Originally Posted by luxury
Veeraswamy is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK and is still going strong. It is just off Piccadily Circus and may be a good choice for pre-theatre. Mela, in Shaftesbury Avenue near Cambridge Circus and Seven Dials, is also a decent Indian restaurant though I prefer Veeraswamy over Mela.
Perhaps one of the best choices is J. Sheekey which is not too far away, very near to Leicester Sq. tube. J. Sheekey is a rare find -- an actually very good fish restaurant who serve an excellent fish pie among other specialities.
I have also always enjoyed Asia de Cuba in the St. Martin's Lane Hotel though there are quite a few detractors of this venue.
I very much agree. Veeraswamy is indeed a very good choice. It is owned by the same people who own Chutney Mary, which is my favorite Indian restaurant in London, and second favorite restaurant of any kind in London (St. John is first). I like Veeraswamy a lot, a bit more casual and less trendy than Chutney Mary and closer to the theatre disctrict. It is also more traditional Indian while Chutney Mary is a bit "new style" to me. Also J. Sheeky is very, very good. I was there in May and had the dover sole and it was absolutely the best broiled fish I have had anywhere. You absolutely need reservations, probably pretty far in advance for J. Sheekey. They are a good idea at Veeraswamy but you might get in without them. If you want something more traditionally English I would recommend Rules. It is not far from Sheekeys and Ive always liked it. It is VERY traditional in its cuisine, but not formal. Lots of game birds and such on the menu. It is what St. John would be if it were still in the 17th century
Another possibility is North Sea Fish Restaurant. It is up near the Brit Museum which is as I recall, not far at all from that theatre (although my memory is a bit fuzzy on the exact theatre location). It is a very casual place with absolutely first rate fish and chips (choice of haddock or cod or even salmon) and a fine selection of single malt whiskys. I nice little place than seems to be a mainly neighborhood restaurant.