Sarastro in London

Sarastro Restaurant, 126 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5SU, United Kingdom

★★★★☆
(2121 reviews)
Categories: Mediterranean restaurant Turkish restaurant

About

Sarastro restaurant, named after a character in Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’, first opened its doors in August 1996. Housed in what was once a public house on 19th Century gin soaked Drury Lane and latterly part of Peabody Housing, Sarastro quickly established itself as one of London’s most unique and must see restaurants. As the first restaurant in London to feature balconies, and with banisters taken from the Royal Opera House, Sarastro offers a diverse range of seating accommodation; much of which is partially enclosed to offer partial privacy for diners of a more discreet nature. Please note that closing hours indicate the time for the last food orders.

Website
sarastro-restaurant.com
Address
Sarastro Restaurant, 126 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5SU, United Kingdom
Plus Code
GV7J+G3 London, United Kingdom
Time Zone
Europe/London

Business Hours

Monday
12–10 PM
Tuesday
12–10 PM
Wednesday
12–10 PM
Thursday
12–11 PM
Friday
12–11 PM
Saturday
12–11 PM
Sunday
12–10 PM

Services

Service options
Dine-in Delivery Takeaway
Highlights
Live music
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Halal food Healthy options Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert
Amenities
Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly Groups
Planning
Reservations required Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards

Photos

Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
2121 reviews

Most Mentioned

entertainment (134) theatre (109) live music (103) set menu (45) opera (41) balcony (35) decoration (25) themed restaurant (10) box seats (8) performances (6)
5 stars
1275
4 stars
486
3 stars
179
2 stars
70
1 stars
111
★★★★
December 17, 2024

Attended this place for a Christmas dinner with work so as you can imagine the place was busy, staff were good they did forget us sometimes but given the amount of people they had to deal with i can completely excuse that, the atmosphere was fab and the lamb was the best bit of lamb i have had in a while just superb. I will add the choice of bathroom decor is very questionable.

★★★★★
November 24, 2024

Undeniably the star of the show here is the decor and the atmosphere, both of which are stunning. Also stunning is the music accompanying your meal. We had a string quartet, (superb) followed by two opera singers, (also superb). The food was good but there was a lack of vegetarian choices, only vegan options which was a bit poor, also lacking in protein. All in all, go to Sarastro you won’t be disappointed, we’ll definitely be going back.

★★★★★
November 2, 2024

We had our lunch there, seabass, all starters, chicken, and boodrum kebabi. All were very nice, especially the chicken. We had baqlava for dessert but I wouldn't recommend it. Minez served us. She was nice and helpful. Explained the menu in detail. All of us enjoyed the meal.

★★★★★
November 2, 2024

This place makes me want to live here permanently. The food was fantastic and the place’s interior is like nothing I’ve ever seen. The service was super friendly and helpful with recommendations for food and drink. I’m there is one place I could recommend in all of London it’s here. A must visit.

★★
October 13, 2024

I liked the vibe of the place, but the food and cleanliness wasn't up to part. We had the seabream dish for two and the beef kebab dish - overall, too greasy and not seasoned enough. We also felt that the prices didn't reflect the quality of the offering - and £5 for a small tap-poured, bubble-less "coke" is extortionate. Finally, there were discrepancues between the bill and the prices listed on the menu; apparently, they had mixed the old menus with the new ones. The waitor was kind though and offered us a 10% discount to make up for it. We won't be returning I'm afraid, mainly because we simply weren't impressed by the food.

★★★★
September 24, 2024

Sarastro is a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. The decor is absolutely stunning and theatrical. It reminded me of a king's tent in an Arabian desert with vibrant colours and artefacts. The service was attentive, but the taste of the main dishes was, unfortunately, not satisfactory. The lamb shank I ordered, which was very tender, was very salty, and I eat a lot of salt, so for me to find it too much is telling. My friends agreed. Meanwhile, their food of moussaka and tortellini required seasoning as it was quite bland. The starter of scallops was very delicious, though, and cooked to perfection. The chocolate fondant dessert was also lovely. Overall, a lovely dining experience but let down a bit by the main course.

★★★★
July 11, 2024

We had a reservation at Sarastro on 6/29/24 at 5:30pm. Upon making the reservation, a notification appeared stating that we needed to leave the restaurant by 7pm as children under 16 are not allowed after that time. Although I found this rule peculiar, I appreciated the advance notice. Sarastro offers Opera box seating with gold drapes, Turkish cuisine, and an extensive drink selection. As a fan of themed dining, I was looking forward to the experience. However, I realized that it may not have been the best choice to bring children here, as their preferences for chicken nuggets and mac and cheese were not met by the menu. Sarastro is a fantastic spot for a romantic evening or a night out with friends, where you can enjoy a meal in a sophisticated atmosphere. I would definitely return, but perhaps for a date night with my husband rather than a family outing.

★★★★★
July 1, 2024

Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area! Such a unique place & the food was so tasty. I put on the booking that I was visiting for a birthday (which I’d forgotten about) & before they brought the bill they gave us a nice little birthday plate! I will say that the toilets were eye opening to say the least haha but overall a great time & I would highly recommend. We visited during the day & it was pretty quiet but I’ll definitely be returning to watch a show here for sure!

