Diner 24 is set to reopen in New York City’s Theater District later this year, offering diners a combination of classic Greek cuisine and live musical entertainment. The new two-story venue will be located at 1674 Broadway, a landmarked building situated between 52nd and 53rd streets, and will be operated by the Emmes Group.
The original Diner 24, known for its home-style Greek dishes and the presence of “yia yias” — grandmothers who came out of retirement to prepare traditional desserts — was previously located in Gramercy. The revived Diner 24 aims to build on that authentic atmosphere while enhancing the experience with theatrical elements. The proprietor, Stratis Morfogen, described the concept as a blend of entertainment inspired by productions like “Zorba the Greek,” “Mamma Mia,” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” emphasizing that the venue will maintain a lively and fun environment without being a traditional Broadway show.
The new location will accommodate 235 patrons indoors and an additional 16 outdoor seats. A prominent feature of the upstairs space will be a stage with a 20-foot runway that intersects the dining booths, allowing singing waiters to perform above the guests amid stage lighting. According to Morfogen, the goal is to capture the energy of an off-Broadway play, delivering both a theatrical and culinary experience. Five of the approximately 16 singing waiters already hired have Broadway or off-Broadway backgrounds, motivated by the unpredictable nature of theatrical employment.
Morfogen also shared details about the transition to the new space, noting that a previous restaurateur had invested several million dollars into the location but withdrew during a friends-and-family preview week. Subsequently, the Emmes Group entered into a partnership with Morfogen, adopting a revenue-sharing model for rent and implementing a pricing strategy that reflects the Theater District’s market, with menu prices expected to be somewhat higher than those at the original Gramercy site.
Despite these changes, Morfogen expressed confidence in the venture’s potential for success, citing the area’s strong foot traffic and tourist appeal as factors likely to support robust sales. The reopening of Diner 24 marks a distinctive addition to the Theater District’s dining and entertainment landscape, offering a continuous dinner-show format that its proprietor claims is unique on Broadway.