Where to Eat Before a Show at the Music Theatre
7 stops · about 4 hours · Updated October 10, 2026
Before a show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, plan your food and drink stops in Royal Oak, MI around service style and opening hours. Johnny Mustard’s serves Italian deli sandwiches, hot dogs and Mama Mustard’s signature chili at a casual counter, but closes at 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, and 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Oak House Deli offers takeout sandwiches with vegan and vegetarian choices; it has no dine-in service and closes at 7 p.m. weekdays and 5 p.m. weekends.
For a seated meal, Detroit Eatery combines counter service with indoor and outdoor seating, serving curry, pizza and Mediterranean plates, including halal, vegan and vegetarian options. Alchemi pairs an Asian-inspired menu and small plates with cocktails and wine; dinner reservations are recommended.
For a separate bar stop, Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery is a cocktail bar on E 4th St, opening at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hookah Joe supplies a hookah-bar option on S Washington Ave. Smoky’s Cigar Bar & Bistro combines indoor cigar smoking, cocktails and table-service dining, with dinner, dessert and small plates.
Dinner near the theatre
early evening
Stop 1
Johnny Mustard’s
4.8(99)Royal Oak
Johnny Mustard’s offers fast, casual counter service with Italian deli sandwiches, hot dogs and Mama Mustard’s signature chili for an early bite.
Stop 2
Detroit Eatery
4.7(1325)Royal Oak
Detroit Eatery brings curry, pizza and Mediterranean plates together with halal, vegan and vegetarian options, plus indoor and outdoor seating.
Stop 3
Alchemi
4.6(543)Royal Oak
Alchemi pairs elevated cocktails and wine with an Asian-inspired menu, small plates and table service, with reservations recommended for dinner.
Stop 4
Oak House Deli
4.6(408)Royal Oak
Oak House Deli offers counter-service sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian choices, and takeout for a quick bite without a dine-in meal.
Pre-show drinks
evening
Stop 5
Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery
4.9(217)Royal Oak
Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery offers a cocktail-bar stop on E 4th St, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and weekend afternoon hours.
Stop 6
Hookah Joe
4.7(614)Royal Oak
Hookah Joe adds a hookah-bar option on S Washington Ave, opening at 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Stop 7
Smoky’s Cigar Bar & Bistro
4.6(237)Royal Oak
Smoky’s Cigar Bar & Bistro combines an indoor cigar lounge with cocktails, beer, wine and table-service dinner, dessert and small plates.