★★★
Local Guide
December 18, 2024

Not an ordinary interior, but the food is very mediocre, the waiters push more expensive dishes and don t recommend anything good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

Very special place, and the food is great!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

What an extraordinary place, Beautiful

December 15, 2024

Amazing quirky restaurant, you dont go here for the food, as quite frankly its very poor.

★★★
December 15, 2024

It s a huge shame that the service and substance doesn t match up to the wonderful and magical interior. Kids mains small and priced at £14 didnt include a drink or small dessert and very basic. Chicken goujons advertised but grilled chicken arrived which was too charred for a child and a finely chopped salad with vinagre which had run under the minimal chips on the plate. I asked for it to be changed and was given a mini run down on salmonella. Staff then left to check if it could be changed and came back to tell me they could do a chicken breast. By that point we had eaten as the food was served warm and plates cold. Partners chicken skewer was better cooked but literally less than what you would expect in a basic cafe and again small. My seafood pasta was average. So so glad the kids enjoyed the theatrical booth seating but there was zero atmosphere. It was spur of the moment and early and I m so glad it wasn t a planned special occasion or anything as I would have been so disappointed. Another table we re complaining above us and on leaving we were not thanked for coming or shown out. Really feels like they are taking advantage of low paid staff and not offering value for money on the food front. No complimentary bread for appetiser which you get in even the most basic of Mediterranean places. Basically don t go for anything other than to take a few pics of the interior. Such a shame as it could be wonderful and even sadder that there will be no change as it reeks of the owners not caring at all.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

The restaurant is so beautiful

★★★★
December 8, 2024

A reasonable set menu, slightly random service. Nice place for a group of up to 10 as unique in its theme.

December 8, 2024

Ah, Sarastro! Truly, a contender for the most enchanting dining experience of my life. First off, I almost spared myself the trouble of writing this review, but Google insists that I give them at least one measly star. We booked online, blissfully unaware that we were about to become prisoners of Sarastro s dining dictatorship. Did they mention that bringing more than five people turns you into set-menu captives? Of course not! It s their little surprise. Goodbye à la carte menu, hello primary-school-lunch-themed set menus. Now, onto the famed free starter of dips and bread. Oh wait, did I say free? I meant sneakily-plonked-on-the-table starters that you have no choice but to pay for like a welcome mat you have to buy before stepping inside. But the real performance, the shining glory of Sarastro, was drum roll, please the service! Oh, theatrically terrible service, to match their theme. We had about five to six different servers waft around our table, each one as clueless as the next. It was a truly impressive display of passing the baton of incompetence. We asked to order from the à la carte menu after all, it s what we came for. Silly us! Of course, groups larger than five are simply not worthy of it. Even when we suggested that just one person ordered from the set menu Nope, their immovable policy stood tall in the face of our common sense. Gotta respect the devotion to arbitrary rules, I suppose. Ah, but let me not forget the main star of the show: the waiter who appeared just as we were desperately trying to decide between Bad and Worse on the set menu. When we asked for a bit more time, he graced us with an eye roll followed by a grand, sarcastic watch-glance. Truly, we were honored by this peak acting masterclass. And that, dear reader, was our cue to exit stage left. Ignore the positive reviews left for this place from travellers who frequent M&M World and Madame Tussauds to take a picture with their fists up to a Muhammed Ali wax figure. If your idea of a good time is being herded like sheep and treated like an inconvenience, then by all means, visit Sarastro. For everyone else, save your sanity and go literally anywhere else. ----- I have to admire the creativity in your aggressive rebuttal, but lets not flatter ourselves by assuming that those informative emails ever made it to my inbox. Upon further investigation, it turns out they found their rightful home in the junk folder. Now, a quick heads-up to my fellow restaurateurs: I find it fascinating how defensive one can get over a bit of yogurt and couscous items typically provided free of charge at any Turkish restaurant but here at Sarastro, they come with a side of sarcasm and an extra fee, presumably to make up for the fact that most patrons wouldnt stick around for the main course. Given the consistent unprofessionalism and attitude of the staff, its almost as if theyre banking on people calling it quits early. Speaking of unaddressed issues, I noticed the owner s indignant reply conveniently skipped over my mention of a staff member giving us a sarcastic watch-glance. Most people might take a bit of time deciding between two equally uninspired menus that look like they were fished out of a Christmas cracker. Lastly, the mention of our supposed walking out without paying was a charming touch, albeit a little hypocritical for someone accusing others of superiority complexes. We did indeed decide to leave, but only after taking into account the fact that our card details were on file and would be charged anyway. I simply had no desire to hand over cash to a waiter who thought it appropriate to mock a party of five for taking a moment to choose between Bad and Worse especially when, yet again, no emails regarding your beloved set-menu rules were received. But hey, Sarastro, its always a good sign when the highlight of your restaurant is the drama rather than the dining. Keep up the theatrics!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 8, 2024

The food was absolutely delicious, especially the seafood pasta and the lamb, which were fantastic. The portions were great, and the atmosphere was simply amazing no complaints at all, it s incredible! Although a bit chaotic, it s such a beautiful place. We didn t know it was Turkish-owned :)) , it s very well-run and impressive. There were different shows every day; we visited on a Sunday and enjoyed a wonderful violin performance followed by an opera. However, the service was a bit slow; we waited 20 minutes for the bill. The only downside was that the tablecloths looked very dirty, old to be honest, and it made us feel uncomfortable. Prices are high bu think its bcs of the show.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 8, 2024

