The best Restaurant Row NYC eateries

The antithesis of commercialized Times Square, this elegant Italian restaurant is still owned by the same family nearly 120 years after it opened. The setting—gilded chandeliers and ornate furniture— is fittingly dramatic, as is the Piedmontese menu. Dishes such as diver scallops in a sweet tomato jus and rabbit, roasted and lavished with a lemony wine sauce, are best enjoyed in the back garden, an unlikely retreat in bustling Hell's Kitchen.

The last of gastro-celeb Lidia Bastianich's NYC eateries, Becco expanded from its original space into the brownstone next door to accommodate more drinkers as well as diners. In this case, the popularity is justified. Typical of a countrified Italian eatery, the warmly lit space features exposed brick and row upon row of wine bottles as decor.

This 60-seat South American restaurant—whose name translates in Spanish to "small grocery"—nods to bodegas with shelves of produce, a Brazilian wood ceiling and handcrafted tile floors. The kitchen dishes out pan-Latin plates like lobster taquitos with caramelized pineapple and avocado mousse, Brazilian moqueca (fish stew) with green coconut rice, and paellas (chicken and chorizo or mixed seafood) for two. 

This Restaurant Row gem serves dual symbiotic purposes: Whether you’re an actor in need of a stiff drink, or a Great White Way fan looking for a dose of backstage gossip, swank watering hole Centrale is just the place to get both. The elegant space comes alive after curtain call (around 11pm), when folks like Nathan Lane start to roll in. Drinks—such as pricey martinis and Manhattans—are competently made and ample, if a bit fussy in presentation.

The best bet on the strip if you want to catch sight of an off-duty star—go before or after the theater and you're bound to see any number of familiar New York showbiz faces. (Al Pacino, Rosie O'Donnell and Liam Neeson have been known to hang here.) The menu offers better-than-average club grub, including steak, cheese burgers and large salads. 

Expect unusual flavor combinations and, possibly, long waits at chef Masatoshi Sugio's third NYC location. For adventurous eaters, the go-to is the sushi tasting menu (Gari's Special). Sugio has been known to pair seared foie gras with daikon radish; salmon with tomato and onion; and spicy tuna with mayo, Tabasco and sesame oil. Less adventurous souls can order regular sushi and sashimi—which are supremely fresh, if not especially memorable.

Well-executed Roman cuisine in a charming setting is a recipe for a long-term success. The signature artichokes deep-fried in olive oil and garlic are a Roman-Jewish classic; tuna carpaccio with cannelli beans and capers is equally fulfilly. The menu is packed with fish, meat and, of course, house-made pasta, such as tonnarelli cacio e pepe, fettuccine al ragu and artichoke gnocchi in fresh tomato sauce.

For that old-school dinner-and-a-show vibe, head to this French bistro staple that's been passed down for three generations. The cozy spot is situated smack dab in the middle of Restaurant Row and serves classic fare like coq au vin and ratatouille rosace from its traditional prix fix pre-theater menu.

Order carefully and this relaxed thespian hangout is surprisingly affordable. The relaxed environment, low-key service and refreshingly affordable wines set the stage for reliably good plates on the daily changing menu. (Recent dishes included sautéed calf’s liver with fried onions and pine nuts, and duck confit with soft polenta and roasted peppers-grappa sauce.) Between bites, keep an eye out for stars of the screen and stage.

The third time’s the charm for this popular sushi chain—its ambiance is more downtown than midtown, providing a refreshing alternative to more traditional pre-theater restaurants. The bi-level spot has Japanese plaster walls, a long marble bar, artisanal cocktails a special Kappo tasting menu. There's even three Tatami rooms upstairs for private dining.