‹ Before the curtain › Broadway
Hayes Theater · 240 W 44th St
Dinner near the Hayes Theater
The closest places to the Hayes that get you fed and out in about an hour, what to order so the kitchen is fast, and a Book button for the right night. Sit down 90 minutes before curtain.
Sit down at 5:30pm, pay by 6:35pm, in your seat for the 7pm curtain.
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Los Tacos No. 1
Order fast: Adobada and carne asada tacos
The fastest great dinner in the district. No seats: eat standing and walk to your theater.
From The Infatuation's theater-district guide, Aug 2026. Photo like it: Wheeler Cowperthwaite, CC BY 2.0.
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Jasmine's Caribbean Cuisine
Order fast: Empanadas, jerk chicken and a rum punch
The pre-theater spot that isn't boring, under hanging plants on Restaurant Row.
From The Infatuation's theater-district guide, Aug 2026. Photo like it: Ssemmanda will, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Szechuan Mountain House
Order fast: Double-cooked pork and mapo tofu
Generous Sichuan on Restaurant Row, two floors (the upstairs is nicer).
From The Infatuation's theater-district guide, Aug 2026. Photo like it: Peachyeung316, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Annapurna Bhavan
Order fast: A plain dosa (very crisp), or paneer tikka
A vegetarian South Indian diner with a full bar. Quick, cheap, filling, and exactly as advertised.
From The Infatuation's theater-district guide, Aug 2026. Photo like it: https://onlybestrecipes.com/egg-curry-recipeegg-curry-recipe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Lovely's Old Fashioned
Order fast: A smashed burger, onion rings and the chocolate pistachio bundt
A 10-seat 1950s counter. In and out on $20.
From The Infatuation's theater-district guide, Aug 2026. Photo like it: Mike Saechang, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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Walk times are from the theater's door at an easy pace. Places picked from The Infatuation's theater-district guide and the restaurants' own pre-theater menus, checked open Oct 29, 2026. Set menus and prices are as the restaurant published them and change; check when you book. Shows from Wikipedia. Something wrong? hello@chefamazing.com. Chef Amazing isn't paid by any restaurant or theater here.
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