Ellen's Stardust Diner

Ellen's is an amazing experience, the food is alright, the coffee is good. The pudding are great! But you're visiting here for the experience and it really really is awesome! Your waiter or waitress gets you involved in the action (but they dont make you sing!), and the whole experience is very interactive, you feel like you're in a show!

The food is not good. Presentation is normal'ish but the food is a huge letdown. Did we know before going the food was bad? Yes. BUT we went because people said my pre-teen daughter would love it. She did not. They weren't packed at 7am, and service took WAY too long. Atmosphere was fun but definitely felt dirty. I love the vintage look, and glad we can say we went but, definitely not again.

My friend knew in her heartsoul that I would absolutely love this place, and she was so right. It was an incredible experience, so much talent to enjoy and fun to be had! The food was AMaZINg, fresh n hot coffee, and adorable memorabilia. The rainbow bagel was so beautiful, I almost didn’t eat it. Our waiter, Sean, was on top of everything and I literally cried when he totally nailed Waving Through a Window from Dear Evan Hansen! The staff sang hits from Rent, Wicked, Lady Gaga, Benson Boone, Wicked and more, all while providing exceptional service to a full house. It was utterly fabulous and magical and I will always make a point to go there when I visit NYC. It is a must-go experience and the food is great with lots of options. A Theatre District Gem thespians and fans will no doubt enjoy and love. I got the Salmon and Lox bagel and it was creamy and fresh and perfect. Make sure to tip your waitress/waiter, not just because they deserve it but because they earn it! They pass around a bucket to help with acting/singing classes too so show some support for local artist and stars in the making. 🌟👏Thank you, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, I love you! 💗 I’m seriously tearing up just thinking about how much fun we had. 🥲🥹🤩✨

What a wonderful EXPERIENCE. The waiters and waitresses are living their dreams of singing on Broadway. Children’s menu. Food is as expected. Very family friendly but great for adult get together too. Think diner meets a Broadway show. Will be back but next time with the kids!

This was such a fun experience! We were visiting on vacation and chose this place because it was close to the theater we were going to. The waiters take turns singing songs from Disney, Hamilton, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, and more. The environment was very family friendly as well. We ate the Alfredo pasta and Vodka pasta, and finished off with scoops of cookie dough ice cream (it was so soft and creamy!). They do ask for donations for the performers since there is no formal cover charge for this incredible entertainment. 12/10 🌟 would absolutely go again!

Great food, exciting entertainment by your own servers! I would highly recommend this 50 style restaurant if you’re looking for something unique in a very unique city!<br><br>We stopped in for breakfast. Catching the restaurant just a few minutes after it’s opening. There were plenty of seats for our larger group of seven, but our host quickly pointed out that the place can fill up very quickly during the rush-hour, especially over lunch and dinner in between Broadway shows playing nearby. Everyone stopping by and leaving a post has certainly already mentioned the fact that this place is known for its servers who are trying to make it on Broadway. Enjoying the variety of songs, which can be requested is more than enough reason to check this place out.<br><br>I would like to talk about the food…<br><br>I thought the food was excellent. My family got a little bit of everything. My daughter’s bagel sandwich, which included a rainbow swirl in the dough of the bagel tasted amazing, they made our eggs to perfection. The poached eggs that my wife and I enjoyed (Eggs Benedict) were perfectly cooked outer white egg layer surrounding a perfectly runny egg yolk on the inside-just like they should be.<br><br>The baked goods like waffles and bagels were very tasty, freshly made, and we enjoyed by those who ordered them. My family enjoyed the coffee, despite the busy environment, my hat is off to both the servers and the chefs who prepared everything quickly and made it to perfection. Thank you.

I was on my first trip to New York City and my cousin wanted to go to this place. We walked from our hotel as it wasn't too far.<br><br>There was a line but it moved along pretty quickly. We didn't wait much longer than 20 to 25 minutes... but we also went on a weekday, earlier in the evening for dinner, which helped with our shorter wait time.<br><br>We were seated on the upper level, which was like a diner, counter type seating... which we actually liked better as it gave us a great view of the performances by the staff!<br><br>A lot of the staff if not all are Broadway performers working until they get offered gigs on Broadway... which was fun about this place! The entertainment was worth the trip alone... and I would say the food was actually pretty decent...<br><br>I got chicken and waffles and besides not being able to finish it all, it tasted great to me. The others in my party liked their meals as well... which was a club sandwich, and chicken tenders... they also got shakes which were very good!<br><br>The guy I sat next to was nice too... everyone at the restaurant was just there to have a good time, so I had fun conversations with the people next to me.<br><br>The staff and performers were awesome and fun and nice! They also told us they had recently lost 8 servers to Broadway musicals, which is their goal... and it also felt great to support the performers there too and to see them along in their theatrical journeys!<br><br>I highly recommend trying this place... my only caution is to pay attention to your bill as they automatically add gratuity to your bill... but unless you read it, most people would just add gratuity not realizing (I think it was 18% or 20%) was already added... so I didn't leave an additional tip on top of that as we also gave the staff their own tip when they brought Phillip the Bucket around, which any money donated to that goes to helping them fulfill their Broadway dreams by getting headshots or other things they need... that money is dispersed to them, strictly for that purpose... so that's my only caution is that you are already tipping on your bill, so pay attention to that!<br><br>Otherwise, I don't have any complaints and the staff was great and I wish them the best!

