A visit to New York’s bustling SoHo neighborhood is sure to bring shopping, impeccable people watching, and of course, good food. While some may say SoHo is highly trafficked and lacks exciting food prospects, that is far from the truth. The neighborhood is packed with delightful restaurants and I would argue, some of the best in the city!
Keep reading for the best restaurants in SoHo for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Balthazar
Opened by Keith McNally, Balthazar has been around for 20+ years and is highly influential in New York’s restaurant scene. This old-style French brasserie feels like a step back in time: red leather booths, antique decor, waiters buzzing about in crisp white button-downs, and a dim yellow light that makes everything feel dreamlike. Breakfast and pastries here are delicious as are the dinner classics like oysters, burgers, steak frites, and French Onion soup. P.S. if you dine here solo, they’ll bring you champagne on the house. So special!
Prince Street Pizza
New Yorkers will never agree on where the best pizza in the city is but Prince Street Pizza is often a top contender. They’re known for their square slices with thick bits of pepperoni. They do serve classic slices if that’s more your vibe. Be warned – it’s especially busy here during weekends.
SoHo Diner
Contrary to the name, this diner is no Luke’s Diner. Set in the upscale SoHo Hotel, it looks like a diner with darling retro decor but the menu is elevated and eclectic (and priced accordingly). Come in any time of day and enjoy avocado toasts, egg sandwiches, pancakes, chicken wings, salads, burgers, steaks, and more.
Sadelle’s
New Yorkers are attached to their bagels and while most are okay with their bagel and shmear wrapped in foil for under $5, this is where luxury bagel dreams come true. Picture tiered platters of salmon, whitefish, sturgeon, and caviar served alongside a tall stack of bagels. A visit to Sadelle’s is as extra as you could imagine but well worth the experience.
Jack’s Wife Freda
Ah, Jack’s Wife Freda has my heart! Of all the restaurants I’ve tried, I have to say they have the friendliest staff. The atmosphere is always warm and cheery and feels like a neighborhood party where everyone is welcome. They serve Mediterranean food from small bites like fried halloumi and zucchini chips and of course, tasty entrees as well. The brunch is delicious making this a perfect weekend spot. The SoHo location used to be on Lafayette Street but has recently moved just up the corner and the European sidewalk seating is great for a drink and some people watching.
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Egg Shop
As the name suggests, here you’ll find…eggs. And pretty darn good ones! Egg Shop serves eggy creations for breakfast lunch and dinner – from scrambles to toasts to sandwiches to salads. Every time I visit, I wonder why I’m not there every day.
The Dutch
Ironically there’s nothing Dutch here but instead a menu of perfectly crafted American dishes. Grab a seat on the tree-lined Sullivan Street for some extra cozy vibes. The weekend brunch at The Dutch is delicious but you can’t go wrong with their fried chicken, burger, or steak.
Parm
Parm is the little sister of Carbone, one of New York’s famed (and impossible to get a reservation at) Italian restaurants. The vibe here is no fuss and laid-back. Their Rigatoni Carbone is inspired by Carbone’s recipe and is out of this world! Other favorites include their mozzarella sticks, chicken parm, meatballs, and Sunday salad.
Dominique Ansel
This bakery could be categorized as an attraction as tourists line up from the crack of dawn to try the famous cronut (croissant donut) created by Dominique Ansel. You’ll have to be there early to snag some cronuts but they offer other unique and inventive French pastries and sandwiches which are equally tasty. Each month, they release a cronut flavor of the month which they announce on Instagram. If you plan ahead, you can order some pastries on Doordash or Caviar which saves you a wait in line.
Ruby’s
This Australian cafe is a go to! They’re open all day and serve up healthy dishes like avocado toasts, bowls, and salads. However, I have named Ruby’s burger as the best in the entire city: thin burger patty, melty cheddar cheese, pickles, and a tangy sauce, on a fluffy bun served with herby fries. I die!
Flipper’s
New York is full of unique food experiences and Flipper’s is certainly one of them! This Japanese restaurant is known for its souffle pancakes. They’re thick, fluffy, and look like a cloud. The sweet toppings include variations of berries and custards. The savory versions are their takes on benedicts and other breakfast sandwiches. It’s definitely worth a try if you’re open to something out of the box.
Eileen’s Special Cheesecake
Eileen’s was voted Best Cheesecake in America by Food & Wine and for good reason! This tiny shop packs a punch with delicious cheesecakes in all sorts of flavors including classic berry flavors, red velvet, pumpkin, salted caramel, and cookies & cream. You can purchase an entire cheesecake which is great for parties or birthdays but they also sell mini versions which are great for sampling!
This list barely scratches the surface of all of the amazing dining in SoHo but these are the very best, must-try spots. Let me know if you try one or what your favorite SoHo spots are!
So true about Soho Diner it’s like an elevated Luke’s Diner 🙂