Boston Theatre District Restaurants
Best places to dine before and after a show
Attending the theater in Boston?
Here are my recommendations for where to find the best Theatre District restaurants to enjoy a delicious dinner before the show . . . or perhaps drinks and a bite afterwards.
Although Boston's downtown Theatre District occupies a relatively small stretch along Tremont Street and nearby streets, you'll find a huge range of appealing restaurant choices within a short walking distance. These restaurants are also very convenient if you're going to the movies at the Loew's Boston Common 19 theater.
I've organized Theatre District restaurants by area:
Need more options?
Chinatown restaurants (walk 1 block east of Tremont Street on Boylston Street or Stuart Street) and Bay Village restaurants (from Park Square, walk 1 block south on Church Street) give you dozens more possibilities for restaurants near Boston's theaters.
Theatre District restaurants
These Boston Theatre District restaurants and other spots to eat are practically next to the theaters - so they offer the ultimate convenience.
Market by Jean-Georges $$$ French-Asian-Italian-New England (how's that for eclectic?)
100 Stuart Street (at the W Hotel Boston); Theatre District; 617-310-6790; website
Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Market relies heavily on seasonal produce and meats from local farms and fish from local fishermen. Although preparations resemble classic comfort food, the flavors are sublime. Sometimes this involves combining ingredients and tastes that you wouldn't expect, but the results are terrific.
Each evening, the menu features about 5 meat and 5 fish entrees, based on what looks good in the market, plus an assortment of appetizers, salads, soups, and desserts. You might find crab cakes with endive and black pepper sauce, slow-cooked salmon with mashed potatoes, or rack of lamb with a pesto sauce. You'll even find pizza . . . although toppings run to truffles. For dessert, try the molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, or the cheesecake with figs.
The wine list gives you lots of choices, with bottles starting around $30 and going up into the hundreds.
The restaurant itself is stylish but understated and comfortable. Service is top-notch.
 Montien $$ Thai
63 Stuart Street; Theatre District; 617-338-5600; www.montien-boston.com
This spacious and stylish restaurant provides a convenient place to enjoy well-prepared Thai food before the theater, as well as at other times.
In fact, Montien is considered to be one of the best Thai restaurants in the city, so you'll see lots of non-theater goers here as well.
Montien's menu includes all of the popular favorites that you'd expect to find, as well as sushi on some nights. Vegetarians will also find plenty of tasty choices.
When you want nicely prepared food fairly fast and at an affordable price in a Theatre District restaurant, Montien is a great choice.
Jacob Wirth $$ German
31 - 37 Stuart Street; Theatre District ; 617-338-8586; www.jacobwirth.com
In the 1800s, Boston's German immigrants opened lots of restaurants throughout the city.
Now, Jacob Wirth, known for great food and great beer since 1868, may be the only genuine German restaurant remaining where specialties like Wiener Schnitzel and Sauerbraten dominate the entrees.
American favorites like mac and cheese, fish and chips, burgers, Caesar salad, sweet potato fries, and sandwiches enjoy equal popularity.
Jake's Bar provides a popular gathering spot for neighborhood regulars and theaters goers every night. On Friday nights, a live piano player, songbooks with 500+ songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and loud group sing-alongs attract packed crowds.
And then there's the beer! Jake's spotlights German and Belgium beers - but other European countries plus American beers are also well-represented. In particular, Jake's serves the best German beer in Boston.
What's really cool about Jacob Wirth is its authenticity - as you check out the high ceilings, dark bentwood and brass interior, and the medallion with the picture of Jacob Wirth Sr. and his enormous handlebar mustache right over the mahogany bar, you're seeing basically what customers 150+ years ago saw. Some restaurants try to imitate this style so that they seem old and quaint; here in this popular Theatre District restaurant, it's the real thing.
Generations of locals have loved - and continue to love - this place, with its hearty and affordable food and drink, warm and welcoming ambiance, and comfortable decor. If, as a Boston visitor, you stop by for a bite and a beer, you will too.
Jacob Wirth is one of the most popular of the Theatre District restaurants, and the staff is accustomed to getting customers in and out in time for the opening of whatever show they're attending. Let the restaurant know your time constraints when you make reservations, and they'll make sure you have plenty of time to get to the theater.
Tantric $$ Indian
123 Stuart Street; Theatre District ; 617-367-8742; website
Parking: Boston parking garages near Theatre District and Chinatown
Across the street from the new W Hotel Boston, Tantric offers some of the best Indian food in Boston plus cool, attractive decor and jazzy Indian music in the background.
