The Best Restaurants in Times Square for Tourists 

Let's be real: Times Square isn't where local New Yorkers eat. But if you're visiting Times Square and you actually want to sit down for a good meal, you need to know which restaurants are worth your money.

This isn't a list of hidden gems or secret local spots. This is the list of the most popular, most famous restaurants that tourists go to in Times Square. The ones that actually deliver. The ones packed every night because people know them.

So if you want to know where everyone goes—and you want to actually have a good meal while you're there—here's what you need to know.

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Italian (Family-Style & Traditional)

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Carmine's — The Most Famous Times Square Restaurant

Budget: $$

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Carmine's is THE restaurant everyone goes to in Times Square. It's loud, it's packed, and it's exactly what you expect Times Square dining to feel like.

Family-style concept—you order dishes and they come out HUGE, meant to share. We're talking massive platters of veal parm, chicken marsala, baked clams, manicotti. Your table looks like you ordered for 10 people. The food is solid red sauce Italian, not fancy, but genuinely good.

It's chaotic because everyone eats here. You'll be yelling over 50 other families doing the same thing. But that's kind of the point—it's the Times Square experience.

Real talk: Expect a 30-45 minute wait on weekends. It's worth it if you want the iconic Times Square dinner before a show or just want to say you went to Carmine's.

Best for: Groups, pre-theater dinners, people visiting Times Square who want the full experience.

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Tony's Di Napoli — Carmine's Counterpart

Italian family-style (similar concept to Carmine's). Large portions meant for sharing. Friendly staff. Try the Frozen Peach Bellinis.

Budget: $$

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Don Antonio — Wood-Fired Pizza

Authentic Neapolitan pizza with that leopard-spotted crust you only get from wood-fired ovens. Cozy white brick walls, dark wood accents. Actually good pizza—not the quick tourist version.

Budget: $$

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Steakhouse & Upscale

Gallagher's Steakhouse — Legendary Since 1927

This is the real deal. Walk in and you feel like you're stepping into a piece of New York history. Wood-paneled walls, checkered floors, vintage photos of celebrities from decades past.

The steaks are dry-aged perfectly. The roasted clams casino are incredible. The creamed spinach is velvety. If you're celebrating something or just want to feel fancy, this is your spot.

It's expensive, but it's the kind of expensive where you actually taste the money in your food. Not the Times Square tourist trap kind of expensive.

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Best for: Special occasions, steak lovers, people who want NYC old-school elegance.

Budget: $$$

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Sardi's — Historic Broadway Hot Spot

Gourmet burgers and hearty pasta in a space covered with caricatures of famous people on the walls. This place is packed with celebrities, theater-goers, and tourists who actually know what they're doing.

The red walls and caricatures give it this nostalgic, lively vibe that feels authentically New York. It's the kind of place where you can catch the energy of Broadway without being at the theater.

Budget: $$

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Wolfgang's Steakhouse — Premium Cuts

Classic steakhouse with Rib Eye, Sirloin, Filet Mignon, and Porterhouse variations for 2, 3, or 4 people. First-class meat, perfectly roasted.

Budget: $$$

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Sushi Seki — Omakase Experience

If you're into sushi and you want something legitimately high-end, this is it. Serene, minimalist design with warm wood accents and soft lighting. Three chef-curated omakase menus to choose from.

It's pricey, but the experience is worth it.

Budget: $$$

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Quick Bites

Los Tacos No. 1 — The Most Popular Taco Spot in Times Square

Standing-room only taco bar. No frills. The tacos are genuinely good—Tijuana-style with quality meat and fresh toppings. It's cheap. It's ALWAYS packed.

Everyone goes here. And that's because the tacos are actually solid. It's become the go-to quick bite in Times Square for a reason.

Best for: Quick, good tacos between attractions. You'll want to grab and go—there's nowhere to sit anyway.

Budget: $

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Halal Guys — Street Food Upgraded

Started as food carts, now a legit fast-casual spot. Authentic halal and Middle Eastern food. Actually good quality for the price.

Budget: $

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Asian

Danji — Casual Korean

Cozy, comforting space with crispy vegetable dumplings, chicken wings, and sizzling bulgogi bibimbap. The kimchi is legit good.

Budget: $$

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E.A.K. Ramen — Restaurant Row

Authentic ramen on Restaurant Row (46th St). Fast, solid, warm noodles when you need them.

Budget: $$

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Pizza

John's Pizza — NYC Institution

Classic New York pizza with wood-fired oven and crispy crust. It's been around forever. You can grab a quick slice or sit down for a full meal.

Budget: $

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Theater District Classics

Joe Allen — Broadway Bar Since 1965

Popular bar where theater-goers hang out. Brick-lined interior covered with posters of Broadway flops. The vibe is fun and kitschy without being over-the-top.

Budget-friendly, good cocktails, shrimp & crab ceviche. It's a known spot—people go here specifically because they know it's a theater district thing.

