Savor SoHo: 17 Must‑Try Restaurants for Food Lovers

The 17 Best Restaurants in SoHo

best-restaurants-in-soho-nyc

SoHo is more than just a neighborhood; it’s a culinary playground where every corner holds a new flavor, a fresh concept, and an unforgettable dining experience. From classic French brasseries to modern Italian trattorias, and from trendy Chinese fusion spots to hearty American bistros, the streets of SoHo pulse with gastronomic energy. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 17 top restaurants that capture the essence of SoHo’s food scene, share insider tips, and highlight dishes that you simply can’t miss.

Why SoHo is a Culinary Destination

SoHo’s appeal lies in its blend of history, culture, and innovation. The neighborhood’s cobblestone streets, art galleries, and fashion boutiques set the stage for a vibrant dining culture that has evolved over decades. Whether you’re craving a classic French onion soup, a wood‑fired pizza, or a fusion of Thai and Mexican flavors, SoHo has something for every palate. The restaurants here are known for their seasonal menus, high‑quality ingredients, and a sense of community that makes each visit feel personal.

Restaurant Highlights

Balthazar

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 12:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Price Range: $35–$60 per person
Signature Dish: French onion soup
Atmosphere: Cozy, bustling, with a warm, wood‑panelled interior
Reservation Tips: Book a table by the bar for the best view of the city skyline

“Balthazar is a true New York classic—the sort of place that feels baked into the DNA of Downtown dining. The room is always buzzing, the lighting is flattering, and the French onion soup? Easily the best I’ve had in my life. It’s also one of the most considerate restaurants for solo diners: there’s a well‑known policy of offering a complimentary glass of Champagne to anyone dining alone, which makes pulling up a seat at the bar feel especially celebratory.”

Jack’s Wife Freda

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Price Range: $25–$45 per person
Signature Dish: Fried zucchini chips
Atmosphere: Sunny, lively, with an outdoor patio that’s perfect for people‑watching
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table by the patio for a sunny brunch or an intimate dinner

“This all‑day café has become synonymous with the neighborhood—sunny, lively, and with one of the best outdoor dining setups for people‑watching Downtown. I could happily post up here for hours with an iced mint lemonade, watching the world glide down Lafayette. The must‑order? The fried zucchini chips. Light, crispy, addictive—no notes.”

Lure Fishbar

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Price Range: $30–$55 per person
Signature Dish: Tuna crispy rice
Atmosphere: Polished wood, porthole details, deep‑blue glow
Reservation Tips: Book early for the best sushi and the legendary burger

“Walking into Lure Fishbar feels like boarding the chicest yacht imaginable—polished wood, porthole details, and a deep‑blue glow set the scene. The sushi is always excellent, the lychee martinis even better, but the tuna crispy rice is my personal gold standard and one of those dishes you think about long after you’ve left. Full disclosure: my boyfriend might actually break up with me if I didn’t mention the burger, which he insists is one of the best in the city.”

Shuka

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu ineffective hours 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Price Range: $28–$48 per person
Signature Dish: Coq au vin
Atmosphere: Mediterranean‑inspired, warm kitchen
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table by the kitchen for a true lunch or dinner experience

“Shuka is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The menu features a mix of classic Italian and modern twists, making it a go‑to for both lunch and dinner. Their wood‑fired pizza and truffle risotto are crowd favorites.”

Sadelle’s

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 10:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri–Sun 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Price Range: $28–$50 per person
Signature Dish: Steak au poivre
Atmosphere: Classic French bistro with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the window for a great view of the city

“MamoMamo is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The menu features a mix of classic Italian and modern twists, making it a go‑to for both lunch and dinner. Their wood‑fired pizza and truffle risotto are crowd favorites.”

Raoul’s

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Price Range: $30–$60 per person
Signature Dish: Steak au poivre
Atmosphere: Classic, institutional, with a 50th‑birthday celebration
Reservation Tips: Book a table by the oyster bar for a late‑afternoon or early‑evening meal

“MamoMamo is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The menu features a mix of classic Italian and modern twists, making it a go‑to for both lunch and dinner. Their wood‑fired pizza and truffle risotto are crowd favorites.”

MamoMamo

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 12:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $28–$50 per person
Signature Dish: Wood‑fired pizza
Atmosphere: Rustic, welcoming, with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best tasting pizza and risotto

“MamoMamo is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The menu features a mix of classic Italian and modern twists, making it a go‑to for both lunch and dinner. Their wood‑fired pizza and truffle risotto are crowd favorites.”

Le Coucou

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 12:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
Price Range: $35–$65 per person
Signature Dish: Coq au vin
Atmosphere: Elegant French brasserie with a warm, welcoming vibe
Reservation Tips: Book by the bar for a great wine selection and a cozy dinner

“Le Coucou is an iconic French brasserie that offers a refined dining experience. The house wine selection is exceptional, and the seasonal menu changes frequently. My favorite dish is the coq au vin.”

Pinch Chinese

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $20–$40 per person
Signature Dish: Green curry
Atmosphere: Modern, vibrant, with a labyrinth of small plates
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table by the kitchen for the best pad thai and green curry

“Pinch Chinese offers a dynamic fusion of traditional Cantonese flavors and contemporary presentation. The menu is a labyrinth of small plates, each with its own personality.”

Fanelli Cafe

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 8:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Price Range: $18–$35 per person
Signature Dish: Homemade lasagna
Atmosphere: Historic Italian charm, with a cozy interior and a lively patio
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table by the patio for a sunny brunch or an intimate dinner

“Fanelli Cafe is a historic spot that brings the old‑world charm of Italy to SoHo. The menu is filled with homemade pastas and savory pies.”

Altro Paradiso

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $22–$45 per person
Signature Dish: Wood‑fired pizza
Atmosphere: Authentic Italian trattoria with a Tuscan vibe
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best tiramisu and pizza

“Altro Paradiso is an authentic Italian trattoria that feels like a slice of Tuscany in Manhattan. The wood‑fired pizza and tiramisu are must‑tries.”

Champers Social Club

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 11:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
Price Range: $25–$50 per person
Signature Dish: Craft cocktail martini
Atmosphere: Trendy bar with a wide variety of small plates
Reservation Tips: Book early for the best late‑night drinks and after‑work bites

“Champers Social Club is a trendy spot that offers both craft cocktails and a wide variety of small plates. The bar is open late and the menu is diverse.”

Thai Diner

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Fri–Sun 10:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Price Range: $20–$38 per person
Signature Dish: Pad Thai
Atmosphere: Colorful, vibrant, with a cozy interior and a bright patio
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table by the patio for a sunny brunch or a late‑night feast

“Thai Diner offers a unique blend of Thai and Mexican flavors. The green curry and pad thai are the highlights.”

St. Ambroeus

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p चले
Price Range: $17–$32 per person
Signature Dish: Roast chicken
Atmosphere: Classic French bistro with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best lunch or dinner experience

“St. Ambroeus is a historic spot that brings the old‑world charm of Italy to SoHo. The menu is filled with homemade pastas and savory pies.”

Indian

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $18–$35 per person
Signature Dish: Tandoori chicken
Atmosphere: Authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best tandoori chicken and naan

“Indian is an authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist.”

Indian

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $18–$35 per person
Signature Dish: Tandoori chicken
Atmosphere: Authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best tandoori chicken and naan

“Indian is an authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist.”

Indian

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Price Range: $18–$35 per person
Signature Dish: Tandoori chicken
Atmosphere: Authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist
Reservation Tips: Reserve a table near the kitchen for the best tandoori chicken and naan

“Indian is an authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist.”

Indian

Photo: Sylvia Paret

Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sun
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