Table for Two: Real-Life Broadway Couples (and a Pair of Costars) Share Their Favorite Date Night Spots

There is something undeniably magical about New York City. It’s a place where a single encounter, a shared taxi, or a chance meeting can change everything. This city us built on connections, a theme currently being celebrated nightly on stage at the Longacre Theatre in the new musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

But for the stars who call Broadway home, the real magic often happens after the final curtain call. Whether they are celebrating a milestone or enjoying a rare, shared evening off, these theatre couples know the city’s best corners for a romantic escape.

We caught up with four theatre couples (and one pair of co-stars) who know a thing or two about love to find out where they head to before or after the shows.

Hunter Foster and Jennifer Cody: Foodance (468 W. 47th St)

Foster: “We love Foodance. It’s a wonderful little Italian restaurant on 47th Street between 9th and 10th with authentic Italian cuisine.”

Cody: “Chef Cesare Vangeli not only cooks the food, but he tap dances as well! It has a nice romantic atmosphere, and last year for Valentines Day, Italian singers sang love songs from the piano. Great food and great service.”

Foster: “It’s a wonderful night out!”

Kelli O'Hara (upcoming on Broadway in Fallen Angels) and Greg Naughton: Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St)

O'Hara: “For our first date, Greg planned the whole thing. We went to a great little place called The Great Jones Pub to eat (which is sadly closed) but then headed to the place I want to feature: Joe’s Pub. It’s where we went to see Greg’s friend, Phoebe Snow, sing. It was my first intro to the wonderful Joe’s Pub. Drinks and a show surrounded by twinkly lights. Every time I sing there or attend a show there, I always think about that first date. It was December 13, 2002, the first day of the rest of my life.”

Naughton: “Joe’s Pub was already a favorite hotspot… but it wasn’t until my first date with Kelli there that it became a sentimental favorite and somewhere I’m always happy to be. Quite pleased that not only our marriage has flourished all these years—but so has Joe's as a mainstay for great talent, and excellent first dates.” 

Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey: ABC Kitchen (35 E.18th St)

Lindsay: “One of our favorite restaurants in NYC is ABC Kitchen!”

Massey: “This was often our date night place when we first started dating. We love the farm to table menu and the atmosphere in the restaurant.”

Lindsay: “It’s yummy, trendy and felt fancy to us which made the evening special. Highly recommend!”

Drew Gehling and Julia Mattison (composer of Death Becomes Her): Elea (217 W. 85th St)

Mattison: “We love a date night at Elea! It’s cozy neighborhood spot on the upper west side, with delicious Greek and Mediterranean food, as it’s been a go to for us on lots of special occasions.”

Gehling: “We highly recommend splitting the short rib youvetsi as cozy winter meal.”

Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty (Costars in the currently running Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)): Dutch Fred’s (307 West 47th St)

“Our go-to spot is Dutch Fred's. We love heading there when we need to unwind and connect. The hostess has become our Midtown fairy godmother and we love them!”

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