Eating at the Almeida Theatre Islington

Like a theatre trip? The Almeida is neatly tucked away just off the high street in Islington, North London blending into the Georgian style period houses that predominate the area.

By Clare Dentith | Updated Aug 30 2023

A crowd of people gathers outside a white, columned building with a sign reading THEATRE on a vertical black banner. The building has a classical facade and large windows. The scene appears lively, suggesting an event or performance is taking place.

The theatre is far from shy and prides itself on taking risks - to ‘provoke, inspire and surprise its audiences’ and boldly claims to exist to launch the next generation of British artists onto the world stage.

The Almeida attracts high calibre artists and show tickets usually sell out fast. So keep your eyes peeled on their What’s On schedule to ensure you don’t miss out.

Collage of six images: a cozy cafe with tables and fairy lights, a digital screen and camera setup inside a room, a view of windows with posters outside, a chalkboard menu listing various dishes and prices, a plate of food with naan, and two glasses of wine.

The Almeida Café & Bar is the best place to meet before a performance and is open from two hours before every show until 11pm. They don’t take table reservations so recommend you arrive an hour or so before the show to grab a table. Worth noting that the restaurant also stops serving half an hour before each show.

Their food is freshly prepared on-site and the menu changes daily; yep that’s right, daily. They pride themselves on working with local and sustainable suppliers, including coffee from Climpson & Sons, wine by Sustainable Wine Solutions, and beer from Toast Ale.

A plate of food featuring stuffed roasted aubergine with lentil rice and tahini sauce, garnished with chopped vegetables and herbs. The dish is on a round white plate, presented on a dark surface. The image is from an Instagram post by almeidacafebar.

The menu is posted on their Instagram feed, and they’ve been serving up some delectable sounding dishes including beef tagine with rice, sweet potato and butternut squash risotto, Paperdalle with spicy sausage, porcini mushrooms and tomato ragu, a variety of dhals and salad bowls. Everything is home cooked and you can tell from their Insta feed!

A cozy café bar with warm lighting is filled with people sitting at wooden tables, engaged in conversation and enjoying their time. A few patrons stand near the counter. Large windows on one side show a nighttime street view. The ambiance is lively and inviting.

There’s a short wine list to choose from - 3 reds, 3 whites and one rose – and include an organic and four vegan bottles. We haven’t tried them but they sound like they’ll pair well with their hearty menu. Have a look at this one!

There’s an informal vibe in the restaurant and bar which becomes a lively hub for audiences and actors alike after shows. Like most theatres, you can beat the rush by pre-ordering your interval drinks, small-plates and ice creams at the bar before the show. Simply speak to a member of the Bar team when you arrive.

A bustling café with patrons engaged in conversations and enjoying their drinks. Large windows reveal a street with trees and buildings outside. People of various ages are seated at tables, some waiting in line, and the interior has a cozy, modern ambiance. — Image via Almeida