Best Trendy Restaurants in Little Italy
36 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Torrisi
Michelin-starred Italian-American with a nod to NYC's immigrant culinary history in a stunning Puck Building setting
Essential Picks
#1
Torrisi
9.3
Inside the landmark Puck Building, this Michelin-starred Italian-American restaurant from the Major Food Group team delivers inventive takes on NYC culinary traditions. Wood-paneled elegance meets downtown cool with servers in dinner jackets, while the kitchen turns out refined dishes like tortellini pomodoro and Dover sole Francese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini Pomodoro, Italian & American Hams with Zeppole, Affogato
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred Italian-American with a nod to NYC's immigrant culinary history in a stunning Puck Building setting
#2
Le Coucou
9.1
A classic-leaning French dining room that’s built around deep technique and refined sauces, with a pacing that rewards lingering over a full coursed meal. It’s the kind of place where the room, the service, and the kitchen’s discipline all line up—best approached as an occasion dinner rather than a casual drop-in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Poulet rôti in a brass pot, Bone marrow, Crème brûlée (seasonal variation)
What Makes it Special: Old-school French technique delivered with modern NYC polish and precision.
Notable Picks
8.8
Prince Street Pizza’s cramped Nolita shop draws relentless lines for its thick Sicilian squares, especially the cult Spicy Spring pepperoni slice. It’s mostly a grab-and-go operation with curbside eating and minimal seating, but the combination of crunchy crust, rich sauce, and heavy toppings keeps it a destination slice stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Spring Sicilian Square, SoHo Square Sicilian Slice, Vodka Sauce Sicilian Slice
What Makes it Special: Legendary Sicilian squares with thick, caramelized crusts and overloaded toppings served from a standing-room-only Nolita slice shop.
#4
Au Cheval
8.7
A burger-and-cocktails room with late-night energy and a menu that rewards ordering with restraint: one signature burger, one side, and a drink that keeps the pace moving. The draw is consistency at scale—show up hungry, commit to the classics, and don’t overcomplicate it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Single cheeseburger, Bacon add-on, Garlic aioli fries
What Makes it Special: A cult burger destination that stays dependable even with huge demand.
#5
Rubirosa
8.7
This NoLita institution from the Pappalardo family serves thin-crust pizza using a recipe from their Staten Island original, Joe & Pat's. The signature Tie-Dye pie swirled with vodka sauce and pesto tableside has achieved iconic status, but the handmade pastas like carbonara and cavatelli are equally impressive.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tie-Dye Pizza, Vodka Pie, Carbonara
What Makes it Special: Multi-generational family pizza recipe that bridges old and new Little Italy
8.7
Since opening in 2012, Jack’s Wife Freda’s SoHo original has become a benchmark for all-day New York brunch, blending Israeli and South African influences into dishes like green shakshuka and rosewater waffles. Heavy review volume and steady lines make it one of the neighborhood’s most reliable, crowd-pleasing breakfast choices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Green Shakshuka, Rosewater Waffle, Mediterranean Breakfast
What Makes it Special: All-day bistro and local institution for Mediterranean-leaning brunch in SoHo.
8.6
A Galician taberna built around seafood-forward tapas and shareable mains, with strong execution on classics like octopus, croquettes, and tortilla. It’s the kind of room locals use for dates and small-group dinners when they want Spanish flavors that feel dialed-in without turning the night into a formal occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pulpo a Feira (Galician-style octopus), Tortilla de Betanzos, Croquetas
What Makes it Special: Galicia-focused tapas where seafood and tomatoes shine.
#8
Lure Fishbar
8.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Lure Fishbar is a subterranean SoHo seafood and sushi restaurant styled like a sleek yacht, with a deep raw bar, polished nigiri, and indulgent mains like lobster mac and cheese. It draws fashion and media crowds for celebratory dinners, power sushi at the bar, and late-night shellfish platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Mac and Cheese, Hellfire Roll, Crispy Sushi Rice with Spicy Tuna
What Makes it Special: Yacht-like SoHo dining room pairing raw bar, sushi, and glitzy seafood classics.
