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Wayan’s dark wood dining room is filled with people, plus a tropical plant in the foreground
Wayan continues to draw a crowd.
Gary He/Eater NY

14 Standout Spots in Nolita

Restaurants dishing up Thai, Indonesian, and Japanese Italian flavors anchor this diminutive neighborhood

by Eater Staff Updated
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Wayan continues to draw a crowd.
| Gary He/Eater NY
by Eater Staff Updated

Wedged between Soho’s retail stretches and tourist-clogged Little Italy lies Nolita. Home to dozens of quaint restaurants and equally twee boutiques, there are an impressive array of worthy meals to be found here, mostly in charming digs housed in former tenement building storefronts.

The neighborhood seems to have weathered the pandemic well, with old-school places like Emilio’s Ballato sidling up to newcomer Torrisi around the corner, or Lovely Day for Thai not far from Indonesian go-to Wayan. Check out these 14 standout spots below, wedged into the pint-sized neighborhood.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Estela

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The compact restaurant from partners chef Ignacio Mattos and beverage director Thomas Carter has gained plenty of accolades since it opened in 2013 in a living room-like space with a bar perfect for second dates up front. The small plates Mediterranean menu includes lots of innovative, umami-packed creations, like beef tartare with sunchoke and delicate ricotta dumplings.

1st floor, 47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-7693
(212) 219-7693
An overhead photograph of bread covered in mussels and herbs.
Estela’s mussels escabeche toast.
Tuukka Koski/Estela

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Emilio's Ballato

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This thoroughly old-school Italian joint has been a celebrity fixture for years, feeding the likes of Rihanna, as well as Barack and Malia Obama. The vibe and owner chef Emilio Vitolo’s personality are big draws, though the menu includes solid versions of classic, hearty pastas like tagliatelle Bolognese. 

55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-8881
(212) 274-8881

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Torrisi Bar & Restaurant

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Torrisi first opened in 2010 as a sandwich shop by day and a prix-fixe restaurant at night before closing in 2015. In its comeback, now in the Puck Building, the menu has an Italian throughline, referencing the first restaurant from Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone, but also has nods to Vietnamese, Chinese, Jewish, and Jamaican dishes.

275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 254-3000
(212) 254-3000
Ham and other small plates on a table.
A collection of starters from Torrisi.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Also featured in:

Tacombi

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Known for slinging out tacos with barbacoa, crispy fish, and carnitas, Tacombi started out of a Volkswagen trailer in the Yucatán Peninsula in 2006. Tacombi touched down in Nolita in 2010, and the decade since has seen a steady expansion for the chain, which is now backed by Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer and has outposts in Williamsburg, the Upper West Side, and beyond.

267 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(917) 727-0179
(917) 727-0179
A high-ceilinged dining with white walls is emblazoned with the words “cervecería y taqueria.”
Tacombi now has locations across the country.
Eater NY

Also featured in:

The Musket Room

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The Michelin-starred restaurant from chef Mary Attea offers a la carte fare and a tasting menu that starts at $125 (regular or vegetarian). Don’t miss the order-ahead cakes and sweets from pastry chef Camari Mick.

265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-0764
(212) 219-0764
Raf’s chefs: Mary Attea, on savory, Camari Mick on sweets.
Mary Attea (left), on savory, Camari Mick on sweets.
Scott Semler/Eater NY

Also featured in:

Cafe Gitane

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This pint-sized French- and Moroccan-influenced bistro lures in crowds at brunch, but it’s a solid bet — and pretty affordable for the area — for dinner as well. In addition to its beloved avocado toast, Café Gitane’s menu includes a merguez sausage and baked egg sandwich, smoked trout salad, and Moroccan couscous.

242 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-9552
(212) 334-9552

Wan Wan

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The hitmaking group behind Kimika and Wayla have added Wan Wan, a stylish Thai and Chinese restaurant, to the fold. Bangkok-born chef Tom Naumsuwan has put together a menu of regional Thai dishes — including moo tod nam pla (fried pork belly glazed in fish sauce) and yum hoi (crispy scallop tempura).

209 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 888-6278
(212) 888-6278
A bowl of noodles and seafood with a lime wedge on the side.
Wan Wan comes from the team behind Manhattan restaurants Wayla and Kimika.
Andrew Bui/Wan Wan

Lovely Day

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The cash or Amex-only restaurant offers reasonably priced Thai dishes like chicken satay, coconut curry noodles, pineapple fried rice, and pad Thai, each for under $20. (There’s an ATM in the restaurant, should you need it.) There’s also a handful of non-Thai dishes on the menu like flank steak and a big salad.

196 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-3310
(212) 925-3310

Peasant

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The space owned by Marc Forgione is absolutely stunning with the back kitchen built by hand in what had long ago been a garage. In particular, the hearth stands out, and shapes a menu for which everything is cooked over fire: chicken, bread, and even oysters. One of the dishes on the menu is an entire suckling pig entree that must be ordered 24 hours before the reservation.

