Waiters belt notes while serving food

Considered one of the best-themed restaurants in New York City, Ellen’s Stardust Diner offers a family friendly atmosphere and entertainment from the staff who sing and dance while they wait on customers.

The retro 50’s themed diner is located on the corner of 51st Street in Times Square, New York City. The eatery contains many “Fabulous Fifties” memorabilia, such as an indoor train and drive-in theater screen showcasing performances from that era.

Stardust Diner opened in 1987, becoming the first 50’s themed restaurant in New York City. The diner still carries the feel of that era today, and wows the crowd with talented waiters that dance and sing.

As I walked up the steps to the tables, I saw the restaurant was two stories, and people were watching the waiters from above as well while enjoying their meals. The balcony-type floor circled the entertainment downstairs, which was covered in booths and themed decor.

The tables upstairs were very colorful, and had a very 50’s sort of vibe. But the placement of the tables felt very crowded, as I sat in a position where there was no available movement.

There was no pause to the excitement in the diner as each staff member took their turn dancing and singing to popular songs throughout the night. Some of the tunes sung were apart of Broadway shows, which gave even more of a New York feel to the restaurant. The entertainment was very continuous and it made the atmosphere feel fun and intriguing.

Not only was the staff excellent at entertaining, but also at serving. The waiters were very kind and informing about their diner, and it made everyone feel cared about. They always provided my needs, and gave me a fulfilling Stardust experience.

The menu offered many delicious options for dinner, but I finally settled on a simple cheeseburger and fries. At first glance, the meal looked very tasty, but when I sunk my teeth into the burger, it didn’t give the wow factor I was expecting from such an extravagant place.

After dinner, the waiters served little bowls of vanilla ice cream covered in fudge, which happened to be more appealing than my burger.

Right before the group left the diner, one last song was played from the Broadway show Wicked. As the waitress belted the final note, hundreds of pieces of confetti fell from the ceiling and onto the unsuspecting guests below. This finished off the night and left the customers wanting more.

Overall, the diner was an excellent entertainment joint and provided a fun atmosphere enjoyed by many.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @schultz_kamryn and via email: Kamryn Schultz.

Follow The Feather via Twitter @thefeather, Instagram @thefeatheronline and Facebook @thefeatheronline.