Ellen's Stardust Diner Reviews

Ellen’s is a tourist place but well worth visiting. Four meals including 4 Pepsi’s and a couple of deserts came to 250 dollars. The only negative for me is the constant hawking for “donations” to the singers - the MC literally comes around with a bucket and sticks it under your nose. MC makes a point of constantly saying on the microphone “this isn’t a tip for your food, this is for dance, singing, drama lessons” etc etc. A bit of a pressurised hard sell. Singers/servers are amazing though - very talented. Food was lovely. Just a shame about the hard sell every 30 minutes.

So yes the atmosphere is great! It’s great to see the waiters doing the show But The meal is quite expensive $25 a Burger In short has three drinks without taxes 100€ But in addition They come by with a bucket to tip the waiters! On a Friday at 11:15 am, we waited 20 min And in 40 minutes, we were done! I am not convinced and the meal is not very good

Came here for lunch and didn’t have to queue, friendly and quick service, singing waitstaff which all the kids around us seemed to love. Really busy and lively, quite expensive but the food was okay. Merchandise on sale which was quite pricey too.

I visited with three friends one of whom lived in New York for 18 years and was a little worried that this was just a tourist trap. In spite of this we all had a good time. I read the reviews about bad food but we all enjoyed what we ordered. My avocado toast was delicious. The service was good and we were fortunate that the diner was not crowded at all and we didn’t have to wait. I enjoyed the singing waitstaff but only jarring note was the constant requests for money for voice lessons and dance lessons.

Queued up for this because was recommended for experience of it. Waste of time. DO NOT LET THEM TAKE YOU TO BASEMENT DOWNSTAIRS! So dirty. Food is rotten. Service is terrible. The staff are more concerned about singing in mic than they are about getting order correct. Ordered chilli nachos and was served with chilli sauce and no nachos. They then decided to serve a plate of nachos once sauce was ate. Then for main a burger which the meat was red in the middle. Sent it back to then be served again with pink meat. I refused to eat it so they didnt charge. Altho charged $38 for tip and $14 tax. Floor was so dirty. Will NEVER be bk. Worst ever I've been to in N.Y

Truly a unique experience and suggestive food in the average classic American, fair prices, but magical environment, really super recommended

A very touristic place with great atmosphere and good service but you pay a lot compared to the quality of the food. I can't say it's a must (as it was said to us) but for sure we spent there happy moments of my holiday in NY!

Really fun and interesting, the food was good too, definitely abit expensive but it’s a great experience! Definitely recommend this place.

101 euros for a normal hamburger with chips, a normal sandwitch with chips, a cheesecake and 2 beers. I think this will be our second and last time. In the first (year 2018) everything had been great: sparkling environment, waiters/singers one better than the other, great food, songs to sing at the top of their voices, no hurry, total spending $70. This time everything is exactly the opposite: mediocre food, mediocre waiters/singers, semi-unknown songs, dull environment, a constant pressure to make you order again or make you leave and, in fact, a $101 bill. Too bad.... They had created a jewel, in a year or two it will no longer exist.

Must-see! We must go! We went there one night. The meal is ok with affordable rates. But you have to go for the amazing Mood. Real singers with a lot of talent. It's festive! a pleasure. I highly recommend it.

The place is a bit unique and atypical. A place where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner with waiters who turn into singers. It’s very nice. My wife had taken pancakes that turned out to be a little too hearty. My Benedictine eggs were very good. In the end ours remains salty 80 usd breakfast for two. I don't know if the magic of Broadway is worth this price!!

Spent New Years Eve here with my family, it was fantastic from start to finish, food was great, cocktails were fabulous as were all the team that looked after us and entertained us for 5hrs, when I booked this I was hesitant as it’s really pricey but it’s so worth it! You definitely get what you pay for. If I had to be super critical, allot of attendees were from the UK, although there were instructions on how to get there (in light of road NYE street closure's) there wasn’t a representative to help us, as stated and it was slightly stressful making our way there. Other than that it was a truly fantastic way to ring in the New Year! Thank you to all the stardust team x

We stumbled on this place and glad we did! The waitstaff sings while they are working and they are very good. We heard show tunes, classics, and modern day songs. The food was average but the entertainment value is priceless!

My husband and I chose Stardust diner for our first meal out while in New York. It being a weekday, we weren’t sure what to expect. The entertainment didn’t disappoint! Jen and Isaac both knocked their performances out of the park! They both will likely go far in their career interests! Our meals were cooked to order and served relatively quickly! The restaurant WAS busy at the time we were there… so a slight delay was acceptable. That’s where the good news stops! After our food was served, our waiter COMPLETELY disappeared. I’ve no idea if he clocked out, went home, went on a break, got hurt, got sick, or what! I literally had to ask 4 times (and 4 different people) for our check. When it was finally given to me…. I STILL had to ask, after another 10ish minutes if I needed to pay from my seat or go elsewhere. We never received an apology for the lack of communication/service but… I sure hope they are grateful for the honest paying customers. We definitely could’ve just got up and walked out! Likely my biggest issue is with the staff passing the bucket and ‘asking for tips’ over and above what they earn for waiting tables. I do understand they are trying to ‘make it’ on broadway… but passing the bucket around 3 times in less than an hour is quite excessive & VERY unnecessary!

Few recommendations to the establishment: - should consider getting water, coffee carafe and toast on the table immediately upon arrival if guests are going to wait 20 minutes just for water - guests will actually consider donating to the servers careers if they’re having a positive dining experience (I did not choose to donate because our experience was very poor) - consider having more support staff to help the servers and check in on tables Was really looking forward to this and it’s a shame they prioritized the musical experience over the service given this is a restaurant at the end of the day and we arrived very hungry. So hungry that we almost left after waiting just to give our order. In the end we enjoyed the music but that was pretty much it.

Super fun cafe. We had breakfast and we all thought the food was good. Our waiter was great. Food comes out quick. Singer were good, was wishing for better songs, more mainstream Broadway. It was probably just an odd time. Enjoyed it , glad we went.

Typical visit in New York recommended on all pages. They're bartenders singing, yes, but we go the expensive and bad food, poor quality meat and all the fat possible. You can go if you like macaroni burgers with cheese sauce, fat to quantity.

The queue was short, and the singers great , but the food was awful , it was entertaining but by the end was glad to leave, would not repeat or recommend.

After 25 minutes we got a table downstairs. You're sitting very close together. Ambiance is definitely there, Food is very mediocre. However, what struck me was that it was a messy lot at the bar. You can't sit around for a while either. Eat, pay and make way for the waiting people. After dinner, I went upstairs to the bathroom. Only then did you see how dirty it is in there. The stairs, ground and yes also the toilet. Good to experience this hype once but that's it.

Soooo much fun! The Broadway singing while eating was so unique and the staff is so very talented. I could have just sat there for another hour just to listen to the performances. The food was pretty good too. We waited an hour because they don't take reservations, but so worth it!

A really unusual place to spend an unforgettable evening and leave with stars full of eyes! Sometimes it takes patience to get in, but like three years ago, we were lucky to get a table after just 15 minutes waiting. If you are looking for a quiet restaurant, this is clearly not the place. However, if you want to live an extraordinary experience, surrounded by real artists who are also your servers, then don’t hesitate a second! Mood is crazy, decibels high – as is the incredible talent of singers who perform songs from all eras. Customers willingly participate, sing, clap their hands... and we have not been asked to do the same! On the kitchen side, it is a typical American food, with generous portions. It’s not gastronomy, but after a long day of walking, it’s perfectly acceptable and tasty. A huge bravo to the artists for their energy and talent. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is the perfect place for a totally crazy and joyful evening!

