Giancarlo Esposito Reminisces About NYC Dining

The 'Breaking Bad' star shares his love for the city's restaurant scene, from Broadway staples to his favorite SoHo spots.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Giancarlo Esposito, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in 'Breaking Bad' and numerous Spike Lee films, reflects on his long history with New York City's dining scene. From his early days performing on Broadway and eating at iconic theater district restaurants like Sardi's, to discovering new favorite spots in SoHo as his tastes expanded, Esposito shares anecdotes and insights into his lifelong passion for food and the city's vibrant culinary culture.

Why it matters

Esposito's personal dining experiences provide a unique window into the evolution of New York City's restaurant landscape over the past several decades, from the theater district standbys of his youth to the diverse dining options that have emerged in neighborhoods like SoHo. His perspective offers a relatable, celebrity-driven look at how the city's food scene has changed alongside the shifting cultural and economic tides.

The details

Esposito, who got his start on Broadway as a child actor, developed an early love for the theater district's iconic restaurants like Sardi's and Cafe Un Deux Trois, though his family could only afford to dine at the nearby Howard Johnson's at times. As his career and tastes expanded, Esposito began exploring other neighborhoods, particularly falling for the dining scene in SoHo. He also makes annual trips to Italy, where his father was born, to experience the cuisine of the 'old country.' Esposito's acting career has also intersected with the food world, as he sees parallels between the art of making paella and the craft of acting.

  • Esposito made his Broadway debut at age 7 or 8.
  • Esposito lived at Manhattan Plaza on 43rd Street and 10th Avenue while performing on Broadway.
  • Esposito frequently visits Italy, where his father was born, to experience the cuisine.

The players

Giancarlo Esposito

An acclaimed actor known for his roles in 'Breaking Bad' and numerous Spike Lee films, as well as his lifelong passion for New York City's dining scene.

Giovanni Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito's father, who was born in Italy.

Bob Fosse

A Broadway legend whom Esposito once waited on at a restaurant.

Chita Rivera

A Broadway legend whom Esposito once waited on at a restaurant.

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What they’re saying

“If I don't smell anything, I don't know that it's a restaurant.”

— Giancarlo Esposito, Actor (New York Times)

“Sardi's in particular felt magical to me as a young actor on Broadway. The caricatures on the walls, the hum of theater people plotting their next act — it felt like proximity to possibility.”

— Giancarlo Esposito, Actor (New York Times)

What’s next

Esposito will soon be seen opposite John Turturro in the film 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,' which was a favorite at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

The takeaway

Esposito's lifelong passion for New York City's dining scene, from his early days on Broadway to his current favorite spots in SoHo, provides a unique celebrity perspective on the evolution of the city's restaurant landscape over the past several decades. His anecdotes and insights offer a relatable look at how the food culture has changed alongside the shifting tides of New York's cultural and economic landscape.