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They say “there’s no business like show business,” that “everything about it is appealing,” and “nowhere could you get that happy feeling.” But what about dinner and a show? For us, that’s New York at its best. Just like the city’s panoramic food scene, Broadway has something for everyone, from adult dramas to pitch-perfect musicals. So why not pair those high notes with haute cuisine or a dazzling dance number with a delicious dish?
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite before a matinee or a five-course capstone to follow an evening show, these Rockefeller Center restaurants have you covered. Read on for where to eat before or after a Broadway show, and the play that makes the perfect pairing.
- Photo by Liz Lauren
5 Acres
Add even more Illinois flavor to Illinoise. 5 Acres is a nod to chef Greg Baxtrom’s Midwestern roots. Named for his family farm in Illinois, the restaurant serves up creative American fare with a twist, like their Wisconsin cheddar burger and BLT focaccia bread.
It's also the perfect appetizer to Illinoise, a Tony-nominated dance-musical based on Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album. Directed and choreographed by Justin Peck, the play is a coming-of-age story that centers on a complex group of friends. And if you don’t have time for a seated bite, theater buffs can get something on the run from the 5 Acres to-go kiosk located at the Rink Level.
- Photo by Matthew Murphy
NARO
We love a new twist on something old. At NARO, traditional ingredients and techniques from Korean cuisine are updated for a contemporary crowd. Classic dishes like bibimbap are served alongside updated fare like Naengchae, a cold noodle salad. The menu is also peppered with inventive items like a lime, hibiscus, and rhubarb sorbet and an icy beef tartare.
Theatergoers can continue their tour of classics reworked for our times with the Stephen Sondheim and George Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along. Although the original play was a box office flop after its 1981 premiere, the revival has racked up seven Tony nominations and stars big names including Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.
- Photo by Marc Brenner
Smith & Mills
Let the carefully crafted mood envelope you at Smith & Mills, a cocktails and small plates bar that originated in Tribeca. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and drinks at its Rockefeller Center location, and menu items range from West Coast oysters to a Mediterranean tuna sandwich. Its moody interior draws inspiration from the Bauhaus and Constructivism movements and includes notable details such as plush velvet banquettes and a stunning oblong bar.
If you want to continue your tour of atmospheric, German-inflected interiors, be sure to check out Cabaret, the latest revival of the storied musical starring Eddie Redmayne. Set in 1930s Berlin, the show explores the changing culture of the city in the face of the Nazi party’s rise. Reimagined by Tom Scutt, the theater and costume design nods to the decadence of pre-war Berlin, and details including a sculpted eye with a disco ball center create an immersive, cinematic experience.
- Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Le Rock
The team behind the perennially cool Balthazar and the beloved bistro Frenchette know how to deliver on a meal. With Le Rock, their newest endeavor, they bring their signature brand of French cuisine to Rockefeller Center. The Art Deco-inspired interior is glamorous without being stuffy, and according to New York Times critic Pete Wells, ‘The menu has a sense of adventure for which you usually have to go downtown.’
Speaking of cool, is there anything more eternally hip than a 70s rock band? In Stereophonic, the most Tony-nominated play of all time, a rock band on the rise navigates impending fame while recording a new album. The play immerses viewers in the world of 1970s music and features an original score by Will Butler of Arcade Fire.
For a night out – or daytime lark – tap into your inner cool kid with a seat at both.
- Courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown
Jupiter
Jupiter describes itself as a restaurant “meant to celebrate every mood and moment.” From big milestones to an evening out with friends, the restaurant woos every diner with its handmade pasta and a focus on the new generation of Italian winemakers.
Showgoers can enjoy a leisurely lunch or a quick bite at the bar before continuing the revelry over on Broadway. According to Variety, Six: The Musical “is a solid ‘10’ for joy.” Told from the perspective of Henry VII’s infamous six wives, the show is a lively production presented as a singing competition. When it comes to good vibes, Jupiter and Six are the queens of our hearts.
- Photo by Marc J. Franklin
The Weather Room
Perched atop Rockefeller Center, The Weather Room is an ode to New York. The new rooftop cafe offers a casual menu of pastries, sandwiches, and mezze plates while letting diners enjoy some of the best views in the city. Like the city that never sleeps, The Weather Room keeps all kinds of hours, and is open each day from 9am through midnight.
For a full-blown New York-centric day, Hell’s Kitchen and The Weather Room are the perfect pairing. The new play, featuring music by Alicia Keys, is a coming-of-age story of a 17-year-old living in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Hailed by Vulture as “the WE❤NYC of Musicals,” the work has landed 13 Tony nominations, including Best Musical.
Discover all of Rockefeller Center’s dining options — including Pebble Bar, Luke’s Lobster, and The Tipsy Baker — here.
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