The place is really atypical and the animation of the servers singing is great. On the other hand, on the food side it is okay without + for a relatively high price. I know New York can be expensive but when the value for money is good you accept. This is not the case. Fortunately the “show” and vintage decor compensate.

What they lack in food quality they MORE than make up for in talent and enthusiasm. We feel as though we got to go to TWO shows on Broadway...not just one.

This experience was a disappointment. The performances were hired karaoke singers. Waitstaff did nothing out of the ordinary, and their service was below average. This diner was dirty inside and needs a good cleaning. Food was mediocre diner fare but pricey. Host was not friendly. This place is too busy to care about pleasing customers, but they have a big name so tourists keep coming.

A MUST if you are in New York. Super singers who also make the service great. The kitchen is great too. A typical American diner with plenty of choice.

Went after recommended, turned up at 9am didn’t have to queue - full downstairs Given a table upstairs asked to move as seated crammed between tables. Server was nice, menu plentiful. Service slow. Fly in drink - replaced and was not charged. We had omelette, pancakes, bacon & eggs and French toast. Good sized portion. Tata tots pure grease unfortunately. Food was okay. Place its self seemed grimy, toilets not clean and just a bit run down. Singers good, although very loud so expect that if going, we couldn’t hear each other over it. We received a filthy look after not putting into the singers contribution bucket it was an expose ration rather than a choice which is what was made out. Was made to feel uncomfortable. The breakfast was $120 for 4 of us and a 20% tip was automatically added - we changed it to 10% as not impressed with the place, attitudes and cleanliness. Server was lovely. Over rated would not recommend. Great as a novelty but not worth the price.

A unique place in NYC - a really special atmosphere when waiters turn into singers (with an amazing voice) We had chocolate chip pancakes and they were delicious! I highly recommend this place, even if there is continually a queue to get home!

Good fun and you cannot fault the service and entertainment. Really fun and friendly vibe. The breakfast is quite expensive but having said that, the portions are huge! Didn't even eat half of my cinnamon pancakes! You might also be there when the staff come round with a bucket to tip the staff (who are also the performers) which is fair enough - they said this pays for their acting/singing/dancing lessons to make it on broadway.

A very famous place in NYC near Times Square; A very special diner where the waiters perform with songs, and they are really very good. The menu is written only in English; The staff is very friendly and nice If you want to go, you have to wait in line outside. As costs, we took, a plate of pasta and a hamburger with chips about $76, say for what it offers (the show) and NYC prices is normal ..

$220 for 2 burgers, a salad of lettuce and bread and a plate of pasta and 4 watered beers. Very loud volume. Tourist scam

Disappointing experience in every respect. The staff were unkind from the start, with cold and hasty attitudes. The food was mediocre: the worst burger ever eaten in NYC, especially considering the prices are way too high for what is on offer. The most unpleasant feeling, however, was that the only real goal of this place was to squeeze the customer in every possible way. I understand a request for the show offered, but during dinner (which lasted not even 30 min) we were asked to tip four times, a really embarrassing and out of place situation. After each performance the boys passed by with the tip bucket asking INSISTENTLY a tip for the staff, a gratuity of 20% was added to the account (which made the bill rise already large) as well as requiring an additional tip when making the payment. Upon our request to remove the tip for the bad experience, our server treated us badly, RIPPING THE receipt from our hands and THROWING the copy behind us. It was a shameful scene. A person of bad taste, ill-advised and aggressive that everything should do except work in contact with people. I do not recommend it: poor quality, unprofessionalism and too much insistence on drawing money.

To all the singers and actors who bring so much heart and joy to their work — my hat’s off to you. If you’re in NYC, make time to visit Stardust, where the waiters sing as they serve. In fact, eight performers were scooped up for a Broadway show this year! With all the disruption that AI brings, it was such a wonderful moment to see humans at their best, doing what they love most. Bravo!

This is my three visit to the Stardust diner, spaning over 15 years. However, this time I was disappointed with the food.

Neat experience. Food was good. A little pricey. If you are alone ask to sit at the bar, you will be seated quicker. No need to stand in line. The singing waiters are a plus. Your tip is added to the ticket but you can ask for it to be removed.

Great service from our server, Zach, really tasty food, all singing acts that we heard were great, very entertaining staff

The amazing food, the magnificent artists and the movie atmosphere. 100% recommended. It was a surprise because I didn’t know where we were going and to be able to enjoy the talents of the main artists of Broadway musicals was amazing.

!They decided to included 20% of 'gratuity' by themself! No one asking nothing about that. It's NOT LEGAL -> 20% is not a mandatory fee, but rather the typical amount people choose to tip. It’s a kind of scam. I assure you it's not worth it

The best location for musical theatre lovers in manhattan! The food was incredible, with options for everyone, but the atmosphere was even better! Some of the best singers I’ve ever heard live, the best around!!!

Stopped in with friends while visiting NYC. What a great place! Loved the entertainment. Everyone was amazing! Food was good. Loved the home made hash. Must try!

I thought it was a place only appearance and instead surprised me positively for the Quality of food. Service a bit so but there can be since while you need maybe your waiter is singing in the middle of the room but it would take a little more attention to the customer. For the rest a very characteristic place in which to spend a nice evening and eat well.

So we queued for 45 minutes down the side of the restaurant which acted like a wind tunnel. This is a normal time length to queue so be aware. We went inside and we sat upstairs in a booth. Prompt service and the meal came quite quickly. Decent portions but the quality was lacking, they do waffle fries with just about everything. Then the singing. Well some are good some aren't, clearly trying to hang on by fingertips to the dream of Broadway. The host asked for money in his "bucket" he brought round twice while we were in there, for the singers, who are also your table staff so get a tip anyway. This put us off as it's just a glorified buskers cafe. Would we go again no. Everything about the place was bang average at best. An Italian called The Olive Garden is around the corner, much better.

Does what it says on the tin! Let's face it you're not visiting for the gourmet food, if you're going here for fun, music and diner style food, then this is the place. We went as a family of 4 at 11am and waited 20 minutes or so to get in. Once in the service was fairly quick. The food was fine and the kids loved the singing waiters, more fun than a regular diner and worth paying a little more. I had eggs Benedict which was very nice. Also treated myself to a birthday cocktail and the staff sang a birthday song to anyone celebrating their birthday that day. Definitely worth a visit but go with an open mind 🍹

What an atmosphere! We ordered our food and the service was quick. We went for the experience and not the food so was pleasantly surprised at the food. There was an amazing vibe. All of the waiters and waitresses were singing. At one point we thought the actual song was being played. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Wonderful breakfast with some fun entertainment. We arrived around 8am with a small line. It moved very quickly and we were seated in no time. Server Jen was super friendly, food was yummy, and we enjoyed the entertainment a lot. Even at 8am they were ready to perform!

the singers were really good & so was the breakfast food we had eggs Benedict & a cinnamon bun pancakes would highly recommend and revisit

So glad we got to Ellen’s. We went at 4pm. There was a short wait for a table. Food options were great. Atmosphere was amazing. The singing wait staff were incredible. The perfect pre-show meal. The sweet potato fries were off the chart. We ordered extra. Our waiter was excellent and his performances were incredible. 100% recommend.

Awful Food sucks Singing is awful Prices are criminal The wait time is stupid because it sucks Starters came at the same time as main so couldn’t eat it all so left all the slop on the table CONSTANT begging for tips although no one deserves them And the songs suck I have no idea why the reviews seem good you have all been robbed

The food was very disappointing- churned up and well below basic standards. The service was so rude..”Cant you see how busy we are?” and “I’ve only got one set of hands!” It was more the hugely rude body language and eye balling that was given to me. Not to mention the look we got from the host when we didn’t give an additional ‘contribution’ towards the singers education!!! There were no aspects of this location that I would recommend, even when we asked to move seats for a better view- the restaurant was not busy at this time but was refused! The whole thing was unbelievably poor.