Best for: Pre/post-show drinks, people who want the Broadway bar experience.

Budget: $$

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Sardi's — Historic Broadway Restaurant

Famous Broadway restaurant packed with tourists and theater-goers. Red walls covered with caricatures. That's the whole appeal—you're eating where Broadway people eat (or the Broadway tourist version of it).

Gourmet burgers and pasta. The food is good, the atmosphere is lively, and everyone knows about it.

Best for: Theater-goers, people wanting the "classic Broadway dinner" experience.

Budget: $$

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Gayle's Broadway Rose — Singing Servers

Ellen's Stardust but without the flair. Singing servers, gluten-free options. It's entertainment plus food.

Budget: $$

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Seafood & Fish

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. — Tourist-Friendly

Themed seafood restaurant. Fun for families. Not gonna blow your mind food-wise, but it works.

Budget: $$

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Classic NYC Comfort Food

Junior's Restaurant & Bakery — The Cheesecake

World-famous New York cheesecake. Sandwiches and comfort food. Classic diner vibes.

If you want a piece of classic NYC diner culture (and an actual good cheesecake), this is it.

Budget: $$

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City Kitchen — Food Marketplace

Multiple food vendors under one roof: Azuki, Dough, Kuro-Obi, Whitman's. Pick and choose from burgers, tacos, coffees, doughnuts. Vegan and gluten-free options available.

Reasonable prices. Great if your group wants different things and you don't want to split up.

Open: 6:30 AM-9 PM Sun-Wed, 6:30 AM-11:30 PM Thu-Sat

Budget: $

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Rooftop & Views

Beast & Butterflies — M Social Hotel Times Square

Wrap-around rooftop terrace with Times Square views. Casual sharable bites: charcuterie, dips, sliders. Also solid burgers, wood-fired pizza, steak frites.

Opens at 7 AM if you want breakfast with a view.

Budget: $$

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The View — Revolving Restaurant

NYC's only revolving restaurant. You eat while the whole city rotates around you. It's kitschy but it works, especially if you're entertaining out-of-towners.

Budget: $$$

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Cocktail Bars & Nightlife

The Rum House — Classic Cocktails

Swanky bar for pre-show or post-show drinks.

Budget: $$

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Valerie — Cocktail Lounge

Beautiful lounge with crafty cocktails and bistro fare. Perfect pre-theater or just to escape Times Square for a minute.

Budget: $$

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St. Cloud Rooftop Bar

Rooftop drinks with city views.

Budget: $$

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Restaurant Row (46th Street Between 8th & 9th Ave)

This whole block is historic. Over a century of culinary tradition. You've got Italian, Japanese, French, Caribbean—all concentrated in one area. It's worth walking the block and picking whatever vibe you want.

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Times Square Dining Strategy

If you're going to a Broadway show: Eat early (5-6 PM), grab something at Carmine's or Don Antonio, and you'll be done by 7 PM with time to get to the theater. These are the go-to pre-show spots for a reason.

If you want the Times Square famous restaurant experience: Sardi's or Carmine's. Everyone knows these. Everyone goes to these. You'll understand why.

If you're on a budget: Los Tacos, Halal Guys, City Kitchen. You'll eat well for under $20.

If you're celebrating something: Gallagher's or Sushi Seki. Spend the money.

If your group can't agree on food: City Kitchen (multiple vendors) or Carmine's (everything is family-style so people can pick what they want).

If you want views with your meal: Beast & Butterflies or The View.

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Pro Tips for Dining in Times Square

Make reservations when you can. Carmine's, Gallagher's, and Sardi's get PACKED. They're the most popular spots for a reason. Book ahead on OpenTable or call.

Go early if you want a shorter wait. Lunch (11:30 AM-1 PM) is way less crowded than dinner (6-9 PM). If you eat at 5 PM, you'll skip the worst of the crowds.

These are the places everyone visits. Expect crowds, expect to wait, expect the full Times Square experience.

Plan around your Broadway show. Eat before the show, not after. You'll eat faster and make your curtain time.

Skip the chain restaurants. Olive Garden, Applebee's, Margaritaville—they're all there. But you didn't fly to NYC for that. The restaurants on this list are actual Times Square destinations.

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Plan Your Times Square Meal with the NY Travel Planner

To figure out which restaurants are closest to your hotel use our NY Travel Planner: It's free to start planning.

• Organize your restaurants on a map with your hotel and other attractions
• Calculate the best subway route to get there
• Get a custom Google Map showing all your stops for the day

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Bottom line: If you're visiting Times Square, these are the restaurants you should know about. They're famous for a reason. They're packed for a reason. They deliver on the Times Square experience. This isn't a list of hidden gems or secret local spots. This is the list of where everyone goes. And if you're visiting Times Square, that's probably what you want.

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Want 1:1 assistance? Hire a local Experience Designer. 

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