Interesting place

★★
Local Guide
December 8, 2024

Good food, unfortunately the service wasnt on point and the starter was served before any drink. Unfortunately, the ambience is a bit too much at once and has nothing to do with art or beauty.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

As soon as you walk in you get the vibe. Very different decor to most places. Very cool. The blokes toilets art was interesting too Service was great and very friendly. Food was good. Dont think Ive ever had lamb so tender. When we went it was very quiet (people wise) but it was so peaceful just eating in the environment listening to opera

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

One of the best established dining and dancing spots in London with live music. Having frequented this place for more than 15 years I feel confident in validating its quality and unique charm.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

Went for the food but atmosfere is worth visiting alone and live music on top of it recommended.

Local Guide
December 1, 2024

AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVIOD This was genuinely the worst dining experience of my entire life. Sarasto is an absolute disgrace of a restaurant. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this place prioritizes squeezing every last penny out of its customers over providing even the most basic hospitality. First, they had meze starters already sitting on the table when we were seated. For all I know, those dishes could have been there all day. Here s the kicker they re not complimentary! You re forced to pay for them as part of the meal, whether you want them or not. If your party has more than five people, forget about ordering from the à la carte menu. You re shoved onto their overpriced and appalling set menu. And the starter on the set menu? Surprise, it s the same meze already dumped on your table, so you don t even get to choose! But the worst part? The staff. Never in my life have I encountered such rude, unprofessional, and frankly obnoxious waiters. The lack of basic English skills was one thing, but the blatant attitude was another. While I was still deciding what to order, a waiter came over, saw I hadn t made a choice yet, and proceeded to huff loudly, roll his eyes, and check his watch right in front of me. Talk about patronising and disrespectful behavior. Thankfully, I walked out before subjecting myself to their terrible-looking food. Glancing at other tables, the dishes looked woeful completely unappetising. I d honestly rather eat my cat s food than set foot in this establishment again. AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE. It s a horrendous restaurant with atrocious service and a complete lack of care for customers. Never, ever again.

★★★★★
November 24, 2024

Great night out, friendly staff, entertainment was great. Food excellent. Saucy toilets for 16 + Kid-friendliness: Probably not for young kids.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 24, 2024

Amazing restaurant and delicious food

★★★★
November 22, 2024

It was OK, food good, expensive for what we actually had. It was a bit strange that the server came out with half our order, then served other tables and then came back to us after 5 minutes. It wasnt that busy. It was ok-ish, just a little odd. Nice and quirky place to go though.

★★★★
November 22, 2024

Good food but the service was not as good, had to remind the staff several times in order to get our drinks after we received our food. A special restaurant nevertheless.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Amazing place lovely staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

One of a kind restaurant. You always see something new because of the extravaganza of props and decor pieces. Reasonably affordable food, tasted very good. If we are ever back in London we will come back here! Wheelchair accessibility: Poorly accessible, many table places located on a balcony. The toilets are also only accessible by stairs

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

A very quirky setting that offers a very different dining experience. The food is Turkish focused and we enjoyed starters and mains. We did hear someone comment that the baklava was very sweet. The staff were very friendly and the service was quick and efficient.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Bhanu did an amazing job with her service. It was really enjoyable to eat there and the food was really great. We took the mixed grilled plate. The tiramisu, the crème brûlée and baklavas for dessert. Recommend Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Food was great, brilliant atmosphere and something special. Adult toilets were very amusing. Recommend for a diffrent experience.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

There is not a single restaurant in London that has a more enchanting, fun, romantic and exciting atmosphere than Sarastro. The quirky decor combined with highly professional staff, great menu and highest quality food and live singer. - I literally cannot go anywhere else when I am in the west end. When you discover this place for yourself - you will say like me Ive finally found it. Amazing place xxxxxxx

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

A fabulous evening was had by all x

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Lovely cute atmosphere and great service by Bhanu. Food was delicious and they accommodated our rush out to the theatre. Highly recommended!

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Great atmosphere, interesting decor and simple but tasty menu. Service from Bhanu was great, shes so smiley and friendly and was also very considerate with allergies.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

We enjoyed fine food in lovely vibrant surroundings. We were served by Bhanu who was very friendly and attentive.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

My sister in law and I had a very special birthday dinner here. Bhanu was a delight and made sure we had everything we wanted. The food was sublime, special mention for the mezze starter and the sirloin which was cooked to perfection. Highly recommended for a fantastic meal in quirky surroundings which only adds to the overall experience. We will be back.

★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Average Mediterranean cuisine with a dated & uninspired menu / cocktail list, which looks like it hasnt changed since the 80s. Bit of a novelty / gimmick, but the decor is phenomenal, and the live music is very fun.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Beautiful place, very special. The prices other than the quantity of food.

