The Best Theater District Restaurants in New York City for Pre- and Post-Broadway Dinners

In New York City, restaurants can be found around every corner, within five feet of each other and in even the smallest of spaces—which can make it extremely difficult to choose the right place. So we’ve gathered the best options for dining in and around the Theater District, from family-friendly spots and award-winning burgers to inventive newcomers serving some of the best Thai in the city.

Theater District Restaurants for Pre- and Post-Broadway Dinners:

Newer Hot Spots

Chalong NYC

• Chef Nate Limwong opened Chalong in January 2023, catering to diners who love spicy, flavorful dishes from Southern Thailand.
• Open noon to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  
  

Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi

• Tatiana at Lincoln Center has been on our radar since its opening. James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi’s menu showcases dishes that come from the different cultures in his world—namely, Caribbean, Africa and the American South. If you have the chance, read his memoir Notes From a Young Black Chef.
• Reservations recommended
• Open 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday
  
  

LumLum

• At this Thai restaurant, steer away from the typical dishes you can find anywhere else and lean into the more inventive plates from the house specials, like muk tom nam dum, a squid ink soup.
• Open noon to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  
  

Related: What’s New in New York City: Hotels, Restaurants & Culture in Manhattan – Fall 2022

Classics

Le Bernardin

• This three-Michelin-starred French restaurant by chef Eric Ripert is a coveted reservation for a pre-theater meal. Ripert has made a name for himself with his exceptionally well-crafted seafood dishes, but the haute cuisine menu features delicious meat and vegetable options as well. (Check out Aldo Sohm Wine Bar just a few steps away, by Ripert and Le Bernardin co-owner Maguy Le Coze and expert sommelier Aldo Sohm. This cozy neighborhood joint serves small plates and shareables along with an extensive wine list.)
• Reservations recommended
• Open noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday
  
  

Related: Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley interviews chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin on her Passport to Everywhere on SiriusXM show.

Barbetta

• A classic choice for a timely pre-Broadway meal, Barbetta serves Northern Italian cuisine inside its antique-filled dining room.
• Reservations recommended
• Open noon to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday (great for a matinée) and 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
  
  

Joe Allen

• A Theater District mainstay, this casual spot was created with theater-goers and the stars of Broadway in mind. Sit at the bar and end the night with a burger and a martini.
• Open noon to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
  
  

The Lambs Club

• Stepping into The Lambs Club is like walking into 1960s New York—large red leather booths with iconic black and white photos adorning the walls. The classic spot reopened post-pandemic, with a fresh menu spearheaded by chef Jack Logue (formerly of Michelin-starred restaurants Betony and The Clocktower).
• Reservations recommended
• Open 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday and Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday; 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday
  
  

Orso

• A night in Orso’s elegant dining room enjoying simple Tuscan dishes before a Broadway show is a quintessential New York night. Sister restaurant to Joe Allen, Orso is somewhat of a celebrity watering hole—and has drawn the likes of Nora Ephron, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman.
• Open 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday

Dining with Locals

Kashkaval Garden

• This casual spot in Hell’s Kitchen just expanded its hours for post-Broadway dining—it’ll now be open until midnight Thursday through Saturday. As a table for two or a group of friends, enjoy wine, Mediterranean small plates and Turkish flatbreads from the cozy back room. Pre-theater diners can catch the happy hour—from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Indagare Tip: Show your same-day theater tickets for a 10 percent discount after the show.
• Open noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; noon to midnight Thursday through Saturday
  
  

Wondee Siam

• One of the best Thai restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen (and a favorite of Indagare staffers), Wondee Siam is that type of hole-in-the-wall restaurant that friends will be impressed you know it. It’s sometimes a bit of a wait, so make sure to show up early to fully enjoy the Duck Gra Prow, pineapple fried rice and the Panang curry.
• Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.*
  
  

Tacuba

• Run by chef Julian Medina, Louis Skibar and Brian Sobhan, Tacuba’s menu ranges from Mexican and Cuban to diverse Pan-Latin. The atmosphere is relaxed but refined, which is what locals love about it—reservations are helpful but not always necessary, the front of the restaurant opens up in warmer weather, inviting in light and fresh air and the flavors of the cuisine keep you coming back to try more.
• Reservations recommended
• Open 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday
  
  

Mémé Mediterranean

• Situated a little ways away from the Theater District madness on 10th Avenue, brothers Alon and Jacob Cohen created Mémé, named after the French Moroccan word for grandmother. The laid-back candlelit interiors, wonderful service and homey Mediterranean cuisine all speak to the name, creating a lovely neighborhood spot for locals to catch up over weeknight dinners. Try the vegetarian combination platter alongside the fresh seafood special of the day.
• Open daily until 10:00 p.m.
  
  

Related: Melissa Biggs Bradley: Exploring My Own Backyard, NYC

Quick & Easy

Ippudo

• Sitting at the bar of this popular Japanese locale can be a quick way to enjoy a spectacular bowl of ramen after your show.
• Reservations recommended, particiularly pre-theater
• Open 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays

• Beloved by locals and out-of-towners alike, Los Tacos No. 1 on 43rd Street usually has a line that not only moves quickly but is completely justified. Place your order, watch the assembly line create your delicious adobada (marinated pork) taco con todo (including everything) and stand at the countertops enjoying your authentic Tijuana tacos while sipping on a Mexican soda.
• Open 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday

Best for Families

The Meatball Shop

• The Hell’s Kitchen location of The Meatball Shop has great seating options for groups and families and a super flexible menu, making it an easy choice for pre- or post-Broadway. Choose from a variety of meatballs, sauces and bases (pastas, mashed potatoes and even lentils) to create your ideal dish.
• Open noon to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to midnight Friday; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday

• Having expanded since its first location in Williamsburg, Emmy Squared has finally come to the Theater District. Situated on quiet 48th street, the restaurant is serving up its award-winning “Le Big Matt Burger,” along with its creative Detroit-style pizza and oversized appetizers.
• Open noon to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday; noon to midnight Friday; 11:00 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday

• Osteria al Doge serves Venetian-inspired cuisine from its charming dining room in the heart of the Theater District. The menu transports you to Italy—hearty homemade pastas like pappardelle with braised lamb ragu meet airy pizzas of all kinds, including pizza ai funghi. 
• Open 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday

• This new Boucherie location opened on 53rd Street in November 2020 and is located inside a pedestrian arcade, like the galeries of Paris. Serving typical French-bistro fare, the Art Nouveau brasserie is a great spot to immerse in the local Midtown hustle and bustle, especially post-Broadway. Great for families with older kids.
• Open 8:00 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; 10:00 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday

Worth the Splurge