This is a round-up of the 15 Soho NYC BEST restaurants in 2024! With so many restaurants in just a few blocks, the options can get overwhelming.
Soho means South of Houston Street in Lower Manhattan, which is where you’ll find these restaurants. Given its location, do expect some trendy restaurants and prices starting at $20+. However, I make sure to include Soho cheap eats and hidden gems!
Last Updated: January 11th, 2024
Soho NYC Best Restaurants Guide
1) Raku
First on the Soho NYC best restaurants list is the best udon in New York! What makes Raku stand out is its fresh, handmade noodles. They have a bouncy texture that absorbs the broth well.
Kick your meal off with Raku’s chicken tatsuta. It’s deep-fried chicken thigh meat soaked in a soy sauce marinade. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside. They accompany it with an addicting chili mayo sauce.
Raku’s niku udon ($25) is the best signature udon to order for first-timers. It comes with tender beef short ribs, honeycomb tripe, & tendon. You also have the option to add heat with nori sansho chili oil for a kick.
I also recommend the curry udon ($18-20). The udon comes in a thick Japanese curry broth, onions, and your choice of chicken or prime beef.
Similar to many of the restaurants in Japan, the inside is small with minimalist decor. In the warmer weather, there’s an outdoor patio with more seating.
48 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 / rakynyc.com
2) Citizens of Soho
Citizens of Soho is an Australian-inspired vegetarian chain with a location in the heart of SoHo! You’ll find rice bowls, burgers, & breakfast egg dishes here.
I enjoyed their homemade Belgian waffle, which comes with brown butter maple syrup, a berry compote, bananas, granola, & mascarpone. The waffle is only slightly sweet and the granola adds the perfect crunch.
Also, as much as I hate to admit it, their smashing avocado toast is pretty tasty. The mashed avocado is jazzed up with feta, lime, and cilantro atop a thick multi-grain. They top it with pickled onion, radish, pumpkin seeds, and beetroot hummus. While I’d normally never order an avocado toast for $16 anywhere else, the additions make it worth it.
The inside of the restaurant is aesthetically pleasing with white hues and plenty of natural sunlight. It’d be the perfect spot for a light Soho brunch and coffee before shopping in the neighborhood.
201 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 / citizens.coffee
3) Jack’s Wife Freda
Before you click off this page, yes, I know that Jack’s Wife Freda is on every single Soho NYC best restaurants list out there. However, their eclectic menu and fun atmosphere live up to the hype.
The dishes at Jack’s Wife Freda have Mediterranean, Jewish, & South African influences. On their breakfast menu, you can’t miss the rosewater waffle, shakshuka, and Madame Freda. I particularly enjoyed the Madame Freda. It’s a pressed French sandwich with duck prosciutto, cheddar bechamel, creamy gruyere sauce, & a sunny-side egg on top. It’s basically an indulgent, melty grilled cheese!
Their green eggs shakshuka is also very interesting. It’s two poached eggs in a green tomatillo sauce, similar to a salsa verde. I added halloumi cheese to mine, which adds the perfect amount of saltiness to the dish.
Note: this is a very popular Soho restaurant. Expect to wait, especially on the weekend!
226 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 / jackswifefreda.com
Further Reading: Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary to NYC
4) BoCaPhe
Just a few doors down from Jack’s Wife Freda is an Asian fusion restaurant. The decor inside BoCaPhe is cool and quirky. They have bright murals on the walls, plants hanging from the ceiling, and plenty of natural sunlight. In the warmer weather, they have an outdoor patio elaborately decorated with greenery.
Onto the food: BoCaPhe’s menu is Vietnamese & French fusion. Popular dishes include the spicy crispy chicken banh mi sandwich, green papaya salad, & spring rolls.
I ordered their grilled beef & lemongrass bo bun (~$20). It’s a refreshing, healthy rice noodle bowl with vegetables, peanuts, spring rolls, and fish sauce. The beef is seared to perfection.
222 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 / bocaphe.com
5) Balthazar
With a Michelin-star rating, it’s no surprise that Balthazar has made this Soho NYC best restaurants list. The brasserie sells traditional French cuisine in a romantic, elegant setting. The French onion soup is cheesy and rich in flavor.
One of the most famous entrees is the steak frites (~$48). The steak comes with seasoned string-shoe fries, bearnaise sauce, and a generous serving of butter. I also like the unique outer crust from the peppercorn!
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 / balthazarny.com
7) Little Ruby’s Cafe
Ruby’s on Mulberry Street is another “basic” NYC restaurant, but it’s popular for a reason. The food is incredible and the restaurant is very picturesque! The menu has Australian and Italian-American influences, consisting of breakfast bowls, pasta, burgers, and coffee.
Their most famous dish is the Bronte burger ($15.50). It’s a seasoned beef patty with tomato, spinach, Swiss cheese, and a sweet chili sauce with mayo on a ciabatta roll. The burger is juicy, flavorful, and slightly sweet from the sauces. Another good burger option is the Whaleys ($16), which has interesting toppings like pineapples and fried eggs.
For sides, get their truffle fries. It’s generously coated in sea salt & truffle oil, and served with an addicting truffle aioli.
The inside of the restaurant is cute but compact, so expect to wait. I went on a Friday in the summer and waited for over an hour! While you wait, grab a coffee at Cafe Leon Dore just across the street.