#9
Sadelle's
8.6
Sadelle’s is a SoHo brunch institution built around bagel towers, smoked fish, and an over-the-top bakery program highlighted by sticky buns and French toast. The multi-level space and theater-like bagel counter turn breakfast into a full-on occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sadelle's Tower, French Toast, House Salmon
What Makes it Special: Bagel-tower brunch destination where smoked fish and bakery items steal the show.
#10
Santo Taco
8.6
From a Cosme cofounder, Santo Taco brings CDMX-inspired tacos like the much-praised steak trompo to a compact Nolita counter next to La Esquina. Portions are slightly larger than street tacos, with careful toppings and a modern look that has quickly made it a downtown taco benchmark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Santi’s steak trompo taco, Pork carnitas taco, Zucchini and poblano taco
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven taqueria spotlighting steak trompo and polished CDMX-style tacos.
#11
5ive Spice
8.5
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
5ive Spice’s Nolita outpost blends slow-simmered pho, banh mi, and shaking beef with its signature bánh xèo tacos in a compact, buzzy setting. High multi-platform ratings and steady crowds point to reliable execution, especially for the broths and short rib dishes, even if prices run higher than a traditional hole-in-the-wall.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised Short Rib Bánh Xèo Tacos, Classic Pho Noodle Soup, Short Rib Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: Modern Nolita Vietnamese with standout bánh xèo tacos and richly built pho.
8.5
A slice-first operation that’s built for late-night precision: crisp crust, balanced sauce-to-cheese, and a finishing touch of basil and parm that makes even a quick walk-in feel intentional. Best when you want a high-quality slice without a sit-down commitment, especially on weekend nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vodka sauce slice, Classic cheese slice, Creamed spinach slice
What Makes it Special: Late-night slices finished with basil and parm for extra lift.
#13
The Corner Store
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Date Night Magic
Opened in 2024 by Catch Hospitality Group, The Corner Store riffs on classic American diner comforts with wagyu French dips, disco steak frites, and playful desserts in a Rockwell-designed room. A months-long waitlist, heavy media coverage, and strong early reviews mark it as one of SoHo’s buzziest new American spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu French Dip with McOli Sauce, Disco Steak Frites with Peppercorn Aioli, Samoa Cookie Sundae
What Makes it Special: High-energy, design-forward American spot turning diner classics into spectacle dishes.
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
A crowd-tested Little Italy dining room that works for families when you keep the order classic and shareable. It’s a reliable “everyone gets something” menu with enough range to satisfy picky kids and adults who still want a proper Italian-American meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken parmigiana, Baked clams, Rigatoni alla vodka
What Makes it Special: Big-menu Little Italy staple that’s easy to order for mixed ages.
#15
Lombardi's Pizza
8.4
New York’s first pizzeria, Lombardi's offers classic coal-oven pies that are crispy, flavorful, and loved by late-night pizza seekers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pie, Pepperoni Pie, White Pizza
What Makes it Special: New York’s first pizzeria with crispy coal-oven pies.
#16
Momoya SoHo
8.3
On the SoHo–Nolita border, Momoya SoHo is a glass-wrapped, two-level Japanese restaurant known for precise nigiri, creative crispy rice, and a full sushi omakase offered at the bar. Locals use it for everything from brunch and dessert omakase to evenings built around cocktails, sashimi, and a view of the busy corner below.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Crispy Rice, Bluefin Toro Tartar, Sushi & Sashimi Tasting for Two
What Makes it Special: Chic, window-lined space pairing modern sushi, crispy rice, and dessert omakase.
Citizens of SoHo brings bright Australian café culture to a busy Lafayette corner, with big-format brekkie plates, shakshuka, and biscuit sandwiches backed by a serious coffee program. High review volume and constant crowds underline how baked-in it is to the neighborhood’s brunch routine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Brekkie (SoHo), Smashed Avo Toast, Cheddar Biscuit Brekkie Sandwich
What Makes it Special: High-volume Aussie brunch café with big brekkie plates and strong coffee.
