Although it may be best known for shopping, SoHo is also home to some of the city’s most irresistible restaurants. From chic French brasseries to cozy Italian trattorias, the streets are filled with spots that make every meal feel like an occasion. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual lunch between boutiques, lingering over a long dinner, or heading out for a late-night bite, SoHo delivers.
Here, find Vogue’s guide to the neighborhood’s best tables, from timeless institutions to newer hotspots.
Balthazar
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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
Would it really be a SoHo restaurant guide without Jack’s Wife Freda? 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
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
As a lifelong Mediterranean food lover, I find myself returning to Shuka again and again. It might be my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in the city. The flavors are bright and layered, the room is always lively, and the mezze-style ordering makes it perfect for sharing. I know it sounds dramatic, but their dates genuinely changed my life. They’re sweet and seasoned to perfection—simple in theory but unforgettable in execution.
Sadelle’s
Owned by Major Food Group—of Carbone fame—Sadelle’s has fully earned its reputation as one of the city’s most coveted brunch destinations. Scoring a weekend reservation is practically an Olympic sport; if you get one, consider it a blessing and do not let it go. (It’s a little easier to grab a table on weekdays, though.) Their signature dishes include the bagel tower and Cobb salad, but if you only order one thing, make it the French toast. It’s decadent, custardy, and irresistible—but fair warning: it will probably ruin all other French toast for you.
Raoul’s
A true Soho institution, Raoul’s has been holding court since 1975—and just celebrated its 50th birthday, proving that Downtown cool only gets better with age. The steak au poivre is my go-to and the oysters are always excellent, but the hardest thing to get is the burger. Only a dozen are made each weekday, exclusively at the bar, which has turned scoring one into something of a downtown sport.
Mamo
Mamo is one of those consistently excellent Italian spots that feels tailor-made for West Broadway, warm, elegant, and always reliable. The pastas are wonderful, the seafood is fresh, and the service has that signature Italian charm. And in true tradition, they’ll often send over a complimentary shot of limoncello to close out the meal—a small gesture that makes the whole experience feel pleasantly old-world.
Le Coucou
Le Coucou is one of my forever favorites—a timeless French gem in the heart of Soho that feels elegant, candlelit, and unmistakably Parisian. After conquering the dining scene in Paris, chef Daniel Rose brought his brilliance back to New York with this now-iconic spot. The menu leans into elevated French classics: pike quenelles in lobster sauce, veal sweetbreads, lamb chops, and desserts that always land just right. When I want pure ambiance and that exacting French technique, Le Coucou never misses.
Pinch Chinese
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Pinch Chinese is a go-to for modern Chinese cooking that’s both elevated and comforting. I usually head straight for the bar, where the dumplings are steaming and the duck is perfectly crisp. The vibe is relaxed but refined—the kind of place where you feel energized enough to keep the night going afterward, not like a takeout standby or a beloved-but-bare-bones Chinatown spot where you immediately crave your couch. Start with the spicy marinated cucumbers; they set the tone for everything that follows.
Fanelli Cafe
Fanelli is a Downtown landmark (the city’s second-oldest food-and-drink spot still operating in the same location since 1847) and has more recently become a bona fide cool-kid hangout. It’s unfussy, a little worn-in, and full of character in that very specific New York way. The food isn’t meant to be groundbreaking; it’s comfort bar fare at its finest. Sometimes all I want is a basket of chicken fingers, a solid burger, or a grilled cheese sandwich with a steaming bowl of tomato soup on a freezing winter day, and Fanelli always delivers. I’ve absolutely spent five hours here without realizing it—arriving at lunch and somehow staying straight through dinner.
Altro Paradiso
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Altro Paradiso is a chic, airy Italian spot in Soho—stylish but totally welcoming. The menu takes Italian classics up a notch, and my favorites have to be the Milanese di Vitello, Arancini, and Malfatta pasta. Everything pairs beautifully with a glass from their curated wine list, making it perfect for a romantic dinner, a relaxed lunch, or any night when you just want a little Italian indulgence.
Champers Social Club
Champers is my go-to neighborhood haunt year-round. A perfect corner spot on Crosby and Broome where the bartenders know me by name and the cocktails are always spot-on. It’s great for a casual drink, a light bite, or a last-minute meet-up that somehow turns into an entire evening. They also have a drink called the Tom Hanks: Champagne mixed with Diet Coke. I haven’t personally been brave enough to try it, but my sister swears by it. It may be a secret-menu item, so if you’re curious, just ask.
Thai Diner
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Yes, Thai Diner is technically in NoLita, but leaving it out would feel even more dishonest. It’s my favorite Thai restaurant in the city—an exuberant, deeply comforting spot where I unapologetically order the exact same lineup every single time. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke, right? My must-order rotation: the Thai Disco Fries, the roti, crab fried rice, Phat See Ew, and Uncle Boon’s famous coconut sundae for dessert. I’ve never tried their beloved egg sandwich, but I’ve heard enough glowing reviews to feel confident recommending it.
St. Ambroeus
St. Ambroeus is the kind of Italian spot that leaves you full but not weighed down—a rare gift in a city of heavy meals. It works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s one of my favorite places to linger with the girls over coffee or cocktails. Bonus: it’s home to one of my absolute favorite desserts, the princess cake—light, elegant, and perfectly Instagram-worthy.
The Corner Store
By now, you’ve probably heard of The Corner Store—or spotted it in the background of a Taylor Swift paparazzi photo. It’s one of the buzziest spots in town, and getting a reservation can feel nearly impossible. And as much as I want to roll my eyes at the hype, this place genuinely lives up to it. If I listed all my favorites, it would be the entire menu, but the essentials are the spinach artichoke dip, Caesar salad, pizza rolls, and French dip sandwich. And martini fans, take note: they make some of the best in the city.
Rubirosa
Technically on the border of Soho but far too good to leave out, Rubirosa serves some of the city’s best pizza. The Tie-Dye Pie is thin, crispy, and utterly addictive. They even have a full gluten-free menu, and the pizzas are so good you’d never know the difference. My celiac brother asks to go here every time he visits the city.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
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Blue Ribbon Brasserie is a Soho late-night favorite—buzzing, cozy, and iconic. The fried chicken and shellfish platter are just a couple of must-tries, but there’s truly something on the menu for everyone. Famously open late seven nights a week (5 p.m. – 2 a.m.), it’s perfect for spontaneous dinners, after-work drinks, or a proper late-night feast.