Paul Hamlyn Hall Balconies Restaurant in Ceredigion

Was really looking forward to a high end meal, given the beautiful room & general reputation of the ROH. The menu is pre- order, so there was really no justification as to why the service was so appalling. Apparently the restaurant was short staffed on the night & apologies / discount were offered when we eventually complained, as we had to cancel the dessert due to our show being about to start. Prawn cocktail was very bland & watery containing 3, maybe 4 tiny shrimps and consisting of otherwise very basic salad ( iceberg lettuce & little else). The mains were also disappointing lacking flavour & generally service very bad ( waiting 40 minutes after being seated for drinks order to be taken). We were sat downstairs with 1 waitresses while t many run around upstairs ( seemed 1 waitress to every 2 tables). Would never eat here again which is a shame, as the show was fantastic.

Booked our meal here before watching a show, we preordered our food from the set menu. The service was absolutely fantastic, engaging and friendly staff. The food was cooked to perfection and although the portions were small it felt sufficient and I was not left hungry. The environment was beautiful, a lovely setting. A wonderful start to our evening.

Despite the lovely setting, this was one of most over-priced, inadequate meals I’ve had. Touted as the upscale restaurant in Royal Opera House, meal has to be pre-ordered when reserving & consists of 2 courses. The grilled asparagus was 4 tips surrounded by chopped veggies (?) and beef filet lukewarm and dry. Halibut thick, lukewarm and also dry. No desserts offered but coffee held so long to be picked up by waiter was cold. Total of £91 per person. A lot to pay for less than mediocre meal in space impossible to find (various lifts, escalators, stairs). Do yourself a favor & eat nearby before opera or just go to bar. This is major disappointment!

A really lovely experience. The young lady serving us was very attentive. Food was ok. Of course the food is overpriced but you are paying for the whole experience not just the food. We loved that we could come back during the interval for our dessert.

A wonderful way to enhance a visit to the opera. Have two courses before the performance and then dessert at the interval. The ambiance is, as you would expect, amazing, being within the old Floral Hall and adjoining the Royal Opera House. A good choice of food and wines served by attentive and very pleasant staff.

Beautiful interior, extremly spacious, clean, good service, drinks are expensive in a comparison to other west end theatres

Absolutely do not recommend for this price. Very nice service and atmosphere, however food is really Tesco's level, and of course overpriced: £70 pounds for two tiny portions. Overcooked monkfish, even had a dry skin formed. Ceviche tasted like nothing. Duck and lamb also were like from Tesco's. This restaurant aims to be classy and exceptional, presents the food aesthetically, but they just cannot cook. Wine was great (Primitivo), however with 400% price increase. Won't go again.

Wir haben vor La Traviata einen Tisch in Balconies Restaurant gebucht. Es war eine gute Wahl ! Der Champagner stand schon angenehm kühl bereit.Das Essen war hervorragend und schön präsentiert. Der charmante und professionelle Service der jungen Dame war tip -top! Vielen Dank für den schönen Abend, welcher bei uns noch lange in unseren Erinnerung bleibt!

Although we had visited the ROH on many occasions previously, we had not eaten here. It is in a stunning location and convenient to reach for the interval dessert and coffee option. So for our first return visit post Covid, it was a ‘must’. The menu was interesting and seasonal and ordering in advance actually enhanced the experience as we discussed the menu and planned our trip. Nothing about the experience disappointed us, bar one thing*. The service was excellent, friendly and attentive without being fussy. The food was delicious. My burrata and broad bean pesto was really lovely and my friend hadn’t tasted asparagus as fresh. I had been tempted to pick the steak but thought it might be a large portion as it was! My friend was able to finish it and said it was beautifully cooked and very tasty. My fish was cooked well and the new potatoes and peas was perfect on a very hot evening. We returned at the interval for a very chocolatey cremant with sweet juicy raspberries and coffee waiting for us. * The one thing that affected our complete enjoyment was that we ordered two G&T’s on arrival at the table and when it was delivered, they were doubles. Not only was this not what we had ordered but the size of the glass meant you couldn’t fit enough tonic in to get the mix you wanted, so the majority of mine was way to strongly gin flavoured for me. And of course we had to pay for a double, although it was reasonably priced for where we were. We could have complained but we didn’t want to spoil the evening. The three course meal was £85 which considering its central London and in such beautiful surroundings and with the quality of the food we had was actually really good value. 12.5% service charge was added but that was fine for the excellent service we received. The whole operation looked well oiled, calm and efficient. If you’ve splashed out for the opera tickets and dressed up for a night out, this is a ‘must’ to make the whole experience complete.