A different and interesting place to eat in New York, ideal if you are in the Times Square area. It is a theme restaurant where the bartenders themselves start singing live throughout the Service, performing songs from musicals with great enthusiasm and talent. The show is really beautiful and worth living at least once. Attention is rather slow, but it makes sense: the waiters are constantly preparing to sing and be part of the show, which makes the rhythm of Service more leisurely. As for the food, it is quite normal, with hearty but fair quality portions: more focused on quantity than taste. We ordered a burger, and while it wasn’t the best part of the trip, the Mood makes up for it. One detail to keep in mind: if you don’t want dessert, you’ll immediately be handed the bill, which can make the experience feel a little rushed. We went around 10 o’clock at night and, to our surprise, we didn’t have to wait for anything to sit down: we went in immediately.

The food is not top and the prices are a bit high but the experience is to be had once here in New York!! Obviously, as in many other popular places, there is a bit of a queue.

Dined here on our recent holiday to NYC as my wifes pick for breakfast. It does what it says on the tin - it serves food whilst the waiter sing. The food was good, but perhaps a little average and over priced, but I get that for the experience. Singers were good, they just didn't sing all of the time, there were some long gaps between singers so we didn't catch too many songs during our breakfast. My only complaint however is the waitress who tried to publicly shame me for "not tipping enough" when they came round with the tip bucket. I get it, it's USA and tipping is customary. I'd already paid the bill with the 20% tip on top, so chucked a few dollars into the bucket when she came round. She then took a look, looked back at me and said "we'd usually ask for around a $20 tip, as this is split between at least 20 singers". I said to her that's the only change I had, she then gets the card machine out of her pocket! I said I've tipped on the bill, her answer "that's a service charge for the meal, this is tips for the singers".... A very awkward scenario created, especially since she'd previously said on the microphone that they're not just singers, they are working waiters who sing. Puts you, a paying customer paying their hard earned money in an awkward situation. I'd recommend it, for the experience, but just expect to be paying over the odds for what it's worth, and look out for the double tipping - and hopefully the staff don't try and shame you.

Went here as part of entertainment stop and dinner for evening bus stop in NYC. Live entertainment performers dance and sing above crowd on counter while awaiting & enjoying your meal. Too loud for me. Food served not hot. Consider other venues. Poor seat views facing wall exist…so watch where seated.

We got here for 8am and were seated straight away (we expected to wait in line). We were really excited to visit as we’d heard all about the singing wait staff. All in all, I’m glad we went as it was a unique experience but the singing is the best part (and some are better than others). The service was really not great - our waiter didn’t check on us once and I was desperately trying to get a coffee refill. On top of this, we had the host go around asking for more tips. I did give and I did tip on top of that but felt it was a lot for what we actually got.

Wow!! Loved this place !! Visiting from UK and had heard about it - we went for breakfast - no queue , music from the moment we arrived - great performers loved it so much- well Done to all of you !!! Food good diner food - staff are what make this place

We visited the diner for breakfast and dinner and were pleased with our dining experiences. The food isn’t the best and the prices are quite expensive, but the thing is, you’re paying for the whole experience. Talented singers performing during the dining experience is the big attraction. Some of the singers are excellent, others good, but definitely the appealing feature of the diner. The retro diner could definitely do with a refurbishment, looking tired in a number of areas. Lessings have managed the diner since the start up after Covid, maybe they need to reinvest some of their profit. No bookings are available and be prepared to queue, but in our opinion, worth the wait. Where you sit is the luck of the draw, we sat upstairs on both occasions, which was good to see what is going on, on both levels. The food was good on both occasions we visited, good sized portions and no complaints. Plastic glasses for drinks was a small negative. On the whole, a great experience and worth a visit.

This was on our daughter's today listvwilst visiting NY. We arrived and had to queue outside, didn't take long to get a table. When we were sat, our waiter took our order and our food and drinks didn't make long to arrive. The atmosphere inside was brilliant, waiters were taking it in turns to sing (and they were amazing) Having read other reviews I was expecting the good to be ok but we were all pleasantly surprised how good it was, the deserts were huge! Yes the mc comes around with a bucket but we didn't feel pressured to tip and a 20% gratitude was added to the bill (which you can remove) Overall, we had a great night and enjoyed the singing and atmosphere inside.

This is the second time we have gone to Ellen’s the first time the food wasn’t that great, or edible, so we gave it a second try…… we decided to just try the $20.00 a piece chocolate milkshakes we received chocolate milk-ish in a metal cup. I was so disappointed do better

Really disappointed with Ellen's Stardust diner, u cannot go in there and just have a drink u ALL have to have something to eat. Portions were huge but quality of food was not the best and sooooo expensive. 90 dollars for a milkshake, coffee, pancakes sand tater tots!! Service not the best either very slow, got the impression it was all about how much money they could get out of you!! Far better diners out there, honestly don't waste your money!! Not worth the hype!

This experience ruined my trip to NYC. I have never been spoken to so rudely by a member of staff simply because I asked a question and they were apparently “not my server”. Rude, arrogant and disrespectful are just a few of the words I could use to describe this member of staff. The food was mediocre bordering on appalling and the constant requests for tips were laughable in view of the service and indeed the singing - there was perhaps one decent performance amongst the stream of talent show style karaoke we were subjected to. Tacky, fake and poor quality all round. Save your money and invest in the real artists and restaurants in the area.

Writing this about half hour after leaving as I need to get this out of my system. Positive - the singers. The end Negatives - food was overpriced ($33 for cold, tasteless parpadelle, $24 for thin slices of cold, clearly not Philly steak), terrible quality, cold and for the most part inedible. The biggest shame of all is the amazing talent that clearly serve (and I’m sure they know) dreadful food while having to be the face of it. Honestly cannot believe what I have just been to. I put $20 in the bucket as I believe this goes to the singers and hopefully not a dime to the kitchen staff. I refused to pay the additional tip added to the bill. However good this place used to be, they are a long way from it now sadly.

The place is exactly what you think, an American diner (with classic American dishes, nothing exceptional) where every waiter intersperses himself singing. The format is very funny and the singers are very good, you will get excited. Beware that as soon as you finish eating you will have the bill and you will have to leave, as it works in all US restaurants. Average prices. I queued about an hour to get in for dinner and they told me that at every hour of the day and night it is like this.

Ellen's Stardust Diner is a must-see experience on a trip to New York! We stayed here in May with the family and were amazed. It's a place out of the ordinary compared to the places that are around us. The food is classic American style, but the real magic is the Service with "show": the waiters sing live with incredible professionalism and skill. It feels like Broadway, but while you're eating dinner! The atmosphere is vibrant, fun and exciting. It is absolutely worth it to queue up and wait your turn to enjoy such a unique evening. If you're in New York, a visit here is a must. Go there and have fun!

A lot of hype with this restaurant and with the show, but it is not worth being 1.30h standing in line in the street to then see the waiters singing and asking for money every 3 songs. The food is no wonder, it is good but not much different from a fastfood you can find anywhere.

Spent so much time waiting for the meal that turned out to be average. Other than that, it wasn't a bad experience. Give it a go if you're looking for something fun to do.

