Showtimes for Broadway matinees are typically 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Some shows have pushed their afternoon performances to 1 p.m., or even added a matinee on Thursdays!
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 11 restaurants in and around Midtown Manhattan’s Theatre District that open in time to get you in and out for curtain. Always make sure to have a reservation.
Address: 5 Bryant Park
Hours: Breakfast Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–11 a.m., Brunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Hudson Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, New Amsterdam Theatre, Nederlander Theatre
If you’re looking for a meal on the earlier side ahead of a 1 p.m. matinee, Olio e Più Bryant Park offers breakfast that leads into an Italian brunch for a great leisurely option. Begin with Carne e Formaggio boards showcasing premium meats and cheeses, or share starters like Bruschetta Tricolore, Olio Caesar, and Fritto Primavera. Choose from elevated brunch classics, including Uovo Benedetto, omelets, avocado crostone, hearty panini, or the grilled chicken with prosciutto di Parm and mozzarella on focaccia. There are also handmade pastas, such as Spaghetti Carbonara, Ravioli di Short Ribs, or hearty mains, like crispy Mediterranean salmon or Tagliata di Ribeye. Full menu HERE.
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Address: 159 West 48th Street
Hours: Sunday–Tuesday 7 a.m.–11 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: James Earl Jones Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, Ambassador Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre, Barrymore Theatre
On the second floor of the Hard Rock Hotel New York, is Sessions Restaurant & Bar, the lobby restaurant and bar for the hotel. It’s also a great secret lunch spot with an open-plan space infused with music memorabilia. There’s even an outdoor space with tables in warmer months. On the menu are several salad selections, like the chopped farmer’s salad, and even a giant comfy bowl of matzah ball soup. The sandwiches range from smoked turkey on multigrain bread to a vegetarian tomato cucumber, carrot, and pickled zucchini with red pepper hummus and orange jam. For kids, there’s a whole menu that includes soup, Caesar salad, mac ’n’ cheese, chicken fingers, and roasted chicken. Full menu HERE.
Address: 44 West 56th Street
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: New York City Center, Carnegie Hall
Expect an elegant experience at The Consulate, full of Mediterranean flair. The weekday lunch menu for $29.95 offers two courses: an entrée and either an appetizer or dessert. It’s $39.95 for all three. The choices change based on the day. On Wednesdays: soup, Caesar salad, tuna sandwich, pork tacos, and creme brûlée are on the menu. On Thursdays, it’s a mixed greens salad, soup, branzino fennel salad, steamed mussels and french fries, and bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream. The à la carte weekend brunch menu is a bit more expansive, with numerous egg dishes, such as a Croque Madame or Monsieur, pancakes, French onion soup, seafood towers, and Nutella French toast. Full menu HERE.
Address: 150A West 48th Street
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m., pre-theater dining from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 11:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Palace Theatre, Laura Pels Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Barrymore Theatre
One of Broadway’s best kept secrets. The restaurant is right in the heart of Times Square but away from the bustling streets of Midtown, since it’s located in the Motto by Hilton Times Square Hotel. The Alderman has a choose-your-own-adventure sort of dining. You can select appetizers (three for $28, six for $58, all for $78) or all-day entrées, from crispy Parm sando, smashburger, or salmon. There’s also the brunch menu with juices, bakery treats, pancakes, a breakfast sandwich loaded with thick-cut bacon, fried egg, Crybaby cheese, and arugula, or even Shakuska. The $55 Broadway pre-theater lunch menu offers four courses, including bread, an app, an entrée, and ice cream. Full menu HERE.
Address: 351 West 38th Street
Hours: Breakfast 7 a.m.–11 a.m. daily, Brunch Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Main Dining 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Nederlander Theatre, New Amsterdam Theatre, New Victory Theatre, Todd Haimes Theatre
Heading in from Penn Station? This is the perfect stop on your way to the Theatre District. At Altair, the menu is inspired by Earth, Fire, Water, and Air, reflected in both cuisine and cocktails. Its vast lunch menu offers decadent shareables, from fries, delicata squash, mixed greens, and peak fall vegetables. There’s also Margherita pizza, N’duja Bucatini, gnocchi, a cheesesteak, and crudo for more filling options. Looking for brunch? Start with savory baked goods from five varieties of mouthwatering croissants: chocolate, apple, butter, almond, or ham and cheese. As for the entrées, the food is fresh, with offerings such as a Greek yogurt bowl, overnight oats with blackberry jam, coconut cream, and pistachio crumble, and avocado toast with poached eggs, crispy quinoa, and a citrus vinaigrette. Pan Con Tomate is the perfect savory order with grilled peasant bread, ricotta, hard fried eggs, and salsa verde. End the meal with a berry tart and dessert wine. Full menu HERE.
