Mrs. Day’s List o’ New York Dining
Why go to NYC and eat where you can at home? Stay away from chain restaurants and try something new! Here is a list of places that are fun to try. PLEASE DON’T EAT AT THE OLIVE GARDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TIMES SQUARE! McDonald's in Times Square does not have a dollar menu.
Know your order before stepping up to the deli or pizza counter.
In crowded fast-casual spots, secure a table while someone else orders.
Always keep your ticket at places like Katz's.
Pre-theatre dinners need to be timed. Let your waiter know you have a show!
Near Our Hotel (Times Square)
The Vibe: Stepping out into the neon jungle? This list provides the absolute best bang for your buck in Times Square. Skip the overpriced tourist traps and save your cash for the shows with these tried-and-true spots.
Our hotel is in the middle of Times Square—while exciting and perfect for shows, a lot of restaurants in this area are VERY expensive and not “wallet friendly”. I recommend the following:
231 W 46th St (between 7th and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Tiny (no seating) pizza spot right across from Hamilton—pizza by the slice. Open until midnight—perfect NYC pizza and garlic knots. I could eat here every day. Cast members from Hamilton are always here as well.
229 W 43rd St (between 7th and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Some of the BEST tacos in the world (I also recommend the fried quesadilla for $7.00).
45 W 35th St (between 5th and 6th Ave), New York, NY 10001. They have awesome burgers, but you need to try their $15 over the top milkshakes (2 or 3 can easily split and share).
148 W 49th St (between 6th and 7th Ave), New York, NY 10019. Breakfast and lunch only—great for a breakfast sandwiches and bagels.
211 W 43rd St (between 7th and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Right across from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—great deli with lots of inexpensive options.
334 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Really good Chinese food. Lunch combos for $14 including rice and soup.
765 9th Ave (at 51st St), New York, NY 10019. Awesome late night Latin food. Always busy. Open 24/7. Great if you want guacamole after a show. Empanadas about $4 each.
230 Park Ave (Urbanspace Vanderbilt, 45th & Vanderbilt), New York, NY 10169. No crazy waiting lines to get your hands on an Ippudo ramen as Kuro-Obi is the concept for quick-service ramen. The menu is quite limited and you only get to choose between three different kinds of ramen—but they are all delicious and inexpensive.
1675 Broadway (between 52nd and 53rd St), New York, NY 10019. Delicious pastries and donuts. Great for breakfast or an after-show treat.
1515 Broadway (at 45th St) OR 1626 Broadway (at 50th St), New York, NY. Right in the middle of the theatre district. Tasty, tasty cheesecake. Cheaper and faster to stop at the to-go counter and take it back to tyour room!
694 8th Ave (between 43rd and 44th St), New York, NY 10036. This eatery offers whimsical candy, decadent fondues, delicious diner food, and outrageous desserts imagined in your most sinful dreams (24-scoop sundae, anyone?). They also have burgers and sandwiches. Reservations recommended.
The Vibe: Can't decide on one cuisine? Bring your appetite and your indecision here! Food courts offer a smorgasbord of flavors where your group can divide, conquer, and share the spoils without arguing over one restaurant menu.
Kind of like what you’d find in a mall, a lot of NYC food courts have high end and low end dining—with TONS of tasty options. Here are ones you should visit—go in groups and share:
75 9th Ave (at 15th St). (Take the Blue line down 4 stops). Former home to Nabisco (and where the Oreo was created) and current home of Food Network, over 30 food vendors (and a GREAT bookstore for fun NYC souvenirs) Right by the Highline. Get the fried Oreo at Creamline. Or a biscuit and jam at Sarabeths.
200 5th Ave (between 23rd and 24th St). (By the Flatiron Building). A temple to ALL THINGS Italian. Fresh pasta, gelato, espresso, and high-end Italian groceries.
230 Park Ave (45th St & Vanderbilt Ave). (By Grand Central). 21 awesome vendors—lunch time can be very crowded...lots of options and pricing. Gelato, tacos, pizza, lobster rolls, donuts, etc. Home of the best burger in New York City.
The Vibe: Your wallet will thank you, and your tastebuds will praise you! Here is a curated selection of fast, affordable, and incredibly delicious eats scattered throughout the city. Eat like royalty on a commoner's budget!
Deli’s/Pizza Places
All over. (99 Cent Pizza on Broadway between 54th and 55th is a great deal for a quick, cheap lunch). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, whatever you need to stock up for the day. Know what you want before you step up or the counter person will ignore you.
260 W 35th St (between 7th and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10001. Hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels that are massive, authentic, and delicious. Famous for their fun Rainbow Bagels and over-the-top cream cheese flavors. Perfect for a quick, classic New York breakfast to power you through a day of sightseeing.
691 9th Ave (between 47th and 48th St), New York, NY 10036. A refined, modern take on the neighborhood bagel shop. They offer expertly crafted coffee and beautifully fresh bagels, making it a dependable, no-fuss oasis when you need a breather and a high-quality bite in the heart of Midtown.
139 E 57th St (between Lexington and 3rd Ave), New York, NY 10022. A viral sensation with a unique twist: they don't slice or make sandwiches! Instead, you get piping hot, crusty, smaller-style bagels meant to be "ripped and dipped" into their incredibly fluffy, limited-edition artisan schmears. They sell them by the three-pack, making it the perfect morning treat to share with your group.
721 8th Ave (between 45th and 46th St), New York, NY 10036. Stop in for an incredible, authentic Italian gelato experience. Famous for shaping their gelato into beautiful, Instagram-worthy flowers on waffle cones. You can pick as many flavors as petals! It's the perfect mid-day treat or after-show dessert.