When people explain to you a true New York experience, but you can’t quite understand or comprehend the power of it until you experience it for yourself….this one is it!<br><br>The atmosphere, the singing, the service, the food, the environment; all 10/10!<br><br>So many places that are known as “tourist attractions” truly end up a lackluster and disappointing experience. However, Stardust proved otherwise. From the portions of the food to the taste of each dish, we were all thoroughly impressed. We would definitely come back to visit!<br><br>Furthermore, for anybody who is thinking about coming here… when you do, make sure to have the mac & cheese triangles. They were incredible.

Visited about 7pm on a weekday and were seated straight away. Not all tables have views of the main singing area but there are screens to view and many of the songs are sung upstairs so everyone gets a great view and experience.<br>The food is definitely on the more expensive side but is so tasty and really good sized portions, the waffle fries in particular were fantastic!<br>Obviously the staff/performers are amazing, every hour they do go round asking for donations/tips which can feel a bit pressured but the staff do work really hard and you’re constantly entertained!<br>It’s such a unique concept for a diner but it works so well, especially if you don’t get chance to see a show when in the city. Merchandise is also available near the entrance.

Great experience! Great singers!<br>One thing is though. There is a 20% tip added automatically onto the total but also every hour the send a bucket round for extra tips too.<br>Food was great! Line was long but as we were only a party of 2 we got in quicker as a table became available.

Absolut begeistert! Das Essen war sehr lecker und die singenden Kellner sind ein echtes Highlight, aufmerksam, herzlich und mit einer tollen Atmosphäre. Preislich nicht ganz günstig, aber für das Erlebnis absolut gerechtfertigt. Klare Empfehlung!<br><br>Absolutely amazing experience!<br>The food was really delicious and exceeded our expectations.<br><br>What truly makes this place special are the singing waiters. They are incredibly talented, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They consistently checked in, made sure everything was perfect, and created a unique and memorable atmosphere.<br><br>Prices are not the cheapest in New York, but definitely fair for what you get. Especially considering the entertainment factor. You’re not just paying for food, but for a full experience.<br><br>Highly recommended if you’re looking for something fun and different in NYC!

We came here because several friends recommended it, and we were not disappointed. 🤩 The young singing servers are incredibly talented—we wish them all the best and a successful career on Broadway! 🎶 It was a great experience. ✨ The food was okay, but these young people are definitely the highlight of the visit. 🌟 That's why we're giving it 5 stars. 💖🙏❤️

Pretty fun and chill vibes, can't belive I've never been here before! got here before 6pm on a weekday night and waited in line for about 20 minutes, it's easier to get seats for 2 but fine with groups of 4 as well (party of 6 might have longer wait time), the waiters and waitresses will take turns singing which is cool, it's fun seeing the same person taking your orders all of a sudden singing on stage and they were all really good! Food was decent and pricing is average/normal and not overly priced (reasonable in times square), they'll bring a tip bucket around midway to collect tips, and then at the end you'll get 20% tip added to your bill. We spent around $50+ a person. Overall I'd recommend checking the place out if you haven't been there.

MLK Weekend 2026: My daughter & I visited for our 1st NYC trip & her 18th Birthday! What a fabulous experience! Great entertainment, service, & food! The line to wait was LONG, but the time it took to get seated was relatively QUICK! Probably 30 people deep in line, sat within 15 minutes! Hope to go back & take friends & family!

What a fun place to have a meal! The long line to get inside is definitely justified -- and don't be daunted because the waiting isn't as long as it may look. Inside you enter a buzz of activity and entertainment. Non-stop singing by a talented wait staff makes for a memorable meal. And the food is pretty darn good. We enjoyed burgers and sandwiches for lunch and the portions were large and tasty Overall, an incredibly fun experience and a can't miss if you are visiting NYC.