219 Mulberry St A, New York, NY 10012 / rubyscafe.com
8) Le Botaniste
This is the best vegan option on this Soho NYC best restaurants guide. The vegan restaurant specializes in plant-based, gluten-free rice bowls, salads, and soups. Upon entering, it feels like you’ve walked into a 19th-century apothecary with shelves of brown glass bottles.
One of the most popular bowls is the Tibetan Mama, which comes with brown rice, coconut peanut butter curry sauce, kimchi, & steamed green vegetables.
They have a pretty good dinner special deal, where you can get a wine with your meal for only $25!
127 Grand St, New York, NY 10013 / lebotaniste.us
9) Rice Kitchen Soho
For a budget food option in Soho, try Rice Kitchen. They specialize in Korean kimbap. Kimbap is similar to sushi, but instead of seafood, it’s filled with meat and vegetables. I like their bulgogi (beef) most, but the spicy pork and tofu are also great.
The inside of the restaurant is VERY small. It’s counter-service with a couple of tables to sit at. For only around $12 per dish, it’s a steal for the neighborhood.
204 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 / ricekitchensoho.com
10) Jane Restaurant
Jane is the perfect option for comforting, American breakfast fare. You’ll find everything from eggs benedicts to omelets to burgers.
The French toast is definitely the star of Jane’s breakfast menu. It’s a whole loaf of brioche bread made with an eggy, creme brulee batter and is topped with fresh fruit.
The American bistro has a lively atmosphere and is popular among groups. It’s one of the more fun restaurants in Soho NYC. They have a happy hour every day from 3-7 PM, where you’ll find bar snacks and drinks for under $10.
100 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012 / janerestaurant.com
11) Aurora Soho
With its spectacular Italian food and rustic interior, Aurora is an ideal spot for a date night or brunch with friends. The cacio e pepe is a fan-favorite. It’s cheesy and creamy without being overly peppery or rich.
The duck confit waffle on their brunch menu is also a hit.
510 Broome St, New York, NY 10013 / aurorasoho.com
12) Boqueria Soho
Boqueria is a small, New York-based Spanish restaurant and tapas chain, with a location on Spring Street. The patatas bravas are a must! It’s spicy cubed potatoes with salsa brava, pimento, and garlic aioli sauce on top. Other tapas to try include gambas al ajillo (shrimp) and croquetas cremosas (ham croquettes).
For 4 hungry people, three tapas and an order of paella is the perfect amount of food.
Like most restaurants in NYC, the atmosphere at Boqueria is loud and busy.
Note: Before you visit, call to see if they’re currently open. The last time I checked their website, they said they were closed for renovations. Check out their other NYC location in the meantime.
13) Sadelle’s
Sadelle’s is an iconic NYC brunch restaurant famous for its house-smoked salmon towers! It’s essentially a deconstructed salmon bagel sandwich on a three-tiered tower. Each selection comes with your choice of meat (most people get the house salmon), tomatoes, cucumber, onion & capers, on your choice of bagel.
Many patrons also swear by Sadelle’s french toast. It’s thick and crispy on the outside, and buttery on the inside.
463 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012 / sadelle’s.com
14) Blue Ribbon Brasserie
Blue Ribbon is an upscale, French-inspired brasserie. You’ll find everything from seafood to steaks. Their most popular dishes are fried chicken, oxtail, & New York strip steak.
97 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012 / blueribbonbrasserie.com
15) Dominique Ansel
Last on the Soho NYC best restaurants list is Dominique Ansel for dessert! They’re famous for their cronut, a cross between a croissant and a donut. Its sugar-coated crust and flaky layers on the inside make it the perfect sweet treat.
The shop’s cronut flavors change monthly, so check out the Dominique Ansel website for more information.
Another signature dessert at Dominique Ansel is their “cookie shot”. It’s a small cup shaped like a shot glass and is MADE of chocolate chip cookies. They then fill it with milk!
The inside of the pastry shop is quite narrow and leads to a seating area in the back. It can get crowded on weekends, so go early in the morning.
189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 / dominiqueanselny.com
Best Restaurants Near Soho NYC (NoHo & Nolita)
Here are some iconic foods to eat near Soho in NYC. They’re located in NoHo (North of Houston Street) and Nolita (North of Little Italy).
- Prince Street Pizza – thick pizza slices for only ~$5. They’re most famous for the square pepperoni pizza slices.
- Los Tacos No 1 – casual eatery serving authentic, Mexican street food-style tacos for about $5 each.
- Cafe Habana – Cuban-Mexican restaurant
- Zooba – Egyptian street food spot in Noho
- Rubirosa – pizza restaurant that’s known for its Tie-Dye pizza. It’s a swirl of vodka sauce, tomato sauce, pesto, & fresh mozzarella, giving a tie-dye look.
- 5ive Spice – Vietnamese fusion foods like banh mi tacos and short rib pho
Wrapping Up: Soho NYC Best Restaurants
That concludes my Soho NYC best restaurants guide! Save this guide for your next trip to Soho, and send it to a friend who’d find it useful.
Have a spot that you think I should include in this list? Send a message to my contact page and I’ll check it out!
Once you’ve eaten through my Soho NYC best restaurants guide, check out my other articles:
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