Where to Eat Before or After a Broadway Show
Looking for the best restaurants in the Theater District, New York City?
People come from around the world to Broadway and the Theater District every day for world class shows and plays. Since the timing can sometimes be tricky for lunch or dinner if you have a show to catch, you may looking for a good place to eat before or after a Broadway show close by. So if you ever in the area, check out this guide on our favorite restaurants close to the Theater District.
Carmine’s – 200 West 44th St
P.C.: Carmine’s
There are a bunch of excellent Italian restaurants close to the Broadway theaters and Times Square. Our favorite and probably the most popular of the bunch is Carmine’s. Carmine’s is known for their huge serving sizes that are meant to be shared for family style dining. Of note, they have a ton of options for pastas. Their pastas are all excellent but we especially love their mixed seafood linguine with white sauce and rigatoni with sausage and broccoli. Another option along the same line is Tony’s Di Napoli (147 W 43rd St).
Ellen’s Stardust Diner – 1650 Broadway
P.C.: Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an unique restaurant with a lively and fun atmosphere. It is a 50’s themed diner that is probably best known for its singing waiters so you can get a little taste of the Broadway magic before (or after) the show! They serve classic diner fare like pancakes, burgers and pastas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Burger & Lobster – 132 W 43rd St
There can be a long wait to be seated at both Carmine’s and Ellen’s Stardust Diner and you may not have the time before a Broadway play so Burger & Lobster is a great option that usually doesn’t have a wait. Their big three on their menus are juicy burgers, succulent grilled or steamed lobsters and buttery lobster rolls. Burger & Lobster is a great brunch spot on the weekends too.
Shake Shack – 691 8th Ave
P.C.: Shake Shack
Yet another good spot for burgers near Times Square is Shake Shack. It is perfect if you are looking for a quick bite or just something open late at night. Honestly, a towering bacon cheeseburger, crispy crinkle cut fries and a creamy milkshake hits the spot lunch or dinner.
Los Tacos No 1 – 229 W 43rd St
P.C.: yelp, Danni O.
Similarly, if you are looking for a quick cheap eats spot or something good on go, there is Los Taco No 1. They have authentic Mexican tacos topped with steak, chicken, marinated pork or even grilled cactus. They are all delicious especially paired with a Mexican coke.
Ippudo – 321 W 51st St
One of our favorite ramen restaurants in New York City opened a location in Midtown few years back and it is only a short walk from most of the theaters on Broadway. Their ramen is always perfectly chewy and their broth and chashu (slow-braised pork) is full of flavor. Ichiran Ramen (152 W 49th St) is another go to spot for ramen in the area.
Danji – 346 W 52nd St
P.C.: yelp, Tiffany L.
Finally if you are looking for something truly memorable, Danji is your best bet. It is a small modern Korean restaurant where you would want to taste everything on their menu! Kimchi? Bulgogi beef sliders? Bibimbap? We’ll take one of each!
Check out our food tours and our blog post on fun things to do before a Broadway show too!