Italian restaurant near The Placedinner before dance on Duke's Road, King's Cross

The Place is a dance and performance centre, home to London Contemporary Dance School and the Robin Howard Dance Theatre. Its building began life as a drill hall: it was designed by Robert William Edis as the headquarters of the 20th Middlesex (Artists') Volunteer Rifle Corps, better known as the Artists Rifles, built in 1888 and 1889, and officially opened by the Prince of Wales. Soldiers of the battalion mobilised at the hall in August 1914 before leaving for the Western Front.

The hall was nicknamed "The Artists Place", and it became simply "The Place" when the Contemporary Ballet Trust took over the premises in 1969. London Contemporary Dance School and London Contemporary Dance Theatre were formed there in the 1970s, and a major redevelopment in 1999, funded mainly by the National Lottery, refurbished the old drill hall and added new dance studios designed by Allies and Morrison. Background from Wikipedia's page on The Place.

As well as performances, The Place runs more than 45 weekly dance classes for all ages and abilities. Coming up this month are After After, presented by Dance Umbrella, on Wednesday 21 October; Scottish Dance Theatre's The Game of Life & Rotten Work on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October; and Eshu at the Crossroads, also presented by Dance Umbrella, on Tuesday 27 October. Check The Place's website for times and tickets before you plan dinner.

From The Place, head along Duke's Road and down Burton Street, then cut through to Leigh Street, which brings you out on Judd Street a few steps from our door at 4 Medway Court. It's about 500 metres, around 7 minutes on foot (route from OpenStreetMap), so you can stay for dessert and still be in your seat in good time.

Our main menu runs from midday until close, so an early table is easy. For something quick and satisfying, try the Spaghetti carbonara, Linguine Fiena with chicken, mushrooms and cream, or a pizza such as the Margherita or Diavola pepperoni. If you'd rather eat lighter before sitting down for a show, there's the Sea bass with capers sauce, the Salmon with lemon sauce, or a Goat cheese salad. Tell your server you have a show to catch and we'll keep an eye on the time. Our pre-theatre dinner post has more tips.

Neil summed up the pace many pre-show diners want: Food was great, arrived quick, service was lovely. (Neil, Google review) And one guest wrote that they Were able to walk straight in and got a table for 4. (Google review)

Performances finishing before 22:00 (21:00 on Sundays)? Come back for a nightcap. The bar serves spritzes, cocktails such as the Negroni, Bramble and Espresso martini, and Italian wine from Gavi to Amarone. If you're dancing yourself, our breakfast from 08:00 is a good start before a morning class. See our posts on the cocktail list, breakfast until 2pm, eating near Euston and the Wellcome Collection.

“A hidden gem not far from Kings Cross or Euston”

Celia, Google review, 2026