Unique, Must-Try Restaurants Near Times Square

Times Square is a destination for all NYC tourists. The lights, the crowds, the shops, and the shows lend it incredible energy. To get the most out of your experience though, you want to eat well too! With many large chain restaurants setting up flagship locales in Times Square (Hard Rock Café, Ruby Tuesdays, and Red Lobster are just a few examples), how do you go about finding unique eateries? Here are some to consider if you're in the area.

Ellen's Stardust Diner
Where the stars shine off the Broadway stage, the waiters and waitresses at the Stardust Diner will regale you with Broadway classics when they're not taking your order or bringing your meal to the table. Although the food is not to-die-for delicious, the energy and the talent of these young singers presented in a classic 50s diner setting is the best entertainment you can get for the price of a modest dinner. Think of some songs you might want to hear, they often ask for requests!

Guantanamera
For a taste of Cuban cuisine, live music, a dance floor and even a resident cigar roller, stroll over to Guantanamera on 8th Avenue, just a few steps from the glitzy and crowded main Times Square area. The food is very authentic Cuban, from the ropa vieja (shredded skirt steak in sauce, served with rice) to the maduros (fried sweet plantain) to the tres leches (drunken pound cake dessert), and it is served with an artisanal flair. On weekends, Guantanamera comes alive with the live music, and you could come here to eat, drink (their mojitos are very popular), and dance!

John's Pizzeria
Ok, so you can get pizza basically anywhere, but where else can you enjoy your pizza in what used to be a large, high-ceilinged church, complete with murals? All while your pizzas are getting baked in a brick oven on the main level, for everyone to see? Nowhere else that I'm aware of! An affordable, yet unique experience that is also conveniently located near many of the theatres, John's is great for before- or after-show meals.

The View Restaurant
At The View, you can savor your meal by large glass windows giving you a perfect view of New York City from the Marriott Marquis's prime location in the very middle of Manhattan. The View is the only New York restaurant with a revolving rooftop, which over the course of about 45 minutes will slowly take your table all 360 degrees around to give you a full view of the glimmering skyline.

Restaurant Information

Ellen's Stardust Diner
Address:
1650 Broadway Front
(between 50th Street & 51st Street)
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 664-0256

Guantanamera
Address:
939 8th Avenue
(between 56th Street and 57th Street)
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 262-5354
Website: guantanameranyc.com

John's Pizzeria
Address:
260 West 44th Street
(between 8th Avenue & Shubert Alley)
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: (212) 391-7560

The View Restaurant
Address:
Marriott Marquis Hotel
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: (212) 704-8900
Website: www.nymarriottmarquis.com