Noontime buffets (about $11 weekdays and $12 on weekends) are fun, a great value, and if you're not familiar with Indian food, an excellent way to try a few different things. I love Indian buffets in general, and Tantric's in particular. If you're in a huge hurry, get Tantric's reasonably-priced "Naanwich" - vegetable, chicken, or lamb - to go.
What's even better, though, is their regular menu. You'll find choices from various regions of India that you don't necessarily see in other Indian restaurants. I especially love the Gobi Manchurian, Indo-Chinese cauliflower sauteed with onions, sweet peppers, and a fabulous sweet and sour chili sauce. Goan Shrimp Curry with coconut sauce is another favorite.
Vegetarians will find plenty of options throughout the menu, in addition to a special section devoted to vegetarian dishes.
Although the kitchen for the main dining room closes down around 9, the bar and lounge stay open until past midnight, serving wonderful specialty cocktails. The bar menu is also terrific - lots of yummy $3 and $4 small plates of Indian specialties that you'll swear are addictive.
For dinner before a show or drinks and small plates afterwards, Tantric is a terrific choice.
Penang $$ Malaysian
685 Washington Street; Theatre District; Orange Line/Chinatown; 617-451-6373; www.penangusa.com
Just a block away from Boston's gorgeous restored Opera House and near other theaters, Penang sits on the boundary between Boston's Theatre District and Chinatown.
A long-time favorite with both theater-goers and Asian food devotees, Penang serves up Malaysian favorites such as as chicken and meat on skewers with peanut dipping sauce, whole fish, rice and noodle dishes.
Be sure to try the Penang beef, roti canai (little rolled-up pancakes with chicken curry dipping sauce), mango chicken, and pineapple fried rice.
If you're kind of a vegetarian but can make exceptions for things like fish paste, you'll find some good options on the menu and can request that other items be prepared without seafood or meat. But if you're strictly vegetarian (meaning you'll be unhappy if sauces contain anchovies) or vegan, you may find more choices somewhere else.
Flavored with imported Kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and ginger flowers, Penang's dishes will transport you to the Malaysian tropics on even the coldest of Boston nights.
Blending Chinese influences with Indian curries and Malaysian coconut milk, fish paste, and tamarind seeds, Penang's unforgettable cuisine can quickly become addictive.
The restaurant's "Indonesian hut"-inspired interior adds to the adventure of experiencing food that's not very familiar to most Americans.
If you're coming for dinner before a show on the weekend, keep in mind that this restaurant tends to be quite popular and can get very crowded, so time your visit accordingly. Lunch also draws crowds. On weekday evenings, you'll usually (but not always) find smaller crowds and faster service.
City Place Food Court $ Fast Food
 Across Stuart Street from the W Hotel Boston; intersection of Boylston, Charles, and Stuart Streets, Theatre District, Boston
You know how it goes . . . you have great tickets and you totally intend to dine in splendor before the show at one of the terrific Theatre District restaurants . . . but somehow your schedule slips and you have only 10 minutes before the curtain goes up to grab a bite and you're starving . . . so where to go?
The Food Court in City Place in the mammoth Massachusetts Transportation Building at the Stuart Street / Charles Street intersection bordering Park Square is quite a good option.
 You'll find pedestrian malls leading into City Place space from both Stuart Street (across from the W Hotel Boston) and Boylston Street (look down "The Alley," an interior courtyard space lined with a few nightspots, bars, and a private theater club).
Another entrance can also be found on the Charles Street side of the building near the parking lot, although it's a little harder to spot. Look for the huge "Public Parking" sign above the garage entrance, and just to the left of it, you'll see the much smaller blue "City Place" signs marking the entrance beneath them.
The Food Court is about the same as what you'd find in any shopping mall, but the interior space is actually very appealing and worth a quick visit even if you're not starving and in need of fast food. With a Dunkin Donuts as part of the Food Court mix, you may even want to stop by for coffee after the show.
The Transportation Building itself was designed by Boston's famous Goody, Clancy & Associates architecture firm and built in 1983 during the City of Boston's first stage of revitalizing the Park Square area.
Downtown restaurants near the
Boston Theater District
Teatro $$$ Italian
177 Tremont St; Downtown, adjacent to Theatre District; 617-778-6841; www.teatroboston.com
 Chef-owner Jamie Mammamo serves classic Italian dishes with a modern twist in this spectacular bistro overlooking Boston Common at the edge of the Theatre District.
Restaurants don't usually compete with the theaters for drama - but Teatro stages its own show with an elegant arched mosaic ceiling and open kitchen. However, the ambiance is somewhat casual and relaxed, so you can enjoy great food in a comfortable setting.
