We are pleased to be able to offer picnic tables in the Balustrades, Terrace and Dutch Garden Lounge for customers who would like to bring their own refreshments to enjoy before the show and during the interval.
Tables of 6 in the Dutch Garden Lounge are £65, Terrace tables of 4 cost £45, and Balustrade tables of 2 cost £25. Please note that availability is limited, although we hope to have more space to offer as we get closer to the summer season. Tables on the Balustrade are located at the front of the theatre under the canopy, overlooking the cricket pitch.
Access to the Dutch Garden Lounge and the Balustrade is step free. However, access to the Terrace is up several steps.
You can either book your picnic table at the same time as buying your tickets, or you can do so using the link on the right of this page. Please note that not all areas will be available for every performance, nor pre-booked tables be available for external productions. If you are planning your visit around your picnic, we recommend consulting availability first.
Please note that customers do not need to book picnic tables for Shakespeare in Music with Barts Choir on 12 August and are welcome to dine anywhere on site for free.
Dining Options
Booking is now open to pre-order a picnic hamper from Il Portico to enjoy during your upcoming evening at Opera Holland Park
Opera Holland Park is delighted to reveal the menu for Il Portico’s 2024 Season picnic boxes. Prepared by this well-loved local restaurant on Kensington High Street and delivered in time for your arrival at the theatre, the picnic boxes feature a mouth-watering selection of classic Italian and modern Mediterranean dishes to accompany your visit.
From chilled gazpacho to burrata, caponata, tonno e fagioli, venison and pork belly sausage roll, and Campari-cured gravadlax, the menu is perfectly pitched to the British summer weather and has been curated for Opera Holland Park by the chef, James Chiavarini. Plates and cutlery (not pictured) will be provided
Il Portico picnic boxes are priced at £78 for two people and can be scaled up based on your group size.
Please note that hamper bookings do not include a picnic table. Please use the booking tool on this page to check table availability for your performance. You can also enjoy your hamper in Holland Park.
2024 Il Portico Menu
Multi seed sourdough & rye with extra virgin olive oil, and organic balsamic
Aubergine caponata – (slow cooked aubergines with caramelised red onions, pine nuts, vinegar and celery)
Burrata & heritage tomato salad
House cured gravalax salmon
Cheese and summer mushroom quiche
Salad Nicoise
Chickpea & orzo salad with summer vegetables
Trio of summer greens
Homemade scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream
Summer chocolate cake
Picnicking FAQs
Please note that we do not allow customers to eat their own food and drink at the bar seating areas and ask all groups to pre-book a picnic table in either the Terrace, the Balustrade, or the Dutch Garden Lounge.
Do the tables have tablecloths?
Yes, all picnic tables in the Balustrades, Terrace and Dutch Garden Lounge have sanitised and wipeable tablecloths.
Is there a limit on the number of tables I can purchase?
You may purchase as many picnic tables as you like, subject to availability. There is a limit of two per performance which can be booked online, so should you require more tables for you party, please call the box office on 0300 999 1000.
What time will I be able to picnic from?
The time from which your picnic table will be available varies according to the start time of the particular performance. Please check with the box office to see when you will be able to access your table.
You are welcome to use your picnic table during the interval, but not after the performance as the theatre site will be closing.
Can I add an extra chair to my table?
Unfortunately, due to Health & Safety regulations, we can only accommodate up to 6 people/chairs around picnic tables purchased in the Dutch Garden Lounge, 4 in the Terrace, and 2 in the Balustrades. If you wish to exceed these numbers in their respective areas, you will need to purchase more than one table i.e. if your party is 7 or more, you will need to purchase more than one picnic table.