October 22, 2024

My experience was very bad at this restaurant. They didnt let me order any dishes a la carte. I was only given the option of ordering a starter and main course for £44. The service was terrible. The waitress with a terrible attitude. Additionally, the food portion was very small. I definitely wouldnt go again

★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Didn t like. The staff seemed very knew. Maybe it will be better in the future but the crowd was pretty old and lacked diversity in my opinion

Local Guide
October 22, 2024

completely incompetent waiters at 10pm they bring you the bill without asking for anything. shameful

★★
October 22, 2024

The place is beautiful because it has spectacular decoration but the food is very expensive and not abundant. I wouldnt repeat

October 22, 2024

had a very nice meal here but was very shocked and disappointed to be told by our waiter that if we left a card tip it would go to management instead of the lovely staff who were working extremely hard to ensure us a pleasant experience. I will therefore not consider returning here until a fair tipping policy is introduced. If you re considering this restaurant ensure you bring cash to tip.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Is the most beautiful restaurant, the staff were amazing and the entertainment was fab. The mediterranean food was very tasty as well. I went over a year ago now but my evening there was still very memorable

★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Went on a Tuesday night. Completely dead. Food was not good and seemed hurried. Before 9 pm they told us Kitchen is closing in half hour. The waitress kept coming back asking for order after 5 mins we had been there. It seems theyre only worth going to at weekends.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Bhanu our wait staffer was excellent! Very high level of customer service.

★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

The best thing is the performance of the singer who livens up and animates the room, grab a table with a view of the center so you dont miss anything. We ended up dancing.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Quirky, fun for the experience and great quality food.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Throughly enjoyed this eclectic and fun restaurant! Unlike anyplace we have ever been! The food and service providing by a charming Bhanu were both excellent. We ordered a bottle of red wine, Akcabat Kofte and Bodrum Cokertme Kebabi (an amazing tasty dish!) Highly recommend dining here while in Covent Garden.

★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

The place looked promising online. The decor is lovely however needs a deep clean. The music was nice but the ceiling was leaking near the tables, which were themselves unclean and full of crumbs. The menus we were given were old ones with lower prices than the new ones. The waiter was kind enough to give us 10% off the total bill as the actual prices weren t reflected on the old menus. Unfortunately, the food was absolutely overpriced for what it was, it was bland and oily. Perhaps this place is better at night with entertainment. It felt like a tourist trap for us.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Amazing atmosphere. Great decorations and design. Italian and venetian decoration elements make the incredible environment. Great live music performance.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

A place with a very surprising decoration, with live performances and where a great atmosphere reigns. The delicious food. The only bad thing for me is that at 11 they already invite you to leave. You dont even have to have a drink there if you go to dinner a little late as we Spaniards usually do.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Wonderful OTT decor, fun ambience, charming service and delicious food. Best mousaka - great flavour and not at all oily. We ll be back on a live music night! Recommended. Food

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Absolutely amazing restaurant!! Gorgeous food, very friendly staff!!! Coming back there every year!!!

October 22, 2024

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. WE BOOKED USING THE NUMBER ON THE BUSINESS CARD AND THEY REFUSED to take us!! Even tho it was completely their mistake they treated us terrible at the door. Why do you put the number on the business card if then the person on the phone does not know how to take reservations??? Very rude and terrible experience would never come back- there are better restaurants out there!!! Been there before the food is mediocre but the place is nice however the service is terrible and their booking system is just a failure! They admitted the mistake but still were very rude, big no. Furthermore we had a disabled person in the group so we spent over 45£ of taxi to get there with a reservation but were turned away.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Great food, amazing atmosphere and service.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Bhanu is sooooo nice

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

What a great place! Outside has a lush green canopy, inside is very theatrical, including balcony seating, excellent service, gorgeous food and Colin Roy was an added bonus entertainment -what a great voice!

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

One of the best evenings ever! Amazing food, great and friendly service, music, dancing it was so good. Would love to go back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

The fish was delicious although I ordered meat

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

I attended Sarastro on Monday evening with a large group to have a special celebration dinner to commemorate our friends retirement after 50 years. We received exemplary service from Bhanu and Vinay, both of whom stayed late by over an hour as they didnt want to rush us to finish our celebration. We are grateful to them for a lovely evening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Love this restaurant, been a few times when in london, never disappointed

★★★
September 22, 2024

Classical music was beautiful and set the mood, opera songs quickly became monotonous. Interesting decoration, also on the toilets (nude paintings); You have something to look at almost everywhere. The menu is mixed, not much for the picky. Unfortunately, drinks are very expensive and portions are also relatively small. Cant recommend the vegetarian dolma, unfortunately it smelled and wasnt particularly appealing in appearance. Waiter nice, nothing unusual. I would recommend it if you are open to new things and dont have a problem with sensory overload. In addition, the size of the wallet should be right. Have fun. Kid-friendliness: There are fries and an extra toilet for children without the paintings.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Hidden behind a charming array of botanical foliage, this restaurant, in the heart of theatreland is not just about the food. Step inside and its like walking onto the backstage of one of Londons many theatres. Vibrant pieces of material swagged generously between dramatical props and lavish statues. We visited one early Sunday evening in the summer, and on arrival were surprised with how empty the place was. This was perhaps due to the fact the musical entertainment for the evening had been cancelled. They did call me in advance to warn me. It was nice that it was so empty however, it gave us a chance to admire all the dangly puppets and over-the-top statements of grandeur. The menu was Mediterranean style, with us opting for a moussaka and meat Kofte. Both were delicious and oozed flavour. The portion sizes seemed small but we werent hungry enough for dessert. All in all Id recommend if youre looking for something a bit quirky in this part of town. Especially after the theatre. Be warned if youre going with kids though - there are naked people plastered all over the place in the toilets....this appealed to my immature sense of humour, but if there were people in your group of a sensitive nature they might not be so amused. Top tip for Rose Wine drinkers.... The only rose they served by the glass was sweet.....so if you like a rose dry like me, then Id suggest just ordering the bottle of the Pinot Grigio Blush To see more, I also made a video review of this which you can find on the channel somewhere The Wanderlust Way #restaurantreview #london #foodie #theatre

