Sarastro

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Ornate, opera-themed Turkish restaurant with unique opera-box style seating.

One of Theatreland’s favourite restaurants, Sarastro must also rank highly as one of the capital’s most surreal eateries. Taking its theme from its proximity to the Royal Opera House and a host of other performance spaces, inside this is a homage to all things operatic. Customers can dine in one of ten elegant opera boxes perched high up in the ceiling (or ‘dress circle’) and accessed by winding staircases or sit in small booths (‘stall seats’) nestled underneath. Decorated in varying styles, from Gothic to Rococo, Ottoman to Byzantine, the main draw is the Royal Box in pride of place right at the end. Not by any means a large space, the owners have successfully made use of every available inch and crammed in tables on every different level. As a result it feels bustling and busy but - thanks to the booths and boxes - cosy and intimate at the same time. Rich reds, golds and purples promote a luxurious, ornate, Quality Street kind of indulgence to the setting, while an unusual assortment of theatrical props dangle from corners and crevices fighting for space among the velvet curtains, chandeliers and wall murals. Head for the toilets at any point during your meal and you’ll be greeted with a decidedly exotic continuation of the wall murals. Bordering on the pornographic, the toilets feature “art work” that might make you gasp or at least wash your hands a couple of times more than usual. On Sunday evenings singing waiters take to the floor with excerpts from operatic classics, helping diners digest dishes from the Turkish menu. The food is a little bland, but perfectly reasonable. Book yourself into the Royal Box, order a bottle of wine (or two), then sit back and watch the show.

Best for:
Booths and boxes, opera and ornaments and naughty pics in the toilets.

Did you know?
Sarastro is a character in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.

Sarastro