This summer, Times Square is getting a heavy pour of Dallas flair. Kitchen + Kocktails, the soul food spot founded by Kevin Kelley, is bringing its music-filled dining rooms and oversized brunch plates to the heart of New York City's theater and tourist zone.
Lease and location
Commercial real estate brokers say Kitchen + Kocktails is not easing into Manhattan. The restaurant has signed a 15-year lease for roughly 20,000 square feet at 147–149 West 46th Street, covering the basement, ground, and second floors. Commercial Observer reports that the space combines retail and office components just off the Broadway corridor, putting the restaurant a short walk from the bright lights and big marquees.
From Dallas to Broadway
Kevin Kelley opened the original Kitchen + Kocktails on Elm Street in downtown Dallas in August 2020, and the concept has since expanded to several other cities. The Dallas Morning News reports that the menu leans on shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, jerk lamb chops, and classic Southern sides, and notes that the company announced its New York arrival in a Facebook post. Bringing that playbook to Times Square sets the brand up for a Broadway-sized audience.
What to expect
The restaurant’s own materials and local coverage say the New York launch is part of a broader summer rollout that also includes a Back Bay opening in Boston. Boston.com lists a June Back Bay debut, while the brand’s site highlights large-format brunch items and mimosa towers on the menu. Kitchen + Kocktails’ website describes the approach as elevated Southern comfort, with a focus on shareable presentations and cocktails meant for a crowd.
Why it matters
Snagging a multi-floor restaurant in Times Square is a notable milestone for a concept that started in downtown Dallas. Brokers told Commercial Observer the site is expected to benefit from steady tourist and theater traffic. The location, in a building that previously housed national chains, signals that Kitchen + Kocktails is aiming for a national flagship feel tailored to big-city crowds and social-media-ready moments.