Visited at the end of March, the restaurant was close to our hotel but we always saw queues in the afternoon/ evening! Breakfast always seemed ok. We were celebrating UK Mother’s Day so went on a Sunday evening. We got in the queue line at 19:25 and got in 1hr and 15 minutes later! Once we got to near the front they are calling out party numbers so beware you could go in front of others. Once seated our waiter was friendly and took our drink orders, I expected this place to be pricey and it is but you’re paying for the entertainment not the food etc. The restaurant in places is tired and could do with a little bit of TLC. The food is mediocre nothing special, the drinks are small and pricey! The entertainment was great and some of the performers were amazing especially Diana and Josh they stood out the most. The concept is cool and not ever been to somewhere like this but I think as a one off visit it’s fine. Our bill was over USD134 for two mains and 1 child mains and a drink each!! We didn’t have any additional drinks/ starters or anything! So beware it’s pricey but again you’re paying for the ‘show’.

Adorable restaurant with great perfomances from the servers. We were mesmerized with the server Gabriella S who gave the best performance ever!!!! The place is pure joy!

Local where the waiters are young emerging artists che.inframmezzano Service with show. Very good, they deserve an hour in a row for revenue. the typical American food not even well executed. However positive experience

We had a fantastic time here. We did have to wait quite a while to get in as some large groups had gone in shortly before, but it was well worth the wait. The staff were all great and wonderfully talented. The food was delicious and reasonably priced given the setting. The staff work really hard to keep you entertained and some of the performances were amazing. So glad we visited!!

Loved our second visit to Ellen’s. Food great & singing servers were brilliant. Line looked long and went past building entrance next door but the two of us only waited 7 mins so no issues. Well worth a visit in NYC!! Though I did see they’re charging $395 for NYE party!!

This is a fun place for the wait staff singers, who are talented, but the food is really bad. Very expensive though. The food quality brought the experience down, which is a shame because the singers are so good. Maybe only get drinks or dessert here and you’ll enjoy it more.

So much fun and the singing was great. Will be back. Food was large portions. Drinks were great. Our waiter Jacob is a talented singer and actor. We hope he makes it big soon.

Recommended to us by ba check in staff and certainly didn’t disappoint us it was truly fantastic we could of sat all day and just soaked the infectious atmosphere

Firstly I want to give the positive! Which is the singers are amazing and it has a great atmosphere. Unfortunately our visit was ruined by our server, who quite frankly, was the rudest person I’ve ever encountered. We queued for 45 mins. We were then given our table and menus and left. After 10 mins our server was talking the couple next to us and as she finished I called her but she did not hear so I lightly tapped her shoulder - she looked at me, then back at her arm, several times like I had stabbed her. She continued this until she got back to the car, it was absolutely absurd. She then delivered our drinks and asked if we were ready to order, I said not yet and she stormed off. She came back 5 mins later and we ordered a starter. She came to clear the plates and asked if we were ready to our our mains, we had been there approximately 15 mins. I said no not yet and she said well you have to order, I asked why and if there was a time limit on tables and she said well there is a queue we like to get people in and out within an hour! I explained I had queued and I wasn’t going to be rushed. She sent over the manager. He told me that there was no hour limit, she should not have said that. I explained how rude she had been and I was given a new server. The compere, Tyler, was great and had actually said several times that there was no time limit. Unfortunately, like most places in the states, they just want you in and out because they want as many tips as they can get. Our experience was ruined by this server and frankly she is in the wrong job.

It is a very nice place: places on the ground floor and upstairs where there is a balcony to watch the performances of the waiters. Good food. We had a very tasty burger with salad and tomatoes (served without sauces). Surely the meat was of good quality. The place is very very nice. Tipping is included nice bill

It's not worth it at all. Expensive, bad food and on top of that, you have to queue... Only performances are spared There are much better places to eat.

I had a grilled cheese with tomato and bacon and it was the most basic quality of food that you could imagine. Service was very slow and it wasn't due to my waiter singing. Some of the worst service I've ever had actually, and a 20% gratuity was auto added. What a complete disappointment.

Great interactive musical numbers from future broadway stars who provided amazing service to boot! Portions are large and table space is limited - keep that in mind when ordering. The Ruben is a great option here!

That's great! Experience to do absolutely. Don't let the line scare you because then you'll be gratified. Good food, good beer but above all very good singers.

We visited 3rd July. We queued for around 20mins which was fine and to be expected. When we got to our table I noticed the floor was sticky and the place looked a bit grubby and in need of some TLC. The singing waiters were very good however not one show tune was sang during our visit. I thought this place just did songs from broadway musicals? This made it feel more karaoke than a dinner show. The constant begging for tips was also a bit much, especially with the food prices being overinflated (to be expected due to the entertainment) The food however was very low quality for the price which is why it’s so annoying to be asked to pay even more in there form of tips. It was fun but I could have gone to a karaoke bar and paid a lot less. Bit of a tourist trap and rip off overall.

This was hands the low point of our trip to NYC! Long queue in the freezing cold , terrible service from a waitress who was no where to be found ! Cold substandard food on a cold plate ! I don’t think New Yorkers would eat here ! Please don’t be taken in by the hype ! It’s rubbish

There's a line outside the building for a reason...its a unique NYC experience in thr Theater district! The long extended a full block length when we arrived at 11:15am (opened at 11am), but the line moved quickly. We waited outside exactly 30 minutes for a party of 4 (parties of 2 were taken out of line and got in much quicker). Spent 75 minutes inside from being seated to paying. Meal was good--Yankee Doodle burger was a yummy choice! And of course, you cannot beat the entertainment of aspiring future Broadway performers!!! Lunch & a show; great time!

A must visit restaurant well worth the queue and wait, foods fantastic, staff are amazing, And just soak in the songs and atmosphere the place brings, can be cheesy but at the same time brilliant !!

Great atmosphere We dined here for breakfast and we had a great time. The food was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience! The eggs were cooked to perfection and the tater tots were amazing. The staff were very attentive despite being on duty to break into song at a moments notice. We arrived at 8:15 AM and we had to wait in line but the queue moved pretty quickly and it was definitely worth the wait. I was sceptical as to whether my eldest daughter would like this but she loved it so much it was the highlight of her holiday to NYC. This is a must do dining experience!

Visited with the family for the first time. It’s a different kind of dinning experience for sure, with the waiting staff singing famous songs throughout the experience. However, the food quality and value for money is truly shocking! Been there - done it, and ticked the box, but will never go back.

Stopped by this diner for lunch while on vacation in NYC, mainly for the American-style experience—and it delivered on that front! The big draw here is that the service staff are also performers, breaking into song throughout your meal. It creates a lively, upbeat atmosphere that’s definitely memorable. That said, the service was just okay—not unfriendly, but understandably a bit rushed due to the high turnover and busy pace. The food itself was average and quite pricey for diner standards, but I suppose you're really paying for the entertainment more than the meal. Worth a visit if you're after a classic NYC tourist experience with a musical twist, but don’t expect a quiet lunch or great value.

5/5 for show and artists. 2.5/5 for the kitchen . We go there for the experience and the singers / his, some are really great with amazing voices 🤩the servers are friendly . On the kitchen side the dishes are ok but the price is high compared to the quality

Fantastic breakfast had Food excellent and coffee delicious Was so much fun and a brilliant vibrant start to the day. Worth the queue to get in Highly recommended

The place is a bit unique and atypical. A place where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner with waiters who turn into singers. It’s very nice. My wife had taken pancakes that turned out to be a little too hearty. My Benedictine eggs were very good. In the end ours remains salty 80 usd breakfast for two. I don't know if the magic of Broadway is worth this price!!

A superb night's entertainment and food is guaranteed at this famous Broadway eatery. If you want a quiet evening meal this is definitely NOT the place for you. Party time is guaranteed. You will find yourself eating generous-sized meals from an extensive menu while observing and listening to waiters and waitresses sing for their supper and hope to get selected to appear on a Broadway show / cruise liner. Don't believe me?? I always visit Ellen's when in New York, She never fails to live up to her reputation. On this visit, I was informed that 9 staff were poached by Broadway producers, and from what we experienced a few more will be treading the boards pretty soon. a fantastic night out. Oh! you cannot book, there is always a queue outside (about 50 when we arrived) but it adds to the atmosphere and quickly evaporates. Highly recommended. DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE.

