The Mezzanine - Lambeth

Perhaps overwhelming service, cheerful, but food was good if sparse and the menu slightly limited in range but for a special dinner after the theatre, this is a nice choice..

Just as well the Mazzanine is closed for a refurb. Our last visit was extremely underwhelming. Service and food lacklustre.

Obviously they specialise in pre/post theatre diners and they do it really well. Unlike many pre theatre restaurants, however, they offer a full menu and still pull this off with panache and great service. And that gives you the clue to their success very pleasant people providing good service backed up by some really good food. Fine dining? Not quite, but very good nonetheless. Hard to think of anywhere better when going to The National.

This restaurant located inside the National Theatre enjoys a pole position for those wanting an extremely convenient place to eat either at pre or post productions at the theatre. The room itself is pleasant enough with some tables enjoying views across the Thames. Unfortunately despite the menu looking ok what appears on the table is bland and pretty tasteless. The service while friendly enough is totally amateurish. Think 6th formers on a work placement. Willing but somewhat clueless. This is a totally lost opportunity as they have hundreds of potential diners from those attending a play. We are regular patrons of the National but having dined here once we can't imagine wanting to do so again unless very radical changes are made. Incidentally matters are not helped by the fact that it is expensive for what it is.

As regular visitors to the National we used the Mezzanine for pre theatre dining over many years, until frankly we got bored with the menu and decided to eat at one of the many alternative establishments on the 'Southbank '. The 'Mezzanine ' offers the great advantage of being in the National building so that you can eat and relax in comfort prior to the performance, irrespective of the outside environment. Having read a number of very positive recent reviews we decided to try it again on a couple of recent visits to the theatre. The service was very efficient and friendly,giving plenty of time for a three course meal and coffee prior to the performance. As for the food it was ok without being outstanding. My crab starter was nice as were the scallops that followed as the main course, which were accompanied by a nice bottle of Australian Sauvignon.In summary it is a restaurant within the theatre, which makes it very convenient. However the food is average and would not encourage us to visit the restaurant for itself. There are better dining oportunities within the area.