Ahsatta9, the theater! One of the many great reasons to live in this city, despite the horrors. Especially in the doldrums of late autumn, there’s nothing better than getting gussied up to see a show. (I know, I know, people wear sweatpants to the theater now. I refuse!)

The perfect pre-show dinner near the nexus of theaters is something I seek out year-round. Technically speaking, the theater district is actually a pretty small neighborhood, so I’m fudging the borders a bit to get you the best possible recommendations. Pre-Broadway and off-Broadway dining is a necessity for visitors seeing shows and New Yorkers hosting tourists around the holidays. There are always plenty of factors at play: sundry groups, mixed ages, options that range from standing-room-only taco shops to baller steakhouses.

Behold, some Midtown spots within a nonpanicky distance from the marquees that will get you to your show on time with that “just-ate-something-delicious” glow.

ImageMidtown’s Yakitori Totto is a sure-thing dinner walkable to all of the major Broadway theaters.Credit...Heather Willensky for The New York TimesCrowd-pleasing skewers

Right in the center of the Broadway show action is a place for truly everyone: Yakitori Totto, a Japanese skewer spot that’s kind of a show in its own right. Enter the bustling, very narrow second-floor room and you’ll be completely swept up by the smell of grilled meats (hope you don’t mind that smell lingering on your clothes). It’s totally fine for kids, and even better for couples, so you can sit at the bar and watch the chefs grill skewers of kalbi, yakionigiri, oyster mushrooms, and shishito peppers stuffed with seasoned ground chicken.

251 West 55th Street (Eighth Avenue)

ImagePure, unadulterated New York glamour is always available at Le Rock in Rockefeller Center.Credit...Heather Willensky for The New York Times

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