The best things to do in Soho, New York

Even if you’re not actually staying in Soho, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the fruits of its hotels. Kick things off at the sultry Mercer Hotel, where Sartiano’s recently expanded its menu offerings to include breakfast. Fill up on hearty offerings like overnight oats and house-baked bread before hitting the pavement for a few hours of local shopping and sightseeing. Once your stomach signals that it’s time for another meal, pop into the Arlo SoHo for lunch at Lindens, where after so much time on the neighborhood’s crowded streets, you’ll welcome the lush and open oasis the space provides. The food is stellar too, made up of seasonal new American fare like carrot ravioli cooked in pancetta brown butter and striped bass served with grilled fennel, scallops and salsa verde.

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. 

Up until 50 years ago, sushi was nearly unheard of in the U.S., but NYC changed all of that as new restaurants serving sushi and sashimi quickly moved from novelty to coveted weekly meals. Since then, competition has been fierce for the rankings of the city’s best sushi bars, and as a result longevity is scarce amongst them. It’s telling then that BondSt, who entered the fray in 2008, has remained such a neighborhood staple for so long. The menu here balances the traditional with inventive takes on Japanese favorites, like the seared tuna with foie gras, and the chef’s choice omakase, which changes nightly.

Sant Ambroeus, which first opened in Milan in 1936, is perhaps the best candidate for bridging the divide between Soho and Little Italy that we can think of. The gelateria’s menu options are undoubtedly decadent, so come with your sweet tooth in tow–and trust us when we say you deserve! Standouts include the Paradiso, a sophisticated strawberry sundae topped with housemade whipped cream and semisweet chocolate shavings, and the eponymous Sant Ambroeus, which is their take on a cafe mocha (available in both hot and iced).

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. 

A must for design fans, the museum’s stand-alone retail arm assembles an impressive array of contemporary furnishings and gifts, including sculptural vases, clocks, kitchenware and gadgets.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe is an extraordinarily unusual and endearing place. The two-level space—which stocks a range of literary fiction, nonfiction, rare books and collectibles—is a peaceful spot for solo relaxation or for meeting friends over coffee or wine. All proceeds from the café go to providing support services for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS. The premises also host an interesting array of literary events.

The Color Factory is home to 14 immersive exhibits that engage all the senses in an exploration of the art and science of color. The museum works with local artists, designers and creatives to bring the designs to life. Even if you’ve visited before, expect to see new surprising and delightful activities in the autumn iteration. The all-ages experience focuses on inspiring moments of joy through art.The Color Factory experience also packs plenty of photo opportunities into its 20,000-square-foot venue. While you can definitely take the standard selfies, Color Factory makes it even easier to get fantastic photos. You’ll get a customized code when you come in, then you can use that code at cameras throughout the space allowing you plenty of time to get a picture-perfect pose.