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Looking for the best theater district restaurants in NYC? It’s certainly an art. Most Broadway shows start at 7 p.m., meaning that you’ll need an early dinner reservation at a place with efficient service. And that’s just the practical side of things. Going to see a Broadway show is a quintessential New York experience, and many want to eat at a restaurant that’s just as memorable as the show they’re about to see.
Ahead of the 2024 Tony Awards, Vogue staffers reflected on their favorite theater district restaurants. Some of them are historic haunts with special pre-theater menus, while others are perfect for having a quick yet delicious bite if you are already cutting it close to curtain time. Below, our picks.
Joe Allen (326 W 46th St)
Joe Allen has always and will always be my family’s pre-theater dinner reservation. The walls are lined with posters of famous Broadway “flops” and pretty much everyone there is grabbing a quick bite before making their 7:30 p.m. show. The food is classic American, nothing too fancy or indulgent but exactly what you want to line your stomach with before you endure a three-hour Broadway play. -Florence O’Connor, associate producer
The Polo Bar (1 E 55th St)
People watching that is at least as good as anything you’re about to see on stage. -Mark Guiducci, creative editorial director
The Lambs Club (132 W 44th St)
The Stanford White building was once home to the famous theatrical social club of, in the alleged words of George S. Kaufman, “actors trying to be gentlemen,” like Cecile B. DeMille, Fred Astaire, Eugene O’Neill, and Irving Berlin. Even when the club moved on to a new location in Rockefeller Center in the 1950s, a restaurant of the same name remained and took on an illustrious reputation as the see-and-be-seen spot for executives at nearby publishing houses, as well as those looking for a high-end pre-theater meal. Go if you want the classic, fancy New York experience—they have a fixed pre-theater menu to make sure you get to your show before curtain. -Elise Taylor, senior living writer
Gallagher’s (228 West 52nd St)
One of the most famous steakhouses in Manhattan, Gallagher’s was opened in 1927 by former Ziegfeld girl Hellen Gallagher as a speakeasy during prohibition. So began its illustrious association with celebrity and the performing arts: after prohibition lifted, Gallagher’s arguably became Broadway’s first steakhouse. Eating here feels like stepping back into the 1950s or 1960s in the best way. Order a steak, naturally, and a wedge salad. -Elise Taylor, senior living writer
Urban Hawker (135 W 50th St)
My favorite pre-theater quick bite is Urban Hawker, the Singaporean food hall on 50th between 6th and 7th Avenue. What could be better than a bubble tea, chili crab, and yam basket before the musical of the season! -Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
L’Avenue (8 E 50th St)
Whenever I’m going to a Broadway show, it’s become a tradition to grab a martini and snack at L’Avenue—specifically, the chalet-themed portion of the restaurant, where you can have drinks by the fireplace. So cozy—even on a hot summer day. -Christian Allaire, senior fashion news writer
Fasano (60 E 49th St)
This Italian restaurant in midtown has a grand, Old Money feel—meaning, it’s the perfect place for a special occasion Broadway dinner. Come for the jazz, stay for the risotto. -Christian Allaire, senior fashion news writer
Pebble Bar (67 W 49th St)
Housed in an old townhouse just off of Rockefeller Center—an area dominated by offices and skyscrapers—Pebble Bar has quite the lore: founded in 1892 as an Irish pub named Huxley’s, it became the de facto watering hole for many of the celebrities who worked at the nearby late-night shows. (Johnny Carson was a regular and even had his own back entrance, whereas David Letterman regularly filmed statements on the bar’s third floor.) After being turned into office space during the 2000s, a new group of restauranters took it over and rechristened the space as Pebble Bar. It doesn’t offer full meals, but you’ll certainly be more than full after ordering enough of their sliders and lobster rolls. -Elise Taylor, senior living writer
The Meatball Shop (798 9th Ave)
The Meatball Shop Hell’s Kitchen is a stealth pre-Broadway stop, especially for any of the theaters a little farther north in the low 50s. I like to order the turkey meatballs and then make my custom ice cream sandwich: mint chip and chocolate chunk cookie. It’s also a hit with visiting friends with kids, or kids at heart. -Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
