Fanelli’s Cafe

8/26/2015

Old-timey place with checkered tablecloths - at first I thought it served pizza and Italian food only, but was pleasantly surprised to see a varied menu that included burgers and seafood.  

Compared to the other places around Soho, this eatery is surprisingly affordable - entrees run in the $15-20 range and the portions are decent. The dark wood and small tables are good for intimate dates or casual get-togethers.  The food is served quickly, as in a diner, and the meal is much better than what you'd expect.

My only complaint is the noise level - be prepared to shout at your companion during peak dinner times, as the place is small and people's voices frequently overlap each other. Other than that, it's a cool, unpretentious place to hang out in Soho, especially for those of us who don't look like models.

11/17/2015

I think this place is rated about right at 3.5 stars. We wound up here because we were starving and this didn't have a terrible rating. It's a little confusing when you first walk in - if you head towards the back the hostess/waitress will help. There are so many people due to the bar, and the tables to eat are pretty close together.

I got the pesto with sausage. It came out quickly and was super hot. Overall, it was a pretty good dish. I think the pesto could've used a little more garlic in it, but that's a personal preference. It is loud in this business (again, due to the bar), but the staff was decently attentive.

11/13/2015

Breakfast served all day!!! The fiancée and I were in SOHO and we were both STARVING. Luckily we beat the dinner rush and were able to score a table AND place our order before it turned into a madhouse.

I got the 2 egg sandwich with sausage and fries and nibbled some of my fiancée's pesto linguine with sausage. It was an interesting egg sandwich in that I was expecting breakfast sausage (you know, it being breakfast foods and all) but I was surprised to find a link of italian sausage in the sandwich! The fries were natural cut!

As for the pasta, it was pretty standard fare, nothing crazily extraordinary, but it was exactly what it said it would be: tomatoes, pesto, pasta, sausage.

This place seems like a decent option if you're in the mood for American/Italian, but I think I'd venture out and try a different food place before heading back to Fanelli's. I MUST EMPHASIZE: there was nothing wrong with my experience here, but I would just be interested in trying out other places in SOHO before coming back.

8/1/2015

Excellent breakfast, if you are looking for a traditional American breakfast.
Great traditional bar like look in the place, a bit small in the main room but not uncomfortable at all.
Kind waitresses.
Bathrooms can improve a lot.
Recommended!!

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  Double egg sandwich and French toast

  Double egg sandwich and French toast
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11/12/2014

This place is always in my lunch rotation - an old bar with simple, great food. Cool shit on the walls. The burgers here are absolutely messy and delicious and on an onion roll... c'mon now. If that doesn't bring you in, then you're a lost soul.

Other delicious things to try: tuna melt (great), fish and chips (very small portion), chicken club sandy (always solid), and the WINGS are amazing - super crispy and served dry. That's the way to go.

Service is spotty, but once you make it clear you're not a tourist, you're in the girls' good graces.

Ask for big, normal glasses of water, otherwise you get this little thimble thing and it's torture. Also, don't get soda here. Blech.

8/6/2015

I haven't actually been here in a few years but I went two or three times when visiting New York and I couldn't help but reminisce how lovely my visits to this place were. You can order a rare burger. There isn't many places on earth you can safely eat a rare hamburger.
And their burgers were just lovely.
It seemed to me to be primarily a burger joint, and a very old one. Great ambiance. Great service. And I was very pleased by the quality of the food.

11/27/2015 Updated review

Reviewer "YK" makes an interesting point (about 3 reviews down), and it's true. The wait staff does cater to us "old men" who sit in the corner. It's easy to figure out why....we're "regulars". Never in a rush, always willing to chat up the tourists and give local advise. We know what to eat and how to tip. That's what makes this bar one of the few that still exists in NYC that has "regulars". And please don't take offence but if your ordering spaghetti in a dive bar....well....you'll get dive bar spaghetti..! (Order the Salmon Salad next time...for $8.00 its perfect.)

11/18/2015

Veggie burger is ALWAYS amazing!!! And we'll as the bar service. Everyone is super friendly :)

12/17/2014

This is a nice quaint cafe that serves really good and not overly complex food. I've been here a few times and I typically stick to sandwiches as I often visit for lunch or quick bites. Sandwiches are between $11 and $15 and include fries or salad.

The steak sandwich is pretty good. The thinly sliced steak is not too overly seasoned and it marries well with the cheese.

Also, the Croque Monsieur is great. The flavors all marry well on a toasted bread and it's perfect.  The French fries are lightly salted and fresh cut.

12/28/2014

Fanelli's is trapped on a really busy, touristy area of SoHo.  Fortunately, it's still got a lot of charm to keep me coming back.  On most days, there is a soup kiosk outside so if that's all you want, you can grab it easy and go.  I wouldn't plan to eat an actual meal here--this place is more like a snack and a drink before getting back to your errands/job/shopping spree.  Like others have said, this place may look touristy, but it sure doesn't feel that way on the inside.

The couple times I've been here, I've just ordered fries or a BLT.  Both are pretty tasty, no frills, and do the trick.  I only dock a star for the very crowded dining room (there is additional seating in the back past the bar) and the disappearing server.

To sum it up:  if you're caught in the rain, close by, and could use a pick me up, pop in to this place.  You won't be disappointed.

11/4/2015

Amazing bar. Great atmosphere and Bob the bartender is great! Will definitely be back

10/31/2015

Best Bison burgers in New York and may be in the entire USA....every time i walk near SoHo i always stop by for a bison burger. ...friendly staff , clean place and amazing food

8/4/2015

It was eh.

Very pricey for very average bar food. And they didn't have ranch dressing. Who doesn't have ranch dressing?!?

10/26/2015

big fan of this place. my very best friend and I discovered this place about 4 years ago while bar hopping in the city. The best meal on the menu is the pumpkin ravioli. it's life changing. The large assortment of beer is pretty awesome too. the staff is a bit impatient but the food and vibe make up for it.

7/19/2015

Great casual spot for Sunday lunch/brunch and cocktails. Fun bartender and fantastic screwdrivers!

10/13/2015

Holy Bison Burger! Great spot for a pint too.

3/9/2015

Such a cute fun restaurant!  Atmosphere is very fun - staff is extremely friendly and food was very good!  I had eggs/bacon/french fries and it was all very delicious - mimosas were very good also!  Have a very large menu with breakfast and lunch available anytime.  Service was awesome - kept on refilling waters and when noticed our drinks were low offered another round

10/6/2015

I passed by this place in Soho and noticed the rich Manu from the out side. It offers all kind of foods, from breakfast to dinners. I really enjoyed the classic breakfast, eggs and bacon. The fresh ingredients along with the rich taste, provided a very dissent experience. My friend had a cheeseburger and also enjoyed it very much.

8/13/2014

What a great find on a busy Tuesday afternoon.

Came here before an event at the Apple Store and we told the waitress we were in a rush. Within minutes we had our snacks (soup and fries) and our beers (which were ice cold) and we were in and out within 15 minutes.

Service is spot on and the food is good. Totally will be back.

12/5/2015

went there for the first time yesterday-- great service, and pretty fast, too, although I wish the burger had come a bit faster since that's all I had. but the burger was delicious; I tried it open face with pepper jack cheese cooked medium well, and it seemed to absolutely melt. the best part is that a few of the fries had melted into the cheese which proved a delicious condiment. cute location although not the best decor. will most likely visit this purveyor of American classics regularly until it is succeeded by another comfort food joint.