Midtown Manhattan is often synonymous with tourist attractions from Times Square to Madame Tussauds and of course, Broadway. But nestled within the heart of the Theater District are notable, swanky restaurants that have become must-visit dining destinations for the theater-going connoisseur.
It’s a growing trend popping up on menus across Hell’s Kitchen and into Midtown East. The seven spots below feature showstopping two, three, and even 15-course pre-theater menus that are all worthy of a standing ovation. All tailored your experience to get you in, happily fed, and out before the curtain goes up.
Gabriel Kruether
41 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
Takes Reservations: Yes - Resy
Two-Michelin-star dining at its finest: Fine dining is only a few feet away from the steps of countless Broadway theaters, and the entire culinary experience for $155 per person will wow you before you take your seat for the show. Reclaimed wood beams surround the circular dining room on West 42nd Street next to Bryant Park, creating an elegant yet relaxed setting. Grab a seat in the corner booth, but every table has a view.
Chef Gabriel Kruether has designed a selection of exceptional dishes, from his famous Sturgeon & Sauerkraut Tarte to two-week-aged Hudson Valley duck breast, all plated and served with its own thoughtfully paced choreography. Make sure to secure an early reservation with at least an hour and fifteen minutes for the meal. I suggest 4:45 pm for a 7:00 pm curtain if you don’t want to rush. The good news is, the restaurant welcomes you back after the show for the dessert course for a sweet ending to your night.
Koete Omakase
1695 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Takes Reservations: Yes - Resy
Its exterior features a huge marquee of its own as it’s located right next to the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Broadway, where Stephen Colbert tapes The Late Show. Unassumingly inside, it features an intimate 20-seat omakase counter for a $115 15-course + 1 appetizer omakase dinner, served within 90 minutes, featuring premium fish flown in directly from Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. The best part of dining here is watching the sushi chef artfully prepare each plate and mingling with the other diners at the high top.
Le Rivage
340 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
(212) 765-7374
Takes Reservations: Yes - Open Table
Le Rivage is perhaps one of the Theater District’s well-known and classic French restaurants, with a country flair that maintains its old-school decor. It’s the perfect central spot before a show at any Midtown location from 42nd Street to 49th Street. The 40-year-old staple on Restaurant Row’s West 46th Street offers a decadent $70 three-course menu, with highlights including seafood soup, mussels, and a trout amandine. For dessert, the peach melba is a must.
The Lamb’s Club
132 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
(212) 997-5262
Takes Reservations: Yes - Resy
You never know what celebrity might be dining next to you at The Lamb’s Club on West 44th Street, east of Times Square, across from the Hudson Theatre. It’s where Broadway star Lindsay Mendez was married and Sarah Paulson’s go-to. Make sure to book a reservation close to the fireplace in the main dining room during the winter months for an even cozier experience. The $95 three-course option offers stellar choices, including hamachi crudo, duck confit with Ocean Trout, Duck L’Orange, and even Lamb Saddle as high-end entree options.
Benoit
60 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
(646) 943-7373
Takes Reservations: Yes - Open Table
Step into French luxury with Benoit’s $60 three-course pre-theater menu by chef Alain Ducasse. Opt for the red velvet banquettes, which are a prime perch to take in the dining room and people-watch. The bread and butter service is worth the carbs, and the menu is full of dishes that don’t often find a place in prefix options- escargot and bourguignon among the lineup.
Iris
1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
(212) 970-1740
Takes Reservations: Yes - Open Table
It’s Mediterranean Modern Greek cuisine with nods to the Aegean Sea in every bite when you dine at Iris by Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur John Fraser. The restaurant on Broadway and West 55th Street offers diners proximity to Carnegie Hall, New York City Center, and Broadway’s Winter Garden or Broadway Theatre. The $60 three-course menu features tasty dishes such as grilled octopus, wild mushroom pastitsio, and pistachio baklava.
Estiatorio Milos Midtown
125 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
(212) 245-7400
Takes Reservations: Yes - Open Table
Here’s another elegant and relatively affordable pre-show meal from one of the priciest restaurants in town. This popular Greek restaurant’s $75 three-course pre-theater menu is the perfect way to kick off the night before a show at nearby Carnegie Hall or New York City Center. Inside, the ceilings are high, and outside, there's plenty of sidewalk seating in warmer months. Salmon Tartare, octopus, and the mouth-watering tomato salad are on the appetizer list. Then there’s Lamb Chops, Filet Mignon, or whole grilled Dorade Royal as entrees. Housemade baklava and a fruit plate- busting with flavor even in the heart of winter- are sweet ways to cap off your meal.