Very convenient location, pre-concert. Excellent service. Very nice food,. Special atmosphere/unique location.

I went to Balconies with my mom before we went to see the opera "Turandot". It was a great evening, the opera was fantastic and the location of the restaurant is wonderful. The scenery/setting of the hall is beautiful, with a quaint bar in the middle. The service was really great, and our server was very attentive and nice. The food was also very good - we started with the slow-cooked Clarence Court egg (superb!), and then had the guinea fowl. It all tasted really nice and was accompanied by good champagne. We had an amazing time at Balconies and at the Royal Opera House, and I would absolutely recommend visiting Balconies if you are going to the Opera. 5/5.

Appalling food. Appalling service. Indian staff who hadn’t a clue about fine dining. Clearly untrained. Scruffily dressed “managers”. Not a patch on pre pandemic when the French operators were excellent, professional and had personality. Nothing was too much trouble. Used to be c£250 per couple. Now £270 per couple. Not worth it at all. Avoid avoid avoid. ROH get your act together! This mediocre service and food at best is simply not worth it! We have eaten there ever since the remodelling of the House was completed. We won’t be going back until you get proper, professional operators back in charge.

We have on previous occasions had great service here, but not this time. Waiter tried carry too many used items when clearing our table, I ended up with a knife hitting me on the face and a fork hitting me on the arm leaving a mark on what was a very nice jacket. At the interval came back to out table for dessert only to find someone had spilled either wine or water on my coat that I had left on the chair. Waiter said he would get the manager but no one came, Not impressed at the price my daughter paid for the meal I expected first class service, will think twice before going again Please to say I have managed to remove the mark from the jacket just a slight stain now which will go with another try , hopefully.

So convenient for thge opera (inour case Tosca). I found the food very good and, altough maybe a bit pricey, the service and the atmosphere were all that could be desired.

We have been patrons of the Paul Hamlyn Hall Balconies Restaurant at the ROH for many years and the food has, in the main, always been very good but on this last occasion, it really was not and I have now cancelled a forthcoming reservation in October, as a consequence. At £85 pp for 3 courses, plus wine and 12.5% service charge, the price is not too far short of some Michelin One Star establishments but sadly the food and service both fall comparatively far short. We both chose the crab on compressed watermelon starter, which was 'okay' but the watermelon (and seeds 🤔) dominated the small portion of crab meat and similarly with the cod main course, the pumpkin draped over the fish itself, dominated the dish. Dessert was once again 'okay' but the millefeuille was not well structured and consequently rather dry. The cappuccinos that we ordered for the interval (one advantage of the restaurant is that you can keep you table through the interval(s)) were effectively tepid, milky water. Altogether it was a disappointing experience. Having reopened recently, since Covid forced closure, the front of house team all seem to have changed and based on the disappointing cuisine, I would think the kitchen team and senior chefs have also changed. Frankly, it was a disappointing return to the Balconies Restaurant at the ROH and sadly, I am not sure when we might return.

A performance at Covent Garden is always a joy. Starting the evening with dinner at the Balcony restaurant is a major added value feature. Food and drinks consistently excellent. Service attentive and courteous. No last minute rush to settle the bill and get to ur seat without chronic indigestion. A recommended combination.

