With Disney’s The Lion King making a welcome return to Bristol this week, hungry theatregoers will be hunting down early evening meals within walking distance of the Hippodrome.
There are plenty of dining options within a short stroll of the theatre and many of them offer discounts or deals for people heading to nearby shows.
Whether it’s a budget burger, a cut-price steak or a reduced price risotto, there’s something for all tastes and bank balances.
Read more: First look at cast for The Lion King as it returns to Bristol
Here’s our round-up of some of the best pre-theatre venues in central Bristol.
Ciao Amici, Denmark Street
Opposite the side entrances of the Hippodrome, this buzzy family-run Italian restaurant couldn’t be closer.
Always busy before a show, bookings are recommended for pre-theatre meals and the fact it opens at 4.30pm means you can enjoy a leisurely meal rather than rushing your food in time for ‘curtain up’.
Read more: Vegan 'micro bakery' and breakfast pop-up coming to Bristol
If you going too see at show at the Hippodrome or a gig at 02 Academy, you also get 10% off your pasta, pizza and risotto when you show a valid ticket.
Ciao Amici also opens seven days a week.
Bambalan, Beacon Tower, Colston Avenue
At the bottom of Beacon Tower and opposite Bristol Beacon, North African/Mediterranean restaurant and bar Bambalan runs a generous ‘pre-theatre deal’.
Whatever you decide to order from the appealing menu, you get 20% off your meal if you show them your ticket for any show, gig or event in Bristol that day.
If you’re with a group, that means a substantial and welcome saving.
Izakaya, College Green
Widely regarded as serving some of the best Japanese food in Bristol, booking is becoming pretty much essential at Izakaya.
Sushi, skewers, gyoza, bento rice set, katsu curry - the food is delicious and staff are charming.
There’s also a range of sake and Japanese beers to try, and a small covered pavement terrace for those wrapped up for the elements.
The Ox, Corn Street
Hidden beneath The Commercial Rooms in Corn Street, The Ox is still one of Bristol’s premier steakhouses nine years after it first opened.
A stunning dining room with an award-winning cocktail bar, the restaurant has made a name for its locally sourced steaks as well as its burgers and fish dishes.
Theatregoers usually go for the ‘early bird’ deal served Mon-Thurs (5pm-7pm) and Fri/Sat (12noon-7pm) - it costs £18 and includes a 6oz rump steak, fries and butter (garlic or blue cheese) with a glass of house wine or soft drink.
Cowbee, College Green
What started out as an ice cream and waffle venue in an old bank has recently broadened its choice with more savoury options including homemade burgers.
Made using locally sourced meat, the burgers are rightly gaining a strong reputation and you can wash them down with a thick milkshake for that full American diner experience.
Pizzarova, Park Street
At the bottom of Park Street and just around the corner from the Hippodrome and 02 Academy, Pizzarova specialises in sourdough pizzas to eat-in or takeaway.
There are plenty of options whether you are looking for meat or vegetarian/vegan alternatives.
Popular choices include the double chorizo with chilli-spiced ‘hot’ honey and the vegan favourite of marinated herby artichokes, Kalamata black olives and rocket.
Catch 22, College Green
Opposite College Green and Bristol Cathedral, this well established fish and chip restaurant and takeaway serves the full range of fish and seafood dishes in seasoned batter or signature herb and spice blends including lemon and herb.
It also has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options such as battered ‘vish’ (made with banana blossom marinated in samphire, seaweed and lemon).
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
The River Grille at The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street
Open from 5.30pm and ideal for a meal before heading to the Old Vic or Hippodrome, both of which are less than a five-minute walk away, this hotel restaurant benefits from lovely harbourside views.
Salads, steaks and burgers are cooked on the Josper Grill and main courses include deep-fried haddock and fries, grilled chicken supreme with Mediterranean vegetables or a seafood skillet - king prawns, sea trout, octopus, squid and mussels cooked in smoked paprika sauce.
doylecollection.com/hotels/the-bristol-hotel/dining/the-river-grille
Rendezvous Fish Bar, Denmark Street
A genuine Bristol institution opposite the Hippodrome stage door, a takeaway from the Rendezvous Fish Bar is usually the preferred option for many theatregoers after a show, but a lot of people still don’t realise there is a small restaurant at the back where you can eat-in before a show.
The fish and chips are as good as you’ll find around central Bristol and a friendly welcome is always guaranteed at this long-running family business.
Keep an eye out for the decades-old theatre posters on the walls. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Miller & Carter, College Green
Tucked away within the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel on College Green, Miller & Carter is a great pre-theatre location as it’s a two-minute walk from the Hippodrome.
With its ‘from field to butcher to grill’ tagline, the restaurant offers British and Irish cuts of beef cooked on the grill in an open kitchens within the spacious dining room.
Although there isn’t an early bird menu as such, Miller & Carter often runs set menus at different times so keep an eye out for deals.
millerandcarter.co.uk/restaurants/south-west/millerandcarterbristolcitycentre
Sign up for our weekly What's On in Bristol newsletter packed with essential stories to help you make the most of living in the city
READ MORE: Idyllic pub near Bristol up for sale for first time in 27 years
READ MORE: New upmarket restaurant defends zero star hygiene rating
