authentic, Japanese dishes and you can choose two items per person.
The deal includes genmai green tea, miso soup and steamed rice.
The deal: £12.95 per person (two items each). Monday to Friday, 5-6pm.
(14 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JT)
Steak is an atmospheric pre-theatre option. Picture: Steak
Around the corner from the Playhouse on Picardy Place, Steak offers the perfect pre-theatre menu for meat lovers, while including fish and veggie options too.
With dark, sophisticated, interiors, the restaurant provides a dramatic, indulgent start to a night of culture.
For your main you can enjoy the dish that gives the restaurant its name, with the option to upgrade to sirloin, rib-eye and fillet.
The deal: £21.95 (two courses), £26.95 (three courses). Daily excluding Saturday, 5pm to 6.45pm.
(6A Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvMNrohAs3x/
Directly opposite Festival Theatre in the Old Town sits a hidden gem in Spoon. The bistro/cafe is nestled above the shops on Nicolson Street and offers a relaxed spot for a pre-theatre meal.
With veggie, gluten-free and dairy-free options, Spoon serves a varied menu of world flavours in casual surroundings, with something for every culture vulture.
Wholesome and hearty food at its best.
The deal: £15 (two courses), £20 (three courses) . Monday to Saturday, 5pm to 7pm.
(7 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9BH)
Kebab Mahal on Nicolson Square, Edinburgh. Picture: Kebab Mahal
For those looking for a quick bite ahead of a play, Kebab Mahal on Nicolson Square, just a two-minute walk from the Festival Theatre, offers a no-frills option for the more casual theatre goer.
The Indian restaurant is small and doesn’t take reservations but it's known for its great curries and does a fantastic lamb bhuna and saag aloo.
The deal: There’s no specific pre-theatre menu but the restaurant is open from 12pm to 12am all year round apart from during Friday prayers.
(1st Floor, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED)
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Next door to Usher hall and just minutes from the Royal Lyceum and Traverse Theatre, Dine is in prime position for a pre-play bite.
With relaxed brasserie-style dining, the pre-theatre menu features contemporary Scottish dishes utilising locally-sourced ingredients. It also offers lunch and midweek evening deals, perfect for those attending a matinee showing.
The deal: £15.50 (two courses), £21.50 (three courses). Monday to Saturday, 5pm to 6.30pm.
(8 Union Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LU)
Phuket Pavillion serves up Thai classics. (Image: Phuket Pavillion)
Situated on Union Street, less than a five-minute walk from Edinburgh Playhouse, Phuket Pavilion has an average rating on TripAdvisor of 4.5 and offers up classic Thai dishes such as pad Thai, Thai green curry and panag curry.
The deal: £14.95 per person (two courses only). Available 5pm to 6.45pm.
(32 Valleyfield Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LR)
La Petite Mort offers a modern take on bistro classics. (Image: La Petite Mort)
Literally next door to the King's Theatre on Valleyfield Street, La Petite Mort offers up an exciting take on bistro classics and prides itself in showcasing the best of seasonal Scottish produce. The pre-theatre menu has delicious options for meat eaters, fish lovers and veggies in relaxed, welcoming surroundings.
The deal: £19.95 (two courses), £24.95 (three courses). 5pm to 7pm.
(42 West Register Street Edinburgh, EH2 2AA)
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A 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Playhouse and the New Town Theatre, this British steak and seafood restaurant opened its doors in 2018 on St. Andrew Square.
Hawksmoor, set in the grade A listed National Bank of Scotland Banking Hall, can provide a quick pre-theatre express menu on sittings until 6.30pm, with comfort-food dishes featuring seafood from around the Scottish coast and high quality grass-fed Scottish beef.
The deal: £25 (two courses), £28 (3 courses). Monday to Saturday until 6.30pm
(41 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB)
https://twitter.com/Field_Edinburgh/status/1114108600123838464
A five-minute walk from the Festival Theatre, Field opened in 2013 and prides itself on using Scottish ingredients throughout its menu.
With playful, unpretentious dishes that have the quality of fine dining, Field is a great pre-theatre option for discerning foodies.
The deal: £14.95 (two courses), £17.95 (three courses). January-July and September-November, 5.30pm to 6.45pm.
(1 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3JX)
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On the corner of Forth Street and Broughton Street, close to the Playhouse, sits the bijou 30-seater Le Roi Fou.
The award-winning restaurant offers a classy yet relaxed pre-theatre dining experience, with French cuisine utilising the best of Scottish ingredients.
The deal: £19.75 (two courses), £25 (three courses). Served until 6.30pm Tuesday to Thursday and 6pm Friday and Saturday.