The good points - the restaurant is a beautiful setting, and the service was very attentive. The sourdough bread was delicious. Now the not-so-good - the food was OK for the most part, although I left half of my main course as I wasn't enjoying it. Choice for vegetarians was quite limited, so I got stuck with a spicy dish (I don't like spicy food). Portions were small, and the whole thing was ridiculously expensive. On top of that, they automatically added a 12.5% service charge to the bill (even for a party of two). Given what I ate, I would consider it too expensive at even one-third of what they actually charged us. I definitely won't be returning - there are an abundance of places to eat nearby, where the food will be better, and the prices more realistic.

La comida excelente, según lo esperado cuando se reserva por Internet la comida y bebida que se desea que esté servida en el entreacto,. El servicio perfecto, muy cuidado, y el ambiente magnífico. Es un sitio muy elegante, agradable y comn una decoración impactante, que lo hace único entre los restaurantes o bares de los teatros de ópera.

Booked as part of a trip to the opera and this is the only reason they can get away with charging the extortionate prices they do. Don't get me wrong, the food and wine was nice (the crème caramel in particular deserves a mention) but...

We had dinner here before the performance of Sleeping Beauty that was wonderful. The first and main course was before the first curtain call and dessert and coffee were served during the two intervals. The venue is stunning and dinner was well organised and served...

Nous avons diné au Paul Hamlyn Hall Balcony en allant voir "the sleeping beauty". Le lieu est très agréable, nous...

Tutti uguali i Paul, a Parigi come a Praga. E anche questo non si differenzia poimolto. Ma è proprio questa...

Booked the restaurant to co-ordinate with a visit to the ballet. You have to pre-book online and it's a limited menu but it's guaranteed to work with the timings. High quality ingredients well presented - the cheese was my favourite course. A little bit on...

When you book your performance tickets online you can also book your dining experience at the same time. You then are contacted shortly prior to your visit to access the online menu booking. The choice is very limited and not overly exciting but sufficient to...

I was here with a close friend of many years to celebrate her birthday. I did tell the restaurant of this event but no mention was made or addition-which I felt was sad as she has been a regular customer over the years. We started...

We eat in the Balcony Restaurant two or three times a year before Opera performances and have always been happy until this week. The ambiance seems to have gone downhill, my wife's veal chop was tough and although we received a discount off the bill...

I have to say that my expectations were not very high, but they were easily surpassed. Normally, I would not associate good food with a restaurant inside the opera house. This place changed my perception.

I attended on a weeknight evening for the full experience - four courses and wine in an opera with two intervals. It was utterly fabulous; the food was divine, though I do wonder if my fellow patrons in the Stalls Circle agreed with the garlic...

Wonderful people-watching from the balcony and should be a great start to the evening. But... I agree with previous reviewers about value. We are fortunate to live comfortably and eat in many ££££ places in many countries, where the experience is usually well worth the...

Given the prices are up there with top London restaurants this was a big disappointment. It was supposed to be a real treat for my partner’s Christmas present and although the opera was very good the food was ordinary and the fish over cooked and...

We really enjoyed our meals pre-performance. The on line pre-ordering process worked well and the food was beautifully served and was delicious. Our wine, Bin202 Novita Pinot Grigot Umbria 2016, was a perfect accompaniment. A great choice of starters, mains and puds, and some lovely...

If you have a ticket to one of the matinees, I would recommend having lunch before the performance. Staff are always very friendly, and although it is perhaps not the most economical choice, it is definitely worth it just for the experience.

We have dined here many times when attending opera performances and it seems to get better and better. The staff are superb, very helpful, professional and friendly. The food was delicious and well cooked and plentiful. The venue is delightful with a good view down...

We eat here several times and year and the standard keeps getting better. It is hugely expensive actually, but it's a captive market and so opera-lovers just have to pay. The long-serving staff are excellent and welcome you back with enthusiasm. It is best to...

The bar and restaurant are part of the Royal Opera House and is a lovely room with glass ceiling etc. We pre ordered sandwiches for the interval of the opera we were attending. It was really hard to find them as they were put to...