Ellen's Stardust Diner had been recommended to us and as it was a short walk from.our hotel, we decided to give it a go! Jet lagged after flying in from the UK, we were up with the lark and got to the diner at 7.30am. The ground floor was pretty much full so we were seated upstairs. We had a great view of everything going on both upstairs and downstairs. The singing waiters and waitresses were brilliant, especially the guys whose voices were really strong. The MC was a bit pushy for donations from customers for the waiting on staff to attend performing arts classes. Nonetheless, he was very funny and added to the welcoming atmosphere. We had an omelette and poached eggs on toast. The waitress was friendly and helpful with the menu. She saved me about 10 dollars which wlshe didn't have to do. Great decor and it really did feel like an American diner! We may well be back!

Great food and the servings are huge! I couldn’t finish my burger. This place is so fun and everyone is so talented!

Luckily we didn’t have to queue to get in as we went for breakfast. First impressions is that the place is grubby and looks a bit worn down. We were sat down by our server (Dameon) and he quickly took our order. Once the order was in he was not to be seen again. Food was out quickly, some items cold. Much like other reviews on this place if you ask another server for something (as yours is nowhere to be seen) you’ll be told that they can’t/won’t help you while then standing around chatting. Our server came back to take the order for the couple sat next to us and we tried to grab his attention before he disappeared again to be given a ☝🏼 finger telling us to wait. The general vibe was that of arrogance and not from just our server. He failed to check that everything was ok with our food and numerous attempts to try and get his attention to order another drink was useless. The food was mediocre at best and I totally fail to get the hype of this place. We weren’t going to leave a tip after the awful service but it was already added on to the bill and so reluctantly paid the 20% just to leave. Save your money, go elsewhere or even better spend that money on a ticket to an actually show!

Food was very bland, the place is in desperate need of a refurbishment. Staff very pleasant and talented, the only reason to go.

We were so excited to go after reading the great reviews that we queued for 1.5 hours to get in. The singers were great, we enjoyed the entertainment! But as a restaurant it was a huge disappointment - food was less than mediocre. Burger and waffle fries were cold, kids pasta was tasteless (and still cost $18), pancakes were covered in a sickly sweet cinnamon paste. The place was very dirty - table was not clean, menu was sticky, floor was covered in bits of food and trash. Such a fantastic concept, but very poorly executed.

Excellent professional voices, with good quality fast food, the.show is worth lanpena and is in the.price of food where you will pay about 40 dollars per person approximately.

We decided to visit this place for a mid-morning breakfast. We were immediately seated, which was a nice surprise as I thought there would be a queue. Service was fast, considering the staff had to break out into song every so many minutes. It's a unique concept, and they can certainly sing! Food was average and overpriced when compared to other diners, but they don't entertain you as such! Would I return? Probably not, but it was a pleasant experience all the same.

Positive experience as reported by all other reviews. Engaging local, good food. The only negative flaw at the time of the bill brought directly to the table the tip had already been decided by themselves (corresponding to 20% of the total), thus not giving us the opportunity to choose, and also asking for an additional tip when paying by card. (We would have given the tip regardless, beyond what had already been decided)...

A lovely diner traditional American look with a twist! Singing waiters and waitresses lovely wee place very entertaining and not too expensive

The Stardust Diner was top of my daughter's list of foodie venues to visit whilst we were in New York, and it didn't let us down.. It was bright, fun, the singing was Broadway standard and the compere very funny. Every table was full but we didn't feel crowded in or rushed at all with our meal and everyone was joining in and singing along. All in all a wonderful evening of food and entertainment. If I was to say anything the veggie options were a little limited but I think that is a New York thing !! Loved that they bring iced water to your table without you having to ask. Expect to queue though as it is very busy and very popular, but even though the queue was long we only had to wait about 20-30mins.

There were 2 of us and we went there for lunch. No expectations. The staff is very kind. The dishes are hearty. And the Mood is amazing!!! The singers are all very talented. I loved that moment. It's a little expensive, but it's definitely worth it. If you hesitate, no need me I recommend!

Great place different from the others. You can eat and drink (quality) listening to the waiters singing sublimely. They're all kids singing on Broadway. Customers get involved in a fantastic show. Really good.

We stayed at Ellen’s Stardust Diner during our visit to New York. The place is definitely original: the waiters turn into singers and dancers, offering a continuous musical show that entertains young and old. It is a nice experience, especially if you are coming to New York for the first time. Be careful though: they do not accept reservations and, if you do not arrive early, you risk a long wait. We arrived late in the morning and there were not many people, but after 10 am a large queue formed. More than breakfast, consider it a brunch or an early lunch. As for the food, nothing exceptional: average quality, large portions but high prices. We ordered an American breakfast with waffles, French toast and a Mexican burrito (maybe a little too heavy for the time, but that was my mistake). In the end, you pay more for the show than for the food. Recommended? Yes, but only once, just to try something different. I would not include it among the must-see places for breakfast, also because the minimum cost per person is around 30-50 dollars.

Brilliant experience for my 11 year old daughter and the food was great can’t wait to go back next year for her 12th birthday. My daughter loved, it perfect for a pre broadway show meal

We had so much fun! Did we have to wait outside in line? Yes, but we knew that would be the case. Staff were super helpful in getting a table for us that accommodated my daughter’s wheelchair. The entertainment was fun, talented, & lively. The food was good as well (we were there for brunch). We enjoyed our visit!

Really not worth the hype and the staff that man the door were an absolute joke. We had been waiting for about half an hour and my son went to ask what the wait time was just to give us some idea when he approach the door there was a family there that didn’t want to wait so offered the door staff money to let them in straight away so they didn’t have to queue which is absolutely disgusting when everyone else is waiting the door staff took the money and let them in straight away. We then waited a while longer for the door staff to come down the line and pick a party of 6 from the back of the queue straight to the front as he dint want to split the tables. We waited a a time of about 1 hour 15 minutes as my son really wanted to go. The food it’s self was expensive and very poor the majority of it was cold I would not recommend you waiting more than about 10 minutes and maybe go early in the day but I won’t be visiting again.

Went to see the hype. Food was not great and expensive for what you get. The entertainment was good though. The queue to get in was approx half hrs and the tables where cramped together.

If you only had one day to do lunch in the city and wanted to also have a little bit of a Broadway experience and just a good time with great food, this place is it❣️ The entire wait staff can belt out a tune and it is worth the wait if there is a line. They sang songs from Broadway shows and popular genres of music. Thanks to my cousin we had a seat right along the little runway that is in the middle of the restaurant. There is memorabilia from eras gone by of various celebrities hanging on the walls. The meal we had was great as well. They serve generous portions and we did not leave still hungry. I had the cheesesteak sandwich which was served with waffle fries and my cousin had a burger and waffle fries. Both of us were satisfied with our choices. My only disappointment was, I wanted to try one of their signature milkshakes however they don’t do plant based milks and so I wasn’t able to try one. 😕 Overall, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Ellen’s Stardust❣️🥰

There are no shortage of amazing restaurants in NYC. We picked this one based off of good reviews and it was unique as the wait staff sings as they wait tables. It was near Radio City Music Hall which also was great as we stopped here for lunch right before we saw the Rocketts. They don't take reservations so we just joined the line. We waited almost an hour in line which wasn't unusual for a hot lunch spot. Lots of places take reservations but this placed doesn't. This place was fun and menu was great. Lots of good choices for lunch or breakfast. I had chicken tenders and fries which were very good. I tried the chocolate soda which was just ok and definitely not worth the $8 or whatever ridiculous price they charged. The staff was friendly and food came out quick which was great because if it hadn't we would have missed our show. Prices are high just like anywhere else but for NY fairly moderate. I think it was around $40 a person and they include tip in that.

