Your Pre-Theater Plan: When & Where to Eat Before a Broadway Show

By Kevin McGuire, The Times Square EDITION Beverage Manager

The bright lights, the music, the thrill of the performance – is there anything quite like seeing a Broadway show in New York City? But Broadway nights don’t start and end at curtain time. If you’re planning a trip to the Theater District, the performance itself might only be one part of your journey. 

With some strategic planning, you can turn a night at the theater into a full-blown NYC experience, complete with dining, drinks, and good times. To avoid rushing through your meal or constantly watching the clock throughout lunch or dinner, you’ll need to choose the right place to eat. 

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to decide where to eat before a Broadway show, from making reservations to figuring out when to arrive at the theater. Let’s dive in!
 

Book Your Broadway Tickets Early

There are 41 individual Broadway theaters across Manhattan. Many of them are concentrated in and around the Theater District, but not every Broadway theater is actually located on Broadway itself. So, before making any other plans, it’s important to start by choosing your show and confirming exactly where and when you’ll be seeing it.

The performance you choose to see—its date, time, location, and other details–will shape which options are available to you when it comes to dining. Don’t just pick the first available option; plan strategically based on what you want to do with the rest of your time. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you book your show tickets:

• Don’t forget about matinee performances. While evening performances may be the traditional choice for a Broadway night out, they certainly aren’t the only option. Afternoon matinees can give you more flexibility. You can still enjoy a brunch or lunch outing before the performance with plenty of time left for dinner, drinks, sightseeing, or other plans after.
• Make sure you confirm the theater when purchasing tickets–not just the show. Some Broadway productions may be performed at different theater locations, or change locations throughout the year. 
• Check the performance length and details. Understanding how long you’ll be at the theater will help you plan for what you’ll do before and after. If you’re seeing a long evening show, for example, you’ll probably want to prioritize eating a meal before the show.
• Review age recommendations and accessibility options. If you’re bringing children or someone who requires accessibility accommodations, confirm that the performance and theater can meet your group’s needs before purchasing tickets.
• Always purchase tickets through an authorized seller. Be sure to purchase tickets through a show’s official website, or in person at an official Broadway box office. Some shows even offer lottery sale options that allow you to save big. As you shop, be wary of ticket resellers. They may offer show tickets at a seemingly deep discount, but additional service and other fees can make the total cost add up. 

Not sure which show to see? Check out our local’s guide to Broadway to learn more about your options.

Choose Between a Matinee and an Evening Show

There’s no such thing as a bad time to see a Broadway show. Matinees and evening shows both have their benefits and drawbacks; the choice ultimately comes down to what you want your New York experience to look like.

Evening shows can be glamorous–but they’re also typically more expensive. Plus, depending on the length and location of the performance you want to see, an evening show might make it difficult to plan the rest of the night. The last thing you want is to choose something that starts too early for you to eat dinner, but runs too late for you to get a meal at any nearby restaurants.

Matinees work well for families, day trips, and visitors who prefer an earlier schedule. They might also be the more budget-friendly option, depending on the production and performance date. An afternoon curtain also leaves your evening open, giving you the option to enjoy dinner or drinks without a deadline hanging over the meal.That said, evening performances tend to make it easier to build a full night around the show.

Weekend visitors should check for two-show days and changing curtain times. Broadway schedules can vary by production and day of the week, so always use your specific ticket time–not a typical Broadway schedule–to make your decision and finalize plans.

Pick a Restaurant Close to Your Theater

This tip may seem obvious, but choosing a restaurant close to your theater could make or break the experience. 

What does “close” mean? Ideally, within walking distance. Traffic, subway delays, crowds, busy crosswalks, and theater entry all add time to your itinerary that you likely won’t have planned for. So, it’s important that the trip to the restaurant isn’t another area where things can get slowed down. 

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens is a Theater District restaurant on the ninth floor of The Times Square EDITION, within walking distance of many Broadway theaters, including the following:

• Palace
• Marquis
• Lunt-Fontanne
• Minskoff
• James Earl Jones
• Walter Kerr
• Longacre
• Ambassador
• Lyceum
• Richard Rogers
• Winter Garden
• Hudson Theatre

At The Terrace, you can take in some of the most unique views in the city while enjoying a lush garden atmosphere and a menu created by Michelin-acclaimed Chef John Fraser. You’ll be steps away from Broadway, and there are also plenty of other things to do in the area to make your trip one you’ll never forget.

Work Backward From Curtain Time

Once you know your curtain time, work backward to decide when to eat. 

Give yourself enough time to enjoy your meal without constantly checking the clock, then build in a generous buffer for walking to the theater, getting through security, finding your seat, and taking care of anything else before the show begins.

If you’re making a restaurant reservation, err on the side of caution and book a time that’s earlier rather than later. Below are some suggested reservation windows you can follow based on different performance times:

Generally speaking, you’ll want around 60-90 minutes of time after your meal and before the show.