Many visits to this atmospheric restaurant over the years for pre performance dinning and It has to be one of the best internal views of all the London venues. It enjoys the most amazing buzz of pre performance atmosphere with the views down and around...

We eat here because it's extremely convenient when at the opera or ballet, but I don't think we'd pay these prices for this food/service if it weren't in the ROH. That said, there's plenty of great things to say about our meal and experience, but...

Visited several times this year. Expensive but perfect every time. delicious food, inspiring menues. caters charmingly with vegan, vegeterian.

We had a chance to dine in this very nicely decorated restaurant in one of the nicest buildings in London when we saw an Opera. I recommend everyone to try at least once to combine opera with dinner in this restaurant. As one might expect,...

After an horrendous (Earls Court Road closed, with multiple, knock-on consequences!) drive into London from Bray, it was good to relax and enjoy an early dinner in familiar surroundings at the Balconies Restaurant at the Royal Opera House (ROH), before a very enjoyable production of...

We booked well ahead and selected a relatively simple and uncomplicated dinner for two from a fairly extensive menu, early in the evening so that we could enjoy the Opera, our prime reason for being there in the first place. Bearing in mind that the...

Situated in part of the old Covent Garden Market next to the Royal Opera House this is a lovely place for a pre performance meal. The champagne bar is downstairs with the tables up on the mezzanine floor. We pre-ordered our food via the internet...

If you are sitting in the lower part of the Royal Opera House (the amphitheatre restaurant is more convenient for the upper part) dinner in the balcony restaurant is the perfect start to the evening. Pre-ordering food and drinks takes away that chore. Food is...

The food is beautifully presented (rather small portions though admittedly) the really nice thing about dining here whilst a performance is on, is that the table is 'yours' for the whole evening. So you can have your starters before hand for example, your mains in...

We had booked a ballet and dinner at the venue as we so often do as good clients and supporters of the Royal Opera House for many years. We were in a business trip to Switzerland when our return flight to London was cancelled due...

Booked a meal around a ballet performance as a birthday gift. While the ordering process is very nicely managed, the menu, food and service left much to be desired. The menu is small and lacking diversity. Perhaps an unavoidable consequence of fitting food around the...

If you're going to the Royal Opera for the first time in its Covent Garden digs, having a dinner in this restaurant is a must. It's situated in the balconies of what used to be a large Victorian flower market, which we remembered fondly (think...

Il Trovatore im ehrwürdigen ROH zu sehen ist ein echtes Erlebnis. Dazu wollten wir uns nicht den Genuss dies auch...

First of all, I want to say that I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants in the world, so I am no stranger to fine dining. This is the very first time, however, that I have received an email requiring that my guests...

The great thing about dining here whilst a performance is on, is that the table is 'yours' for the duration. We booked in advance a few months prior and enjoyed the experience immensely. We took a break after the main meal and returned during the...

My husband bought tickets for the ballet for my birthday and also booked a meal at the Balcony restaurant for before the show. We had to pre-order which was fine and we opted for starters and mains and a half bottle of Sancerre wine. The...

Unfortunately we were disappointed by our visit after reading the reviews on here. Obviously the setting is outstanding but certainly lacks atmosphere until the interval when the bar really becomes lively. The canapes and starter were lovely but having ordered our dishes in advance, we...

No vale la pena comer o cenar aquí. Es sumamente caro y la calidad de los alimentos mediocre. El lugar...

Well, you did not come here because it was cheap! But it does deliver. I did not have time for the menus between acts but it all looked lovely. Glad to see the Provision of free tap water with ice as it was a hot...

We had been seated in the splendid surroundings for one whole hour before the starter arrived with only canapes and bread to amuse! Time was running out for the bell! Just 10 minutes to eat the main course before the the show (as we had...

This very unusual restaurant serves excellent food, has a great staff and provides the diner with a unique voyeur experience!

we only booked a table two weeks in advance and therefor sat in the second row. First we were a little bit disappointed because we had the idea to watch the opera audience from above. But we didn't need the view- the food was excellent,...

