Absolutely heaving! And you won't get to eat in a decent restaurant unless you book and even then I doubt that the meal will be up to much because they will all be so busy and will be wanting to move you on and out as quickly as possible. Go and enjoy the fun but plan to eat elsewhere. If you cross to the other side of Shaftesbury Avenue you'll find plenty of alternative choices.

SM

generaly the chinese restaurants in china town suck. there are a couple of ok ones but cant remember which ones are alright now as been ages.
I would probably head up into soho and find a decent place to eat.

On a similar theme, a group of us are going to London in May to see We Will Rock You and we need to book a nice restaurant for pre theatre dinner. Italian is a good option for us, but we would consider other ideas. Help anyone?

Sarah, try the Paradiso ed Inferno on the Strand close to the theatre district. They also open late for after-theatre dinners, and have their own website ... which I can't remember offhand, but if you google Paradiso ed Inferno Italian Restaurant London you should get there!

Have a great time!

A friend & his Mrs. went to Chinatown for a meal a few weeks ago. Asthey were being shown to the table my friend turned to the waiter/ owner & asked "Do you do chips? I don't like rice."

His Mrs. got to the table, turned round, & witnessed a very irrate Chinese man marching her hubby to the front door by the back of his shirt collar, shouting about how insulted he was.

Be warned.

If you want a good Chinese restaurant I would always recommend Mr Kongs on Lisle Street, in the heart of Chinatown. Its been estblished for years and is frequented by Chinese families, and the food is excellent.
If you want an Italian, try The Italian Kitchen - you can google it to find the exact location. Good Italian food at a reasonable price and a nice atmosphere.