Review Theater Policies Before You Go

To avoid getting slowed down at the door, make sure you know the theater’s policies inside and out. 

Every theater is different, so you’ll want to review your particular location’s policies. Below is a breakdown of some common theater policies and etiquette pointers to help you get a feel for what to expect:

• Dress code. There is no official dress code for Broadway shows, but smart or business casual attire is common. Part of the fun of the theater, though, is that you can dress how you’d like! Anything from a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to a dressed-up cocktail ensemble is acceptable and welcome.
• Bag restrictions. Most theaters allow small personal bags, but policies and security procedures vary by venue. Large luggage and oversized bags may not be permitted, so check your theater’s most recent rules before arriving–especially if you’re heading to the show directly from a hotel, airport, or train station.
• Late seating. If you arrive late, you may not be seated immediately. Depending on the production, ushers may require you to wait until a predetermined break in the performance before showing you to your seat.
• Photography and recording. Because Broadway shows contain copyrighted material, you won’t be allowed to take photos or videos during the performance. Check your theater’s policies to see when or if photography and recording are allowed outside of performance time.
• Outside food and drinks. Don’t assume you can bring leftovers, snacks, or drinks from your pre-theater meal inside. Theaters may restrict or prohibit outside refreshments altogether. If you plan to eat before the show, leave enough time to finish your meal at the restaurant (or drop off leftovers at your hotel room).
• Mobile ticket access. Does your theater accept mobile tickets, or are paper tickets required? Know what you’ll be expected to present at the door before you get there.
• Accessibility services. Some accommodations may require arrangements to be made before the day of the show. Don’t wait until the big day to inquire about the accessibility requirements your group might have.
• Age requirements. Anyone who doesn’t meet age requirements at the door may not be admitted, even if they have a ticket. Broadway productions have minimum-age policies or specific age recommendations, so check both the production and theater rules before bringing younger guests.

Not sure where to find information about your particular theater? Start with the theater or production’s official website, where you can typically find information about security, accessibility, age requirements, and other venue-specific details.

Tell Your Server When the Show Starts

As soon as you sit down to enjoy your pre-Broadway meal, be sure to mention curtain time to your server. This will help the restaurant pace the meal accordingly. It also prevents the final course from arriving when you should be leaving!

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens offers a Broadway Express menu, which was designed specifically with Broadway-bound diners in mind. The menu’s three-course prix fixe dinner gives you the experience of a proper sit-down meal, but also gives you the speed you need to keep your evening on schedule.

Get to the Theater Early

The earlier you can get to the theater, the better. You’ll want to be sure you have sufficient time to learn your way around the theater, find your seat, and get comfortable.  

Once you’ve arrived, be ready to:

• Find the correct entrance, according to your showtime
• Pass through security
• Locate and visit the restroom, as needed
• Purchase any refreshments you may want
• Locate your seats before curtain

With your meal finished, tickets turned in, and seat located, you’ve done the hard work. Now, it’s showtime!

Plan Your Pre-Theater Dinner in the Garden

The Terrace isn’t just a convenient pre-theater dinner option. Reservations are also available for brunch, lunch, and the Broadway Express Dinner. Or, visit the Lobby Bar for drinks before or after the performance.

Located on the ninth floor of The Times Square EDITION, The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens offers a stunning garden atmosphere in the heart of Times Square, making the meal itself an unforgettable part of your Broadway experience. Join us for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, or the three-course Broadway Express Dinner before heading to the theater.

Not ready for the night to end when the curtain comes down? We don’t blame you. Visit the Lobby Bar for cocktails, light bites, or a post-show nightcap. Also located inside The Times Square EDITION, Lobby Bar is open late enough to keep many Broadway nights going long after the final bow.

FAQs

How early should I eat before a Broadway show?

Plan to finish eating with enough time to arrive at your theater at least 45-60 minutes before curtain. For a sit-down dinner, that often means making a reservation about two hours or more before the performance, depending on the restaurant’s distance from your theater.

Is there somewhere to eat near Times Square before a matinee?

Yes. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens offers weekday lunch and weekend brunch in Times Square, making it a convenient dining option before a matinee Broadway performance. The restaurant is located on the ninth floor of The Times Square EDITION and is within walking distance of many Broadway theaters.

What should I do if I only have 30–45 minutes before curtain?

If you only have 30-45 minutes before curtain, skip a traditional multi-course meal and prioritize getting to the theater on time. You can always have a meal after the show. If your schedule allows a little more room, consider The Terrace’s Broadway Express Dinner option, a three-course prix fixe menu created specifically for theatergoers who want to enjoy a meal while keeping their Broadway plans on schedule.

Is there somewhere to eat near Broadway after an evening show?

Yes. The Terrace and Outdoor Garden serves dinner daily until 10 p.m., making it an option after some earlier evening performances. For shows that end later, Lobby Bar inside The Times Square EDITION stays open later and offers cocktails and light bites, making it a convenient place for a post-Broadway drink or nightcap.