Was starving after a workout in the area and craving pasta, so we happened to walk by this spot on the corner of Prince Street. At first I thought I was just a bar. It was dark and very tavern like..but It looked enticing and had good reviews, but unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype. The wait wasn't long..about 10 minutes and once we were seated, the waitress came right over and was very friendly, which was great. We ordered the calamari to start, and it was completely flavorless basically just fried breading. I tried squeezing lemon on it and dipping it in the marinara, but it didn't help at all. Super disappointing. The fettuccine pesto was also lacking any real flavor or seasoning. The only dish that somewhat made up for the experience was the spaghetti and meatballs, which was still just mid. Overall, not what we expected, and I don't think I'd go back again. read more

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The croque monsieur was not properly prepared on this last visit. Just call it a grilled sandwich instead. I have fond memories of the croque monsieur of years past here but it was still tasty, so I'm slightly conflicted. I guess with all things in New York, time changes the experience rapidly. This was my go to spot when I worked in SoHo years ago so I'm glad they're still here and largely still have the same menu. The fries are always perfect here so that hasn't changed. read more

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While I was doing a bit of shopping in SoHo on the last day of my weeklong visit to New York, Fanelli's Cafe caught my eye. The pub-like atmosphere, the dark mahogany back bar, and the old fashioned tin ceiling, all beckoned me to give it a try. Little did I know when I walked through the door and grabbed a seat at the bar, that Fanelli's is a famous establishment in the city -- thought to be the second oldest bar/restaurant in operation at the same location -- and a frequent gathering place for well known artists and other notable SoHo residents. Within a minute after being seated I was presented with a menu while the bartender poured me a locally brewed beer. I immediately noticed that Fanelli's uses Nueske's bacon -- a premium bacon from a family business located in the same Wisconsin county where I lived and worked for thirty years before retiring. So, I ordered the BLT sandwich with fries. The food was promptly delivered and it was an excellent sandwich -- thick sliced beefsteak tomatoes, several slices of crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, and an ample smear of mayo on toasted sourdough bread. The fries were generic but an acceptable side. A salad was offered as an option instead of fries. All in all a satisfying lunch. Back in Wisconsin, two or three days after my visit to Fanelli's, was when I learned about the history of the cafe. I was perusing the obituaries in the New York Times and ran across the notice that Hans Noë had died on the same day I visited Fanelli's. That's when I learned that he had purchased Fanelli's in the 1980s and maintained it as a landmark establishment until passing ownership of the cafe to his son about twenty-five years ago. I've had the privilege to dine at many top-notch, world renowned, historical restaurants over the years. Usually this requires advanced planning and reservations made months in advance. But sometimes serendipity rules and you just happen to grab lunch at a place with 178 years of history and a famous proprietor on the last day of his life. RIP Hans. The Fanelli Cafe was great. I hope to come again. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - BLT w Nueske's bacon - American Near Me - New York, New York

Fanelli's never disappoints! Great corner location and always a crowd. I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon and was able to be seated almost immediately to grab a quick bite. The BLT was delicious. The service is always fast and the staff is friendly. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - BLT Sandwich with Onion Rings - American Near Me - New York, New York

Super cute place, we got seated right away (on the quiet side) our waitress Jasmine was the sweetest & so friendly. The food was also tasty! read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Baked wings with buffalo sauce on the side, BLT Sandwich with Fries, glass of fresh squeezed oj & Pinot Grigio - American Near Me - New York, New York

Absolutely the worst piece of garbage pizza I've ever had. Stopped by on a whim for a drink and pizza and we were completely disgusted. The place is too small to be that busy, mostly with drinkers and tourists looking for a place to sit, neither would know good from bad pizza if there were money riding on it. Very loud, very small, very cramped and the service was abysmal. When the pizza came out, it looked like a piece of garbage microwave pizza from the 80s. And felt and tasted like it was just popped out out of a broken microwave. This was probably the lowest quality piece of garbage pizza I've ever had in my life. If I had to make a decision, I would eat a dollar slice made from the worst ingredients on earth before this. This place is dirty, old and its rent is probably covered by tourists and those drinking at the bar. It is no surprise that this place is unclaimed on yelp! I say, life is short, York and New Jersey are huge. Find better pizza don't waste your time or your money here. read more

