REVIEW · LONDON
London: Back to the Future Musical & 2-Course Pre-Show Meal
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Time travel tastes better with dinner. This package strings together a 2-course pre-show meal at Gaucho Covent Garden and fantastic West End seats for Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre. You’re set up for a smooth, classic London night: eat first, then head in for the 7:30pm performance.
What I like most is the simple flow. You start at 5:30pm with a full choice from the seasonal set menu (no pre-selection required), then you get seats in the Stalls or Dress Circle where the action lands clearly. One thing to consider: the included meal is good, but the experience can feel more uneven than you expect at a busy restaurant, and drinks are not included—so budget for that if you drink.
In This Review
- Key Points at a Glance
- Your Schedule: Gaucho Dinner at 5:30, Theatre Arrival by 7:15
- Gaucho Covent Garden: What the 2-Course Meal Feels Like in Practice
- Dietary needs: plan ahead, but don’t panic
- Drinks aren’t included
- A real-world caution to keep in mind
- Adelphi Theatre Arrival: How to Use the 7:15pm Window
- Practical tip: don’t arrive late, don’t arrive frantic
- Back to the Future: The Musical at 7:30pm—What You’ll Be Watching
- Seats matter more than you think
- Price and Value: Is $155 Really a Deal Here?
- The “value” question I’d ask myself
- Who This Experience Suits (and Who Should Skip It)
- A Small Dining Reality Check Before You Go
- Should You Book This Back to the Future Dinner + Show Package?
- FAQ
- What time should I arrive at Gaucho Covent Garden?
- What time do I need to be at the Adelphi Theatre?
- Where is the pre-show meal?
- What seats are included for the musical?
- What does the 2-course meal include?
- Do I need to pre-select my meal choice?
- Are drinks included with the meal?
- Can the restaurant accommodate dietary requirements?
- Is this suitable for young children?
- Is free cancellation available?
Key Points at a Glance

- Gaucho Covent Garden dinner starts promptly at 5:30pm after you check in at 5:25pm
- Two courses are included with a full choice from the seasonal set menu
- No pre-selection needed for the starter or dessert side of your meal
- Back to the Future seats in Stalls or Dress Circle for a strong view of big stage moments
- Designed for a classic West End night (food, then the 7:30pm show) in about five hours
- Family friendly with limits (not suitable for children under 5)
Your Schedule: Gaucho Dinner at 5:30, Theatre Arrival by 7:15

This is a tightly timed evening, and that’s the point. You’re not trying to figure out dinner and transport separately while juggling show nerves.
Start by arriving at Gaucho Covent Garden at 5:25pm for your 5:30pm reservation. Then keep your calendar moving: you need to be at the Adelphi Theatre no later than 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start. It’s a “dinner first, theatre second” plan, so you’ll want to avoid lingering, late phone calls, or stopping for last-minute snacks.
Because transport isn’t included, you should know how you’ll get between the restaurant and the theatre. South of the river or out toward the edges? Build in extra margin so you don’t turn a fun night into a sprint.
A few more London tours and experiences worth a look
Gaucho Covent Garden: What the 2-Course Meal Feels Like in Practice

The meal is your pre-show calm. You sit down, order from the included set menu, and avoid the usual scramble of picking a restaurant in a hurry.
Here’s what you’re working with:
- You get a two-course meal before the show.
- The structure is a main course plus either a starter or a dessert as your second course.
- It’s a full choice from the seasonal set menu, and there’s no pre-selection required—you choose on site.
One practical detail: since it’s seasonal, items can change, so don’t anchor your expectations to one specific dish you saw online. Go with whatever is available that night.
Dietary needs: plan ahead, but don’t panic
If you have dietary requirements, the restaurant can cater for them if you inform them in advance. That’s the big takeaway. Don’t assume “it’ll be fine on the day.” Send your needs early so the kitchen can actually prepare something workable.
Drinks aren’t included
This is worth calling out for value. The meal package covers your food, not your drinks. In a London West End setting, that can add up fast. If you like wine, beer, or cocktails with dinner, think of the $155 as the ticket + dinner baseline—not the full night out budget.
A real-world caution to keep in mind
One issue that’s come up is the feeling of uneven treatment at the restaurant—especially when compared with standard diners. Some people also felt the portions were smaller than expected for a restaurant meal. I’d handle this by setting your expectations: you’re there for a smooth pre-theatre meal, not a slow, heavy dining experience. If you’re hungry-hungry, consider eating a light lunch earlier or having a small snack before you arrive.
Adelphi Theatre Arrival: How to Use the 7:15pm Window