194 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 965-9511
(212) 965-9511
A brick-lined oven with pigs on a spit roast.
The hearth at Peasant.
Michael Condran/Peasant

Also featured in:

Wayan

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The Vongerichtens, Ochi, a Jakarta native involved in everything from menu development to tableware, and her chef husband Cédric run a top-notch addition to the contemporary Southeast Asian scene at their Indonesian restaurant, balancing flavors with aplomb. The name means first-born, with the smaller sibling, Ma-Dé, now open two doors down.

20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
(917) 261-4388
(917) 261-4388
Lobster noodles at Wayan get pulled up from a white bowl.
The lobster noodles at Wayan.
Gary He/Eater NY

Also featured in:

La Esquina

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Count on tacos with fillings like sliced rib eye, grilled mahi mahi, and seared cauliflower, plus dishes like quesadillas, tortilla soup, and grilled corn, from these compact corner taqueria digs. In the downstairs brasserie space, there’s an expanded menu — queso fundido, a shrimp BLT, various ceviches and tostadas, and more — along with a full bar in the brick-walled space, accented with colorful mismatched chairs, lots of candles, and antiques.

114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 613-7100
(646) 613-7100
A battered restaurants, La Esquina, is photographed on a street corner.
La Esquina stays open late.
La Equina

Also featured in:

Mother's Ruin

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A cozy, unpretentious cocktail bar that’s a reliable choice for drinks and light snacking. In the warmer months, the frequently rotating frozen spiked slushy creations are a hit, along with well-made cocktails. Food options include shareable dishes like pimento cheese dip, spicy fried chickpeas, and Thai pork sliders. Bigger dishes are also available, like a cheese-spackled French onion soup grilled cheese and Frito pie.

18 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Also featured in:

Thai Diner

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Matt Danzer and Ann Redding, the owners of the now-closed restaurant Uncle Boons, opened this all-day spot with a collection of Thai American dishes that still manage to fall under the rubric of comfort fare, like a Southeast Asian take on Ukrainian stuffed cabbage and an eggy breakfast sandwich made with Isan sausage.

186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
Stuffed cabbage from a Thai restaurant on a plate.
The stuffed cabbage at Thai Diner.
Gary He/Eater NY

Also featured in:

Kimika

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Kimika has been a prominent champion of itameshi cuisine, a Japanese spin on Italian cooking, since it opened on Kenmare Street in 2020. The menu ranges from crispy panko-crusted eggplant katsu to bomboloncini, a playful mash-up of fried Italian doughnuts and mochi that’s served with hazelnut spread and toasted sesame.

40 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 256-9280
(212) 256-9280
Soy butter bigoli in a bowl.
Soy butter bigoli at Kimika.
Evan Sung/Kimika

Also featured in:

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Estela

1st floor, 47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012

The compact restaurant from partners chef Ignacio Mattos and beverage director Thomas Carter has gained plenty of accolades since it opened in 2013 in a living room-like space with a bar perfect for second dates up front. The small plates Mediterranean menu includes lots of innovative, umami-packed creations, like beef tartare with sunchoke and delicate ricotta dumplings.

1st floor, 47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-7693
(212) 219-7693
An overhead photograph of bread covered in mussels and herbs.
Estela’s mussels escabeche toast.
Tuukka Koski/Estela

Emilio's Ballato

55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012

This thoroughly old-school Italian joint has been a celebrity fixture for years, feeding the likes of Rihanna, as well as Barack and Malia Obama. The vibe and owner chef Emilio Vitolo’s personality are big draws, though the menu includes solid versions of classic, hearty pastas like tagliatelle Bolognese. 

55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-8881
(212) 274-8881

Torrisi Bar & Restaurant

275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Torrisi first opened in 2010 as a sandwich shop by day and a prix-fixe restaurant at night before closing in 2015. In its comeback, now in the Puck Building, the menu has an Italian throughline, referencing the first restaurant from Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone, but also has nods to Vietnamese, Chinese, Jewish, and Jamaican dishes.

275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 254-3000
(212) 254-3000
Ham and other small plates on a table.
A collection of starters from Torrisi.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Tacombi

267 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

Known for slinging out tacos with barbacoa, crispy fish, and carnitas, Tacombi started out of a Volkswagen trailer in the Yucatán Peninsula in 2006. Tacombi touched down in Nolita in 2010, and the decade since has seen a steady expansion for the chain, which is now backed by Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer and has outposts in Williamsburg, the Upper West Side, and beyond.

