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If you work in Noho, somewhere amidst the seas of students and performers at Washington Square Park, the dizzying crosspaths around Astor Place and Cooper Union, and the intersection of Bowery and Bleecker, you’re probably well aware of how many fast-casual chains are at your disposal. But this area has so much more to offer than the best-known, national names. And it just so happens to be where our own office is located. Below, we’ve got you covered for where to eat lunch on any given workday. It’s the least we could do considering your commute ending at the Second Avenue F stop.

If you’ve somehow scored an entire free hour and need to carbo-load before an afternoon of back-to-backs—or have some time to people-watch on a slower day—try this attractive yet approachable modern Italian restaurant with mountains of pasta and a few nice sidewalk tables. Bar Primi is our choice when you’re in the market for somewhere more upbeat than “dark downtown restaurant,” along with dinner-size portions of meatballs, carbonara, and branzino.

This cash-only spot will make you feel like you’re in old New York, and in turn, the NYU students will remind you that 

 are old. Perfect for a takeaway lunch or a 

, this lively option offers Vietnamese staples like banh mi, pho, and vermicelli noodles. Not only are you in for a meal that’s bright, fast, cheap, and tasty, but count on some interesting goings-on around the storefront on MacDougal too.

 Shrimp summer rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee

Favela Cubana's Cuban Brazilian cuisine makes lunchtime feel like party time. For lunch, we recommend sitting outside; as the restaurant is slightly set back from Lafayette Street, it’s quieter than you’d expect. Sure you can take your food to go, but why not use your break to bask in the sun while eating a perfect Cubana sandwich plus soup for only $15?

 Half sandwich and cup of soup lunch special

Atla feels like a laidback, undercover sit-down lunch… until you see the beautiful food and the bill. But hey, sometimes you really do need a $15 

 taco. And if you’re going for an “I earned it this quarter” lunch, you might as well spend on food that’s this explosive and flavorful (imagine flaxseed chilaquiles and fresh peas and asparagus). Or, you know, figure out how to expense it. Keep this corner destination in mind, too, for any occasion when you want to impress—say, a potential partner or big-get mentor—but seem like you’re not trying.

If you’ve ever wanted to dine inside an 

, The Smile is the spot to do it. Walk a few steps below street level on Bond Street and you’ll understand why the well-groomed regulars at The Smile are always taking photos of their food. With a seemingly simple, café-style menu (excellently executed salads, sandwiches, et al.) that knocks it out of the park, The Smile is perfect for a fairly efficient but still notable lunch. Bring the cool new hire to start off on the right foot.

Strategizing where to bring an out-of-town client to lunch? Il Buco is an easy answer.  Understated, woody, and warm, the longtime neighborhood standout will deliver a lunch they’ll tell everyone back home about. Be prepared to linger for more than a true lunch hour, over at least a couple glasses of wine paired with their decadent Italian and Iberian-inspired classics. Tip: Don’t forget to start with some salumi, burrata, and seared Spanish octopus to share.

Spaghetti with swordfish, snow peas, and Calabrian chili, plus an olive oil tasting

If you’re looking for a chill midweek spot where you can find a good vegetarian option and guac’s included, check out Los Tacos No. 1. As the name implies, it's a quick and casual taco spot (with four other locations around the city) that's ideal for running in, grabbing a perfect taco, and eating on the move while thinking about your next meeting. Bonus: You’ll have time after to pop into 

 for a giant, warm-from-the-oven cookie, just a few steps away.

Nopal taco con todo and an Agua de Jamaica

Where to Get Lunch In Noho 

If you’re one of the hordes of West Side-ish workers somewhere between Tribeca and FiDi, boldly push away from your desk and check out these nearby spots to calm down, cut loose, fuel up, and feel inspired.

“After months of being homebound, I’m ready to turn strangers into new friends.”

The original PJ Clarke’s on 54th street has been the city’s unofficial afterwork social club since 1884. (Fun fact: It’s where Don and Joan 

) This newer offshoot keeps that convivial, we’re-all-friends-here spirit alive and well. Sit at the bar, order a bacon cheeseburger—dubbed the 

 by Nat King Cole—and make friends with your neighbors, who are likely doing the same thing.

“I need to show them a great time, but make it seem effortless.”

When you want to impress a lunch guest, you need to deliver on three things: service, food, and wow-factor. This Northern Italian Tribeca institution performs in all of the above. Think: lavish bowls of pasta and steak tartare that’s confidently upgraded from the norm with almonds and truffles. The staff is professional and polished (i.e. not college students grabbing shifts between class). But the kicker is its impressive celebrity presence, thanks to the impeccable cool of owner Robert De Niro. Hey, it can’t hurt to hope Brad Pitt stops by (again) and happens to chat up your table. 

“My current avatar is Snoopy with a rain cloud over his head.”

Having a rough one? This is the place for five-star comfort food 

 a dose of fightin’ spirit. This 250-year-old watering hole served as George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution and has survived everything from hurricanes and pandemics to bombings and civil war. A highlight: Memorabilia from the city’s history lines the wall. Pair it with the tomato bisque and a grilled cheese studded with creamy dill havarti to make any bad day better.

“Maybe it's adrenaline from that presentation I just nailed, or maybe it’s just Tuesday and I feel like treating myself.”

On Fridays when weather permits in the warmer seasons, some of the best food trucks in the country gather together in this roving outdoor market made up of 70-plus rotating, local-favorite vendors. The lineup changes weekly, so check their website to make sure your favorite will be there. Either way, the overall flavor is novel and adventurous: Spaghetti donuts, artisanal chai, local oysters, and fried pickles are just a few options. There’s tons of outdoor seating, so plan to kick back for a few. 

If you’re craving healthy-ish with a vibe

Where does one get a dignified salad??”

The go-to lunchtime salad is a sacred thing, a healthy-ish workday ritual that inevitably loses its luster when you hit up the same Chop’t day after day. (Everything gold fades, etc.) Skip the standard mega-chain in favor of this stylish, Australian-inspired café. They serve aesthetically pleasing, inventive salads and sandwiches packed with local greens and heritage meats raised on owner Henry Robert’s upstate farm. Our pick: The Pulled Chicken Bowl stars crunchy kale and pickled veggies in every bite. 

“How can I sneak in a mental getaway?”

No spa, no massage pro, no problem. When you’re dreaming of pulling a “

,” brown bag your lunch and bring it to this iconic waterfront promenade—look, it’s the Statue of Liberty! Stroll and take in deep breaths of the fresh air (fresh for Manhattan anyway). If you’re feeling more active, there’s an ice skating rink in cold months, outdoor exercise classes when it’s warm, and plenty of people watching—a sport that’s always in season, am I right?

Where to Get Lunch In Noho

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