London: Back to the Future Musical & 2-Course Pre-Show Meal

Time travel starts with dinner in London. This is a simple, smart way to pair a 2-course pre-show meal at Gaucho Covent Garden with one of London’s most famous stage rides, Back to the Future: The Musical.

I especially like that the meal is full-choice within a seasonal set menu. You can pick what you want from the starter or dessert side, with no pre-selection required.

One thing to plan for: drinks are not included. And one verified booking felt the restaurant treatment and portions were tighter than for other diners, even though the show itself was terrific.

Key highlights at a glance

• Gaucho Covent Garden, dinner first: arrive at 5:25pm for a 5:30pm reservation
• Stalls or Dress Circle seats: you’ll be in the audience area with strong views
• Real menu choice: you select a starter or dessert from the seasonal set menu, no pre-order needed
• Movie energy on stage: Marty McFly’s DeLorean trip drives a fast, special-effects show
• You only manage two stops: Gaucho, then the Adelphi Theatre by 7:15pm

Dinner at 5:30pm, then right into the time machine

This kind of London theatre outing works because it removes the usual stress. Instead of figuring out where to eat near your show, you start at Gaucho Covent Garden with a scheduled 5:30pm reservation. That timing matters in London, because West End evenings can run tight once you account for lines, photos, and finding your seat.

You’ll want to be at Gaucho by 5:25pm. The whole point is to eat early enough that you are not rushing your dinner while your show starts. If you hate being late, this is a gift.

The meal itself is two courses. You’ll choose your main course plus a starter or dessert from the seasonal set menu. Your ticket does not require you to make the choice when booking, which is great if you want to wait until you’re seated and can actually look at what sounds good.

What you’ll do during your Gaucho meal

Expect a paced restaurant start designed for theatre-goers. Your focus is simple: order, eat, and stay on schedule. Since the show begins at 7:30pm, try not to turn dinner into a marathon.

If you have dietary needs, Gaucho can cater on the night. The key is to tell them your requirements in advance so the kitchen can plan smoothly.

Gaucho Covent Garden: the meal is part of the value

Let’s talk about value, because $155 per person is only a deal if the package really covers what you would otherwise pay for separately. Here, you’re buying a show ticket plus a two-course meal. If you were going to eat anyway, this bundling often makes the evening feel more like a planned outing than an add-on.

That said, meals are where expectations can clash. One verified booking said the show was a standout, while the restaurant experience felt like being treated as second class. They also mentioned smaller portions compared with other diners and said only one drink felt included.

So here’s the practical takeaway: come ready for a theatre-friendly meal, not a long, lavish dining experience. The quality can be solid, but the package meal may not feel identical to what you might get if you order more freely as a regular diner.

Drinks: don’t budget your night assuming they’re included

The package lists food included and drinks not included. If you want a cocktail or wine with dinner, plan on paying for it separately. It’s fine to treat that as your splurge, just don’t build your budget around free drinks.

Adelphi Theatre: why Stalls and Dress Circle matter

After dinner, you head to the Adelphi Theatre for Back to the Future: The Musical. You should arrive no later than 7:15pm, giving yourself a comfortable buffer for entry and finding your seat before the 7:30pm start.

This is one of the best parts of the package: your ticket places you in the Stalls or Dress Circle. In many West End shows, that area often gets you a more direct view than the cheapest sections. You’re also less likely to feel like you’re watching from the top row of the world.

If you care about seeing the action cleanly, it matters. A DeLorean is the kind of set piece that looks better when you can track it in real time, not just as a moving blur.

E-tickets and seat confidence

You’ll receive e-tickets, which is handy in London. Less time hunting for paper tickets at the last minute, more time focusing on the pre-show mood.

Back to the Future: The Musical at 7:30pm

Now for the headline. Based on the 1985 film, the story follows Marty McFly as he gets sent back in time in a DeLorean. From there, it becomes a race to fix the past and get back to the future.

What I like about this musical concept is that it’s built for momentum. You’re not just watching characters talk and wait. You’re watching a plot sprint forward, driven by iconic moments and the musical energy that comes from them.

The show is described as having dazzling special effects and iconic songs. Even if you are a newcomer to the movie, that combination usually lands well because it gives you two ways to enjoy it. You catch the emotional beats through the performance, and you recognize the cultural hits through the soundtrack.

What to expect in your seat when the show starts

Your best move is to arrive with enough time to get settled and look around for exits and any safety instructions. Once the performance starts at 7:30pm, it’s all about staying focused.

