Waterloo Pre-Theatre Menu: Pizza Before a South Bank Show
- Daniel Turner
- 6h
- 3 min read
Waterloo is one of London’s best pre-show areas because everything’s clustered together—big venues, riverside energy, and that “let’s make an evening of it” feeling. The only catch? Show times don’t wait, and queues can appear out of nowhere.
That’s why the Crust Bros Waterloo pre-theatre menu is such a smart move. It’s £20 per person, served 3–6pm, Monday–Friday, and it’s built for theatre-goers who want great food before they head to the South Bank.
What’s Included in the Crust Bros Waterloo Pre-Theatre Menu (£20pp)
You’ll get aperitivo starters first, then a full pizza—simple, quick, and satisfying.
Aperitivo Starters
Your sharers include:
Pasta crisps with whipped feta dip
Nocellara olives
Tomato & mozzarella skewers with pesto dip
Plus a side salad (Waterloo special)
It’s a great pre-show start: quick to share, light enough to keep you comfortable, and still feels like you’ve properly eaten.
Choose Your Favourite Pizza
Pick from the same theatre-friendly pizza line-up:
Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil — vegan mozzarella swap available)
Cheesus Walks (white sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, smoked mozzarella, gorgonzola, goat’s cheese, spicy honey)
Nonna’s Yard (tomato, mozzarella, caramelised onions, goat’s cheese, mushrooms, pesto drizzle)
Harlem Truffle (crema tartufata base, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian sausage — or swap to vegan mozzarella and mushrooms)
Big Poppa (tomato, mozzarella, double pepperoni, parmesan — halal pepperoni available on request)
Straight Outta Hell (tomato, mozzarella, chicken, chillies, pepperoni, ’nduja)
Want an easy upgrade? Add a dip for £2.
Why Waterloo Is Made for Pre-Theatre Dining
This part of London is stacked with venues. The National Theatre is the anchor—multiple performance spaces and a constant rotation of shows, which means the area gets busy early. The Old Vic brings serious theatre heritage and a loyal audience that tends to arrive with time to spare. And if you love bold, contemporary work, the Young Vic is a major draw—often the kind of place where you want to get in, settle, and actually enjoy the build-up rather than sprinting to your seat.
Add the Southbank Centre into the mix (concerts, talks, cultural events), and you’ve got a neighbourhood where pre-show timing really matters. That’s exactly why people search for a Waterloo pre theatre menu—they want dinner that fits neatly into the schedule.
Waterloo also gives you a genuinely good pre-show routine: eat nearby, then take the scenic route. A short stroll along the Thames before heading to the venue is one of those simple London pleasures that makes the night feel bigger than “dinner and a show.”
Quick Directions from Key Spots -
Waterloo Main Entrance ➝ Crust Bros: Exit towards Waterloo Road / The Old Vic, cross at the lights, turn right—≈3–5 minutes.
Waterloo Underground ➝ Crust Bros: Follow Waterloo Road way‑out signs, surface near York Road / Waterloo Road, head for The Old Vic—≈4–7 minutes depending on the line.
Leake Street (Graffiti Tunnel) ➝ Crust Bros: Head back towards Lower Marsh and up to Waterloo Road—≈5 minutes.
Pre-Theatre, Without the Stress
The best pre-theatre option is the one you don’t have to overthink. With a fixed price (£20pp) and a defined window (3–6pm, Mon–Fri), you’re not gambling on how long dinner might take. You’re choosing a format that’s built around curtain-up.
Practical tip: if your show is at the National Theatre, Old Vic, or Young Vic, aim for earlier in the window so you’ve got time to get seated, grab a programme, and find the right entrance without rushing.
For pizza before theatre in Waterloo, Crust Bros is a straightforward way to start your South Bank night properly—great food, easy pacing, and you’re still at your venue with time in hand.