267 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(917) 727-0179
(917) 727-0179
A high-ceilinged dining with white walls is emblazoned with the words “cervecería y taqueria.”
Tacombi now has locations across the country.
Eater NY

The Musket Room

265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

The Michelin-starred restaurant from chef Mary Attea offers a la carte fare and a tasting menu that starts at $125 (regular or vegetarian). Don’t miss the order-ahead cakes and sweets from pastry chef Camari Mick.

265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-0764
(212) 219-0764
Raf’s chefs: Mary Attea, on savory, Camari Mick on sweets.
Mary Attea (left), on savory, Camari Mick on sweets.
Scott Semler/Eater NY

Cafe Gitane

242 Mott St, New York, NY 10012

This pint-sized French- and Moroccan-influenced bistro lures in crowds at brunch, but it’s a solid bet — and pretty affordable for the area — for dinner as well. In addition to its beloved avocado toast, Café Gitane’s menu includes a merguez sausage and baked egg sandwich, smoked trout salad, and Moroccan couscous.

242 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-9552
(212) 334-9552

Wan Wan

209 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

The hitmaking group behind Kimika and Wayla have added Wan Wan, a stylish Thai and Chinese restaurant, to the fold. Bangkok-born chef Tom Naumsuwan has put together a menu of regional Thai dishes — including moo tod nam pla (fried pork belly glazed in fish sauce) and yum hoi (crispy scallop tempura).

209 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 888-6278
(212) 888-6278
A bowl of noodles and seafood with a lime wedge on the side.
Wan Wan comes from the team behind Manhattan restaurants Wayla and Kimika.
Andrew Bui/Wan Wan

Lovely Day

196 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

The cash or Amex-only restaurant offers reasonably priced Thai dishes like chicken satay, coconut curry noodles, pineapple fried rice, and pad Thai, each for under $20. (There’s an ATM in the restaurant, should you need it.) There’s also a handful of non-Thai dishes on the menu like flank steak and a big salad.

196 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-3310
(212) 925-3310

Peasant

194 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

The space owned by Marc Forgione is absolutely stunning with the back kitchen built by hand in what had long ago been a garage. In particular, the hearth stands out, and shapes a menu for which everything is cooked over fire: chicken, bread, and even oysters. One of the dishes on the menu is an entire suckling pig entree that must be ordered 24 hours before the reservation.

194 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 965-9511
(212) 965-9511
A brick-lined oven with pigs on a spit roast.
The hearth at Peasant.
Michael Condran/Peasant

Wayan

20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

The Vongerichtens, Ochi, a Jakarta native involved in everything from menu development to tableware, and her chef husband Cédric run a top-notch addition to the contemporary Southeast Asian scene at their Indonesian restaurant, balancing flavors with aplomb. The name means first-born, with the smaller sibling, Ma-Dé, now open two doors down.

20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
(917) 261-4388
(917) 261-4388
Lobster noodles at Wayan get pulled up from a white bowl.
The lobster noodles at Wayan.
Gary He/Eater NY

La Esquina

114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

Count on tacos with fillings like sliced rib eye, grilled mahi mahi, and seared cauliflower, plus dishes like quesadillas, tortilla soup, and grilled corn, from these compact corner taqueria digs. In the downstairs brasserie space, there’s an expanded menu — queso fundido, a shrimp BLT, various ceviches and tostadas, and more — along with a full bar in the brick-walled space, accented with colorful mismatched chairs, lots of candles, and antiques.

114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 613-7100
(646) 613-7100
A battered restaurants, La Esquina, is photographed on a street corner.
La Esquina stays open late.
La Equina

Mother's Ruin

18 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

A cozy, unpretentious cocktail bar that’s a reliable choice for drinks and light snacking. In the warmer months, the frequently rotating frozen spiked slushy creations are a hit, along with well-made cocktails. Food options include shareable dishes like pimento cheese dip, spicy fried chickpeas, and Thai pork sliders. Bigger dishes are also available, like a cheese-spackled French onion soup grilled cheese and Frito pie.

18 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Thai Diner

186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012

Matt Danzer and Ann Redding, the owners of the now-closed restaurant Uncle Boons, opened this all-day spot with a collection of Thai American dishes that still manage to fall under the rubric of comfort fare, like a Southeast Asian take on Ukrainian stuffed cabbage and an eggy breakfast sandwich made with Isan sausage.

186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
Stuffed cabbage from a Thai restaurant on a plate.
The stuffed cabbage at Thai Diner.
Gary He/Eater NY

Kimika

40 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

Kimika has been a prominent champion of itameshi cuisine, a Japanese spin on Italian cooking, since it opened on Kenmare Street in 2020. The menu ranges from crispy panko-crusted eggplant katsu to bomboloncini, a playful mash-up of fried Italian doughnuts and mochi that’s served with hazelnut spread and toasted sesame.

40 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 256-9280
(212) 256-9280
Soy butter bigoli in a bowl.
Soy butter bigoli at Kimika.
Evan Sung/Kimika

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