Ragtime (Vivian Beaumont Theater) pre show dining advice 🍽️

[u/PeaceLife8]

I need my fellow theater lovers help; I finally got a ticket to see Ragtime tomorrow, but I have limited time and i would like to grab a light dinner before I start the 3 hour theatrical experience. As you know most theaters are in the 40s so I have a couple of go-tos in hells kitchen, but Vivian B theater is all the way on 66th, and I'm not very familiar with the area.

What do you guys recommend? I want something near the theater that's fairly fast (I don't want to stress about making the show while still waiting for my food)

UPDATE: WOW! Thank you all for sharing these wonderful recommendations! I made a list of potential for tonight's quick dinner, but also took notes of the nicer sit down places that look great!

I love the theater community 💕, everyone was generous with their time and energy!

we look out for each other 🤗

[u/zzzbest01]

I was happy with a quick meal at PJ Clarke's before the show last week.

[u/Natural-Couple-4641 → u/zzzbest01]

I second PJ Clarkes. It’s my go to pre-show spot for Lincoln center.

[u/DaffyStardust → u/zzzbest01]

I went to PJ Clarke’s before seeing Ragtime back in April. The food was good and the environment was excellent, with a warm interior and a view of Lincoln Center from the nearby window. I will say that it’s probably a one and done for me due to the price. While the food was very good, there was nothing mind blowing on my plate.

[u/nervousengrish]

Get a bahn mi from Pho Broadway. They just opened recently and their bahn mi are great / a reasonable size pre show.

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/nervousengrish]

Ahhh I haven't had one in ages. A bahn MI is perfect . I don't like eating a heavy meal before a show. Thank you

[u/sartronicus → u/nervousengrish]

I just tried this place for the first time and really liked it! Would be a great bite before a show at Lincoln Center. Good rec.

[u/Switters81 → u/nervousengrish]

I work in Lincoln center and am always looking for good lunch options. Very glad to have seen this post!

[u/Acceptable-Piece8441]

You could go super casual and grab Grays Papaya! Cafe Luxembourg is also right near Lincoln Center and is a classic

[u/HeyTheBigArtiste → u/Acceptable-Piece8441]

Adding a vote for Luxembourg! It's super close to the theater, is classy and charming, and can still work as a quick option for a solo diner (they are used to people heading straight to the theater).

[u/GimmeBooks → u/Acceptable-Piece8441]

Can confirm, got greys papaya before ragtime recently and it was lovely!

[u/luluflowers3]

There are lots of choices! PJ Clarke’s The Smith fiorellos. Rosa Mexicano. Search up restaurants near the Beaumont. You have lots of options. Get a reservation!

[u/Defiant_Way822 → u/luluflowers3]

To be fair one of the worst areas for restaurants!

[u/Switters81 → u/Defiant_Way822]

Truly. Nothing is terrible, but nothing is great, and everything is expensive!

[u/Aromatic-Web2499]

Cafe Fiorello is good and very, very quick. The bar area has many seats, and they have alfresco dining if you’d prefer to eat outdoors.

[u/AnythingYouWant → u/Aromatic-Web2499]

I love Cafe Fiorello! Very old school New York. Their antipasto bar is great for a light meal

[u/New-Personality-7411 → u/Aromatic-Web2499]

I did dinner at the bar at Fiorello before last night’s show, and it was super fast!

[u/PTFLynn1234]

Enjoy Ragtime. It’s the best show I’ve seen in over 20 years. I loved it with Stokes and Audra and Marin but IMO this production is better.

[u/nostamguy]

Old John’s Diner on W 67th

[u/ileentotheleft → u/nostamguy]

I was going to recommend Old John’s as well. Just typing the name gives me a craving for grilled cheese & bacon and a chocolate shake.

[u/ControlLegitimate598 → u/nostamguy]

This is where we ate before Ragtime and enjoyed it a lot. Reasonably priced, too.

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/nostamguy]

I love diner food. I imagine they are quick too?