Arriving by 7:15pm might sound early, but it gives you breathing room. And in theatre, breathing room matters.
At the Adelphi, your goal is simple:
- get checked in and settled,
- find your seat,
- and let the show start on time.
You’ll have excellent seats in the Stalls or Dress Circle, and the value here is real. Great views let you enjoy the choreography, the staging, and the special effects without turning the night into a squinting contest.
Since selfie sticks, flash photography, and video recording aren’t allowed, plan to enjoy the moment with your eyes, not your camera. If you need a quick photo, do it before you settle in, and keep it respectful.
Practical tip: don’t arrive late, don’t arrive frantic
If you’re running behind, you’ll feel it at every step. If you arrive early and calm, you can settle in without stress—especially helpful if you’re going with kids (who can get restless quickly).
Back to the Future: The Musical at 7:30pm—What You’ll Be Watching

This is a London production built on a beloved 1985 film, so the mood is instant. If you know the story already, you’ll catch the references. If you don’t, you’ll still follow it fast because the show drives toward clear stakes: time travel, big changes, and a plan to fix what went wrong.
The heart of the story:
- Marty McFly is sent back in time in a DeLorean
- he has a race against time to fix the past
- so he can get back to the future
Expect high-energy stage action plus dazzling special effects and iconic songs. This isn’t a quiet, sit-still musical. It’s built for momentum. That’s good news if you want something entertaining for a broad range of ages.
Seats matter more than you think
With a show that leans on effects and quick-moving staging, your seat location affects how you experience the pacing. That’s why the Stalls/Dress Circle placement is a key selling point. You’ll be in the zone where visual moments are readable, and you can actually enjoy the storytelling instead of trying to piece together what’s happening.
Price and Value: Is $155 Really a Deal Here?
At $155 per person, you’re not just paying for theatre. You’re bundling a ticket + a 2-course meal—and that’s where the value comes from.
Let’s break down what you’re getting:
- Theatre ticket with seats in the Stalls or Dress Circle
- Food: a two-course meal at Gaucho Covent Garden
- E-tickets (no paper hunt)
- About five hours total for the full evening
What’s not included is just as important:
- Drinks at dinner
- Transport between dinner and the theatre
So the deal works best if you were going to do both anyway—eat near the theatre and buy a solid-view ticket. If you already planned to eat separately at a cheaper spot, you may feel the package price more. But if you want the convenience and the seat quality without extra planning, $155 starts looking fair.
The “value” question I’d ask myself
Would I rather:
- spend time planning dinner logistics and settling for random seating, or
- pay for a package that bundles food and strong seating up front?
If you prefer the second option, this one fits.
Who This Experience Suits (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a family-friendly choice in spirit, but it has real limits.
It’s not suitable for:
- children under 5
- wheelchair users
- anyone using baby strollers
- pets (assistance dogs allowed)
It also has theatre-style rules:
- no selfie sticks
- no flash photography
- no video recording
If you’re traveling with kids over 5, enjoy classic pop-culture stories, and want a well-paced evening without the stress of planning two separate activities, this package makes sense.
If you need wheelchair access, you’ll need another option, because this one doesn’t work for that specifically.
A Small Dining Reality Check Before You Go
Here’s the balanced part: the show is the main event, and the meal is the supportive act. The meal is described as delicious, but there’s a concern around how the restaurant experience can feel—especially in the way portions and service can compare to non-package diners. Some people felt the meal portion sizes were small and that drinks weren’t included beyond a single included item.
What I’d do with that info:
- treat the meal as a pre-show fuel-up, not a full gourmet feast
- arrive on time so service runs smoothly
- if you like drinks, plan to pay for them
- if you’re picky about portion size, consider having a light snack earlier in the day
This way, you’ll protect the evening from small surprises.
Should You Book This Back to the Future Dinner + Show Package?
Yes, if you want:
- easy timing (dinner first, then 7:30pm theatre)
- a strong-view seat in the Stalls or Dress Circle
- a 2-course meal included so you’re not wasting vacation energy planning food
Skip it (or look for alternatives) if:
- you’re a wheelchair user (not suitable)
- you’re traveling with a stroller or very young child
- you expect drinks to be included or you’re looking for a restaurant-style dining experience with big portions
If your goal is a classic West End evening with time-travel spectacle and minimal logistics headaches, this package is a solid choice—especially for first-timers who want a seat that won’t compromise the show.
FAQ

What time should I arrive at Gaucho Covent Garden?
You should arrive at 5:25pm for a 5:30pm reservation.
What time do I need to be at the Adelphi Theatre?
Please arrive no later than 7:15pm for the 7:30pm performance.
Where is the pre-show meal?
The meal is at Gaucho Covent Garden.
What seats are included for the musical?
Your ticket includes seats located in the Stalls or Dress Circle.
What does the 2-course meal include?
You’ll have a two-course meal, choosing either a starter or dessert to go with your main course.
Do I need to pre-select my meal choice?
No. There is no pre-selection required from the included set menu.
Are drinks included with the meal?
No. Drinks are not included.
Can the restaurant accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes, the restaurant can cater to any dietary requirements on the night, but you need to inform them in advance.
Is this suitable for young children?
It is not suitable for children under 5.
Is free cancellation available?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re going with kids, I can help you sanity-check the pacing and suggest how to plan dinner timing so you’re comfortable during the show.

