The atmosphere is awesome and we got seated quickly. Our waitress was also very nice! And while the food is pretty decent the prices are crazzzzzzzy for what you get. I know it's the area but because it's the area it kinda feels like...rock and a hard place for options. A Coke and a grilled cheese is one of those pleasure meals for me, but it takes a lot of the joy out when it runs you over $20 and it doesn't change your life. read more

Never disappoint your girl! I usually go during my lunch break, and of course it's always busy, but between Sam and Claire, my experience has always been exceptional. I've had the burger, chicken salad, salmon salad, and the grilled chicken club... no complaints at all! I've never been for a drink, but I will pop in for a glass of wine soon. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Grilled Chicken Salad - American Near Me - New York, New York

Holy cow, was Fanelli's Cafe crowded! On this Friday night, we were packed in like sardines, and no one seemed to care? Fanelli's call themselves a cafe, but it is 90% a bar with a few tables. Every one inside looked like the were having a "blast", and that feeling became contagious. My group were all drinking gin martinis, which were strong and very good. With the action, buzz and ambiance here at Fanelli's you had to know without question you were in New York City - proper! read more

I got a breakfast sandwich from here and it was good and pretty standard. It comes with bacon, egg, cheese and arugula but I asked for no arugula. There was definitely a long wait to get a seat. I would say the restaurant had a casual vibe. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Breakfast Sandwich - American Near Me - New York, New York

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I stopped by on Saturday afternoon for a quick drink. It was very packed inside so seating was not really available. We stood by the bar. Some man was kind enough to offer me his seat. I tried the vin surnaturel, which is an orange wine and the house white, which was similar to a Pinot Grigio. The orange wine was just okay to me. It had a very fermented taste that almost came off as if it was spoiled. We ended up getting the meatballs and fries. I liked the meatballs. The ricotta was a nice added touch. My guy didn't care for the fries and said ketchup was needed because they were too greasy, but I didn't mind them. I wish the bartender was more attentive to us and I didn't have to get his attention to order again. But other than that, this cafe has solid drinks and food. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Menu - American Near Me - New York, New York

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I love a late night burger at Fanelli's. Tonight was made even better with incredible service from Lily and Jean. The bar was packed but Jean made sure to find us in the crowd for our table. Lily was a gem. She made our night memorable and we can't wait to come back to see them both! read more

This bar was fine, but nothing to write home about. The service was mediocre, the aperol spritz was just OK. The bar itself was cute, long and narrow. But that's about it. read more

We came here for a late lunch after walking in Soho for hours. There was a lineup, so we put our name in and waited for tables to become available. The good thing was that it was fast and we only waited for 15-20 minutes. It's a cozy café that has a "home" vibe. The staff are friendly , too. We ordered chilly and burger and enjoyed our food. Chilly was definitely our favorite. read more

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They are the best around! Love this spot! Great burger and love the bleu cheese dressing. read more

First stop after arriving in the city! Felt at home... Welcoming, great food and satisfying libations!!! This place never disappoints!!!!!! Thanks again Fanelli's read more

Classic, old school dive with food. Love coming here for lunch and getting the burger and fries, no cheese with a pint. Simple, a little pricey, but hey, you're in SoHo. hits the spot every time. Very friendly staff, bartenders , and managers read more

Not many places brave enough to put a hot dog on their menu these days, which is a shame. Fanelli's is really a trailblazer in the industry in this respect. Can't name a better spot to post up with a glass of wine/appy spritz and an espresso & people watch read more

Legendary locals only spot that has a warm vibe and some fantastic homemade food...if you're solo, have dinner at the bar, everyone is having a bite there. It gets pretty packed starting on Thursday through the weekend but the other nights are calmer, friendly and filled with people who like talking to strangers (like me!) Recc: Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders, Hamburgers here are probably the best in Lower Manhattan, love the vibe here! It's less hectic and it's a super nice calm space to grab a bite or warm up with a cup of coffee, spiked if you like it that way, and a great escape from the crowds of Soho! This is said to be the second oldest drinking establishment in New York, but it's a lot more than that, this is like a private clubhouse without a fee. A+++ (the food isn't an afterthought here, it's GREAT and made with love ) read more