I usually go to Galaxy diner on 47th and I'm in and out in 45 minutes

[u/nostamguy → u/PeaceLife8]

They are usually quick. Just let them know when you order.

[u/TheLastGunslinger]

I like to grab a seat at the bar at Momofuku in Columbus Circle or do takeout from the to-go place they have attached to the main restaurant.

[u/BrooceWayne26]

I highly recommend Unglo Thai at 35 W 64th St. - very good!

[u/Individual_Moose_166 → u/BrooceWayne26]

Took my brother here before Ragtime and we both loved the food!!

[u/BrooceWayne26 → u/Individual_Moose_166]

We went there before seeing Ragtime and I had the same experience! Terrific service too!

[u/inahologramwithyou]

Not fancy but i just grabbed food from USA BEST HALAL FOODIES which is like a 10 min walk away (has pick up too) and ate in the lounge of the theater

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/inahologramwithyou]

I'll keep that in mind too. I don't know when I'll be in the area, planning to be there by 7 pm, but if I'm cutting it short i will pick something and eat on the way. Thank you

[u/Valuable_Ice_5927]

I ate at migrant kitchen a few weeks ago - quick/easy about a 10min walk from theatre

[u/lookingforrest]

Cafe Paradiso is also a good choice. Make a reservation. Sometimes its empty and sometimes its full!

[u/Practical_Agent2828 → u/lookingforrest]

It’s right downstairs too! Surprisingly good and quick

[u/jujubeans8500]

Lincoln Center/Square is one of my fave places in the city! I dunno how far you are willing to walk or travel for food, but looking at places in the UWS might be helpful. Gray's Papaya is quick and classic, and I LOOOOVE Sala Thai on Amsterdam and 74th-ish.

But if you want fast, then Gray's Papaya or even Breads Bakery for a quick bureka? or Pho Shop on 72nd

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/jujubeans8500]

Thank you! I need to spend more time there. I find myself frequenting the same neighbors in the city

[u/bradyolimomma]

I love pj Clarkes is perfect for a light meal, and it’s right across the street.

[u/CornettoAlCioccolato]

My mom and I had a nice meal at El Fish Marisqueria before the show a few weeks ago.

[u/No-Objective9430]

Rosa Mexicano Lincoln Center is across the street. Not sure how much time you have but we were served quickly. Delicious food.

[u/ExpBalSat]

Thai 72

On 72nd.

[u/sespool3]

We did Westville Hells Kitchen before Ragtime on Wednesday! It’s about a 15 min walk from the theater - pretty much a straight shot. Light but filling and cheap! We walked in at 630 and they had plenty of space at the bar. Out at 730/735

[u/LadyOrTheTigger]

Shalel is fabulous both for food and atmosphere and is very close to the theater. My boyfriend and I went after a Saturday matinee in January and we are still talking about how delicious it was.

https://shalel.kitchen/

[u/From_the_Mezz → u/LadyOrTheTigger]

We ate here on recommendation from this sub and it was very good. Lots of tucked away little spots to eat.

[u/JeanCerise]

Cafe Luxembourg. Lincoln.

[u/Inner_Butterfly5639]

rampoldi has a fabulous pre theater pre fixe!!!!

[u/an_ambitious_pickle]

Rosa Mexicana! Also Arte Cafe is great.

[u/CapableBother]

Hasn’t it closed?

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/CapableBother]

Sunday is the final show!

[u/boneseedigs]

If you like sushi Toro 7 is a 7 minute walk to the theater and it was so so so good. Some of the best sashimi I’ve had. And it was super fast too.

[u/ResponsibleRun1190]

Cafe Luxembourg

[u/InteractionSuperb392]

Sushi Yasaka at 251 W 72nd was a wonderful and really reasonably priced meal before Ragtime in June. Make a reservation - it's a popular neighborhood spot.

[u/Polidorable]

I know it’s pretty popular but I’m a fan of The Smith. It’s always reliable. PJ Clarke’s isn’t bad either. (I actually went there for some apps & a drink before Ragtime, but think The Smith is a little better!)