We usually eat in the Amphitheatre Restaurant at the Royal Opera House. This time we chose the Paul Hamlyn Balcony. It is much, much better. We both had a wonderful starter of really fresh smoked salmon on blinis. Delicious. I had lamb with truffle potatoes....

We booked this restaurant at the Royal Opera House when we went to see Lucia de Lamemoor. All was preordered including a delicious champagne and rhubarb cocktail! Starter and main before the Opera and pudding during the interval. The food was very tasty and the...

during my visit at the opera i ended up in this beautiful breathtaking restaurant. only had a drink there, but will make sure to have dinner there soon.

Wonderful setting, superb service and delicious pre-chosen menu served during the intervals of the opera. Amazing experience if rather expensive.

Booked the restaurant before attending the Opera. Very relaxed with excellent service and top quality food. All in all a wonderful experience.

I had the three course nutcracker menu. This was a mixed experience- there was a terrific sense of occasion, it was great to watch the atmosphere build and it was very convenient to eat here without having to rush around town to cram in a...

Great meal. Starter lobster Caesar Msin venison (3 tiny pieces) puds and cheese. £75 plus veg (£3) plus cheese (£12) so £90 for food plus wine. We chose house wine. Total Bill £250. We could have gone to Petrus for less. You are paying for...

This restaurant in the marvellously recreated Floral Hall is a wonderful place when money is no object. We have only eaten here twice despite many visits to the Royal Opera House, both for landmark birthday celebrations. You can stagger courses so that for example you...

The food was very tasty, and the service terrific. Great range of food, which they continually topped up if needed. the staff is very friendly.

If you're looking for a complete evening at the ROH, with an assault on all the senses, you'll need to book a table in the Hamlyn Balcony Restaurant... The food, the service and the awesome lofted atrium view are all excellent, and it is a...

Why why have they put the ph bar back as it was in 2011... Completely ruined the space and enjoyment of a drink before and during the show. The service now doesnt work at and its like a bar at a bad business conference plus...

We had a lovely meal with wine. I had. Dairy free option which was very enjoyable. Would go there again, will tell friends about our visit.

Heavens - I am still reeling. No. Not the opera but the food and prices at this overhyped establishment. A second visit and, I know, you are screaming WHY GO BACK! Well, convenience, Not free choice, And, did we pay. £70 per head (without wine...

Optimum spot for people watching before, during and after the wonderful productions at the Royal Opera House. We've had drinks there several times as well as eating there. Great atmosphere and an exceptional place - possibly one of my favourites in the whole of London.

We booked at Balconies Restaurant to complete our night out at The Royal Opera House. Our experience was top notch... the quality of the food and the prompt, courteous and helpful service made this an experience to remember. Thank you all.

Fomos ao Balconies do Royal Ópera House. Não agrada, embora em ambiente sofisticado: o serviço é lento, a comida é...

We love the Balconies restaurant for dinner before a performance at the Royal Opera House, especially when going to see a long opera. You can chose to have starter and main course before the performance starts and your desert & coffee in the interval, which...

It is the "altogether " that is key here. Would I go to this restaurant just to eat? Possibly. Would I eat at this restaurant as part f an evening at the opera/ballet? Definitely. It brings the whole experience together and works really well. Staff...

Had dinner here with my husband before the opera. The Balconies surround a beautiful champagne bar at ground level. the food is served as a 3-course menu for £75 per person chosen three days in advance. We forgot to do that and the reservations team...

A wonderful view over the other guests in the Floral room where they sup champagne. The service is excellent, the food very good but at what a price! A very occasional and memorable experience but good to have a meal spanning the performance

Excellent food, wine and service. Franco is amazing and very well organised. The ambience is superb.

The pre theatre menu has to be pre-ordered which is a little frustrating, the menu being somewhat limited and uninspiring. We arrived a little late but credit to the team they managed to deliver punctually. The cauliflower soup was bland and stodgy whilst my stilton...