You can start with cold or hot small plates meant for sharing - grilled octopus, wild mushroom risotto, truffled deviled eggs, marinated olives, proscuitto with figs.
Then progress to pizza, half or full portions of pasta, or main courses, such as braised pork shank with mashed garnet yams or chicken Milanese. Truffle fries with parmigiano are not to be missed!
Desserts, especially the chocolate semifreddo with meringue and caramel coffee sauce, are worth somehow saving room for. Or stop by after the theater for drinks and dessert.
You'll find a nice wine list of mostly Italian choices, many of which may be new to you. Teatro buys wines specifically to compliment their menu, so ask your server for suggestions.
Takeout is available . . . so if you're staying in a nearby hotel and want a special in-room snack after a show, a good strategy is to place your order in advance and then zoom by as soon as the performance ends to pick it up, head back to your room, and enjoy.
Teatro is considered to be one of Boston's best Italian restaurants - as well as one of the most popular Theatre District restaurants.
Troquet $$$$ French
140 Boylston; Downtown, adjacent to Theatre District; 617-695-9463; www.troquetboston.com
When you want a special romantic meal before heading to the theater, Troquet's fabulous French cuisine may be just the ticket.
Feast on the freshest New England specialties prepared with classic French techniques in the 2nd floor dining room overlooking Boston Common. Or stop by the first floor Wine Bar for an enjoyable drink before or after the show.
Not enough time for a full meal? Order Troquet's mouth-watering cheese platter. Troquet is considered one of the best french restaurants in Boston.
Park Square restaurants
Park Square occupies a small restaurant-filled nugget of downtown Boston bounded by Arlington, Stuart, Charles, and Boylston Streets.
The venerable Park Plaza Hotel and luxe Four Seasons - both with their own high-end eateries and bars - occupy Arlington Street, looking out over the Public Garden. Cross Arlington Street and you'll be in Back Bay. Cross Stuart Street and you'll discover tranquil Bay Village. Cross Charles Street - and voila, you're in the Theatre District.
Restaurants of all types converge here with easy proximity to Boston's theaters to make Park Square prime territory for finding just the right spot for your pre- and post-theater dining.
Interestingly, Park Square is home to a number of national and local chain restaurants, which in general do not dominate the Boston restaurant scene. If you long for the familiarity of a chain restaurant, Park Square is where you may find it.
Avila $$$ Mediterranean
1 Charles Street South (at Stuart St intersection), Park Square - Downtown; 617-267-4810; www.avilarestaurant.com
 Avila's menu is loaded with treats from countries surrounding the Mediterranean.
You could make an entire meal (I'm always tempted to) from the small plates - goat cheese croquettes, Kobe beef meatballs, moussaka, dates with blue cheese and Serrano ham.
Or combine some of these small plates with first course dishes - corn soup with lobster, fois gras with sour cherries and brioche points, onion soup.
Or try one of the yummy pastas (if you can pass up the fettuccini carbonara with butter-poached lobster, you have more will power than I do).
But if that's not enough choice, progress to the main courses - succulent seafood, beef, pork, and lamb options - plus paella, souvlaki, and other Mediterranean specialties. Vegetarians will love the truffle mac and cheese, plus many other veggie and cheese options throughout the menu.
Avila also offers a 5-course chef's menu and wine pairing options. A special pre-theater dinner menu means that it ably competes with closer Theatre District restaurants.
Maggiano's Little Italy $$$ Italian
4 Columbus Ave, Park Square; www.maggianos.com
Magianno's Little Italy is part of a national chain. After one taste of the delicious sauce, you'll understand why it's so popular.
Start with one of the hearty appetizers, and you may be so full that you have to proceed straight to dessert.
The baked four cheese ravioli, the jumbo lump crab cakes, and the Tuscan mussels are all fabulous. To get a taste of all the options, order a bombalina platter.
Pasta choices at Maggiano's Boston include everything you might long for. The linguini and clams with white clam sauce, made with fresh clams and fresh herbs, is especially wonderful.
The lasagnas, raviolis, and eggplant parmesan will make you realize that you need to come back a few more times to eat your way through more of the menu.
And then among entrees, you'll find such Maggiano's restaurant favorites as veal picatta, chicken Marsala, and shrimp with garlic and diavolo sauce.
At this point, you'd better start planning carefully if you're going to have any dessert. Italian treats such as spumoni (pistachio, chocolate, and cherry ice cream) and tiramisu await those who can eat just a little more.
Details
Closest T station to restaurants (except where noted): Green Line/Boylston
Parking: Boston parking garages near Theatre District and Chinatown
Some of the restaurants do offer valet parking - but expect to pay as much as $30+.
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