The Tamesis
In our books, a perfect night at the theater starts with a perfect meal. In New York City, many Broadway shows start at 7 or 8 PM, so you’ll want to make a dinner reservation in advance at a reliable restaurant where you can eat, enjoy, and hit the road. When it comes to making the most of your theater experience, there’s nothing worse than rushing into the theater at the last minute, so choosing a pre-show dinner is an important decision.
Luckily, there are plenty of gems on our list of the best restaurants in the Theater District, including Fashion Employees reflect on the places they hang out. Some are historic places with special pre-theatre menus, or long-running iconic venues, while others are perfect for grabbing a quick and delicious bite as curtain time approaches. Below, read on for our picks.
Joe Allen (326 W 46th St)
Joe Ellen has always been my family’s pre-theatre dinner reservation. The walls were covered with posters of famous Broadway “failures” and nearly everyone was grabbing a quick bite to eat before the 7:30 pm show. The food here is classic American, nothing too fancy or indulgent, but just the kind of food you want to fill your belly before watching a three-hour Broadway show. –Florence O’Connor, Associate Producer
Sardi’s (234 West 44th Street)
Sadie gives new meaning to the phrase dinner and show. Before going to a show, I love having a drink at the Cosmopolitan at this iconic New York location and admiring the caricature-covered walls, which feature more than 1,200 portraits of Broadway legends and cultural icons. It’s like playing a life-size game of Guess Who? While enjoying delicious food. —Anna Grace Lee, lifestyle writer
Polo Bar (1 E 55th St)
People watching is at least as good as anything you see on stage. —Mark Guiducci, former creative editorial director
Photo: Courtesy of Lamb Club
Lamb’s Club (132 W 44th St)
The Stanford White Building was once home to the famous Dramatic Social Club, where, in the words of George S. Kaufman, “actors tried to be gentlemen,” such as Cecil B. DeMille, Fred Astaire, Eugene O’Neill and Irving Berlin. Even when the club moved to a new location in Rockefeller Center in the 1950s, a restaurant of the same name remained and enjoyed a reputation as a hangout for nearby publishing executives as well as those seeking a high-end pre-theater meal. If you want a classic, polished New York experience, go for it – they have a fixed pre-theatre menu to make sure you get to the show before it starts. —Elise Taylor, former senior writer
Otoya Times Square (141 W 41st St)
With several locations, Ootoya is a reliable Japanese restaurant with something for just about everyone. Soothe your mood with sushi, chicken nuggets, crispy rice or a comforting bowl of udon while you prepare for the show. —Anna Grace Lee, lifestyle writer
Gallagher (228 West 52nd St)
Gallagher’s is one of Manhattan’s most famous steakhouses, opened in 1927 by former Ziegfeld girl Hellen Gallagher as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Thus began its illustrious association with celebrity and the performing arts: after prohibition was lifted, Gallagher’s became arguably Broadway’s first steakhouse. Eating here feels like traveling back to the 1950s or 1960s in the best possible way. Of course, order a steak, and a wedge salad. —Elise Taylor, former senior writer
City Vendor (135 W 50th St)
My favorite pre-theater quickie is Urban Hawker, the Singapore food court at 50 between 6th and 7th Avenues. What’s better than a cup of bubble tea, chilli crab, and a yam basket before this season’s musical! —Chloe Malle, director of editorial content
L’Avenue (8 East 50th Street)
Whenever I go to a Broadway show, it has become a tradition to have a martini and snacks at L’Avenue, especially in the log cabin-themed part of the restaurant where you can enjoy drinks by the fireplace. So comfortable even on a hot summer day. —Christian Allaire, senior fashion news writer
Fasano (60 E 49th St)
This downtown Italian restaurant has a grand, old-money feel—which is to say, it’s the perfect spot for a special-occasion Broadway dinner. Come for the jazz, stay for the risotto. —Christian Allaire, senior fashion news writer