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

A fabulous restaurant in the heart of Londons West end and Theatre land. The restaurant today serves a mouthwatering array of Turkish and Mediterranean food, accompanied by a full list of wines, beers, and spirits. The service level is excellent with attentive customer service from the waiting staff.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Dinner was delicious. Service was efficient and friendly. The atmosphere was great.

★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Love this after theatre experience .. ambience is very unique.the staff are excellent specially the lady bano and head of staff.

★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Amazing venue, check out the decor !!! Great atmosphere, The service was adequate but the food was rather average yet still at London price. Bits of the salad had started to go brown. Lamb shank was fine but not the best Ive had. Glad I went but I wouldnt go back. Maybe I was unlucky.

August 22, 2024

Worst customer service ever.

★★★★
August 22, 2024

What a gem of a find this place is Lovely Turkish food and be sure to check out the over-18 toilets Food

August 22, 2024

Nice to take photos at, but not to eat.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Really good entertainment.One of a kind..!

★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Nice people, friendly waiting staff, food ok. Didnt try the whole menu kinda felt like going elsewhere after starters, seasonal vegetables were bland

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Quirky deliciousness with live music.

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

We had an amazing evening. The food was delicious, the service excellent, thanks to the lovely Bhanu, who was cheerful, helpful and bubbly, the entertainment with Colin Roy, was brilliant. It was like being at a party, we even did the Conga out into the street!

★★★★
August 22, 2024

Pre Tina Turner theatre dinner. Restaurant has way over the top decor but food good - my steak excellent. Bhundu our waitress was brilliant - lovely lady eith great sense of humour. Well worth a visit.

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Our waitress bhanu gave us great service and made our time in the restaurant really special. Will definitely come again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Had a fantastic evening celebrating my Birthday. It was excellent !!! The food was delicious the lamb Shank was perfectly cooked. The portion size was perfect. The waitress was friendly the music was great the singer brought the whole restaurant together and the whole place joined in. It is really worth a visit there. You will not be dissapointed. The decor is Amazing a real gem of a restaurant. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Great service, very friendly staff, superb décor, toilets not child friendly as they have Kama Sutra paintings covering the walls

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Great eve celebrating a special birthday with family. Lovely table, good food & nice to have live singing & a bit of a boogie.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

It is a wonderful place, unique in so many ways. We had a box that was like being in a balcony box at the theatre, the food was fantastic, staff, helpfull and friendly. If you get the chance to visit this restaurant, do so. Food : 5/5

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Bhanu is our waitress and she was amazing!! Absolutely great service and food!

★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

I would say that the atmosphere, the decoration, the place overall deserve to spend an evening there. Because for the rest, we found it quite disappointing (especially for the price) - we took the grilled meats - the meat was relatively good but a small portion of fries (and impossible to get some more because the kitchen was closed), mini portion of salad (without any originality) - an average aperitif and no dessert (although reservation at 7:30 p.m.). In summary, I would say a place to discover but a restaurant that is not worth the detour.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

What an amazing quirky place this is. The food was exceptional and service friendly. The menu is unusual and the food expensive but it is definitely worth a visit for a special occasion

★★★
July 22, 2024

Overall decor is outstanding a real experience and feast for the eyes. Food really poor , very small, poor quality and overpriced by a country mile. Food

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

incredible interior, food was lovely and our waitress Bhanu was very attentive and so sweet!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Excellent food, the chef responded well to my request for dairy free dishes. Air conditioned dining room most refreshing and waiting staff attentive. Dietary restrictions: See above.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Great place for a party celebration, upbeat vibes, good live music, dancing. Food pretty good too but unremarkable.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

My family came here for dinner and were wonderfully looked after by Bhana! My mum has severe allergies (anaphylaxis) to multiple allergens, and our lovely server was incredibly attentive and went out of her way to ensure that my mum could relax and enjoy a safe dinner. We are very thankful to Bhana, and definitely recommend!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Visit with my wife, and what a quincy little place, theatre theme with eccentricity, visit the toilets and be amazed by the erotic art. Food was above excellent, as was the service.Fantastic +++++

★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

A fun and yummy place to have dinner before a show at The Duchess Theatre. Food was excellent! Service was a bit slow, but they seemed to lose an employee half way through our meal. Its decorated in a theatre theme. Hummus appetizer, tortellini and baklava were all excellent.

