The Best Pre-Theater Dinner at Lincoln Center
STEPS FROM THE MET OPERA & DAVID GEFFEN HALL
SOPHISTICATED, SEAMLESS, AND STEPS AWAY
A Prelude to the Performance
Timing is everything when you have a curtain to catch. Located on the second floor of the Empire Hotel at 44 W 63rd St, Rosa Mexicano at Lincoln Center offers a sophisticated and seamless pre-theater dining experience at the gateway to Lincoln Center.
We’ve mastered the art of the pre-show dinner, offering an elevated Mexican feast designed specifically for theater-goers. Our staff is expertly trained in the “Pre-Show Rush,” ensuring your multi-course experience is seamless, allowing you to get from our table to your seat at the Metropolitan Opera House or David Geffen Hall with time to spare. Explore more nearby attractions in our Neighborhood Guide.
BOLD FLAVORS, EXPEDITED SERVICE
Why Dine at Rosa Mexicano Before the Show?
Enjoy the vibrant spirit of Mexico before the lights go down. Our Lincoln Center flagship provides the perfect atmosphere for an upscale pre-performance meal:
- The Perfect Start: Begin your evening with our signature tableside guacamole and a pomegranate margarita—a true neighborhood tradition.
- Expedited Menu Options: Choose from authentic classics designed for efficiency without compromising on Rosa Mexicano’s high culinary standards.
- Post-Show Nightcaps: Return after the final bow to enjoy our dual bars, featuring an expansive selection of 100+ premium tequilas and mezcals.
- Iconic Views: Our high ceilings and large windows offer vibrant views of the Lincoln Center district, setting the stage for a memorable night out.
JOIN US BEFORE THE CURTAIN OR AFTER THE BOW
Hours of Operation at the Empire Hotel
Whether you are starting your day with a Lincoln Center breakfast or ending your evening with a post-performance nightcap, Rosa Mexicano is open late to accommodate the vibrant energy of the district.
- Monday – Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Pre-Theater Service: We recommend reservations between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM for a seamless stroll to your 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM curtain at the Metropolitan Opera House or David Geffen Hall.
Timing, Groups and Private Events
The Metropolitan Opera does not seat latecomers once a performance begins, so a pre-theater dinner runs on the clock rather than on appetite. If you want the specifics, including when to book, when to arrive and what the warning chimes mean, we set them out in how to time dinner before a Met Opera performance.
Larger parties need more runway than couples do. A table of ten will not order, eat and settle in the same window as a table of two, and pre-theater is exactly where that difference is felt. If you are booking for a group, or you want a room of your own before the show, private dining at Lincoln Center covers the spaces and how to arrange them.
We are in the Empire Hotel at 44 West 63rd Street, a short walk across the plaza from the Met and David Geffen Hall. Guacamole is prepared to order at the table in a lava-stone molcajete, so it is worth ordering as you sit rather than after the first round.
