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Nolita, is a Manhattan neighborhood rich in both history and innovation. The area’s restaurant scene illustrates this, with century-old pizzerias standing a stone’s throw from trendy Mediterranean fusion hotspots. Here are 10 Nolita restaurants that capture the neighborhood’s unique character.

Café Habana

Café Habana

Restaurant, Cafe, Bar, Mexican, Cuban

Café Habana, New York
Courtesy of Café Habana

Marrying Cuban and Mexican cuisine, Café Habana offers patrons an explosive fusion of Latin flavor. Celebrated for tasty dishes like its Mexican-style corn along with its generously sized Cuban sandwich, this popular spot attracts curious locals and tourists alike.

Balaboosta

Restaurant, Middle Eastern

Building on the success of popular falafel spot Taïm, the chain’s husband-and-wife team lends Middle Eastern flavor to Balaboosta, an upscale spot perfecting Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Serving up ethnic staples like homemade hummus and couscous alongside creative dishes such as goat cheese-stuffed lamb burgers and shakshouka, the restaurant caters to both traditional and adventurous appetites.

Parm

Restaurant, Bar, Italian

A hub for Italian culture, Nolita is home to several remarkable restaurants including Parm, a popular neighborhood spot serving Italian-American cuisine in a casual environment. At Parm, they prioritize quality and quantity, delivering the freshest ingredients in family-sized portions. Come for the namesake chicken parm sandwich, and stay for the well-executed sides and cocktails like the homemade mozzarella sticks and invigorating Beet Negroni.

Cocoron

Restaurant, Japanese

Great for fans of do-it-yourself dining, Cocoron specializes in Japanese home cooking with an emphasis on soba, the delicate noodle staple which can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Diners may choose their preferred dipping broth and temperature from an extensive menu before building their meal themselves right at their table. Tacombi | © Courtesy of Tacombi

Tacombi at Fonda Nolita

Restaurant, Mexican

Aiming to ‘keep the culinary traditions of Mexico alive,’ Tacombi at Fonda Nolita dedicates itself to providing New Yorkers with an authentic Mexican dining experience. In a nod to the celebratory spirit of Mexican culture, diners congregate around communal tables in the restaurant’s casual, colorful setting to feast on pork belly and crispy fish tacos, ceviche, and rum-spiked horchata.

Lombardi's Pizza

Restaurant, Pizzeria, Italian, Vegetarian

Lombardi’s Pizza occupies a special place in the pie-loving hearts of New Yorkers. Since its establishment in 1905, Lombardi’s has emphasized quality and tradition, offering diners a little slice of Italy in the form of simple yet flavorful dishes. Having had plenty of time to perfect its recipes, the historical shop has mastered classic pies like margherita, white, and homemade meatball-topped. Egg Shop | © Alli Shepard

Egg Shop

Cafe, Sandwich Shop, Bodega, Restaurant, Contemporary

At Egg Shop, the namesake ingredient serves as a staple for the bulk of the restaurant’s offerings, producing a surprising number of inventive, protein-filled dishes. The creative down-to-earth menu featuring items such as the fan favorite B.E.C. as well as the flavorful El Camino bowl combining poached eggs, pulled pork, and a fried tortilla attracts a trendy crowd at all hours of the day.

Black Seed

Restaurant, Butcher, Bakery, North American, American, Canadian

A contender for New York’s best bagel spot, Black Seed offers an impressive variety of bagels, spreads, and sandwich fillings. Lauded for the exceptional quality of its hand rolled, honey-boiled bagels, the shop also boasts remarkable additions such as beet-cured lox, Mile End bacon, and herbed tofu spread. The late-night menu at this creative spot also features crowd-pleasing pizza bagels, attracting packs of post-party patrons each night.

The Butcher's Daughter

Restaurant, Butcher, Bar, Juice Bar, Cafe, Healthy, Vegetarian

The Butchers Daughter, Kenmare Street

Eating healthy has never been easier than at The Butcher’s Daughter, a trendy vegetarian spot creating beautiful, nourishing dishes packed with enough flavor to please any palate. Dedicated to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu at this health-conscious café changes daily, featuring items such as spicy kale salad, avocado tartare, and pesto zucchini with cashew ricotta.

Tartinery

Cafe, Restaurant, French

Sandwiches get an upscale makeover at French cafe Tartinery. Arranging its menu around a signature dish, the restaurant prioritizes quality ingredients, exceptional presentation, and the perfect wine pairing. With nuanced options like pear and blue cheese, tartare and potato chips, and grapefruit-lobster, Tartinery makes a familiar dish new and exciting.

About the author

Splitting her time between Miami and New York, Julia is a writer currently based in Brooklyn. She enjoys foreign films, 70s cookbooks, and bad detective novels.

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