EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

Café Mogador

A St. Marks Place institution since 1983 — tagines at dinner, Moroccan eggs at brunch.

Rivka Orlin opened Café Mogador on St. Marks Place in 1983, and her family still runs it — one of the longest-running restaurants in the East Village. It is a narrow, lived-in room with tables close together, and at weekend brunch the wait can run long.

Mogador is not trying to be a Fez dining room; it is a New York café with a Moroccan heart. At dinner, order a tagine — chicken with preserved lemon and olives, or lamb — or couscous. At brunch, order the Moroccan eggs, poached in a spiced tomato sauce. Finish with mint tea either way.

Editor’s tip

Come for a weekday dinner rather than weekend brunch — same room, no line.

Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby

EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

St. Marks Place

Three loud, layered blocks where the East Village keeps its receipts.

Beautiful Street · Free

~3 min on foot

EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

Tompkins Square Park

The East Village's shaggy living room, under some of Manhattan's oldest elms.

Park & Garden · Free

~4 min on foot

Also in the neighborhood

EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

Abraço

An East Village espresso counter with Lisbon manners and a cult-favorite olive oil cake.

Café · Neighborhood Café · $

EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

Veselka

The 1954 Ukrainian diner that still anchors Second Avenue with pierogi and borscht.

Ukrainian · Brunch · $$

Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 13, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.