There’s plenty to do around Leicester Square before or after dinner. You can take a short walk over to Piccadilly Circus, catch a West End show, stop by the Leicester Square statues for a few photos, or wander through the markets in Covent Garden.
If you’d rather keep things relaxed, there are also plenty of nearby bars where you can sit back and enjoy the evening. Most of these spots are within a 10-minute walk of Soho, so it’s easy to plan a fun evening around dinner at a restaurant like Delhi Brasserie on Frith Street.
This guide covers the best things to do near Leicester Square, grouped by what fits before dinner, what suits an after-dinner stroll, and what works well if you’re heading to a show. If you’re still deciding what to do in Leicester Square tonight, the short version is: pick one attraction, one walk, and one place to eat, and build the evening around your dinner time
Why Leicester Square Is a Good Base for an Evening Out
Leicester Square sits in the middle of London’s West End, right on the edge of Soho. It’s surrounded by cinemas, theatres, and restaurants, which is why so many people searching for things to do in Leicester Square London end up planning dinner around it too.
A few reasons it works well for an evening out:
- Leicester Square Underground station is served by both the Northern and Piccadilly lines.
- Leicester Square Underground station connects to the Northern and Piccadilly lines.
- Several major cinemas, including Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, sit directly on the square.
- The TKTS booth sells same-day and advance West End theatre tickets at the square’s south side.
Soho restaurants close by, including Delhi Brasserie at 44 Frith Street, mean you don’t need to travel far between your activity and your table.
Things to Do Near Leicester Square Before Dinner
If you’re arriving early for a dinner reservation, the square itself gives you plenty to see in under an hour.
Photo Spots and Statues
The statues are among the easiest Leicester Square photo spots to fit into a short walk, and one of the most photographed Leicester Square attractions overall. Popular photo stops include:
- The Charlie Chaplin statue
- The Mr. Bean statue
- The Gene Kelly statue
- The Mary Poppins statue
- The Harry Potter statue
These sit close together, so you can see all of them in about 15 to 20 minutes.
The Swiss Glockenspiel Clock
Near the square’s entrance, a large steel clock called the Swiss Glockenspiel chimes on the hour. Figures inside the clock move to the sound of bells, and it was originally a gift from Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It’s a quick, free stop if you time your walk around the hour.
Family Attractions
Families looking for family attractions near Leicester Square have several indoor options within a few minutes’ walk:
- M&M’s World, a multi-floor candy store
- The LEGO Store
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum
These work well for filling time before a dinner reservation, especially with children in the group.
Places to Visit Near Leicester Square for Culture and History
For visitors who want more than photo spots, a short walk opens up some of the more iconic places near Leicester Square, and some of the better-known London West End attractions overall.
National Portrait Gallery and Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is roughly a 10-minute walk from Leicester Square. The National Portrait Gallery sits just off the square and holds portraits of notable British historical figures. Trafalgar Square itself is a good stop for its fountains, Nelson’s Column, and the surrounding architecture.
Covent Garden
The Covent Garden to Leicester Square walk takes about 8 to 10 minutes on foot. Covent Garden has a covered market, street performers, boutique shops, and a mix of casual and formal dining. It’s a good pre-dinner stop if you enjoy browsing shops or want to catch a street performance.
Piccadilly Circus
Walking from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square takes around 5 to 7 minutes. Piccadilly Circus is known for its illuminated advertising screens and its location as a junction of several major shopping streets, including Regent Street.
Leicester Square Entertainment for Theatre-Goers
Leicester Square sits at the heart of London’s Theatreland, which makes it a natural stop for pre-theatre or post-theatre plans.
Booking Theatre Tickets
The TKTS booth on the square sells tickets for West End shows, often at a discount compared to box office prices. It’s a useful stop if you haven’t booked a show yet and want to line up a performance around your dinner time.
Pre-Theatre Dining
Many restaurants near the square, including Delhi Brasserie, offer earlier seating and shorter menus designed around show times. Booking a table an hour or two before curtain call gives you time to eat without rushing.
Cinemas on the Square
Leicester Square is home to some of London’s largest cinemas, including Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, which regularly hosts red-carpet film premieres. Vue and Cineworld also operate cinemas directly on the square, making it a common stop for a film before or after dinner.
Leicester Square Nightlife for After Dinner
Once dinner wraps up, the area around Leicester Square keeps going well into the evening.
Leicester Square nightlife options include:
- Bars within a short walk of the square, ranging from cocktail lounges to late-night pubs
- Some of the best nightclubs in Leicester Square and the surrounding streets, popular with both locals and visitors
- Late-night cinema screenings for those who prefer a quieter finish to the evening
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club on Frith Street, two doors from Delhi Brasserie, known for live jazz performances
For a lower-key finish, a walk through Soho’s side streets after dinner takes you past bars, cafes, and independent shops that stay open into the night.
Date Ideas Near Leicester Square
If you’re after date ideas Leicester Square offers for two people rather than a group, a few combinations stand out:
- Dinner followed by a West End show
- An early film at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, then dinner
- A walk through Covent Garden before a later dinner reservation
- Dinner followed by live jazz at Ronnie Scott’s, a short walk from Frith Street
Booking dinner first and building the rest of the evening around it usually works better than the other way around, since restaurant slots near the square fill up quickly on weekends.
Where to Eat Near Leicester Square: Delhi Brasserie
Delhi Brasserie has operated on Frith Street in Soho since May 1985, making it one of the longer-established Indian restaurants in the area. The restaurant sits two doors from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, within easy walking distance of Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden.
Its Frith Street location makes it a practical stop whether you’re heading to a show, a cinema screening, or simply exploring Soho and the surrounding streets.
Plan Your Evening Around Leicester Square
Leicester Square works well as a starting point for an evening in the West End, whether that means a show, a film, a walk through Covent Garden, or a late-night bar. Pairing it with dinner at Delhi Brasserie on Frith Street keeps everything within easy walking distance, from pre-theatre seating to a post-dinner set at Ronnie Scott’s next door.
For groups, celebrations, or private dining, Delhi Brasserie takes bookings across its three dining areas, seven days a week, including bank holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What are the top things to do near Leicester Square?
Top options include the Leicester Square statues, the Swiss Glockenspiel clock, West End cinemas, the TKTS ticket booth, and short walks to Covent Garden or Piccadilly Circus.
2. What is Leicester Square best known for?
Leicester Square is best known for its cinemas, film premieres, and central location within London’s Theatreland.
3.How far is Leicester Square from Piccadilly Circus?
Piccadilly Circus is about a 5 to 7 minute walk from Leicester Square.
4 . Is Leicester Square a good spot for families?
Yes. Nearby attractions such as M&M’s World, the LEGO Store, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! suit family visits, and several restaurants in the area offer family-friendly seating.
5.What is there to do near Leicester Square at night?
After dark, the area offers bars, nightclubs, late cinema screenings, and live jazz at nearby venues such as Ronnie Scott’s on Frith Street.
6.Can I book last-minute theatre tickets near Leicester Square?
Yes. The TKTS booth on the square sells same-day and advance tickets for West End shows, often at reduced prices.
7.What is a good restaurant near Leicester Square for pre-theatre dinner?
Delhi Brasserie on Frith Street, a short walk from the square, offers pre-theatre menus designed to fit around show times.
8. How do I get to Leicester Square by public transport?
Leicester Square Underground station is served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines, making it accessible from most parts of central London.