Stayed overnight in the city to watch the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Our hotel was about a 6 minute walk, so perfect location for us. Went for late lunch (2) to the Stardust. We waited for about 45 minutes outside but thankfully you are covered and blocked from the winter elements. Got a great booth upstairs, had a tentative waitress, and the food was "ok" for the price (the kids loved it so I guess chicken tenders and pancakes were great lol). We didn't want to leave as we enjoyed the singing and entertainment very much. Will definitely go again when we return to the city.

“Extremely disappointing experience. We visited as a large group of almost 40, having enjoyed this venue in previous years. Sadly, this time was completely different. The atmosphere was flat, and to make matters worse, six chicken dishes had to be returned to the kitchen as they were served undercooked — completely unacceptable and inedible. To add to the poor experience, the manager was shockingly rude to one of our guests, behaving in an aggressive and confrontational manner. Overall, a very poor experience, and we certainly won’t be returning.”

Great visit again to the Stardust diner. Went with my 3 daughters to celebrate my eldest moving to Australia. Staff were superb and although they don’t do requests on this special occasion they did. Thank you to Mollie for doing a great version of Taylor Swifts All too well. Brought on the tears, in a good way. Breakfast / Brunch was huge and tasty and the cocktails were flowing. Great atmosphere provide by all Staff and Performers. Fantastic work and gesture by all at Stardust diner.

We had a musical group of 29 high school music students and chaperones. We had to order before we arrived. I did not care for my hamburger, the fries were great, but my daughter's pasta was great! The music and servers were AMAZING. We could not stop smiling because we just loved it so much!

This diner is a must when in Manhattan ! Their entertainment is priceless. Whenever in New York, I definitely hit this diner

A really great idea on paper! The singers are good, but the venue itself is a bit grubby - think sticky floors and sticky tables; and the food was pretty awful. My daughter's steak burger was more like a doner kebab, and my son's Mac n Cheese was like cooked pasta with a cheese sauce poured over the top - basic and flavourless. Such a shame and disappointment as have wanted to go there for a long time. Would not recommend or return. Also hugely expensive for the quality you get! You would be better at Five Guys or Shake Shack tbh!

But what do you mean for this place? You enter and you are catapulted into a world of lights and colors and lots of music. The waiters are super and very kind. Singing performances during dinner that brighten the evening and make you live a truly American experience. We had Mac’n’cheese and Hamburgers: the first I would consider a good pasta with cheese, the second very good and tasty

Came and enjoyed the occasion. Just lunch this time. No queue. That's unusual. Nice friendly staff. Decent food too. We enjoyed the waiters singing and performing. All in all, we had a good time. Some people object to the MC bringing round the bucket for donations. Some say the food is average and service slow. We disagree as we had a good time.

I had looked at the reviews before going there and decided to go to dinner anyway. In conclusion, we queued for 45 minutes for a run-in and very fast service. I had the feeling of being in a gear where everything is done mechanically without atmosphere. The dishes are expensive but rather good, the service is fast because you have to leave room for the next. Waiters sing during the meal and some are very good. The restaurant's tired and it's running out of glitter. We went out without keeping a great memory and went to buy milkshakes😂

Was a very unique place to eat given the terrific performances by its staff. They were very enthusiastic, though some tables did seem to lag behind due to the nature of the diner. Staff all friendly and certainly could sing a hell of a lot better than I ever could. Ordered the breakfast burrito and the taste for what the price was, was below average. Was quite bland though good in terms of how filling it was. Prices were understandably high given the proximity to Times Square, but failed to deliver on the quality of food alone. Would recommend you come here once to see the novelty of the diner, but not again due to the quality and price of the options.

WOW!!! One of the best experiences we had whilst on this trip! Only “fault” is too much food haha! Incredibly talented singers who were friendly throughout the experience!

We had just spent a day walking the High Line, ascending the Edge, then walking to Central Park for a 2 hour bike ride. We had heard that we would probably have to queue to get into Ellen’s, but having walked back from Central Park it was getting on for 4 pm and we walked straight in! Grateful to rest our legs, we were treated to some wonderful singing, nice food and great atmosphere. Our waitress was charming and a good singer too! Although we could barely move when we left that wasn’t their fault!!! Excellent experience!

Great breakfast, very nice place! Service: we were served by a Kayleigh... one of the most unpleasant waitresses I've ever been served

This restaurant left me and my family stunned. The location is retro and I love the food and the crisps are the best I've ever tried. And the staff is the highlight of the experience are all dancers get on the tables dance and sing there is also the disco ball looks like a disco the price is worth the experience

Great experience! We ate very well, The concept is great! The staff is very nice, the decor ultra typical, we have a great time. On the other hand we are asked to give tips for singers while at the checkout the tips are automatically added up to 20% so it costs very quickly! Other than that, I'm delighted with my visit, which will remain a good memory.

I really wanted to like this place. Singing servers, so fun, right? Well it was fun, if you can overlook the dingy atmosphere and the subpar food. The place is verging on dirty with sticky floors and tables. We ordered nachos and they seriously looked like the leftovers from someone else's table. The tables are so close together that we were sitting with the people next to us. The most annoying part of our time was the MC on the microphone begging for donations for their scholarship program. Then, going from table aggressively asking diners to donate. My advice to you would be to skip this place; the talented servers are not enough to make up for all of this restaurant's shortcomings.

Quaintly, do not be frightened by the line flows quite well, dine and where you will find a bit of everything and in the meantime the waiters will accompany you with their high-level musical performances. Average prices of nyc nothing exaggerated but at least do something different

I was really looking forward to experiencing this restaurant but have to say I came away disappointed. We were lucky enough to go at 4pm when there was no queue. We were given a table by the door despite there being a table free next to the stage. When I asked if we could have that one we were given a very abrupt no. Our table was freshly laid but was really sticky and needed a wipe down. Underneath the table was leftover food from other people. When looking around it was clear the restaurant was in need of a good sweep throughout as many tables also had food on the floor. Our food arrived very quickly and it was ok. Tenders and burgers were tasty but rather dry. It was fun listening to all the servers perform and they really are a talented bunch. My shock came when I visited the toilet and two cockroaches ran out from behind the toilet bowl and across the floor. I spoke to two staff members (one upstairs outside the toilet and another at the host stand) and both of them just shrugged it off. Needless to say we didn’t stay much longer after that.

Loved Ellen’s! The atmosphere was fun and the food was good. The portion size was huge, I couldn’t even eat all of my sandwich. The singers were excellent and service was great! We had to wait a few to be seated but it was expected and it wasn’t very long at all. Will definitely go back on my next trip!

It was great! We had dinner watching the performances and it was delicious, a fantastic experience. It worths the wait!

Ellen’s Stardust Diner used to be a must-visit spot in NYC — lively, fun, and filled with genuinely Broadway-caliber singing waitstaff that made the experience feel special. We had great memories from a few years ago of good entertainment, solid food, and great energy. Unfortunately, our visit last week was a major letdown. The restaurant was overcrowded, the atmosphere felt more rowdy than fun, the service was poor, and the singing talent was noticeably weaker than what we had experienced in the past. On top of that, the food was very expensive for the quality we received, which made the experience even more disappointing. The magic that once made this place stand out just wasn’t there anymore. Given how much the quality has declined, I wouldn’t recommend it now, especially for visitors expecting the classic Ellen’s Stardust experience.

