NOLITA, MANHATTAN

Raf's

A cloud-painted bistro on Elizabeth Street — house breads by day, candlelight and white chocolate budino by night.

Illustration of a French bistro table: steak frites and wine — Illustration · not a photo of this venue

A bakery by day and a bistro by night at the corner of Elizabeth and Houston, with a ceiling painted with billowing clouds, iron chandeliers, white tablecloths and distressed mirrors. In the evening the room takes on a permanent sunset glow, which is most of the reason people fall for it.

Chef Mary Attea and pastry chef Camari Mick cook a broad European menu, French and Italian at heart. Start with the house breads and the crisp carta di musica piled with Parmigiano and jambon de Bayonne, then the escargot and a pasta such as mafaldine with rabbit. Dessert is not optional: get the white chocolate budino.

Editor’s tip

Come back in the morning for the bakery; at night, snag a bar seat if there's no table.

Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby

SOHO, MANHATTAN

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

SoHo's living room — a donated library, a mezzanine balcony, and a café where every dollar does good.

Shopping · Free

~4 min on foot

SOHO, MANHATTAN

Crosby Street

SoHo's working back lane — cobbles, fire escapes, and no performance.

Beautiful Street · Free

~7 min on foot

Also in the neighborhood

NOLITA, MANHATTAN

Thai Diner

Uncle Boons' all-day successor in Nolita — Thai tea babka French toast, khao soi and a coconut sundae.

Thai · Brunch · $$

Google rating & reviews ↗

Illustration

NOLITA, MANHATTAN

Rubirosa

Nolita's thin-crust parlor — the Tie Dye pie, vodka sauce, and a room that hums all night.

Pizza · Date Night · $$

Google rating & reviews ↗

Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.