Fanelli Cafe

Very good place, but it was a little difficult to get a seat and to find the host. We enjoyed fish and chips and the french fries are really fresh and delicious and we tried the meatballs which were quite good at the ricotta and the soup was definitely delicious and homemade. We didn’t try the drinks but the food was pretty good and the atmosphere was very busy and exciting.

Iconic bar. The drinks are mediocre and it’s always crowded, but the atmosphere is brilliant. The crowd is always diverse and there’s interesting people to chat with every night. The bartenders are great and, management is thoughtful, and there’s usually always at least a little room for a couple friends to meet and grab a beer. I’ve been coming here nearly weekly for a while and i don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

Fanelli Cafe IS New York City. The walls, the century-old wood, and even the sidewalk on that iconic Soho corner drip, ooze with coolness. Decades of accumulated style, drama, and creative artistic talent and originality coalesce here every day. There isn’t a better spot to meet friends and lovers, old and new, for a burger and a beer that might turn into hours’ worth.

Only reason this is 4 stars is because of the age of the establishment. We found it charming, but it might not be the decor/atmosphere for everyone because it’s not super new or updated. With that said, we found the experience to be wonderful. It’s a bustling spot in the heart of SoHo with a terrifically friendly and efficient staff. It was a perfect spot for a quick lunch between shopping and museum stops. The food was hot and delicious, clearly prepared to order. It seemed to be patronized by locals and neighborhood types which speaks well of a restaurant in an area with as many restaurants as SoHo.

If you’re looking for some old New York nostalgia, search no further. This place is it! I was lucky enough to have lunch here with a local friend who said the decor and menu hasn’t really changed too much since they opened and that’s why people keep coming back. I had the fish and chips which was phenomenal. They don’t shy away from a decent portion either ;) Service was friendly and prompt too!