Best Restaurants in Noho
Published 09/12/2018
With its historic architecture and constant buzz of activity, Noho is one of New York City’s most romantic neighborhoods. That carries over to the ambience of its world-class restaurants, which serve impeccably executed Italian, French and American cuisine. Dine out at some of Noho’s best eateries with our picks below.
1
Acme
1
9 Great Jones St.
After a reboot in 2016, Acme quickly became a Noho mainstay for its menu showcasing Italian and French flavors. The bistro rotates its offerings seasonally. In the summer, vegetables and meat take center stage; in the winter, pasta becomes more prominent. Crispy artichokes are always a good idea for an appetizer, as is a nightcap in the bar downstairs.
2
Bar Primi
2
325 Bowery
If you’re looking for standout pasta, look no further than Bar Primi. Andrew Carmellini (Locanda Verde and The Dutch) heads up this trendy restaurant, whose dishes are inspired by his family recipes and those of his co-chef and partner, Salvatore Lamboglia. Pastas are made in-house using extra-fine flour and organic eggs, and resemble what one might eat in the Italian countryside (orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage, bucatini with lamb and spaghetti pomodoro).
3
Fish Cheeks
3
55 Bond St.
A pink, yellow and blue awning whose design mimics fish scales adorns the exterior of this cute Thai restaurant. The rainbow palette continues inside with the tiled bar and colorful chairs, your perch from which to enjoy a menu of traditional seafood appetizers and family-style seafood dishes. It’s authentic, so expect plenty of heat and a balance of flavors. Try the seafood pad cha, fried fish with aromatic herbs and crab swimming in coconut curry.
4
Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria
4
53 Great Jones St.
Tucked away on picturesque Great Jones Street is this spin-off location of Il Buco that’s more laid-back than its sister restaurant. Still romantic, the restaurant has rustic dishes and decor. Menu highlights include tender short ribs, paccheri pasta with rabbit ragù and house-cured meats (also available for purchase at the market in front of the store). Don’t skip the complimentary house-baked bread and olive oil.
5
Indochine
5
430 Lafayette St.
Follow the in-crowd to Indochine, a French-Vietnamese holdover from the 1980s that’s frequented by celebrities and fashionable types. Marked by a red neon-lit sign on its facade, the restaurant is even more glamorous inside, with its low-lighting and banana-leaf wallpaper. The Asian kale salad provides just enough padding for a big night out, but all the food is excellent.
6
Lafayette
6
380 Lafayette St.
One of the neighborhood’s prettiest restaurants, Andrew Carmellini’s Lafayette replicates a Parisian bistro. The menu features the usual French suspects for dinner: escargot, tuna nicoise and moules frites plus pain de campagne (country bread). Breakfast and brunch offer a chance to taste the pastries made in house; the pain au chocolat is a must.
7
The Library at The Public
7
The Public Theater
The Public Theater’s mezzanine-level restaurant—named in honor of the theater’s former incarnation, the Astor Library—pays tribute to its predecessor with display books and rich decorative accents. Another Andrew Carmellini gem, the place attracts theatergoers and downtown types for chats over fish and chips, Rhode Island–style calamari and craft cocktails.
8
Narcissa
8
The Standard
This American rotisserie has a picturesque outdoor space and a wide-open dining area with classic countryside decor. The menu offers simple farm-to-table fare made with inventive ingredients (say, duck breast with rhubarb puree) and lots of seafood for the pescatarian crowd. An impressive wine list (primarily French, Italian, Spanish and American) offers a range of options.