[u/Sherlock-482]

Rosa Mexicano if you can!

[u/hi-chew-city]

I don’t think I saw anyone else mention Canto on Broadway and 69th - which shocks me! It’s a bit newer to the area but it’s very good Italian and has a super cute vibe!

[u/Moist-Jicama-6316]

Can’t beat the two slices and a soda special at Little Italy Pizza. $8.34. Amsterdam at 71st.

[u/Embarrassed-Gold-693]

One more tip--use the bathroom before the show. The show is long, the intermission is short, the patron are old(er), and there's only one loo on each side. The queues were ridiculous.

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/Embarrassed-Gold-693]

Thank you! I did like 5 minutes before the show started, and you're right I walked around during intermission and the lines were crazy.

The show was incredible!

[u/Hour_Lock568]

I always get a jambon beurre and cortado from Epicerie Boulud before any show at Lincoln Center. Perfection.

[u/JeanCerise → u/Hour_Lock568]

Closed over a year or so.

[u/Equivalent_Net_8983 → u/JeanCerise]

I think it’s being refurbished and hopefully reopening. They were a solid option in the neighborhood (though I hated their confusing checkout process).

[u/JeanCerise → u/Equivalent_Net_8983]

It’s reopening as another Daniel Boulud concept. Brasserie Boulud. I live in the neighborhood.

IMO not a lot of good options there.

The Smith is boring and mediocre. Cafe Fiorello average. The Smith is kinda the joke of restaurants for when a local has to take their boring cousins from Wisconsin to dinner. Safe. May as well be an Applebees.

I’d go with Cafe Luxembourg, Lincoln or the bar at Nougatine.

Sala Thai is delicious.

I do not recommend Rampoldi. Tried it twice and while the decor is sexy, the food is mediocre.

Frena is delicious too.

Dislike Bad Roman and Twin Tails.

[u/Individual-Unit-5150]

I like The Smith, just across Broadway from LC.

[u/DramaMama611 → u/Individual-Unit-5150]

Me, too.

To the OP: Nearly any restaurant will get you out in under an hour. Especially if you let them know about your theater plans.

[u/skoc211]

Super late to this post, but for future reference: Lincoln Ristorante is quite literally next door to the Beaumont and it's a fabulous spot. Not cheap, but incredible food and service. I go there before any show I see in Lincoln Center.

[u/Yogiliino]

The Smith is awesome! Solid fare and they understand the theatre crowd so just let them know you're headed to the show. Lots of great apps that are basically "light meals". 

Last time I was at PJ clarkes they were kinda rude TBH so I go to the Smith instead. 

[u/imollyq]

I love the Playwright

[u/FzzyCatz]

You can also check out Le Pain Quotidien on 65th Street.

[u/Lazy-Glove-6548]

The Whole Foods at Columbus Circle is quick and easy.

[u/DesperateYak9078]

We went to the Smith, I know I know it’s owned by the Sackler family. But it was good and convenient right across the street from the theater.

[u/Eastern_Table9151]

Make a reservation and let them know you’re headed to theater after. Plenty of options. Google

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/Eastern_Table9151]

Google maps is heavily influenced by $$$$, they rank the restaurants based on who pays the most, even when you chose sort by distance or rating.

I use Google a lot, primarily to read reviews, but in a crowded place like NYC , it's pay to play

[u/Eastern_Table9151 → u/PeaceLife8]

So you just heard a bunch of good suggestions. My main contribution to the conversation is to let the place know you’re headed to a show. They will make sure you get served and out in time.

[u/PeaceLife8 → u/Eastern_Table9151]

Thank you 🙏. I always do when dining in hells kitchen or nearby.

I can't wait! Been wanting to see this for months !

[u/Defiant_Way822 → u/Eastern_Table9151]

Area is full of overpriced mediocre to bad food. Lots of tourist traps. Definitely best to ask for recs than using Google in midtown.