This is also a high-energy show, so if you know you get distracted by crowd noise at the start, arrive a touch early. You’ll feel more ready to lock into the pacing.

How the timing works (and how to not mess it up)

This evening is basically a two-stop plan. That’s a good thing. One location at Gaucho, then a move to the Adelphi Theatre. When a package keeps logistics simple, you get to enjoy the night.

Here’s the rhythm you’re aiming for:

• 5:25pm arrive at Gaucho Covent Garden
• 5:30pm your reservation starts
• 7:15pm latest arrive at the Adelphi Theatre
• 7:30pm showtime

London can punish late arrival. People traffic, doors, and seating all take longer than you think when you’re trying to squeeze it in. Hitting those arrival windows turns the night from stressful into smooth.

A small strategy for better dinner to show flow

Since you only have two courses, you can manage your energy better. I’d avoid anything that makes you feel overly full or overly sluggish. You want to enjoy the show, not spend it thinking about how heavy your seat feels.

Also, keep your coat and small bag organized. Theatre entrances often mean quick movement, and you do not want to be digging around for your ticket or phone.

Price and value: what $155 gets you in London

At $155 per person for about five hours, you’re paying for more than a ticket. You’re paying for a bundle: a seat in the Stalls or Dress Circle plus a two-course meal at Gaucho.

That matters because West End dining and theatre pricing can add up fast if you buy them separately. Even without comparing exact local menu items, you can feel the logic: you secure dinner with a fixed schedule and you don’t have to find a restaurant that fits your showtime.

One more thing: the package is described as having great savings. I can’t verify the exact discount versus buying everything à la carte from the information here, but the structure suggests you’re paying a single price that includes both major cost centers of your evening.

So who gets the best deal? People who would otherwise book dinner near the theatre and then still pay full price for good seats. If you were planning on cheap seats or skipping dinner, the value drops a bit.

Family-friendly, with some firm limits

This is listed as family friendly, but it also has clear boundaries. It’s not suitable for children under 5 years. And wheelchair users are not suitable for this activity.

There are also rules during the theatre experience: no baby strollers, no pets (assistance dogs are allowed), no selfie sticks, and no flash photography or video recording. If you travel with any of these items, plan ahead so you don’t arrive frustrated.

If you’re bringing kids who are old enough, the show’s familiar sci-fi premise can help. Back to the Future is basically an invitation into a world kids and teens recognize, especially if they like movies with action and time travel.

Who should book this London theatre package

I’d point you toward this experience if you want a clean, pre-planned West End evening.

You’re a good fit if:

• You want excellent seats without spending time seat-hunting
• You like the idea of a scheduled 2-course meal instead of guessing where to eat
• You’re a Back to the Future fan, or you just want an iconic movie turned into a big live event
• You prefer an easy timeline: Gaucho first, then the Adelphi Theatre

You may want to reconsider if:

• You expect drinks to be included with dinner (the package says drinks are not included)
• You are sensitive to meal portion sizes and restaurant service differences
• Your group needs wheelchair accessibility, since wheelchair users are not suitable

And if you’re the kind of person who hates rushing, this schedule is designed to reduce that. You get set times and two stops only.

Should you book Back to the Future plus dinner?

Yes, I’d book this if you want a no-drama West End night where the biggest pieces are already handled. The combination of Back to the Future: The Musical plus a 2-course meal at Gaucho Covent Garden is a solid way to spend five hours in London without scrambling.

I’d also set expectations for the meal. One verified booking praised the show but felt the restaurant side had issues with treatment and portion size. You can’t assume every meal will feel the same, so I’d treat the dinner as part of the package value, not as a standalone fine-dining experience.

If you want, message me what day you’re visiting and how many people are in your group, and I can help you think through whether these seats and this meal pace will match your style.

FAQ

What time does the meal start?

You should arrive at Gaucho Covent Garden at 5:25pm for a 5:30pm reservation.

What time do I need to be at the theatre?

You should arrive at the Adelphi Theatre no later than 7:15pm, for a 7:30pm start.

What seats are included for the musical?

Your ticket includes seats located in the Stalls or Dress Circle.

What is included with the dinner?

The dinner includes a 2-course meal at Gaucho Covent Garden, with a full choice from the seasonal set menu. You do not need to pre-select your choices when booking.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Is this suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

It is not suitable for children under 5 years, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.