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Pera Soho
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Pera Soho
8.4
Opened in 2011 as the downtown sibling of Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, Pera Soho serves Turkish-leaning meze and grilled meats in a spacious dining room that opens onto one of SoHo’s more sought-after garden patios. Thousands of reviews and regular press mentions highlight its role as a go-to for birthdays, corporate dinners, and date nights built around shared plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and lamb adana rolls, Wild mushroom flatbread, Lamb tartare
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Turkish-leaning Mediterranean cooking with one of SoHo’s prettiest gardens.
Who should go: Celebration groups and dates wanting upscale meze and grill platters.
When to visit: Warm evenings for the garden; weekend brunch for celebrations.
What to order: Chicken and lamb adana rolls, wild mushroom flatbread, lamb tartare.
Insider tip: Request a table in the back garden for lower street noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in SoHo, especially evenings; nearby paid garages on Lafayette and Varick are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished jeans and a nice top are fine, but most guests lean dressy for celebrations.
Noise level: Moderate to lively indoors during peak hours; the garden is noticeably calmer and better for conversation.
Weekend wait: Expect 45–70 minutes without a reservation, especially for garden seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though larger groups should reserve.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several strong options including meze, flatbreads, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited but workable with a few vegetable plates and salads; confirm preparations with staff.
Gluten-free options: Many grilled proteins and salads are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The garden and softly lit interior offer a polished, intimate setting without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weekdays, but weekends and prime dinner hours heavily favor reservations—especially for outdoor seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids or teens; the menu skews upscale and the atmosphere is oriented toward adults celebrating or dining out.
Best For
Better for: Celebrations, larger groups, and guests wanting a stylish outdoor garden paired with Turkish-leaning meze and grills.
Skip if: You want a casual, quick meal or are seeking strictly traditional regional Turkish cooking without modern touches.
Pera Soho
8.6
Pera Soho is an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in SoHo known for Greek-leaning meze, grilled meats, and a courtyard garden that feels unusually spacious for downtown. With thousands of multi-platform reviews and more than a decade of service, it functions as a reliable choice for celebrations, date nights, and corporate dinners built around shared plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and lamb adana rolls, Wild mushroom flatbread, Greek salad with feta
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Greek-influenced Eastern Mediterranean meze and grills with a lush courtyard.
Who should go: Groups and couples planning polished Mediterranean-leaning celebrations.
When to visit: Warm evenings or weekend nights for peak garden atmosphere.
What to order: Greek salad, chicken and lamb adana rolls, wild mushroom flatbread.
Insider tip: Request a courtyard table when reserving; it books up in season.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in SoHo, especially evenings; nearby paid garages on Varick and Thompson are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished tops, dresses, or elevated denim fit the room, especially for evening celebrations.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak dinner hours; courtyard tables are slightly quieter and allow comfortable conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer in warm months when the courtyard is in demand.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, aside from occasional short delays during peak business lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple mezze, salads, and flatbreads work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-forward mezze and salads can be adapted, but mains skew meat-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Several gluten-free options are available, including many dips and grilled items; staff can guide substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The courtyard and dim, polished dining room offer a romantic backdrop, and shareable plates make the pacing feel relaxed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly on weekdays or early evenings, but weekend nights and warm-weather days almost always require a reservation, especially for outdoor seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. The menu caters more to adults and celebrations, but school-age kids who enjoy grilled meats or simple mezze will manage fine; no dedicated kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Special-occasion Mediterranean dining with a rare SoHo garden, polished service, and consistently executed meze and grills.
Skip if: You want a quick, casual meal, lower price point, or a quiet environment — the energy and cost here favor celebrations over everyday dining.
Pera Soho
8.1
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Pet Friendly Paradise
Group Dining Gatherings
This Eastern Mediterranean restaurant frames kebabs, mezze, and shashlik steak frites with a large, heated courtyard popular for group dinners. The garden layout and stated dog-friendly policy make it a reliable choice for celebrations where the dog is part of the party.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sirloin 'Shashlik' Steak Frites, Pera Organic Beef Burger, Grilled Chicken 'Shashlik'
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Eastern Mediterranean courtyard restaurant with heated, dog-friendly outdoor seating and kebab-focused plates.
Who should go: Groups celebrating birthdays or milestones with dogs in tow.
When to visit: Evenings in warm weather; earlier for calmer courtyard energy.
What to order: Sirloin shashlik steak frites, Pera burger, chicken shashlik.
Insider tip: Note you’re bringing a dog when reserving so hosts seat you in the courtyard.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in SoHo, especially after 6pm; paid garages on Lafayette and Varick are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished but relaxed. Jeans are fine if paired with a nicer top or jacket.
Noise level: Moderate to lively, especially in the courtyard during peak hours; conversation remains possible at smaller tables.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer for courtyard seating in warm months.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; courtyard availability varies seasonally.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection of mezze and salads; several entrées can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 mezze and salads; confirm dressings and dips with staff.
Gluten-free options: Several kebabs and mains are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide safe choices.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a lively, outdoor-forward setting with shareable mezze; less ideal if you prefer a quieter, intimate room.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights if you’re flexible, but courtyard seating—especially dog-friendly tables—usually requires an advance reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle a lively courtyard; high chairs are limited and space can feel tight during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Large-group celebrations, heated outdoor seating, and dog-friendly gatherings where shareable Eastern Mediterranean plates fit the occasion.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate meal, or need extensive vegan options—quieter indoor-focused Mediterranean spots may suit better.
Pera Soho
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Outdoor Dining Oasis
An Eastern Mediterranean restaurant with a heated courtyard and flexible indoor rooms, Pera Soho is engineered for group lunches, client meetings, and team gatherings. Weekday lunch service, especially Wednesday to Friday, runs on a predictable rhythm with kebabs, mezze, and salads that work well for sharing around a business conversation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sirloin Shashlik Steak Frites, Mediterranean Dip Sampler, Grilled Branzino
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Courtyard-focused Eastern Mediterranean spot built for groups and meetings.
Who should go: Teams hosting multi-person client or internal lunches.
When to visit: Weekday lunch, ideally early in the service window.
What to order: Dip sampler, sirloin shashlik frites, grilled branzino.
Insider tip: Note you’re a business group when reserving to secure courtyard or semi-private seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in this part of SoHo; rely on nearby paid garages on Thompson and Broome. No valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished but comfortable. Button-downs, blazers, and elevated casualwear fit well for business groups.
Noise level: Moderate indoors during peak lunch; courtyard remains quieter and supports clear conversation.
Weekend wait: 40–60 minutes without a reservation, especially in warm weather when the courtyard is in demand.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait with a reservation; walk-ins may wait 5–15 minutes for larger groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection—mezze, salads, and grilled vegetable plates make planning easy.
Vegan options: Limited but workable with mezze and salads; confirm dressings and spreads for hidden dairy.
Gluten-free options: Multiple naturally gluten-free dishes, including kebabs and proteins; staff can guide modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Reasonable for a daytime or early-evening date if you want space to talk, but the ambiance leans more business-forward than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for small parties at off-peak lunch hours, but groups should book ahead—courtyard and semi-private areas fill consistently.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for older kids; the menu skews adult and the atmosphere is business-centric, so it’s less suited for toddlers or stroller setups.
Best For
Better for: Large-group lunches, predictable pacing, and an outdoor courtyard that accommodates business conversations comfortably.
Skip if: You want intimate dining, rapid solo meals, or a budget-friendly option—pricing and space are geared toward corporate groups.