Where to Eat and Drink in Soho: The Best Restaurants and Cocktail Bars

That’s Soho. It tempts you in slowly - through smells, music, storefronts, and menus written in clean fonts you don’t recognise but somehow trust. It's packed with restaurants and bars that know how to deliver without making a fuss. 

If you’re hungry, thirsty, or just in the mood for something new, here’s where to eat and drink in one of New York's most stylish neighborhoods. Drop your bags off at luggage storage NYC and hit the town.

1. Rubirosa - For Amazing Pizza

Classic NYC pizza, but make it better. Rubirosa serves thin, crisp pizza with house-made vodka sauce that people come from miles around for. It's family-run, always busy, and worth the wait.

If you can’t get a table, sit at the bar and order a slice. You’ll leave wondering why you ever settled for average pizza.

2. Altro Paradiso (Polished, but not pretentious)

Altro Paradiso manages to get that rare balance of great food and a relaxed feel. The pastas are simple, the ingredients are perfect, and the wine list matches the food perfectly.

It's the kind of place where a long luch turns into an early dinner, and no one seems to mind.

3. Raouls (Old School Cool)

Raoul’s has been doing Soho right since the 70s. Think French bistro, dim lighting, and steak au poivre that could win awards. The crowd is a mix of locals, regulars, and the occasional celebrity who somehow looks like they live upstairs.

If you’re lucky, grab a seat at the bar and sip a martini while people-watching. Classic Soho energy.

4. Lure Fishbar (Upscale Seafood)

Found on Mercer Street, Lure Fishbar serves fresh seafood with a twist. The inside looks like a private boat deck, which sounds strange until you’re sitting there eating oysters and pretending you’re very successful.

Good for business lunches, quiet dates, or just escaping the noise for a while.

5. Fanelli Cafe (Casual and Classic)

One of the oldest restaurants in New York, Fanelli’s, is still going strong for a reason. It’s everything a proper NYC cafe should be - no frills, just good food, decent coffee, and a proper pint when you need it.

Perfect for post-shopping lunches or sitting with a notebook pretending you’re writing a screenplay.

6. Crazy Pizza (Pizza With Personality)

Crazy Pizza doesn’t just serve pizza - it puts on a show. Located in the heart of Soho, it's a restaurant with a theatrical theme and a playful feel. Expect classic Italian flavors with a fresh, bold twist. Theres a good range of pizzas to suit everyone's tastes. Great for nights out when you want more than just dinner, as they also serve fantastic cocktails.

7. Pera Soho (Most Walk Past It)

This is Mediterranean food that's done right in a place that most people walk right past. Pera’s patio is one of the best-kept secrets in the neighborhood, especially when the weather is right.

Their lamb dishes are what a lot of people head here for, and their happy hour is also great.

8. The Corner Store (Comfort Food)

The Corner Store is a little nostalgic, a bit indulgent, and exactly what you need when you’re after familiar flavors served with style. Lober and Carivar Rools, a Wagyu French Drip with au jus poured right at your table, and fries with their special McOli sauce. Same room for dessert, their Apple Hand Pies are amazing.

9. Charlie Bird (Loud and Lively)

Charlie Bird is a mix of casual and cool, serving Italian-inspired dishes and a playlist that keeps things upbeat. The wine list leans toward natural, the servers know their stuff, and the energy feels like a Friday night when it's not.

The farro salad comes highly recommended.

10. Sadelle’s (Brunch Royalty)

You’ll hear people call Sadelle’s “iconic”, and in this case, they’re not wrong. It’s a bakery, a restaurant, and a bagel-lover's dream rolled into one. Come for the smoked salmon tower, and stay for the endless coffee refills. 

Our tip would be to visit on a weekday morning if you want to avoid the crowds, as it can get very busy.

Make The Most of It

Soho can be a lot - in the best way. If you need a break between meals, shops, or drinks, BELONG NYC is a great place to pause for a moment. You’ll find nap pods NYC for a reset, private meeting spaces NYC for work calls, and setups for freelancers and remote workers who don’t want to deal with a noisy cafe.

You can also drop your bags using luggage storage NYC or locker rentals NYC, both of which are available at BELONG. That way, you’re free to roam, shop, and snack without lugging everything around.

One Neighbourhood

Soho doesn’t try to be everything. It just quietly nails the things that matter - the food, atmosphere, and places that feel like they belong to the city and to you. You can sit alone with a coffee, meet friends for oysters, or find yourself in a cocktail bar you never planned to enter. It’s all part of the charm.

Come hungry, stay curious.