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Address: 828 8th Avenue
Hours: 7 a.m.–1 a.m. daily
Nearby Theatres: Gershwin Theatre, Ambassador Theatre, New World Stages, Circle in the Square Theatre
If you’re looking for a casual option for brunch with booth seating, the Carnegie Diner & Cafe is the perfect choice. The restaurant pays homage to classic diners in an elevated design while serving an updated menu for today’s tastes. The menu offers an array of great options for kids, including an entire section of waffles, French toast, or pancakes, including mini pancake lollipops with Nutella, strawberries, and blueberries. Grab a bagel and schmear or a make-your-own omelet. For lunch options, there’s the two-course $29.95 theater menu, plus an endless list of diner favorites, including triple decker clubs, tuna melts, and chicken sandwiches. Full menu HERE.
Address: 132 West 47th Street
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. –3 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Nearby Theaters: Radio City Music Hall, Lyceum Theatre, Marquis Theatre, Palace Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre
Hidden above the Sanctuary Hotel is a rooftop with Midtown views in the heart of Times Square. In the winter, it’s decorated to look like a ski chalet, and in the summer, the fresh air is a relief from cold air conditioning. Traditional bar bites are on the menu, from tuna tartare, guac and chips, and shrimp cocktail, to hummus and pita. The brunch pizza — sunny-side egg, bacon, mozzarella, and tomato — is a good shareable, along with the lobster cobb salad. Huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, and blueberry French toast stuffed with blueberry cream cheese and a cornflakes crust are other decadent options. If you’re feeling mimosas, Haven Rooftop offers a $36 bottomless service for one hour with the purchase of an entrée. Menu HERE.
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Address: 1695 Broadway
Hours: 12 p.m.–2:30 p.m. daily
Nearby Theaters: Broadway Theatre, Studio 54, Neil Simon Theatre, August Wilson Theatre
If you’re looking for unique and intimate dining that’s going to kick off an epic theater experience, Koete Omakase is the restaurant to book, since it’s a showstopper in itself. Koete offers a $65 11-course, 60-minute lunch that will get you out in time for the curtain to rise on your matinee. Think light bites of salmon roe, lean tuna, and eel at a U-shaped counter that seats only 20 people. The best bet for dining here is with a reservation. Full menu HERE.
Address: 1114 6th Avenue
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Hudson Theatre, Belasco Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, Lyceum Theatre, New Victory Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Nederlander Theatre
For $39, it’s an all-you-can-eat weekend brunch at STK that includes a bread basket, baby gem Caesar salad, cheese, and charcuterie, along with savory mains, like chicken and waffles or biscuits and gravy. À la carte options are available as well, like pancakes, eggs and avocado toast, or cinnamon French toast. Wash it all down with a $9 Bloody Mary or a tequila sunrise. During the week, opt for the three-course $45 power prix fixe lunch that gets you in and out to the theatre in 45 minutes! Choose an app, like tuna tartare or iceberg wedge, followed by the star of the afternoon: either free-range chicken, maple salmon, or the surf and turf, with dessert for the encore. Full menu HERE.
Address: 45 West 45th Street
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Saturday–Sunday (with live music on Sundays!) 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Lyceum Theatre, Hudson Theatre, Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, Minskoff Theatre, Shubert Theatre, Hayes Theater
Elegance is the name of the game at Valerie, a hidden gem on the east side of Times Square. For lunch, there’s beet and burrata salad, charred rainbow carrot, or crispy shrimp bao buns for starters. The ponzu ginger chop salad, open-faced ahi tuna, or chicken Milanese sandwiches are distinctive entrées on this eclectic menu. For brunch, try the Dutch pancake, Greek Florentine omelet made with savoy spinach and cherry heirloom tomatoes, with feta home fries and mixed greens. Croque Madame brioche along with a variety of eggs Benedict or an acai bowl are also regular staples.
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Address: 44 West 63rd Street, 2nd Floor
Hours: Opens 7 a.m. Daily, Weekend Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nearby Theatres: Vivian Beaumont Theater
Want to head a few blocks out of the Theatre District, perhaps to see a show at Lincoln Center? Rosa Mexicano is the perfect spot for a Mexican brunch, and they also have a dedicated kids’ menu. Options include classics, like huevos rancheros and several varieties of avocado toast. It also offers a traditional breakfast of two eggs any style, chorizo, bacon, crisp hash browns, and toast. If you’re not in the mood for eggs, they have très leches French toast, tableside guacamole, and an Oaxacan Cacao Protein Bowl mixed with Greek yogurt, banana, coconut, berries, chia seeds, house-made granola, and honey-roasted peanut butter. There’s also an option for a bottomless brunch. Don’t forget the churro bites for dessert. Full menu HERE.
