NoHo is one of the weird ones: a little sliver of a neighborhood whose characteristics are merely a blend of its surroundings. There’s a touch of the East Village, of course, in bars like Von, but one can also have an elegant lunch over at Lafayette, a restaurant with the gloss of SoHo—perfect to hit after a notebook-buying session at McNally Jackson’s Goods for the Study, or dress shopping at Reformation.
Thanks to its amorphous nature, NoHo provides a little something for everyone, from the perpetually packed mezcal mecca Ghost Donkey to the destination-worthy fries of the Wren to the sleek design of Atla. Here, the spots to hit in the area north of Houston.
Atla
372 Lafayette St.
The more casual Mexican restaurant from Cosme’s Enrique Olvera and Daniela Soto-Innes offers all-day fare that doesn’t discriminate by diet, like cauliflower taco al pastor, a deeply considered beverage program from director Yana Wolfson and the perfect atmosphere for meet-ups both personal and professional.
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Ghost Donkey
4 Bleecker St.
Agave is the focus at this bar, connected to Saxon + Parole. Show up early in the evening for a guaranteed seat, because it gets packed. For good reason: The small bites, like wild mushroom nachos, and brilliant concoctions that show off the depth of the mezcal and tequila categories make it a nonstop party.
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Il Buco
47 Bond St.
The combination of undeniably excellent Italian cuisine, a smart wine program, and the coziness of the farmhouse-chic style makes Il Buco a timeless go-to for much more than pasta. Originally opened in 1994 as an antique shop, the restaurant continues to ground the neighborhood and remind all guests of a New York that hasn’t fully disappeared.
Lafayette
380 Lafayette St.
Andrew Carmellini’s massive French-style café and bakery has all the classic bistro items, and is, as its full name states, quite grand. Another of the neighborhood’s entries into the all-day category, meaning you can pop in for morning oatmeal or early evening happy hour, or join the ranks of those working in the café area while sipping coffee and munching croissants.
Swift Hibernian Lounge
34 E. 4th St.
A bar that opens at noon is a good bar indeed, and Swift, which has been around since 1995, provides the cozy pub feel and kitchen snacks that will get anyone through an afternoon spent working on a laptop or having a meeting. The whiskey selection, too, is extensive.
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The Wren
344 Bowery
Lunchtime might be the best time to have a meal and a drink at this unassuming Bowery bar that nonetheless serves up some of the best fries in the city, hearty options like a burger and lighter grain bowls, and a superb martini.
Von
3 Bleecker St.
The Bleecker Street bar famously hosts the Tuesday night “Going Up” series, in which bartenders from around the city hang out and take turns behind the bar for a good cause. But it’s also fun any other night of the week, when it’s better for wine and beer.