Tasty food. We had burgers. Cocktails too. Fun to have the singing staff. Great quality. It was all a little over stimulating at times and pricey. But i am glad i went

A different experience. In our case we were unlucky enough to have a couple and their friend talking nonsense at the next table in a huffy cry. I mean, if you go to a music bar, it's listening to music. If you want to talk nonsense, go to a talk bar. In short, restaurant of 10 (see if any music producer gives these kids a chance, who sing great) and a 0 rating for the next table. Heavy!!!!

By far 1 of the WORSE meals I have ever had We ordered 2 burgers, hot dog and mac cheese Kids hot dog was ok Mac cheese cold crap Burgers tasteless cheap mine slapped in a roll Hardly any was eaten and we are far from fussy eaters! The performances was ok nothing to go crazy about. They come around with a collection bucket and basically stand at your table until you put something in quite rudely and then after tipping in the bucket you are still met with a 20% service charge Wish we had spent this money on doing the rockettes instead! Please don’t buy into the hype and go somewhere else!

Breakfast we did not que long for a table the shame thing was we was put upstairs with kids this was hard as we was on like a high booth which seemed cramped for the 6 of us but we made it work, the food was extremely large sadly we had so much waste if going with young kids they can share we could of ordered half of what we had and probably still left some. The singers walk round so the kids were very entertained and there voices were incredible.

I think this is a 'must' at least once when visiting Time Square when attending a Broadway show. We had it as a 'plan' to eat at after seeing "The Outsiders." I assumed on a busy, summer night that it would be hard to get into, but we decided to try it out anyway. The line had about 20 people in it when we arrived and the lined moved fairly quickly for the time of night (after the evening performance of Outsiders). We were seated in less than 30 minutes which was a huge surprise to me. This fun, exciting diner with performers is an absolute blast. The menu is large and easy to choose yummy, American diner fare. It seemed a bit more pricey (I am from Los Angeles where it is comprable to pricing in New York City) than I would've expected, but with a location in Time's Square and its popularity I settled on it making sense. I didn't think twice about the price as I wanted to experience the diner. Each of us enjoyed the food. My daughters loved the Mac and Cheese Burgers. The performances were amazing among the servers who not only perform amazingly, but work so hard as servers. Be aware they do pass a bucket to tip the performers to support their servers. I was happy to donate to support their art. They have a little merchandise area to purchase memorabilia which was nice. The stickers were free! Be sure to get one!

You visit this diner for the experience and it really is an experience! The singing is brilliant and the food is served up by the singers themselves. It really is a lot of fun and you leave feeling really happy !

My friend and I took our two kids ages 10 and 5 both live theater and music ! We had a great time even seated upstairs we could still see the stage and the singing waitstaff walked around upstairs as well ! The service was great and the food was good ! The kids knew a lot of the songs and sang along so did the adults !

We had dinner there on Tuesday, November 26th after seeing Aladdin. We arrived around 9:30pm and got in line outside to wait for a table for 6. After waiting around 10 minutes a host came outside looking for a table of 6. We raised our hands and were selected making us quite happy as it was raining and we were told the wait time was approximately 45 minutes. We were taken inside and to the second floor to our table. We listened to a couple of performers sing and the our server took our order. She promptly brought our drinks and the took our order. This is where the promptness ended. After 30 minutes of seeing other tables around us be seated and served, we tried to get our servers attention. She was off in the distance at a drink station enjoying her drink and texting on her phone. We finally got her attention and she came to our table and said her manager noted we had been waiting 45 minutes for our food and we would be receiving a 25% discount and our food would be arriving in 5 minutes. 10 minutes later 4 of our party received their order and 5 more minutes later our other 2 family members received their food. Our server never returned to our table again until it was time for the check that included an automatic 20% gratuity for about a 1% effort to serve us. We never received drink refills and had to walk over to her to get her off the phone to get 2 sticky packets of syrup for the chicken and waffles that a family member had ordered. The server/performers were really good. The food was average at best and our server was the worst that I encountered in a long time.

Don't be put off by the queue....although it looks bad we were seated within 30 minutes and it was worth it. The food is perfectly nice, nothing too special but you really go for the show. All the performers were amazing and it's such a fun night out.

We happened by the Stardust Diner and decided to try it. We liked the performances and food so much, we plan to go there every time we are in NYC. We were impressed with the quality of the singing performances. It works well to have the “stage” in the middle of the restaurant. The most amazing part was how good the food tasted. I had the salmon and it was better than some of the famous restaurants that we had gone to on other days. We highly recommend Stardust Diner.

We had a couple of recommendations for Ellen’s so we decided to give it a go despite seeing the other reviews citing long queue times and rude management. Unfortunately, this also ended up being our experience. I will say this in its favour - it’s definitely unique, and the wait staff are excellent at their jobs with near back-to-back performances of all different kinds of songs. They are all budding Broadway actors so the calibre is very high. The first downside was that the queue was very long, even at breakfast time on a Wednesday morning, and there is no option to make a reservation. So, if you want to visit, allow for up to an hour of queueing. There is also construction work currently taking place on the exterior of the building, so you can’t really see anything externally and you have to queue under scaffolding. The second, and most major frustration, was the extremely rude host we encountered. This is the person who manages the queue outside and brings people ins as and when a table of the correct size becomes available. I assume there is more than one host, but when we visited it was a large woman of colour with black hair who was wearing a scruffy grey hoodie and dark shades. When we reached the front of the queue she barked at us to move inside, quickly assigned us a table and just said “up the stairs!”. We didn’t even know where the stairs were, but eventually found them in the back corner and were greeted at the top by a much friendlier, younger host who gave us our menus and took us to a table. Unfortunately this table was in a corner and behind a pillar, and we could barely see anything of the performances taking place around the restaurant. Before we ordered anything I asked if we could please move to a table downstairs, and was told to go and speak to the host. She totally ignored us at first, and then when a member of wait staff came over and asked her what was happening with our party she literally said “don’ know, don’ care” and walked away again. At that stage I was ready to walk out and write it off as a total bust, but the kids were excited and the wait staff found us a great table on the downstairs floor so we stuck it out. Credit to our wait staff member, Pierre, who was super friendly and gave an amazing performance of a number from Hamilton, and to all the other brilliant performers who sang. They really are very, very good and I hope they are treated well by the restaurant. The breakfast was fine, nothing special but certainly nothing wrong with it either and we left feeling that the junior staff had redeemed things just enough to make up for the unbelievably rude head host. I have no idea how or why someone with an attitude like hers ends up in that job, or why she even wants to be in that position if she clearly hates dealing with customers that much!

I visited Ellen’s 7 years ago with friends and loved it so I decided to bring my 2 daughters on our trip. Having been before I prepared them to queue, however when we arrived we were shown to another door which lead to a downstairs area. I asked if it was the same as the main diner and was assured it was. Well it was definitely not it was highly disappointing and no atmosphere like you get in the main diner. I feel like we were shoved in the basement area as I was alone with 2 children. The food was ridiculously overpriced and average at best! Ellen’s was a massive highlight of my trip 7 years ago but having visited today I’m so disappointed especially for my children who were really looking forward to it. It was a complete waste of money today. You should be given the option to wait to go in the main diner not just shoved in the basement!

The place is very particular, there is always the queue outside but you scroll fast. The waiters in addition to serving sing and dance. The food is normal and the price probably for the fact that there is the show is quite expensive. To try once-

Great for musical theatre fans! Some people say it’s a tourist trap but it’s worth a visit in my opinion. The food was good and the staff are very friendly and helpful! Its a little chilly sitting upstairs overlooking from the balcony because of the air conditioning

Grandiosely American with special flair by the singing musical students as staff. If you want to experience something completely different, go. Also the food was really good.

