The best things to do in Soho, New York

A survivor from the pre-pandemic era, this contemporary 2020s all-day diner is solid from breakfast at 7am through last call around 2am. Bring a group of friends or a good book to sidle up in a retro-style booth for freshly shucked oysters, a Montauk-sourced tuna melt, matzo ball soup and an epic banana split. Craft cocktails are also served (and highly recommended). 

Slip into the Leslie Lohman Museum of Art for a bit of queer culture in SoHo. This gallery-style museum has seasonal exhibits, plus events like talks with artists, progressive panels, performances and more. IDNYC cardholders can get a free year-long membership.

Unabashedly grown-up and yuppie-friendly, this slick club launched by oenophile Michael Dorf, founder of the Knitting Factory, is Manhattan’s only winery, as well as a 350-seat concert space. Acts tend to be on the quiet side, but that doesn’t mean the shows lack bite. 

Dominique Ansel honed his skills as executive pastry chef at Daniel for six years before opening this American and French patisserie. Caramelized croissants, miniature pastel meringues and madeleines make up the sweet selections at the counter, in addition to Ansel's madcap creations like milk shot glasses made from chocolate-chip cookies and frozen s'mores on a stick. But the café also serves savory offerings, like avocado toast, quiche, and traditional panini.   

Known as the oldest pizzeria in New York and likely the first-ever pizza joint in America, Lombardi’s is a mainstay that still relies on the now-banned coal ovens to make a crisp pie. Dating back to 1905, this corner side restaurant on the edge of Little Italy is certainly worth a visit for its historic legacy and still excellent pizzas. Add coal oven-roasted red peppers on top of your pie for a special treat. 

The once buzzy dive bar, Milady’s returned to the neighborhood in September 2022, led by Julie Reiner (of the now-closed but still beloved SoHo cocktail spot, Pegu Club and Brooklyn’s Clover Club). Visit for fancy Jell-O shots, upscale but almost too drinkable martinis, small elevated bites, and more. 

Founded in 1990, this gallery with locations in both New York and Paris specializes in historically important 19th- and 20-century artists with a particular focus on early Pop and Minimal works. The gallery also features a number of contemporary artists, among them David Adamo, Pedro Cabrita Reis and Matt Mullican.

A pop-up that went permanent thanks to constant demand, the Sloomoo Institute is New York’s tribute to all things slime. Part art installation, part STEM program, the 8,000 square-foot space is filled with experiments, a make-your-own slime bar, and the opportunity to get covered in slime (ponchos provided). Though the museum is typically for families and kids, nighttime adult events take place here sometimes. 

The city’s leading tastemaking venue, Film Forum is programmed by a fest-scouring staff that takes its duties as seriously as a Kurosawa samurai. It's one of the best places to take in the hottest films from Cannes, Venice and beyond. Amid all the adult fare, parents will occasionally find kid-friendly gold in the classic films that are screened.

Memorialize your time in SoHo with a customized cosmetic purchase. The Scent Bar by Lucky Scent lets you design your own perfume and signature fragrance. And Bite Beauty’s Lip Lab offers visitors the opportunity to create their own specialized lipstick with customizable shades, scents and finishes. Bisou offers customized nail art, so you can leave with a gel manicure unlike any other.

Soho is a literary paradise, with several small shops selling excellently curated titles, as well as some dedicated book shops stocking everything you’d want to read. Housing Works Bookstore offers two floors of expertly organized used books (plus other media materials), all donated to raise funds for people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Just down the street, McNally Jackson offers two more stories of books from around the world, organized by region and genre, with a dedicated New York City section.