NoHo is one of New York City’s best kept secrets. This tiny Manhattan neighbourhood, wedged between SoHo, East Village, Nolita and Union Square, is just a couple of blocks but has a distinct energy and charm. After living just a couple of blocks away from NoHo for two years, I’ve written this NoHo Neighborhood Guide to share some of my favourite spots, in one of my favourite parts of the city. The best things to do in NoHo include getting dinner at Il Buco, admiring the Bowery Wall, shopping on Great Jones Street and Bond Street, and brunch at Lafayette. Because it’s trendy, tourist-free and expensive, NoHo is also perfect for celebrity spotting!

NoHo has been one of New York City‘s most fashionable neighbourhoods since the early 1800s, but it wasn’t until artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat set up shop in the ’60s & ’70s that the neighborhood really arrived. Today, it’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan, with beautiful historic architecture and a handful of excellent bars, restaurants and boutiques. NoHo flies under the radar, and tends to get overlooked by visitors to the city.

Where is NoHo?

NoHo stands for North of Houston. NoHo is between East Village and West Village. It’s located north of Nolita, and south of Union Square. NoHo is a very small neighbourhood, bordered by Houston St at the south, Astor Place to the north, Broadway to the west and the Bowery to the east. When you’re visiting NoHo, walk down Lafayette Street, which is the central street, for the best experience. Otherwise, walk down Broadway, which is safe but less classically “NoHo.” Avoid walking down The Bowery.

After visiting NoHo, check out nearby Nolita & SoHo.

The Best Hotels in NoHo

There are VERY few hotels in NoHo: two to be precise! Splurge on a luxurious stay at The Bowery Hotel, or save and stay at the city’s chicest hostel at Now NoHo.

The Bowery Hotel – $$$$

The Bowery is a luxury hotel in NoHo, right on the edge of NoHo and East Village. Splurge on a stylish stay at The Bowery to experience one of New York City’s coolest hotels, and luxurious rooms that ooze downtown character. The Bowery also has an onsite restaurant, Gemma, and extremely vibey lobby bar.

Now NoHo – $$

Now NoHo is an unbelievable steal, for this part of Manhattan. Yes, it’s a hostel, and the bathrooms are shared, but this is not your typical backpackers. A super cute, stylish hostel with ultra compact, cabin-style rooms that gives train carriage vibes – if Wes Anderson designed train carriages.

The Best Things to Do in NoHo

Shopping on Great Jones Street & Bond Street

The best shopping in NoHo is found on Great Jones Street and Bond Street, where you’ll find antiques, homewares, designer fashion, furniture galleries and bookstores. The facials at Heyday are affordable and excellent, and they’ve got a huge range of high quality and hard-to-find skincare products for sale in the front of the store.

Admire NoHo’s Golden Dancers

The apartment building at 24 Bond Street is covered in a stream of golden sculptures, known as the Golden Dancers. Artist Bruce Williams, who lives in the building, began added the sculptures in 1998, and has gradually added more (with city approval, after the was recognised as part of the NoHo Historic District). Tucked away on Bond Street, it’s almost easy to miss! This building also was the home to legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, from the 1970s until his death in 1989.

Photograph Astor Place

Astor Place is a historic intersection between East Village and West Village. The public plaza isn’t a must-see tourist destination, but it is surrounded by beautiful historic architecture, and the convergence of streets at odd angles creates a striking effect.

The Bowery Wall Mural

You’ll find vibrant street art around every other corner in New York City, but the Bowery Wall Mural is one of my favourites. It got its start in 1982, when Keith Haring first painted a mural there, when he was an up-and-coming artist. The wall was acquired by the Goldman family, who decided to keep the wall as a public art gallery. They started working with renowned art dealer & curator Jeffrey Deitch (you can visit his gallery in SoHo), to curate an ever-changing gallery. Other famous artists who have decorated the wall include Banksy and JR. Sadly, in the last couple of years, the artworks have been relentlessly tagged and defaced with graffiti, often destroying the underlying mural. It’s an ongoing battle, but it is worth stopping by when you’re in NoHo.

The Bowery Wall is found at the corner of The Bowery & East Houston. From here, you’re super close to charming Nolita, which is one block southwest. Don’t walk down the Bowery, which can feel like one of the sketchiest streets in Manhattan. Walk west, towards Elizabeth Street and walk south down Elizabeth, Mott or Mulberry.

The Best Restaurants in NoHo

Il Buco

Il Buco is one of the most beloved restaurants in Manhattan, and easily the best restaurant reservation in NoHo. Crowded with mismatched chairs and antiques, Buco is cosy and charming, and perfect for a romantic dinner in New York City. The menu is Italian, with a Spanish influence from the Iberian peninsula. Il Buco opened in 1994, and is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year – no mean feat in a city at as fickle as New York City!

Gemma at The Bowery Hotel

Arguably the only reason to hit the Bowery, Gemma is a stylish Italian restaurant on the ground floor of the Bowery Hotel. With a no reservations policy, it can be a little sceney, but the patio is such a lovely spot for dinner on warm evenings.

Best Bars in NoHo

The Wren

A charming, English-style “gastropub”, The Wren is in the same vein and from the same people as The Penrose on the Upper East Side and Wilfie & Nell in the West Village. I wish they wouldn’t serve their wine in tumblers, but I still love hanging out, people watching, with a drink & some snacks on a sunny afternoon.

Tom & Jerry’s

One of my favourite old school sports bars in New York City, Tom & Jerry’s is a total classic! While this won’t offer much novelty for Americans, as an Australian in New York I get a kick out of hanging out in a classic dive or sports bar (for a bit!). Tom & Jerry’s is a real neighbourhood spot, it’s totally unpretentious and laidback. It’s cash only.

Best Cafes & Coffee in NoHo

Gasoline Alley Coffee

It’s easy to miss this tiny coffee window at Gasoline Alley on Lafayette Street, but it’s a good spot to have tucked up your sleeve – reliable coffee & friendly staff.

Lafayette

One of the prettiest cafes in New York, Lafayette is a little bit Paris, a little bit New York (one of downtown Manhattan’s favourite themes). It’s from Andrew Carmellini’s hospitality group, and while it’s not his most talked about, probably because it’s more cafe than restaurant, I love coming here for a coffee and a croissant, either at the bar or on the lovely patio.

Further Reading

Essential NYC Travel Guides

• New York City Travel Guide
• Itinerary 5 Days in New York City
• Where to Stay in New York City

NYC Neighbourhood Guides

• West Village Neighbourhood Guide
• SoHo Neighbourhood Guide
• Meatpacking District Neighbourhood Guide
• Midtown Manhattan Neighbourhood Guide
• Flatiron, Gramercy & NoMad Neighbourhood Guide
• East Village Neighbourhood Guide
• Nolita Neighbourhood Guide
• Upper East Side Neighbourhood Guide
• Upper West Side Neighbourhood Guide
• Lower East Side Neighbourhood Guide

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