Lifelong New Yorker recommends these 13 restaurants near Broadway

Broadway theater is an integral part of New York City’s culture, and as a native, I’ve always enjoyed attending plays. I was reared in New York City by an actress mother who began taking me to performances when I was quite little. Broadway was darkened by the pandemic, but it has since reopened, and its revival has played a crucial role in the neighborhood’s revival.

Despite the abundance of restaurants for theatergoers, the Times Square area is renowned for tourist traps that offer mediocre cuisine that ranges from inauthentic to outrageously pricey.

Using my decades of expertise as a New Yorker and food writer, I’ve compiled a list of 12 excellent restaurants in the theater district for people looking to combine a Broadway performance with a satisfying meal. From authentic ramen to a classic steakhouse, these restaurants are all within walking distance of Broadway theaters, allowing you to arrive before the curtain goes up.

The genuine ramen served at Ichiran The Times Square Ramen transports me to Japan.
ICHIRAN- Ramen.jpeg-Allison Tibaldi Boucherie New York City dining establishments
Ichiran’s ramen is savory. Allison TIbaldi
When I long for the comforting warmth of my grandmother’s chicken soup, a cup of ramen from Ichiran fills the hole. What began as a small booth in Japan is now available just steps away from Times Square.

The unadorned, exotic setting reminds me of Tokyo Vice. I am taken to a booth that is as cozy as a kindergarten cubby upon entry. Ramen is the only food available; thin noodles float in an aromatic Tonkotsu broth made from pork bones and purified water. Collagen-rich pork components, such as pig’s feet and neck bones, give the soup a silky, velvety feel.

It is a tailored experience. You are provided with an order sheet on which you can select your chosen level of dashi (saltiness) and richness, your choice of noodle texture from extremely soft to firm, and the exact amount of minced garlic, scallion, pork, and spicy sauce. I usually order the suggested topping package, which includes dried seaweed and a soft-boiled egg. This establishment does not accept reservations, thus it is convenient for walk-in customers.

Try the traditional Tonkotsu ramen.

Price is moderately inexpensive, and gratuities are not accepted.

Here you may learn more about Ichiran Ramen Times Square.

La Grande Boucherie is my go-to for French cuisine in a lively environment.
La Grande Boucherie. Allison TIbaldi Boucherie New York City dining establishments
The delicate raspberry tart offered by La Grande Boucherie. Allison TIbaldi
A restaurant that dares to open in Midtown Manhattan during the height of the pandemic deserves my vote even before I’ve sampled a bite. When La Grande Boucherie opened in November 2020 with space for over 500 diners, it signaled the return of New York City.

It is nestled away in a pedestrian gallery that resembles a Parisian public square. There is a mixture of indoor and outdoor dining, as well as always-open French doors.

The soaring glass ceilings, subway tiles, mismatched artwork, balconies in the Art Nouveau style, and the classic pewter bar scream Belle Époque grandeur. The atmosphere is lively and overflowing, and the food is on par with that of the most exquisite brasserie in France. Boucherie is the French word for butcher shop, thus the meat here, including charcuterie cooked in-house and beef from single-family farms, is of superior quality. Equally enticing are the steak frites and the striped fish on a bed of fennel with a garnish of pungent olives. The raw bar boasts an abundance of wild oysters, periwinkles, clams, and langoustines.

Pastries such as Paris-Brest and raspberry tart are infused with yuzu and lychee, which impart unexpected citrus aromas.

I’ve always had a personalized experience and found the personnel to be particularly attentive, despite the restaurant’s size and activity level.

The raspberry tart with pistachio cream and lychee coulis is a must-try.

Price: Moderate