37 Spring St (between Mott & Mulberry St), New York, NY 10012. Gourmet rice pudding. All kinds of flavors.
73 Gansevoort St (Meatpacking) or Brooklyn locations. Gourmet ice cream—get the Breakfast Trash or Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. All flavors are amazing.
125 E 7th St (East Village), New York, NY 10009. The best soft serve you will ever eat.
220 W 23rd St (between 7th and 8th Ave, near Highline), New York, NY 10011. Gourmet donut flavors like Crème Brûlée, churro, pistachio, vanilla bean blackberry jelly, etc.
225 E 60th St (between 2nd and 3rd Ave), New York, NY 10022. Home of the famous frozen hot chocolate. There is always a wait so divide your group up into smaller numbers to get seated quickly. By the Met Museum.
128 MacDougal St (just south of Washington Square Park), New York, NY 10012. Authentic Belgian fries with thousands of dipping sauces.
1240 6th Ave (at 49th St, Rockefeller Center), New York, NY 10020. Yes the cupcakes are great (and made famous from Sex and the City), but the banana pudding is better. You have to get them to go.
119 W 56th St (between 6th and 7th Ave), New York, NY 10019. It only serves one thing (with fries and a shake). They are awesome—It is hidden behind a velvet curtain in a swanky hotel (look for the little neon burger sign). CASH ONLY.
2090 Broadway (at 72nd St), New York, NY 10023. $6.50 will get you 2 hot dogs and a papaya juice. You have to eat them to go.
113 St Marks Place (between Ave A and 1st Ave, East Village), New York, NY 10009. Gourmet hot dogs. Food Network’s best hot dogs in America. You name it, they’ll put it on it.
197 1st Ave (at 12th St, East Village), New York, NY 10003. Yummy restaurant that serves every variation (including make your own) of Mac and Cheese.
167 W 74th St (or Amsterdam Ave location, Upper West Side), New York, NY 10023. Voted best Chocolate Chip Cookie in the USA. Try one for yourself.
362 W 45th St (at 9th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Home to over 45 different cookies (and a good spot to see some Broadway stars)—by Moulin Rouge Theatre.
189 Spring St (between Sullivan and Thompson, SoHo), New York, NY 10012. Inventor of the “cronut”, his bakery makes amazing desserts. If you want the cronut, you need to line up at 8:00am.
The Vibe: Looking for a fantastic sit-down meal without remortgaging your house? These mid-priced spots offer incredible atmosphere, generous portions, and food worth writing home about. Wear your stretchy pants!
630 9th Ave (at 45th St), New York, NY 10036. The burgers are as gourmet and as crazy as you want them to be. Lots of topping choices.
200 W 44th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10036. A legendary Times Square staple. Served family-style with massive portions, making it the absolute best spot for groups. You will feast on hearty, classic Southern Italian dishes, but be sure to make a reservation well in advance as it is always bustling!
228 W 47th St (inside Friedmans at the Hotel Edison), New York, NY 10036. Enjoy great food paired with fantastic nightly entertainment! The restaurant features incredibly talented aspiring Broadway performers as your singing servers. They belt out everything from musical classics to current hits while you dine.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
249 W 49th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10019. Step back 100 years ago with this British-themed and inspired restaurant (with tea services held daily). The interior design is amazing.
326 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th Ave), New York, NY 10036. A true Broadway institution since 1965. Famous for its "Wall of Flops"—posters of failed Broadway shows lining the exposed brick walls. It’s the quintessential theater hangout for actors, producers, and fans alike. Enjoy classic, uncomplicated American fare like burgers, meatloaf, and their famous banana cream pie. A perfect spot for a pre- or post-show meal!
509 Amsterdam Ave (between 84th and 85th St), New York, NY 10024. Amazing southern food—make a reservation or be prepared to wait—HUGE PORTIONS—very popular locals restaurant.
2315 Broadway (between 83rd and 84th St), New York, NY 10024. Sister restaurant to Jacob’s Pickles—home of the best and most gourmet French Dip Sandwich you will EVER eat. 2 can easily split a sandwich here.
355 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th Ave), New York, NY 10036. Great BUSY Italian restaurant—best deal: get the all-you-can-eat pasta sampler for a Pre-Theatre dining deal for $27. They will get you out on time for your show.
205 E Houston St (at Ludlow St, Lower East Side), New York, NY 10002. In lots of movies (When Harry Met Sally)—most famous pastrami/deli in the world. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TICKET WHEN YOU ENTER. Step up to the counter and order.
841 Broadway (between 13th and 14th St, Union Square), New York, NY 10003. Chocolate, Chocolate and more chocolate. It’s like a real-life Willy Wonka. Subway to Union Station and you’re there.
1650 Broadway (at 51st St), New York, NY 10019. The food is expensive, but you’re going for the show—your servers are future Broadway stars and will break into full production numbers while you eat.
The Vibe: Time to treat yourself! Whether it’s exquisite butter service or a legendary, historic steakhouse, these high-end options are worth every single penny for a memorable New York night out.
234 W 44th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave), New York, NY 10036. The toast of Broadway since 1921! This famous, long-standing institution is known for the hundreds of celebrity caricatures lining its walls. They offer an incredible pre-theater prix fixe (prefix) menu, making it the absolute perfect spot to soak up some legendary Broadway history before heading to your show.
120 W 55th St (between 6th and 7th Ave), New York, NY 10019. GET THE BUTTER SERVICE!! It’s Amazing. So is the corn crème brûlée.
57 W 58th St (between 5th and 6th Ave), New York, NY 10019. Awesome steaks and seafood—BUT famous desserts as well.
72 W 36th St (between 5th and 6th Ave), New York, NY 10018. One of the oldest steakhouses in NYC. Cool historic atmosphere with delicious food.