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Watchlist // Times Square / Theater District
diner · Times Square / Theater District, ManhattanNO. 326 / 1960

Ellen's Stardust Diner

A Times Square diner famous for its singing waitstaff, the Stardusters, who perform Broadway show tunes tableside, drawing large tourist crowds and walk-in-only waits.

1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

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//The line

Ellen's Stardust Diner is a retro-style diner in the Theater District where the waitstaff, called the Stardusters, are aspiring Broadway performers who periodically stop serving to sing show tunes tableside. That novelty act, combined with the Times Square location, draws heavy year-round tourist traffic, including families and theatergoers before or after Broadway shows.

The diner does not take reservations and, per Yelp discussion threads, does not provide official wait estimates because table availability swings so much; it offers a Yelp Wait List as a workaround. Yelp reviewers describe waits ranging from as little as ~15 minutes in off-peak stretches up to roughly two hours on busy days such as school-holiday lunch rushes, with the calmest window reported as roughly 1:30-4:00 PM and evenings described as very crowded.

//When the line peaks
Evenings are reported by reviewers as very crowded School-holiday days and peak lunchtime can push waits toward two hours per Yelp reviewers Roughly 1:30-4:00 PM is reported as the quieter window

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//Getting in

Reservations: Ellen's Stardust Diner does not take reservations and operates strictly first-come, first-served, per the venue's official site.

Walk-ins: Wait times fluctuate based on seasonal patterns and the day of the week, and the venue's official site states it cannot provide wait estimates in advance, so plan for a line, especially given the singing-waitstaff draw.

Open daily 7am–midnight, including holidays, per the official site.

Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the wait at Ellen's Stardust Diner?

damnlines does not have a live camera at Ellen's Stardust Diner yet, so we can't show a real-time line count for this spot. Based on Yelp reviewer reports, waits have ranged widely, from as little as about 15 minutes in off-peak hours up to roughly two hours during busy periods like school-holiday lunch rushes, since the diner does not take reservations or publish official wait estimates.

Does Ellen's Stardust Diner take reservations?

No. Per the restaurant's own site and Yelp discussion, Ellen's Stardust Diner does not accept reservations and operates on a walk-in basis, though it offers a Yelp Wait List option.

What is the best time to go to Ellen's Stardust Diner to avoid a long wait?

Yelp reviewers report the diner is quieter in the mid-afternoon, roughly 1:30-4:00 PM, and busier in the evenings and around midday on days when school is out.

What are Ellen's Stardust Diner's hours?

According to the restaurant's own website, it's open 7 AM to midnight daily, including holidays.

What makes Ellen's Stardust Diner famous?

Its waitstaff, known as the Stardusters, are aspiring Broadway performers who sing show tunes tableside throughout the day, making it a well-known Times Square dining novelty.

Can you walk into Ellen's Stardust Diner?

Yes, walking in is the only way in since no reservations are accepted, but per the official site wait times vary by season and day of the week, so be prepared to wait.

Sources: Yelp — Ellen's Stardust Diner · Yelp Q&A — wait time discussion · Ellen's Stardust Diner — official hours/location page

Ellen's Stardust Diner — The Line & How to Get In · Times Square / Theater District, NYC | damnlines