There’s something magical about the first warm day in New York City. People emerge from hibernation, shed their puffers, and suddenly every sidewalk café is packed like it’s Paris in July and every grassy patch is covered in picnic blankets. Soho Diner, nestled beneath the Soho Grand Hotel, has embraced this golden-hour with the seasonal reopening of the iconic outdoor garden, and let me tell you: it’s worth the reservation.
A true urban oasis, Soho Diner’s outdoor garden is tucked away from the busy Soho streets: string-lit and leafy, with a relaxed glam. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance: lively but not chaotic, polished but not stuffy. Stepping inside makes you feel like you’re part of the New York springtime moment and on the precipice of a tropical summer, even if you’re just there to eat your weight in cheese curds.
Let’s talk food. We started strong with the Crispy Cheese Curds, which were piping hot and perfectly golden. Instead of a traditional marinara dipping sauce, they come with the closest culinary thing to magic – hot honey. The bright, sweet heat of the hot honey meets the crispy exterior of the cheese curd, which gives way to a gooey, soft cheesy interior. Such a genius pairing – it’s heaven in a bite.
Then came the Soho Burger, and wow. It’s juicy, stacked just right, and comes with a soft, buttery bun that holds its integrity bite after bite. The fries were crisp and delicious, not trying too hard to be something extravagant: classic, confident, and exactly what you want alongside a cold drink. Speaking of drinks, the Easy Breezy mocktail is a star in its own right. Light, citrusy, and not too sweet due to the spa-like cucumber flavor, it’s the kind of refreshing sip that makes you consider becoming a mocktail person full-time.
But the star of the meal? The Fried Chicken and Waffles. The chicken is crunchy without being greasy, and the waffle is light and fluffy. It’s breakfast-for-dinner done so right, especially due to another bowl of hot honey alongside the classic maple syrup to give this classic dish a kick. It was a large platter, so I brought it home and airfried the chicken – nearly just as delicious the next day. And just when we thought we couldn’t fit another bite, we went for the chocolate ice cream. Soho Diner’s retro aesthetic makes you unable to resist the picture of a swirled soft serve in a silver cup. It was the perfect indulgent send-off to a classic American comfort meal.
Soho Diner’s outdoor garden is the kind of spring vibe we all need to reawaken us. Grab a seat, order the cheese curds (which are on their $10 happy hour menu), and raise your Easy Breezy to the season. Spring has officially arrived—and it’s delicious.