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
An all-you-can-eat hot pot and grill spot where the BBQ win is variety and pace: marinated proteins, quick refills, and a build-your-own rhythm that works best with a clear plan. It’s a party-friendly room that rewards disciplined ordering—start with your best meats, cook them right, then treat everything else as supporting cast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Marinated beef slices for the grill, Pork belly, Seafood mix (shrimp + squid)
What Makes it Special: All-you-can-eat hot pot plus tabletop BBQ in a big-group format.
8.3
Champion Pizza’s Soho outpost turns out trays of thin-crust squares and classic slices with a huge menu of toppings, from buffalo chicken to elaborate combos. It’s a fast-moving, counter-service shop that balances tourist traffic with repeat locals who treat it as a reliable everyday slice stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo Chicken Slice, Margherita Slice, Loaded Square Slice of the Day
What Makes it Special: High-volume slice shop for thin, saucy squares and creative topping combinations right off Cleveland Place.
8.2
Little Ruby’s translates Australian café culture into a Nolita setting, where brekkie runs until late afternoon and ricotta hotcakes sit alongside burgers and pastas. It’s a high-traffic spot used equally for early coffee, long brunch catch-ups, and casual day drinking at the sidewalk tables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avo Toast, Banana Bread, Passionfruit Yogurt Bowl
What Makes it Special: Busy Aussie café where brekkie classics share space with burgers and spritzes.
#21
Da Gennaro
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
A busy Little Italy dining room that works for families because the menu sticks to familiar Italian-American comfort and the portions lend themselves to sharing. Keep the order simple—one pasta, one parm-style main, one side—then split dessert to end on a clean win.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken parmigiana, Lobster ravioli, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: High-volume Little Italy comfort that stays easy for families.
#22
NoMo Kitchen
8.2
A SoHo hotel dining room where breakfast is strongest when you treat it as a polished start—good coffee, a composed main, and a room that’s designed to be looked at. It’s more about vibe and setting than scrappy breakfast soul, so order accordingly and keep it tight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Entrée + Coffee, Brunch Plate (weekends), Pastry + Espresso
What Makes it Special: A high-design SoHo hotel breakfast built for atmosphere-first dining.
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Family Friendly Favorites
A Little Italy institution that does red-sauce Italian through a seafood lens—calamari, clams, mussels, and old-school plates that reward ordering like a regular. Keep it classic, keep it paced, and treat it as a nostalgic seafood-Italian stop rather than a modern, technique-driven fish house.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried calamari, Clams (in-house preparations), Mussels (classic Italian style)
What Makes it Special: A long-running Little Italy seafood-Italian institution (since 1972).
#24
La Esquina
8.1
For nearly two decades this Nolita/SoHo border institution has combined a streetside taqueria, corner café, and subterranean brasserie into one of downtown’s best-known Mexican addresses. Guests come for queso fundido, fish tacos, and late-night energy more than quiet refinement.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pescado tacos (char-grilled market fish), Queso fundido with queso Chihuahua and chile de árbol, Bistec con queso rib-eye tacos
What Makes it Special: Multi-level Mexican spot pairing a grab-and-go taqueria with a hidden brasserie and tequila bar.
8.1
A Nolita ramen-and-sushi room that works best when you treat the bowl as the anchor and the rolls as the supporting cast. The ramen hits most reliably with their richer broths and clean noodle texture, and the vibe stays lively enough for an easy weeknight plan without turning into a full production.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Karaage
What Makes it Special: A reliable ramen bowl paired with a solid sushi-and-cocktail backup plan.
#26
Shoo Shoo Nolita
8.1
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A Tel Aviv-leaning Nolita dining room built around bright spreads, share plates, and a lively night-out pace. The strongest move is mezze first, then one standout entrée—great energy for groups when you want Mediterranean flavors without a formal vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshouka, Branzino Schnitzel, Hummus & Pita Spreads
What Makes it Special: Tel Aviv-style share plates with a buzzy Nolita dining-room energy.
