SoHo Neighborhood Guide
I’ve been visiting every NYC neighborhood, trying to explore my own city the way I do when I travel. I’m 100 neighborhoods deep now and have documented it all on TikTok.
Now, I’m on a mission to write it all out—next up: SoHo.
Or rather, around Houston St, as we will be hitting NoHo and Nolita too.
There are tons of coffee spots to choose from, and even more since I made the original video.
In NoHo, there is Atelier Jolie, a new cafe opened by Angelina Jolie. It’s in Basquiat’s old studio. It’s a great place to get work done, grab a quick drink, and explore the space.
In NoLiTa, there is Caffe Paradiso, from the team behind Dante, and the draft latte is worth the hype.
Then in the heart of SoHo, there is Elorea—one of the businesses that make up the Fragrance District. Yes, that exists in SoHo. Elorea is a Korean fragrance brand by a husband and wife duo, and they make caffeinated beverages based on their scents.
If you are in the mood to check out this micro district, there is also Olfactory, where you can make your own scent — perfect way to remember your trip or day by.
SoHo has recently been described as the new Times Square—maybe on Broadway, but the side streets are usually empty, even on a weekend. If anything, that is where the best shops are.
I love the MoMA Design Store, Female Form, Batsheva, Noah, Tombolo, Aimé Leon Dore, New York or Nowhere, and No Standing NYC for great vintage finds. In my NoLiTa write-up, I will be sure to include more. I do have to mention that every weekend there is some kind of pop-up in the area, especially during Fashion Week.
SoHo also has the greatest collection of cast iron architecture in the world. There are approximately 250 cast iron buildings in NYC, the majority of which are in SoHo—so make sure to look up when you’re walking.
Obviously, you’ve shopped till you dropped, so pick up some pizza at one of two iconic spots: Rubirosa (vodka pizza!) or Prince St. Pizza.
For dessert, there are several options: the creator of the cronut, Dominique Ansel Bakery; Little Cupcake Bakeshop (classic American desserts); and my personal favorite, Rice to Riches (get the cherry mascarpone!).
Take a break in Elizabeth St. Garden, a community sculpture garden that doesn’t even feel like NYC — more like London or Paris.
In and around SoHo, there are three cultural neighborhoods: Little Italy, Chinatown, and Little Paris. Traveling through three countries in just a few blocks.
Of course, we must end the day with some food. I recommend Despaña Tapas. They import their food from Spain, and it feels like a place I would have in Spain — rather than cosplaying a tapas bar. There are tons of food spots in SoHo, but I love these locally owned spots.
That is it for a little touristy in SoHo!