Fanelli's Cafe - American Near Me - New York, New York

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The only positive here was the a/c, Brooklyn lager, and a decent burger that satisfied my hunger. IPreviously when I came here I had a great experience but I had come with a group. However this time I came alone and the service was pretty bad. The person waiting my table was aloof. My water didn't get refilled, I would see them active with the other tables surrounding me, and I could not get this persons attention unless I had to step out of my way; just enough where it feels rude to others around me. Anyway, half of my fries were burnt , the other half were soggy. I saw the waitress bring over a much better looking set of fries to the people next to me. I had separated the fries on my plate to address and ask for another plate of fries but again, this person never asked how my meal was going. I didn't bother following up and this person made me feel like I was a burden. :/ read more

One of the best, old school pubs in lower NYC. Just walk in and you feel like you're being whisked 50 years backwards, and that's a good thing. The decor and lived-in ambience sets you at ease and tends to melt away whatever current cafes are looming back outside. The servers are all friendly and attentive, and the bartenders are especially comfortable holding court while pouring a great selection of tavern staples at very reasonable prices. The menu offers a variety of casual eats, all of which will hit the spot depending on your mood. Classic Italian dishes come out hot and tasty, while burgers are fresh, juicy and satisfying. Fanelli's is the perfect place to while away a few hours chatting with fellow escapees from the big city grind. read more

Came here with a bunch of coworkers on a Friday. The bar tender was simply put miserable. She had zero desire to be warm and welcoming. My first round of beers were $26 and I gave her $40 told her to keep the change. Ordered a few more rounds tipping in between. You'd think that with the large group of us being friendly and good tippers she'd have a great evening. My final straw was when I ordered a hotdog with fries and a Guinness. She tells me it's $26 (this is an old picture. The hotdog went up to $11.00) so I may have had a few drinks but I wasn't incoherent. I go, I ordered a hotdog with fries and a Guinness. The Guinness is $8, hotdog and fries $11, how is it $26? She says the fries. I go, the fries are included. She's like. No they're not. So I look at the menu, under sandwiches is my hotdog. I literally say to her "$11 for a hotdog?" Her answer? "I don't make the prices" Done. This place has zero ambiance, they couldn't care less if we show up with a party of 30 people that all tip heavily since we're all in The customer service industry as well No problem. I pay my tab and leave after I finish my final round. Last time I'll set foot in this place again. read more

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Seriously haven't been here in twenty years! My first encounter was my then boss took me to this place and bragged about the tomato soup.. she compared the soup to " tomatoes in vodka sauce". Was she right? Yep. As I continue to eat my through SoHo via my lunch break , I'm finding new gems and revisiting some old ones. So let's start with ..it's a Friday afternoon and I see outdoor tables with heaters. There is a stand that you wait near to be seated. The guy was very nice when I originally stated I can sit outdoors with a heater. He stated I think I have a table opening up inside. Two minutes later he escorts me to a cozy table near a window. First smile on my face.. The place is packed from bar to dining room. The friendly waiter served me water and I ordered quickly. I wanted the tomato soup for sure and was going to pair it with a side salad but the chicken fingers stared at me in the menu ( this was going to be a cheat thus lunch/dinner combo). As I waited for my food, I did read the reviews about pricing and there are some disconnects like $18 for half a tuna melt or $20 for a full sandwich. Huh? My tomato soup was $9 for a cup $11 for a bowl. Etc. So , yes, there are some disconnects. As far as service, my waiter was terrific. Place was packed and he followed up with me to see that my soup was served and gave me a big smile "Enjoy". First sip, yep, tomato soup in vodka sauce and shredded cheese on the side. He then checked to see if my chicken arrived. Another big smile. He handled the bustle effortlessly. A pub is a pub..I have to say every pub I've visited from Spain to London to Chicago is bustling, the prices range from low to high ( if you're lucky to catch a happy hour). The food is what it is: mozzarella sticks, Croque Monsieur to burgers. After twenty years, the tomato soup dazzled me the same from my first taste. Will I come back, yes, because I can eat their tomato soup everyday. There are menu pricing disconnects for sure but it's up to the diner what she wants... read more