July 22, 2024

There was an issue with gas which meant off the whole menu we could only have 3 of the mains. 2 of which were stuffed aubergine. Only 1 starter was available. We asked for a balcony which we got but the space was so small. At first the waitress was a little rude but she got better throughout the evening. Same with the speed of the drinks. The main was quite good although not hot. Overall I had an OK time but think that was more to do with the company. On the plus side we did get a discount due to the issue but this wasnt offered we had to argue for it. Understand it was not their fault but dont think it was handled very well. We could have been informed as one waiter said it happened an hour and a half prior to our booking.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Pasta linguini was really delicious and Bhanu was our very sweet and friendly

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Lovely eccentric setting. Great food and service. Really close to theatres

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Lovely ambience; certainly quirky and the decoration in the gents loo is memorable! The food was good, as was the service. A memorable reunion lunch.

★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

I recently visited an opera-themed restaurant in Covent Garden, hoping for a unique dining experience. Unfortunately, it was more of a disappointment than anything else. The menu is quite limited, which isnt necessarily a problem if the food is exceptional. In this case, the food was just okay. Nothing stood out as particularly memorable or worth recommending. The decor is where the real issues begin. It feels like it hasnt been updated in over 20 years, and it shows. The once charming opera-themed ambiance now feels tired and dated, desperately in need of a refresh. One of the biggest practical problems was the lighting. It was so poor that most diners, including us, had to use the torches on our phones to read the menu. This not only made for an uncomfortable dining experience but also detracted from any potential charm the restaurant might have had. To add to the disappointment, the prices are quite high, even by Covent Garden standards. For what you get, it certainly isnt worth the expense.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Good food with entertainment

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Quirky and fun with good food. We were served by Bhanu and she was great!

★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Definitely recommend this place! Lovely food!

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Its not a restaurant, its an Aladdin magic cave with treasures that are impossible to praise enough. If youd like to have a memorable night in London, this is the place to go to.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Great restaurant to go to before or after the theatre! We sat in the balcony table, which set the atmosphere before the show! The meal was superb, the staff great and the musical entertainment was brilliant! Food : 5/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Very quirky place. Good food. Always a fun experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Had dinner here and though we did not have a reservation they were very accommodating. The chicken and rice dish we got was cooked well and very flavorful. Pita and hummus weee really good as well. The bathrooms are funny, but could be a little overwhelming if you have a conservative disposition.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Absolutely delicious. I dont typically enjoy this cuisine, but I was wrong. We only had the spiced lamb hummus and the falafel (two of my least favorite things), but they were both good! The lamb hummus was excellent, actually. And the baklava was so good-- soft, not too sweet like most other baklavas. The environment was also very fun. Food came quickly and the servers were diligent.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Great food, service and atmosphere..

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

With all the old theatre objects, the interior design was so beautiful. Food is delicious, staff are friendly. We enjoyed the live music on a Sunday evening, with classic opera singers and violin players. Strongly recommended!

★★
June 22, 2024

Terrible food, overpriced

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

A last minute discovery after a theater performance. Place, environment, staff, singer, atmosphere, food and drinks in a place that travels you in the amazing culture of Turkey. Food

★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Was an amazing restaurant 10 years ago, the only plus is it s very close to the theatres

Local Guide
June 22, 2024

The meat are not fresh and price of food is above ranges.

★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Great location in heart of theatre land. Quirky place with reasonably priced set menu

★★★★
June 22, 2024

Great resraurant. The interior design is amazing. The food is good though a bit pricy but worth it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

The food was amazing, the service was a little slow but I understand that the restaurant was a bit busy a the moment. Very nice theme, just a bit disappointing that was no live music on that Thursday

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Delightfully eccentric. Food well prepared and service very good. I loved the experience!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

What an interesting place! Hard to describe the decor. Think over the top theatre from the moment you enter. Service great and the food was pretty good too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Always enjoy visit to Sarastro. Brightens up the day. Very good food, service and atmosphere

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Brilliant restaurant. The decor is great (including the toilets, definitely worth a visit). We went on the Sunday night, so there were live musicians and opera singers after about 8.30. Just as importantly, the food was excellent, especially the steak.

May 22, 2024

Its no where close to be called Mediterranean food. Went as a group and all of us had re heated food. Normally the Mediterranean food is grilled freshly however the atmosphere was the only thing which was good. Would not suggest it. The quality of food is not good but good for photos.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Our waiter was amazing although I cant remember his name.. Our set menu was good and I recommend the lamb shank.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Really cool and unique restaurant! I will definitely be going again!

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Lovely place for dining on special occasions

★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Please dont come here for food. Expensive and portions are ridiculous small. Nice atmosphere and live music but thats it.

May 22, 2024

Extremely rude staff.

★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Spectacular setting. Too bad about the cheap food. Absolutely not up to par. To be visited only when they play, otherwise abstain.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Honestly dont understand the negative reviews Ive seen. Everything was delicious and definitely top tier, francesco our waiter was exceptional and you would be hard pressed to find a similar atmosphere anywhere else in London. We went on a quiet day without any live music so it would be great to go again to experience that. All in all a nice subversive treat.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Wow!!!! A first class dinner in a wonderfully extravagant setting followed, on this Sunday night, with a string quartet and a duo of opera singers. All so so talented and also there to have fun. Ill go any time I visit London.

★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Gorgeous place to eat, lots of interesting features & cozy booths, plus live music to enjoy while there. Food was very nice although a little expensive for size of portions but tasty, staff were really lovely & looked after us. Would recommend checking out for a different eating out experience.

