A street view of New York City’s Theater District with many billboards of Broadway shows and a busy street filled with cars. — Broadway is back and many restaurants are ready to seat diners, from the pre- and post-theater crowd to neighborhood locals.

The Best Restaurants in the Theater District

From a quick bite to a leisurely meal and everything in between

by Eater Staff Updated Sep 27, 2024, 4:39pm EDT

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Broadway is back and many restaurants are ready to seat diners, from the pre- and post-theater crowd to neighborhood locals.

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by Eater Staff Updated Sep 27, 2024, 4:39pm EDT

Scores of great Midtown West restaurants are ready to accommodate bustling pre- and post-theater crowds. There is no shortage of disappointing tourist trap establishments in this part of town, but consulting this list will ensure that you eat and drink well across the culinary spectrum. Remember: It’s okay to let servers know if you have a musical or play to catch when first sitting down, but consider arriving earlier than usual as many restaurants remain short-staffed.

Guantanamera

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Find some of the city's best Cuban sandwiches, vaca frita (skirt steak fried to the texture of soft jerky), and mojitos. Warning: The mojitos are strong, which is especially dangerous on Tuesdays when they're just $6 apiece. Swing by after a show for live Cuban music every night. Reservations are available.

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939 8th Ave, New York, NY

(212) 262-5354

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A Cuban sandwich lies on a white plate on the left, while a plate of vaca frita lies on the right at Guantanamera — A spread of dishes at Guantanamera.

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Donburiya

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This is the go-to affordable Japanese late-night dining spot of choice in the Theater District. The menu is long, like at any izakaya, but highlights include the namesake rice bowls — try the one with soft eel — chicken katsu curry with a rich, beefy sauce, and sizzling crab omelets drenched in heady seafood jus. Note that tipping is included in menu prices. Reservations available.

253 W 55th St, New York, NY

(212) 980-7909

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Scallions lie over an opaque brown broth for tantanmen ramen — Tantanmen ramen at Donbuirya.

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Torishin

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This is where you go for very good skewers of charcoal-grilled chicken and okonomi options for a set price ($160 or $190). Expect nuggets of crunchy knee bone (yes, eat it), medium-rare breast meat (it's totally safe, probably), and “main arteries” (edible rubber bands). If none of this sounds appealing, let the chef know and the chicken experience will be more mainstream.

362 W 53rd St, New York, NY

(212) 757-0108

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Chalong NYC

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Southern Thai restaurant that serves dishes including a spicy lumpu salad; jor pu, fried tofu skin, stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp, and pork; and khao yum, a fish dish with jasmine rice and crab roe. Chef Nate Limwong grew up in Surat Thani, on the coast of southern Thailand, runs the kitchen.

749 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

(212) 466-6456

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Din Tai Fung

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Din Tai Fung, the Taiwanese soup dumpling chain with locations across the world, debuted its first East Coast location in this huge space that used to be the former Mars 2112 building, . Order the xiao long bao its known for, but the real can’t-miss items are the pork chops over fried rice and the dumplings in chile oil. Leave room for desserts like the chocolate xiao long bao (or the less gimmicky version with black sesame). Plan ahead and reserve a table.

1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019

(212) 287-9178

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A pork soup dumpling for Din Tai Fung in New York. — Soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung.

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Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

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This isn't one of those hip natural wine bars found in Paris or downtown Manhattan; this is a classic place to enjoy classic wines in expensive Zalto stems, a place where the entry-level Champagne runs $32. Also go for the charcuterie, the crispy duck leg, or the heady merguez sausage in pita. Reservations available.

151 W 51st St, New York, NY

(212) 554-1143

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A cream-colored couch sits below overhead lights in the Aldo Sohm dining room — The dining room at Aldo Sohm.

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Joe Allen

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It would be hard to envision a Theater District guide without this mainstay that’s been feeding both Broadway-goers, stars, and stagehands for decades. Grab a seat at the bar, order a strong Manhattan or martini, get a solid burger, and toast to the end of the night at in one of the greatest cities in the world — you may even see some Broadway stars. Don’t miss the homemade banana cream pie. Reservations available.

326 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

(212) 581-6464

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The dimly lit dining room at bar at Joe Allen. — The dining room at Joe Allen.

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The Rum House

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This is the definitive answer to “Where can I listen to live old time-y music in Times Square without a cover charge?” The dimly lit space in the Hotel Edison is an oasis of (crowded) civility on 47th Street, and while the kitchen offers a few small bites — popcorn and warm pretzels — the drinks are the draw, from a solid classic daiquiri, to a rum old-fashioned, to a non-frozen riff on the piña colada. No reservations.

228 W 47th St, New York, NY

(646) 490-6923

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All'Antico Vinaio

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The sandwich shop import from Florence features lush Italian sandwiches like La Broadway (pistachio cream, stracciatella, sun dried tomato, zucchini, and arugula) and La Dante (capocollo, stracchino, truffle cream, and arugula) for between $15 and $20.

729 8th Ave (btw 45th & 46th St), New York, NY 10036

(917) 970-0033

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The La Summer sandwich at All’Antico Vinaio. — The La Summer sandwich.

Le Marais

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This longtime Kosher spot remains a gem of a French steakhouse in the Theater District (so take note - it’s closed Saturday). Swing by for some of the city’s most tender beef jerky, buttery roast chicken, and a variety of steaks, the best of which is the exceedingly marbled butcher’s cut, a wonderfully fatty rib cap for $59. Accepts reservations.

150 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

(212) 869-0900

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Los Tacos No. 1

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This fast-casual taqueria is ideal for when the curtain call is in 20 minutes or less. If that sounds like too much of a concessionary recommendation, consider that Los Tacos is one of the city's most heralded taco stands. The right move is the al pastor, pork spinning on a spit, crisped on the griddle, stuffed into a corn tortilla, and garnished with pineapple. No beer or booze here: instead, there’s horchata, grape soda, and Fanta. No reservations.

229 W 43rd St, New York, NY

212-574-4696

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Two al pastor tacos from Los Tacos No. 1 with pineapple and red salsa in an overhead shot — Al pastor tacos from Los Tacos No. 1.

The Lambs Club

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Swanky old-school restaurant in the Chatwal Hotel serves continental cuisine a la carte or a tasting menu in the stately black and red dining room aligned with photos of actors who had been members of what was once a members-only club. Upstairs, there’s a lighter menu at the bar and a fabulous Art-Deco vibe. Don’t miss it.

132 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

(212) 997-5262

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