The production of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman in the Royal Opera House is magnificent. So is dining in the Balconies Restaurant, in the glorious setting of the former Covent Garden Flower Market. What a combination! The food is superb and beautifully presented, with a very...

We went to see the Royal Ballet and had a pre show drink in the Paul Hamlyn Bar. A most amazing spectacular setting. The champagne cocktails are fab. A great start to a fantastic evening.

If you want a special pre ballet or opera meal at the ROH this is the one to choose as the room is stunning - better than the other ROH options. You do pay a premium price but the quality is very good and the...

The Balconies Restaurant must be one of the most stunning venues in London, especially if you have a table for two on the centre balcony looking (sideways) at the huge end window of this amazing Hall. It is also the most convenient place to eat,...

We were at the Opera House for The Royal Ballet performance of Don Quixote. Preordered dinner and drinks. This is a brilliant idea. We were able to leave our coats and other nonessential belongs at the table and returned to the same table for other...

The bar area is pleasant, even spectacular, with its high Victorian ornate roof. Before an operatic performance we enjoyed a bottle of pinot grigio which with a small plate of smoked salmon sandwiches came to about £32. Seriously pricey, confirmed by the fact that a...

We had dinner in the balcony restaurant before the ballet. It was my birthday treat and was a really great place for the occasion; it really is magnificent, and seated high up you get such a good view of the whole hall and look down...

Really the only way to do the ROH...Starter and main course are served before the first act then you pick up at your table in the intervals. Delicious food, which you order in advance so it all flows on the night, some of us couldn't...

The food was excellent, the service wonderful and you had your own table all through the performance and intervals - no crowds or queuing for refreshments. Highly recommended.

I booked this restaurant for a special occasion, my husband's Birthday, 17th July, and before going to see 'La Boheme'. The food choices were made online, no problem, and confirmed at the table. We were persuaded to spread the meal and have the dessert and...

A few times a year we travel to London for Opera and musical weekends. So lucky, people return tickets, and we could go to the Opera Tosca with fabulous Roberto Alagna. To make it a real evening out with called and mailed to the Balconies...

In 2013 hebben wij voor het eerst hier gedineerd voordat de opera begon.Dit was toen een fantastische ervaring, wel duur...

Visited this on Friday 16th May for dinner before seeing Tosca - a special treat as it was my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary. Was a little nervous as some of the reviews had been a bit negative. It was a wonderful experience. We...

My wife and I have dined here regularly over the last seven or eight years. The food has increased in both quality and presentation over the last two years. It is now consistently of high standard for every course. All food is pre-booked with a...

We booked here as part of our opera experience. We ordered food and drink months in advance and all online. Very easy. We had a beautiful table with great views on the upper floor. Service was quick, friendly and professional. The food was of an...

We had seats in the right hand side of the Amphitheatre. We chose to eat in the Balconies restaurant because we understood this to be the best dining experience. And it was. Excellent food, attentive waiters, good wine, and a superb outlook. On the expensive...

We went to the ROH for the last performance of Manon. As it was 4 hours altogether we had booked at the Paul Hamlyn Hall Bar food and drinks. It was a party of 2. We had ordered the salmon sandwiches (8 small triangles with...

We booked dinner at Balconies recently with some concern. You can look up the available menu for the performance and they want you to make your choice. The food was beautifully prepared and excellent quality. Yes, it is expensive but no, it is not over...

Gorgeous place to sit and eat dinner before the ballet or opera. Lovely staff food and wine and wonderful atmosphere. A real treat.

We went here for a meal prior to going to the opera and whilst it was fine and the setting pretty good the food was very average and there was as far was we could make out no hot food to be had - maybe...

This place usually comes up trumps but on our last visit I am afraid the experience was memorable for the wrong reasons. Basically you are paying for the location and convenience, The food has always been marginally secondary but on this visit it was almost...