★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Very mediocre food but fun decor

★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Very nice restaurant

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

The restaurant is beautiful, looks like your in an old theater with balconies where you can have dinner in. Very attentive waiter that helped us with deciding on our order. The food is Mediterranean and very well prepared. Next time in London well be back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

An original place to eat with good food, reasonably priced, near theatres. Quite daring paintings in the lavatories. Tables are quite close and space restricted.

★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

I nervously booked this having read mixed reviews. On the positive side the main course was delicious, it s definitely not gourmet more like your mum s well cooked dinner. We had the beef rib and lamb. Cheeseboard not great though, bland. It is quirky with the balconies, drapes and artefacts. I was surprised for a Saturday how many empty tables there were. The singer was just alright. It felt like they were all going through the motions, all a bit jaded with the same format, environment and offering. It needs a revamp and re-boot.

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Delicious food and amazing service at Sarastro. The atmosphere was just brilliant but the absolute 5 stars go to our waiter, Francesco who really went above and beyond.

★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Unusual and quirky place with a cosy interior. The atmosphere is what was unique about this place. The staff were friendly and helpful. Decent Turkish food - though there are many more amazing places in London to taste Turkish food and for less money. Some things which could be improved: - the mains were really nice however the starters werent very fresh (we ordered a meze of dips etc - unfortunately cannot recommend) - even though there was a whole process to book, including a confirmation email etc it was never mentioned that the music will start after 20:30 and our booking was for 18:30, the music was the main reason we wanted to visit this place

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Had a great time here!

★★★
April 22, 2024

A tourist trap, the food costs too much for the portions they have, the quality is good, but still doesnt explain the cost.

Local Guide
April 22, 2024

The interior was interesting and somewhat cosy but very old and unkept - the space felt crammed, our table cloth had stains on arrival, my partners cutlery was from a different set. Only good thing was the live performance but that was really short lived - we witnessed only about half an hour. The service was abrupt and, on occasions, even rude (not only to us but to the table beside us too). Dare you ask a question, youd get a snappish and unclear answer. Food was probably the worst Ive had in London. The side fries I was served were definitely older than the prosecco in my cocktail. Despite having little to no food, I still got a stomach ache. My birthday celebration has never felt any worse.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

The dining atmosphere in this place is really good, and the service is excellent, but the food is average, and if you are close to the drummer and speakers, it will be a bit noisy, and you cant hear the people talking opposite

★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Its something special. Crazy cool restaurant. A feast for the eyes . We were lucky enough to have live music. Food and drinks good, but still room for improvement.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

An unusual restaurant, mainly due to the interior, which is - to put it mildly - different from any other restaurant you have seen. A wild combination of different artefacts, mixing opera with the style of an old boudoir. Food has a Turkish touch. Service is friendly and attentive (Francesco!). We visited Sarastro on a Saturday evening, when reservations are recommended because it is quite busy. During the evening, live music started and it didnt take long before the majority of the guests were dancing and singing along. Prices are fair. We had a fantastic and entertaining evening. Absolutely recommendable.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

One of my best experiences , very special to visit on Thursday with live music with Colin Roy . Excellent entertainment, delicious food and friendly service

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Incredible food and the performance is just AMAZING!!! Chef s kiss

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

A very unique place, good food, amazing atmosphere and decor. Food prices are on par with places nearby.

★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Amazing, OTT interior. Starters of bread and dips were incredible. Main course, chefs special lentils, was in fact a heap of quite unspecial lentils. Dessert was a 7/10. Toilets are floor to ceiling explicitly pornographic images, which I didnt really want to see.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

nice place for an original and fun evening. Good food and excellent entertainment.

Local Guide
March 22, 2024

intended to book a table for mothers day for 4 adults and two children at 7pm, was informed there was a string cortet on from 8.30pm. We asked to reserve the table from 7.30pm so we could catch a bit of the string cortet and we were informed we could only have the the set menu which we were fine with however I explained the two children would not eat any thing on the set menu so could we order something simple for them. The male member of staff informed me they could not offer a childrens menu at that time I said fair enough could they make something simple like a basic pasta then he said yes however we would be charged for the full price of a adult set menu per child. Very disappointing and not accommodating at all. We are always looking for new restaurants to add to our list of recommendations shame we received such poor service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Everything is 5 out of 5

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

The decor and entertainment makes it, but it does leave you with a sense of It must get very dusty in here. Reasonable prices for London.

March 22, 2024

Made reservation in advance but been seated in a small corner where I can t see anything and they can t see me either, waited 10 mins no one came to serve anything, was going to leave and they changed me to another table. But really ruined the experience, food is okay but the drinks are so fake asked for a coke tastes like sainsbury coke and I asked them to change to juice tasted like squash over all not very nice experience

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Excellent. Highly recommend.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

The place was strange but couldnt fault the service the food was nice but wasnt very hot temperature wise. We were served by Francesco he went above and beyond.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

The interior decoration is unique and the food is delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

One of my favourite places in London to go. Have been going for about 25 years and still enjoy it like it was my first. Amazing decor and dining experience. Check out the Soul, Swing and Motown nights on Thursdays. Ooh and the artwork in the toilets

March 22, 2024

The service was proper rubbish, waited bloody ages for our desserts, and still got bugger all.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