We visited after seeing a show on Broadway (11pm). The line was long but they got us in fast! Our server had fantastic energy and we loved hearing her sing - we sang along loudly with the whole restaurant. We sat upstairs and they had tv screens so we could see what was going on downstairs on the main “stage”. The food was amazing and the vibe was worth the hype this place has earned. Highly recommend to all theater kids!

We had dinner with my husband. Very nice and quaint place, the waiters are very kind and friendly, beautiful atmosphere is created, as the waiters do live shows while serving dinner. Good value for money. We had a pleasant evening.

Nice experience to be served by a singing talent. Breakfast was more than adequate although I had the impression that it had to be a bit quick.

This is the second time we have been to Ellen‘s Stardust diner and it was just as great as the first time. Where else can you spend a moderate amount on a fantastic breakfast and be entertained by your waiters? All of them wanna be Broadway stars or currently in between jobs. There’s normally a line but we walked right in at 10 am on a Thursday morning during a busy July 4 week. It is a blast and the food is delicious. Plus, the tables are close together and you can get to know your neighbors and trade ideas for shows. Don’t plan on intimate conversations as there is way too much action going on and of course, some loud singing. What’s not to like?

So excited to visit this famous diner, but what a disappointment. No queue should have rung an alatm. Friendly staff. Limited menu, which was pricey. Place needs an overhaul. Like many spots near Times Square, not using the revenue to keep the places up to date and relevant

Got there around 10:30, queue was long but actually moved quickly we got in within 30mins. Staff were really friendly and our waitress made us feel really welcome ( I was amazed that she could sing like that whilst still serving coffee - next level multitasking). Food was tasty, portions were large ( we were all stuffed), food came quickly and was hot. The performances were really entertaining and the staff clearly get on well which makes for the warm energy. It is on pricier side but then you also get a performance so actually works out ok. We really switched off for the hour or so that we were in there and didn’t really need to eat for the rest of the day.

Ellen’s Stardust is a bit of an assembly line dining experience, but you’re going there for the singing— not the (adequate) food. The diner pulses with energy and a “hey kids, let’s put on a show!” attitude that holds the slightly grungy place together with duct tape and good cheer. Yes, they pass around a bucket for (extra) tips, but with NYC rent so expensive, you can hardly blame them. Ellen’s Stardust is a good experience if you go in knowing what to expect.

What a fun restaurant! Service was just ok, food was fine. But a great unique experience. I was excited they had a dairy free milk shake. We arrived at 10:45 on a Thursday and waited only 15 minutes for a party of 2.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner is just awesome! The atmosphere is absolutely crazy: waiters and waitresses sing live with Broadway and Disney titles, and it’s a real show from start to finish. You're getting plenty of eyes and ears! The service is great, with very nice servers and full of energy. Prices are a bit high, but honestly, the unique experience is well worth a visit. Depending on the time, there can be a lot of people, so it’s best to plan a little waiting. I recommend 100% — a must-see for a real magical moment in New York!

If you love the theatre this is a must, the staff can all dance, act and sing! What an amazing breakfast! Over 200 of the previous staff took this road as a stepping stone to a career on a broadway production!

This was on our bucket list, once and done. Food was ok, waffle fries were great. We went at a busy time and was noisy, which was understandable. It's a small restaurant but you get food quickly. Singers were ok but nothing to write home about. The food was super expensive. 2 burgers and fries, water to drink and the bill was $70. We added bacon to our burgers. They add 20% tip automatically and then go from table to table and ask to donate to help pay for actors lessons.

Loved this restaurant loads of atmosphere, didn't need to see a show as some fabulous performers entertained us. Food was good and reasonably priced. Beware they do add on automatically a 28% service charge.

Honestly I expected something cheesy when I heard about singing waiters. The waiters were very talented and we enjoyed the singing. The food was an even bigger surprise -- delicious! I had bacon and eggs perfectly cooked while my friend had a big tasty omelet. Don't know if it was our timing, but we didn't have to wait.

I state that I do not like to review local, make bad reviews but here I can not avoid! I had dinner with my partner during my trip to New York. Like any tourist, I came across a search for some place that offered good food and some healthy entertainment on social media and I happened to be here. I state that I have traveled the world, seen places, eaten everything, but this I consider the WORST PLACE ever seen. Poor food, poor quality, maybe only chips were saved. High prices, in New York you will find all kinds of places that offer much better dishes. But let s not dwell on the price, it s the last of the things that I want to make an impression. The place is dirty, at the table you are served with a worn glass of water, plastic, as if you were a dog instead of a customer. The waiters are ill-advised, insistent, unwilling to work and above all pretentious to have the tip, the only real goal of that little theater called show that they use to do in their local. I have a memory, clear, and it is the costume and the very little professionalism of a waiter, tall and thin, I would like to publish the name but I do not do it for privacy having it on the receipt, which treated us as if we had been animals. I advise the owner of the place to do a nice cleaning, and above all to hire people who work not only for the money but with a passion for hospitality. That place has nothing to do with any of that. I can't find anything good in this experience. Shall we talk about the plate? Cold, dry and tasteless burger. Bread that looked like three days ago. The salad picked probably at the moment, I swear something painful. The chips are the only ones left. The cheese pasta tasted like feet, better the one bought at the market already made. I repeat worst place I've ever seen. Leave all hope you who enter as the good dante said. Don't be fooled by social media. AVOID IT!!!

Well worth a visit if you’re in NYC. Great entertainment accompanied by great food. Some real talent in the there that I really hope is spotted sometime soon. Head for breakfast around 8am - very little queueing at that time.

Absolutely unbelievable atmosphere. More than just dinner... it's snippets of a ton of broadway shows in a fun atmosphere. The singers are absolutely MAGNIFICENT. Ryan was amazing. Yes the food is okay/average but it isn't the food you are there for. It is the unbelievable singing. I want to go back again and again and again.

It is an interesting place to try once. Food is better than average but the entertainment factor has s the gimmick. She singing waitstaff snd kitschy design are neat but prices are a bit high. Good gur a one time visit and you will get a taste of nyc.

Queued for over 40 minutes. Groups of 5 and 7 further down the line were going in before us 4. Overpriced, they are more on the mic asking for tips to pay for their singing or dancing lessons thanactual singing. My bagel was overpriced, and the omeltte, so I do think they charge for the singing on top. Then the waiter took pur 3 quarter full drinks away as I took my daughter to the loo and my son went to put a tip in bucket. Our coats were all at table so obvious we were still there, they were just trying to move us out as we'd finished eating. But we were in a rush so no time to wait for waitress to return to get more drinks. My bagel was supposed to have scrambled egg on, but only on one open half. Bagel was dried out and cold. Again we were in a rush so I just had to leave it. Way overrated place, and they add the 20% tip on yoir bill for you! Never going back there again! All the hype for the singing and the guy on the mic talked more for his teams tips thatn anything else!

Good meal surrounded by different waiters who take turns intoning music while walking in the restaurant. No luck for us, we had to queue for 30 minutes.

An experience I highly recommend. There’s always a line to get in, and that might be discouraging, but I assure you your patience will be rewarded. You dine to the rhythm of music, with singing waiters and waitresses performing around the tables. I found it all very fun, of course you do have to enjoy that kind of atmosphere. It’s not the kind of place to go for quiet conversation or to relax in silence. The food was good, the service was fast and friendly, and the prices were fair.

An original address, just above time square, you can eat American food while listening to your waiters perform the great American music hall classics. Don’t expect to eat great food, we’re really sure of it, but the atmosphere is pretty nice.