Mitr Thai (37 West 46th St)
Excellent Thai food, a pleasant setting to enjoy it in, friendly staff, and most importantly, will get you to your show on time. That’s Mitr Thai. Gone are the days of needing to settle for mediocre, touristy, and expensive pan-American or “Italian” pre-show fare. -Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, senior associate of creative development
La Masseria (235 W 48th St)
La Masseria is the perfect way to pregame a show—or have a leisurely meal between matinee and evening performances, as I recently did. I’m still dreaming about my bolognese sauce, rum cocktail, and apple tart. With a long list of rotating specials and great service, you can’t go wrong. -Hannah Jackson, fashion news writer
Becco, 355 West 46th St
I have to go with Becco, Lidia Bastianich’s Theater Row standby. Three words: Pasta. Tasting. Menu. It’s packed, and kind of noisy and touristy, but you’re in the Theater District, so, what do you expect? It’s always a scene—one time when I was there with my parents, my mom saw her high school ex-boyfriend and he ignored her (clearly he’s still carrying a torch!). Another time, the couple sitting next to me and my then-boyfriend, now husband, got into a giant, dramatic fight and she stormed out. All of us sitting around them just drank more wine and became great friends! I dare you to leave without a great New York story. -Michelle Ruiz, contributing editor
Gyu-Kaku, 321 W 44th St
I don’t have a pre-theater spot because if you know me at all, I am always running late and rushing uptown for shows. However, my go-to spot for post-theater is Gyu-Kaku for some Japanese BBQ! Everything is super cheap and grilling your own meats and veggies is obviously the best part. I always make sure to get the garlic fried rice and the Harami Miso skirt steak. They also have Lady M’s green tea cake for dessert which is to die for. Definitely a good spot for post-theater, as you leave smelling like BBQ! - Anny Choi, contributor
Casellula, 401 W 52nd St
Casellula is a little farther north than you’d typically go for pre-theater dining but still near most theaters. It’s a delicious cheese and wine bar with a grilled cheese that should have its own Tony Award. -Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
Sake Bar Hagi 46, 358 West 46th St
My favorite place to eat dinner after a show is Sake Bar Hagi 46. It used to be a tiny underground izakaya (popular with chefs after-hours) but now is a significantly larger space on Restaurant Row. It's the perfect place to discuss Angels in America or the new Harry Potter show over beers, yakitori skewers, ochazuke (rice and dashi soup), and, my personal favorite, the mentai pasta. Highly recommend stopping by after seeing The Band’s Visit, which made my cold heart fall in love with musicals all over again. -Lisa Wong Macabasco, research editor and senior digital line manager
Lobster Club, 98 E 53rd St
I generally try to avoid the Theater District—I’ve spent one too many nights on 42nd Street back when our offices were located at 4 Times Square! Most of the time a pre-theater dinner takes me to Midtown East and, since its opening, to the Lobster Club, where Peter Marino’s Dali-esque lobster sketches decorate plates and the linens are pink. Oh, and the food’s great, too. -Lilah Ramzi, contributing editor
Cucina 8 ½, 9 W 57th St
Located in the Solow Building (a modernist marvel completed in 1974), Brasserie 8½ is perfect for those seeking a pre-theatre Mad Men vibe. Though it’s mostly filled with financiers (who shuttle down from their offices upstairs to enjoy a happy hour cocktail), the spot is also great for a pre-theater bit of Italian food. - Lilah Ramzi, contributing editor
Bourbon Steak New York, 160 Central Park South
If you’re willing to travel a dozen blocks, Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak’s latest outpost in JW Marriott Essex House offers views of the park (request the view when booking!) and is a very swanky way to start off your night. Your meal will start with fries instead of bread, because this place knows what the people want. -Lilah Ramzi, contributing editor
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, 249 West 49th St
“Elevated casual”—both the food and the ambiance—is the best way to describe Lillie’s in Times Square; it’s a staple when it comes to pre-theater dining. The interior is designed to mimic a 19th-century Northern Ireland mansion, yet the food embodies American comfort food—which is ideal (in my opinion) to indulge before a show. My go-to meal? Their Caesar salad and a side of fries, of course. –Kylee McGuigan, producer