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Cool little dive bar on a good block in fun area. It was packed so I bit hectic and no space and people were bumping into me so I'll try another time when it's not happy hour or have a drink somewhere else before I come. They are super nice and it's really pretty. read more

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Super busy place and full of tourist :D, LOL. My friend and I want to try anyway as we saw line up and this place is crowded. Honest review, I actually went to this bar many times and all the time before I didn't get any table or even space to stand. I don't understand obviously, why people are killing to hang out at this place. On the wall, they have nice old picture of many famous people. Food is American style, nothing special or high quality and I understand as full of customer the server hardly goes to every table. All I wanted to say is as I was able to get a table, I complete the task and that it! I don't want to come back or if it is not too full of ppl, maybe? My friend and I shop in Soho often and after shopping we like to have place to rest and hang out. read more

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Perfect place for American food in soho! Love the ambiance & their staffs are friendly! read more

Won't send me a receipt for my expense report. Terrible service. I have messaged them everyday for the past week

i came with friends and ordered the veggie burger and fries. the burger had the smallest amount of pesto possible so it was a little dry. its unfortunate because the flavor itself was quite delicious. fries were eh, they were soggy, unsalted and bland even when i added salt. thank goodness for ketchup read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Veggie Burger with Fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

I have been going here for almost 20 years. Today was my first time back since the pandemic and will definitely be my last visit. I agree with many of the other reviews here. The service is racist, rude, and indifferent. I got asked to move during my meal to another table. When I said no they kept coercing me and when I finally did move they didn't even help. The food is sub at best. Expect a half portion of whatever you ordered accompanied by a mountain of soggy French fries. Any ambience this place might have had is ruined by the service or lack there of. This place will never make the Green Book and should be eliminated from the phone book. read more

Such a good tuna melt! I love sitting outside at the corner table! The service is fine but the food and ambiance make it!

They are always busy, waitresses are usually nice and the food is always decent - fries are delicious! A solid, classic SoHo haunt for many years. read more

As both a Downtown local and a Fanelli's regular, it's true, the staff is generally miserable and one we just put up with because it used to be a descent space to drop by for drinks between events and to hang with the other regulars. But lately, it's been hardly worth it. Note: If you are dropping by for drinks on Saturday nights, be prepared. They have the slowest bartenders in town, and they are understaffed for that kind of traffic. One bartender, who I won't mention by name and who is there on Saturday nights, is always drunk and checked out mentally. Fanelli's is now a popular spot for tourists, implants from the Midwest, and regulars who have been customers for decades. Some of them remember seeing Jean-Michel Basquiat there. read more

Winter resort for flys. Seriously gross .OMG. It smells like a pet store, dirty beer glasses with some type of debris floating on the surface. Place is like drinking in a men's room. Only cool thing is the neon sign. Needs a hose down. read more

Super awesome diner/Café/bar in Soho with just the right vibe. Not too formal but historic and awesome service. One of the best BLTs ever and really also enjoyed the beet salad. Breakfast sandwich was delicious looking and French toast and bacon were on point. read more

Fanelli's Cafe - Beet Salad - American Near Me - New York, New York

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As someone who was born & raised in NYC (not a transplant) I've been coming here since I was a young lad in my 20s. Recently & today there is an older dude w/ a mustache that has a bad attitude & snorts like a pig clearing his sinuses. Someone sat at end of bar by stack of menus & he picked them up & slammed them on back bar while shaking his head because he was annoyed this guy sat so close to the menus. Bizarre. I've seen the attitude before with this guy. Sunglasses on top of his hat also? read more

Wonderful wonderful team and management. The inside is so cute and the food is great too. Plate of fries is a must!

This place by far is my favorite place to get wings,love the hot wings as well their blue cheese, it's hard to find a place that has real blue cheese,place gets packed, you can dine in. read more

Lmfao what a disaster. No professionalism whatsoever. They're hanging on by a thread - strictly HYPE.

Fantastic burgers!! Unfortunately I think it's become a popular trendy IG/tiktok spot but go anyway. If you enjoy trying NYC's top burger spots, make this a stop on that tour. read more

Legendary spot. Great food. Great service. Historical place. Highly recommend! Great beer. read more

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