#27
La Mercerie
8
Vibes:
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Girls Night Out Approved
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
A design-forward French room where a prix-fixe structure fits the space: polished, orderly, and paced for a long lunch or early dinner. It’s a strong pick when you want a tasting-like progression without the intensity of a strict chef’s counter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boeuf Bourguignon, Buckwheat Crêpes, Seasonal Pastry Selection
What Makes it Special: A French prix-fixe-friendly room where design and pacing lead.
8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Little Italy family-style standby that works best when you lean into big platters and classic red-sauce comfort. It’s a strong pick for large family tables because ordering is simple and the portions are built to share without negotiation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Family-style pasta, Chicken parm, Sausage and peppers
What Makes it Special: Old-school Little Italy family-style plates that feed a whole table.
#29
Gelso & Grand
8
A Little Italy mainstay that’s best used for a low-drama sit-down meal when you want red-sauce comfort and a lively room. Gluten-free diners can still eat like everyone else here by steering toward GF-friendly pastas and straightforward mains, keeping the order classic and unfussy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gluten-Free Pasta Option, Meatballs, Chicken Parm-Style Main
What Makes it Special: Classic Little Italy comfort with gluten-free pasta available.
#30
Odd Sister
8
A SoHo bar-and-restaurant that’s most useful for a clean, modern happy hour when you want cocktails and a few plates without committing to a long meal. The room reads polished, the menu is broad enough for a mixed group, and the pacing stays easy if you order smart.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cocktail with a snack, Shareable plates, A main to split
What Makes it Special: A polished SoHo room that works for drinks plus food.
#31
19 Cleveland
8
Opened in 2018 by owner Eyal Hen, 19 Cleveland channels Tel Aviv’s café culture into a Nolita space filled with whitewashed walls, greenery, and an always-on soundtrack. Contemporary Mediterranean plates, from hummus and smoked eggplant to a beloved falafel burger, make it a flexible choice for brunch, casual dates, and small-group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
“Jerusalem-style” focaccia, Falafel burger, Smoked eggplant carpaccio
What Makes it Special: Tel Aviv–inspired small plates, cocktails, and music in Nolita.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A high-comfort Italian-leaning room where the prix fixe makes the most sense: straightforward choices, generous energy, and a predictable rhythm. Best for when you want a structured three-course night that feels like a treat without chasing a long tasting narrative.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caesar Salad, Cacio e Pepe, Strawberry Shortcake
What Makes it Special: A $58 prix-fixe that delivers a predictable three-course night out.
7.8
A dim, loungey French wine bar built for date-night pacing—settle in, snack, and let the staff steer you through bottles and by-the-glass picks. The food works best as wine-friendly support: one hot, cheesy shareable plus one or two small plates, then stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
French onion soup grilled cheese, Grilled meats (seasonal), Basque-style cake
What Makes it Special: A candlelit Parisian-style wine bar where the bottle is the main event.
#34
Bowery Bungalow
7.7
A SoHo room doing a modern Mideast/North Africa/Anatolia mash-up with a menu designed for sharing and late-evening pacing. Go for the bold spreads and a couple of larger plates—this is more about mood, cocktails, and contrast than a traditional Mediterranean “greatest hits” run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tahini Toast, Smokey Babaganoush, Mideast Chicken Parm
What Makes it Special: A modern mash-up menu built for cocktails and share plates.
7.7
A modern, seafood-forward ramen shop that leans into luxe bowls and bold add-ons rather than classic tonkotsu tradition. It’s a strong fit when you want a rich, statement ramen built around salmon, crab, or lobster, with the best experience coming from ordering one signature bowl and staying focused.
Must-Try Dishes:
Special Lobster Noodle Signature, Spicy Salmon Ramen, Crab Ramen Truffle
What Makes it Special: Seafood-centric ramen bowls built for maximum richness and photo appeal.
#36
Little Ways
7.6
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
A two-story SoHo townhouse restaurant where fries show up as a proper menu item rather than a throw-in side, and they play best as a sharable starter before the room turns louder. The vibe can skew celebratory upstairs, so the cleanest move is fries early, then one main and a cocktail lane to match the energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
French fries, Katsu sandwich with fries, Seasonal townhouse mains
What Makes it Special: Townhouse-style SoHo spot where fries are a real starter play.