A good night. Food. Wine Music .singing. dancing

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Really good place to go. Vibe is brilliant. The live singer was outstanding - 70s-80s. Service excellent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Great place for diner, either pre-show or after. If Francesco is your host then you will have a great evening. Francesco is the Go-To Guy. Dietary restrictions: Served gluten free bread as well

★★
March 22, 2024

Been here a few times and always loved it. Booked on Sunday at 9pm. As we arrived (on time) the waiter at the door told us the kitchen was closing and we d have to be really fast. We had barely sat down and they were looking for our order. The opera singers started and were great. But our starters arrived and the staff were waiting to pounce and bring our mains. We were a couple of mouthfuls into our main course and they asked us to order dessert. I asked could we at least wait until we finished our main course before we ordered and we were told we had to order immediately as the kitchen was closing. All in all everything was totally rushed. Once the music stopped at 9.30 there was no atmosphere. The place was in silence and they just wanted us to leave. No atmosphere at all. They advertise as the show after the show but I have never experienced a venue that just wanted to close and send everyone home. Really disappointed. They should not take bookings for 9pm if they want to close. I told the staff that we never would have booked that time had we known. When we left, the staff didn t even say goodbye. A real letdown. I ve been many times over the years but I ll never return.

★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

A returning customer for a number of years but on my last visit I found the quality to have somewhat declined

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Amazing decoration, great service. The gluten free starter option was very good. Everyone was happy with their meal. Flavours to match the decoration.

★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Super crazy, very nice place but the drinks are very expensive for the quality they have

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

A beautiful restaurant with fantastic décor and friendly staff especially Francesca. The food was delicious.

★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

More of an attraction than restaurant, expensive for the quality of the food that you get. Service was friendly, but we were up in one of the balconies and definitely forgotten about a few times

★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

I really loved the quirky layout and decoration however the food was absolutely disgusting The starter sharing plate was good but my main course Lamb shank tasted as if boiled in water with absolutely no flavour or salt!, gravey also had no flavour whatsoever mashed potato same! If I had closed my eyes I would have had no idea of what I was eating the cost of this meal for 2 without wine around £95 Advice DO NOT EAT HERE

★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

A nice venue with a very eclectic design taking inspiration for the surrounding theatre scene. The food is Mediterranean so expect lots of grilled meats, salads, hummus etc. Everything was cooked very well and was tasty. Service and staff were very attentive, fun and took care of us well. This is a fun venue filled with history and surrounded by history that you will get lost in. A fun and eccentric escape from reality with friends while eating good food and drinking good wine

★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

The atmosphere was great with live music, but the service was appalling to say the least. We ordered the 3-course set menu, never got asked for dessert, saw the waiter twice the entire night. Then they just brought us the bill without asking, as if to say, just leave.

★★★
February 22, 2024

The chicken in the chicken meal is too hot to eat

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Absolutely amazing restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere... Our server (Francesco G.) was so friendly, warm and welcoming and we cant wait to come again! Thanks for a lovely evening

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Great decor in this place, wait staff are very friendly and helpful, plus food is great and presented perfectly. Recommend very highly to visit.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

The concept is great, with little hidden tables and crazy decoration. The food is nice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

One of my favourite places to eat in London

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Very nice little restaurant in Drury Lane, just the job for the theatre, quirky decor, possibly old theatre sets creating a nice cosy intimate atmosphere, food and service very good and great value for the area

January 22, 2024

Service was bad. Food was worse! Two people we ve order mix grill for TWO.. Meat enough for one person. Side fries for two had 6-7 potatoes fries in one small cup. Side salad for two had half a cucumber and 1 tomato. Paid £80 and left the place hungry. AVOID it s a TOURIST TRAP. They don t even bother replying to reviews they don t care. Felt robed leaving this place.. The interior was interesting a but very old and unkept - dusty and dirty looking.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Great atmosphere,staff and food I think its one of the best places to visit in London for any occasion. New years eve was amazing one of the best ever. Thank you all

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

This place cannot be faulted. I m beside myself with how incredible this place is. From atmosphere to staff involvement it was just incredible

★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Feels like the restaurant is more about the unusual theatrical interior than about cuisine or service. The food is ok-ish, the waiter was quite intrusive as he kept on coming over to our table and cutting us mid conversation (like 6 or 7 times). He seemed simply bored and just wanted to have a chat

★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Food was ok and the service was a bit aggressive.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Food we nice but we went for the quirky decor and took our teenage sons for a giggle. Very friendly staff we went pre-show so it was not very busy but 2nd time back and loved it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Staff was very friendly and helpful. Food and drinks were delicious. Venue as a whole is beautiful to look at, never boring!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Beautiful, original and eclectic restaurant, the food was delicious, a little expensive but worth it.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Such fun with mum. X

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Amazing place for dinner.

January 22, 2024

Poor staff when you first walk in - really unwelcoming and act like youre bothering them. Small and cramped and uncomfortable spaces to sit. Tiny portions for extortionate prices - a truly awful restaurant

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Bhanu gave really good service and gave us explanation about food. She has been really helpful. The seafood linguine was really good but all the other things we ordered could be improved.

January 22, 2024

Limited vegetarian menu. Chickpea stew no fresh ingredients.