Welcome to the Royal Opera House

OPEN DAILY FROM NOON

The Royal Opera House is a place to eat, drink, wander, shop and explore – as well as to watch world-class opera and ballet. Whether you’re here for a show or simply soaking in the atmosphere, there’s always something to discover at the Royal Opera House.

Eat and Drink

You can enjoy a truly memorable experience whether social dining with friends or enjoying a drink in the interval, in our range of restaurants, bars and our café. From sunlit lunches to pre-show cocktails, the Royal Opera House's food and drink scene is a reason to visit all on its own.

Cicoria

Bookings and walk-ins welcome

Italian-inspired dining from Chef Angela Hartnett with a rooftop bar overlooking Covent Garden.

Cicoria

Royal Opera House Café

Open 12noon until last interval or at 6pm when there isn’t a performance

An all-day escape at the heart of the Royal Opera House. Serving fresh cakes and pastries, salads, hot drinks and snacks.

A chef arranges food at the Royal Opera House cafe.

Shop

Our on-site shop offers curated range of books, unique gifts, music and exclusive RBO merchandise.

Visit our Shop

Open daily from 12 noon until the evening performance or 6pm.

Discover a wide range of products inspired by our art and artists, from prints to homeware and exclusive Christmas range.

flatlay of items from the RBO shop for Christmas including a Chrsitmas jumper, a nutcracker toy and ballerina ornaments.

During the day

The Royal Opera House is the perfect addition to any Central London visit, whether you're meeting friends for lunch, showing a guest the city, or taking yourself on a cultural escape.

Just steps from Covent Garden in the heart of London, the Royal Opera House is open, and not just for performances. Step inside to explore our beautiful public spaces, admire the iconic architecture, enjoy a coffee in the welcoming Ground Floor Café, or sip a drink at Bar Cicoria overlooking the Piazza below.

  • Free public access
    Come in anytime from 12noon. Take a break, meet friends, enjoy the space.
  • Art and installations
    Discover a curated series of rotating exhibits, historic features, architecture and creative surprises throughout the building.
  • Guided tours (Booking Required)
    From behind-the-scenes explorations to immersive, themed experiences, discover the Royal Ballet and Opera like never before, from the hidden corners of our Covent Garden home to the craft workshops in Thurrock. Find out more.

In the evening

Your visit to the Royal Opera House is more than just a night at the theatre — it's a complete evening experience. From world-class performances to exceptional dining and drinks, discover everything we have to offer before and after the curtain rises.

  • Watch a world-class performance
    Enjoy an evening of opera or ballet performed by some of the world’s leading artists. Whether you're drawn to timeless classics or bold new productions, each performance promises to captivate and inspire.
  • Eat in our restaurants
    You don’t need to be attending a performance to dine at some of our restaurants. Cicoria, located on the Royal Opera House’s fifth floor above the historic Covent Garden Piazza, offers an exceptional dining experience and welcomes all guests, with or without a theatre ticket. Please note: a performance ticket is required for our other restaurants.
  • Enjoy a drink at our bars
    Take a moment to unwind at one of our beautiful bars, offering a curated selection of wines, cocktails and champagne - perfect for pre-show conversation or a quick interval refresh.
  • Drinks on the Cicoria Terrace
    Overlooking the heart of Covent Garden, the Cicoria Terrace is the ideal place to enjoy a drink in the open air. Join us before the show or stay a little longer afterwards to take in the view and atmosphere.

Plan Your Visit

The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is open daily from 12noon and closes at 11pm Monday–Saturday and 9pm on Sundays or after the evening performance.  

For information about getting here, visitor guidelines and everything you need to plan your visit, please see our Visitor Information page.

Step into the world of music and movement with our guide to Your First Visit, a curated introduction to the beauty, traditions and magic of live performance.

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Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)