Where to get dinner before or after a Broadway show

From no-frills diners to upscale restaurants, there are plenty of places to get a sit-down dinner in the Theatre District, many with pre-theatre prix fixes.

Dinner and a show is one of the most classic nights out. And not just for a date, but for an outing with friends, a place to take family when they visit, or a must-do on your own New York City trip. Luckily, hundreds of restaurants are packed into the Theatre District, all within steps of Broadway shows.

With so many options, it can be hard to pick — but we encourage you not to just default to the fast food you know at home. Try a new type of cuisine, experience a renowned NYC restaurant, or take a chance on a lesser-known place that might just be a hidden gem. To get you started, here are a few of our favorite places to get a meal near Broadway theatres, many of which have pre-theatre happy hour or prix fixe specials.

We've also listed the venues nearest each restaurant, but even most of the ones not listed are no more than 15 minutes away.

Cha Pa's Noodle & Grill

Conveniently located just across the avenue from the Neil Simon Theatre, home of the popular musical MJ, Cha Pa's offers some of the area's best Vietnamese food in a cozy and casual setting. Admittedly, that is our way of saying the place is small, so be sure to call for a reservation or allow wiggle room before the show in case there's a wait.

The traditional banh mi sandwiches are a must-try for first-time visitors to Cha Pa's, or else whichever of the 10 pho options suits your tastes and diet. Then again, a soup and a sandwich is a classic meal combo, so why not get both?

Address: 314 W. 52nd St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenues Price: $
Nearby theatres: Neil Simon Theatre, August Wilson Theatre, Studio 54, Gershwin Theatre, Circle in the Square Theatre

Friedman's

A step above a diner, Friedman's offers comforting (and hearty) sandwiches, all-day brunch plates, and entrees. There are various locations across the city, but the one closest to Broadway (as in, within steps of three theatres on the same block) is located within the swanky dining room of the Edison Hotel. Most of the food is gluten-free, making Friedman's a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

For a few hours each day, Friedman's turns into Gayle's Broadway Rose, where the waitstaff treats you to live performances of showtunes during your meal.

Address: 228 W. 47th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Longacre Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre

OBAO

Eat in a swanky setting without paying swanky prices. The Asian fusion restaurant OBAO is just one of the many popular eateries in Hell's Kitchen, the bustling dining district right next to the Theatre District. Grab kimchi fries or a papaya salad for a light pre-show bite, or settle in for a cocktail and a Vietnamese entree, such as bo luc lac (literally "shaking beef") or spicy eggplant tofu.

Address: 647 Ninth Ave. between 45th and 46th Streets Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Trattoria Trecolori

You really can't get more convenient than a restaurant located directly next to a Broadway theatre (the Lena Horne, home to the popular musical Six). That's Trattoria Trecolori, which does the Italian classics and does them well.

Think chicken parmesan, fettucine alfredo, and ricotta cheesecake — but there are also plenty of unique options, like a parmesan-crusted veal with a vermouth reduction, and a squid ink-infused pasta tossed with seafood. (That's our personal recommendation for the fish lovers out there.) In other words, there's something on Trattoria Trecolori's menu to satisfy both the pickiest and widest palates.

Address: 254 W. 47th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre, Longacre Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre

Havana Central

Dinner reservations book up quickly at this Cuban spot, so be sure to make one in advance. That's because Havana Central offers a popular $49 pre-theatre prix fixe, which includes a happy hour cocktail, an entree with two sides, and a dessert.

Cuban staples like mojitos, chicharrones (fried chicken thighs), masitas (fried pork), and ropa vieja (braised beef) are among the options on the extensive menu. All is served in a bright and lively setting that will transport you to warmer climates.

Address: 151 W. 46th St. between Sixth and Seventh Avenues Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Hudson Theatre, Palace Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre, Belasco Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre

Five Napkin Burger

Sometimes you just need a good burger (or veggie burger). The fact that the rest of Five Napkin Burger's menu is reliably tasty is an added bonus. This Hell's Kitchen restaurant offers flavorful, fresh American food in a lively yet casual atmosphere — and sometimes, you can spot a Broadway star at the bar or the booth next to you.

Whether you go pre- or post-show, you can catch one of 5NB's happy hours: Discounted drinks and apps are on offer from 3-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 9 p.m.-close Sunday through Thursday.

Address: 630 Ninth Ave. on the corner of 45th Street Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Nizza

Sandwiched between Five Napkin Burger and Marseille in Hell's Kitchen is Nizza, a neighborhood favorite since its 2007 founding. That's for a few reasons, one being its extensive gluten-free lunch and dinner menus. Both those and the classic menus offer a tasty selection of fresh Italian pastas and pizzas.

If you have a mid-week show, you're in luck: Nizza offers a weekly Wine Wednesday special, with select bottles priced at $24. Or come early any day for the 2:30-4:30 p.m. happy hour, featuring $10 drinks that each come with a complimentary snack.

Address: 630 Ninth Ave. between 44th and 45th Streets Price: $$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Marseille

French food seekers will not be disappointed by Marseille, which offers classic French specialties alongside American and Mediterranean dishes with a French flair. Think escargot or shrimp beignets for an appetizer followed by Nice-style lamb or vegetable couscous for dinner.

From 3:30-5:30 p.m. each day is oyster happy hour, which includes discounted oysters and apps.

Address: 630 Ninth Ave. between 44th and 45th Streets Price: $$$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Glass House Tavern

A favorite spot among those in the theatre industry, Glass House Tavern naturally caters to the theatregoing crowd as well. The $65 prix fixe includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert — and the offerings include such mouthwatering, gourmet dishes as petit filet mignon, veal tortellini, and a cappuccino panna cotta.

The prix fixe is served from 3 p.m. to midnight, so you can even get it after a matinee or evening performance. If you're in the mood for a quicker, lighter bite, you can sit in the bar area for access to the exclusive bar menu. That includes the risotto balls, a Glass House fan favorite.

Address: 252 W. 47th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway Price: $$$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre, Longacre Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre

Barbetta

Established in 1906, Barbetta is now one of New York's oldest restaurants — and the city's oldest restaurant still owned by the same family that founded it. Thus, the Maioglio family's menu of upscale Italian food isn't just food; it's a taste of New York history. Each menu item lists the year it was introduced, and some original offerings from 1906 — such as a wild mushroom risotto and minestrone soup — are still there.

Barbetta offers both a lunch prix fixe for $41 and a pre-theatre dinner prix fixe for $63. Both include an appetizer, entree, and dessert, while the dinner version also includes a salad course to start.

Address: 321 W. 46th St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenues Price: $$$
Nearby theatres: Lena Horne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Shubert Theatre, Booth Theatre, Golden Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Music Box Theatre, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre

For more recommendations, check out our guides on where to get fast food, drinks, and dessert, plus our roundup of the all-around top restaurants in the Theatre District.

Photo credit: Jay Wennington via Unsplash