New York Dearest
The guide, $35
A place · Restaurant · SoHo · on 1 of my list

Fanelli’s Cafe.

Worth it, says Antonina. The food is passable (affordable even, for the neighborhood), but it’s the old-school vibes and prime people-watching that keeps this place on constant rotation with locals.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · from my Best brunch in SoHo
Where Fanelli’s Cafe appears on New York Dearest

It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.

Best brunch in SoHo

No. 12 on that list1 min from the subway
Worth it
  • SubwayR, W to Prince St, 1 min
  • Address94 Prince St, New York, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Fanelli’s Cafe dates back to 1847 when it was established as a grocery store. It wasn’t until 1922 that the establishment was transformed into a cafe, where a century later, it turned into a popular SoHo brunch restaurant where stylish people go to be seen.

The restaurant is best billed as comfortable and homey, it isn’t pretentious by any stretch of the imagination. The food is passable (affordable even, for the neighborhood), but it’s the old-school vibes and prime people-watching that keeps this place on constant rotation with locals.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
Fanelli’s Cafe
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Fanelli’s Cafe

SoHo