You’ve got tickets. The curtain goes up at 8:00pm. You need somewhere to eat that won’t rush you, won’t disappoint, and won’t leave you standing outside a restaurant for 45 minutes while your window for a real meal evaporates. Pre-theatre dining in New York is one of those problems that sounds simple until you’re actually solving it on a Friday evening in Midtown.
The good news: if you’re seeing a show in the Theater District or Hell’s Kitchen, Elephant Ear Best at 690 9th Avenue solves this problem entirely. It’s a traditional Thai restaurant that happens to sit within comfortable walking distance of nearly every major Broadway venue — and it’s genuinely good enough to be a destination in its own right, not just a convenient fallback.
Walking Distance to Major Broadway Theaters
Location matters when you’re working against a curtain time, so here’s the practical reality from Elephant Ear Best’s front door:
The Book of Mormon (Eugene O’Neill Theatre) — 10 to 12 minutes on foot. An easy walk along 49th Street.
Wicked (Gershwin Theatre) — 12 to 15 minutes. Head up 9th Avenue and cut east on 51st Street.
Hamilton (Richard Rodgers Theatre) — 8 to 10 minutes. A straight shot east on 46th Street.
Majestic Theatre — 6 to 8 minutes. One of the closest major venues to the restaurant.
Walking distance map from Elephant Ear Best Thai restaurant at 690 9th Ave to Broadway theaters in Hell’s Kitchen NYC
The pattern is consistent: most Theater District venues fall within a 6 to 15 minute walk from 690 9th Avenue. That means a 6:00pm dinner reservation gives you plenty of time to eat well, settle your check, and arrive at your theater relaxed — not sprinting through Times Square with a souvenir program tucked under your arm.
Why Thai Food Works for Pre-Theatre Dining
There’s a reason Thai cuisine fits the pre-show format so naturally. The dishes are designed for sharing — which keeps ordering efficient for groups. The cuisine doesn’t rely on slow-cooked preparations that need an hour of table time; most dishes arrive relatively quickly and in a natural sequence. And the flavors are vibrant enough to feel like a complete experience in 75 to 90 minutes, without needing to pad the meal with multiple courses.
Thai food also happens to be one of the most accommodating cuisines for mixed groups. Vegetarian and meat options coexist naturally on any Thai menu. Spice levels are adjustable. The price points at Elephant Ear Best — ranging from $17 for a salad to $30 for the premium duck dish — mean that groups with different budgets can eat at the same table without awkwardness.
What to Order When You’re Working With Time
The Elephant Ear Best menu is built around dishes that are meant to be shared, which makes pre-theatre ordering efficient. Here’s a practical approach for a party of two to four:
Start with the Tom Yum With Mix Seafood Spicy ($23). Arrive, order this immediately, and let it set the tone for the meal. It’s the restaurant’s flagship soup — lemongrass, galangal, fresh seafood, kaffir lime, and a heat that builds cleanly without overwhelming. It arrives quickly and pairs well with whatever follows.
Share two or three mains. For a group of two, one soup and two mains is a complete meal. The Stir Fried Crispy Chicken With Lemon Grass ($26) is consistently popular — the crunch of the chicken against the bright citrus aroma of fresh lemongrass is the kind of combination that makes you stop mid-conversation. The Pineapple Fried Rice ($18–22), served inside an actual pineapple, doubles as a table centerpiece and a genuinely good rice dish.
Skip the dessert if time is tight. The savory courses are where this kitchen excels. Save dessert for a post-show spot if you need it; the main meal is satisfying enough to close on.
Making a Reservation: The Practical Details
Elephant Ear Best is open Monday through Sunday from 11:30am to 11:00pm. For pre-theatre dining, aim to book a table between 5:45pm and 6:15pm. This gives you a comfortable window to eat without rushing, particularly for evening shows that start at 7:00pm or 8:00pm.
Call ahead at 646-478-8661 or use the online reservation system on the website. Weekend evenings, particularly Friday and Saturday between 6:00pm and 7:30pm, fill up — don’t assume walk-in availability on those nights.
Group Bookings and Special Occasions
Elephant Ear Best handles groups well. The dining room accommodates parties of various sizes, and the sharing-plate format of Thai cuisine makes group orders straightforward — order three or four dishes for the table, let everyone try everything, and adjust based on appetite.
For Broadway celebrations — a birthday connected to a show, an anniversary, a graduation — the restaurant’s atmosphere adds a layer of occasion to the evening. The handcrafted Thai lanterns, the warm amber lighting, and the quiet of the dining room create a setting that feels special without requiring any extra planning on your part.
Thai restaurant Manhattan
If you’re planning a larger pre-theatre group of eight or more, it’s worth calling ahead to discuss the seating arrangement and menu options.
After the Show
If your show ends early, Elephant Ear Best is also a natural post-show destination. The kitchen is open until 11:00pm, which covers most curtain calls. Coming back for a late dinner after a show is a different pace entirely: slower, more relaxed, with time to order the Duck Tamarind and actually sit with it.
The Bottom Line
Pre-theatre dining in New York doesn’t have to be a compromise between convenience and quality. Elephant Ear Best offers both: it’s within walking distance of nearly every major Broadway venue, the kitchen moves efficiently, and the food is genuinely worth eating.
Book your table, order the Tom Yum, share the crispy chicken, and arrive at your show full and satisfied.
Reserve Your Table | View the Menu
Elephant Ear Best Thai Restaurant | 690 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036 | 646-478-8661 | Open Daily 11:30am – 11:00pm
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Elephant Ear Best from Broadway theaters? Within easy walking distance of most major venues: The Book of Mormon (10–12 min), Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre (12–15 min), Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (8–10 min), and the Majestic Theatre (6–8 min).
What time should I book dinner before a Broadway show? For an 8:00pm curtain, aim to reserve between 5:45pm and 6:15pm. For 7:00pm shows, a 5:00pm–5:30pm reservation works well.
What should I order for a quick pre-theatre dinner? Start with the Tom Yum With Mix Seafood Spicy ($23), then share the Stir Fried Crispy Chicken With Lemon Grass ($26) and Pineapple Fried Rice ($18–22). Satisfying, arrives promptly, fits within 75 to 90 minutes.
Does Elephant Ear Best accommodate large pre-theatre groups? Yes. For parties of eight or more, call ahead at 646-478-8661 to arrange seating and discuss menu options.
Is the restaurant open for post-show late-night dining? Yes. Open until 11:00pm every day, covering most Broadway curtain calls.
Should I make a reservation for pre-theatre dinner? Yes, especially on weekends. The 6:00pm–7:30pm window on Fridays and Saturdays fills up quickly.