Manuela

Manuela in Soho is already my new go-to spot in the city. From the moment you walk in, you realize this is more than just a restaurant. It is a living, breathing art gallery. The walls are lined with gorgeous pieces, and at the heart of it all is the incredible sculpture above the bar. A twisting, colorful installation that feels like a whimsical tree brought to life. The entire space is curated with the same care they put into the menu. The food is absolutely stunning. Every dish looks like a work of art, and the flavors are as fresh and vibrant as they come. It is true farm-to-table done right, with ingredients that taste like they were chosen at their peak. The open kitchen adds another layer of charm, giving you a front row seat to the skill and energy that goes into each plate. The cocktails are excellent, with creative flavors that are perfectly balanced and a pleasure to sip. The wine list shows real expertise, with each selection chosen to complement the food and elevate the experience. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic, which makes the whole evening feel welcoming and special. Manuela has that perfect balance of buzzing energy and relaxed comfort. Whether you are here for a date night, catching up with friends, or simply treating yourself, you will leave feeling like you have had a memorable experience, not just a meal. If you are in downtown NYC, Manuela is a must.

Dinner at Manuela was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by an atmosphere that blends art, warmth, and sophistication. The space feels like a curated gallery. Every dish is plated with precision, almost too beautiful to eat, yet bursting with flavor. Ingredients are clearly fresh and carefully sourced, and you can taste the thought and skill in every bite. Watching the chefs work in the open kitchen adds another layer to the dining experience, making you feel part of the creative process. Cocktails are creative and perfectly balanced, while the wine list is thoughtfully chosen, with each bottle feeling like a discovery. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely passionate, offering recommendations that elevate the entire meal. Their warmth and attentiveness make you feel instantly welcome. The energy in the room is lively but never overwhelming, striking that perfect balance between special-occasion dining and a place you want to linger in. This is the kind of restaurant where you lose track of time, savoring every moment. Perfect for a romantic night out, a celebration, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary.

Dinner at Manuela in Soho was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The moment you walk in, you are surrounded by art. The space doubles as a gallery, and the showstopper is the wild, colorful sculpture that spreads over the bar like a magical tree. It sets the tone for the whole night. The menu is pure beauty. Every plate looks like it could be framed, and the flavors are just as impressive. Everything is fresh and vibrant, clearly made with care and sourced from the best ingredients. Watching the chefs in the open kitchen only adds to the experience. Drinks are a highlight. The cocktails are inventive and balanced, and the wine list feels handpicked with real thought behind each bottle. The staff knows their stuff and makes great recommendations. They are friendly, attentive, and seem genuinely happy you are there, which makes you feel right at home. The energy is upbeat without being overwhelming, and the space feels both special and comfortable. Manuela is the kind of place you want to linger in, soaking it all in. This is the spot to bring someone you want to impress or to celebrate something worth remembering

Where do I begin? I know for my friends and I we had a ball. I am confused as to what people are complaining about LOL. This place is not only gorgeous but the service and food are great as well. In the heart of soho, we decided to have dinner here Monday night. It was easy to set a reservation. We were greeted warmly , our server for the night was Cory. Cory was awesome, he was very helpful when it came to breaking down the items on the menu. First things first the biscuits delivered straight from heaven!!! Order them ! So warm, soft, and flakey. It comes with butter and a side of prosciutto if you want. I want them right now as I speak! Next we ordered the shaved fennel salad , my friends enjoyed it. A bit too bitter for me. Next were the oysters, those were so very good! Easy to eat and tasted marvelous!!!That citrus mignonette on point! Now for the mains, we went with the swordfish, bass, and chicken with a side of broccolini. Let's just say the swordfish was my favorite and that is not what I ordered lol. All of the dishes were very good and well crafted. They tasted as good as they looked. We ordered a great bottle of orange wine to go with our mains the perfect pair. Because we were stuffed we passed on dessert, but we will be back for sure! My only request is to not give tickets for doggy bags , we had such a good time we forgot to get our doggy bags. Bring the bag to the table so we do not forget our good food! I was devastated when I got home and remembered lol. All good we had a great time !!! Ohhhh and the playlist was superb!!!! so please go and enjoy this beautiful establishment!!!!!

Manuela is a visually stunning, spacious restaurant—there are even rumors they spent millions on the art and installations throughout the space. Unfortunately, the food and service don’t match the space. The pistachio blue cheese salad was bland, and the blue cheese lacked any punch—if you’re a blue cheese lover, this won’t hit the mark. The shrimp and grits had ZERO salt, and the only flavor came from the bacon bits. It was greasy and flat. The French toast was dense AF, though the dulce de leche sauce and blueberry compote on top were good. The only standout was the crab dip. The service during brunch was disappointing. The waiter made it clear he wasn’t interested in serving our table—when I declined the wine list by saying I didn’t drink, he rolled his eyes and walked away without offering alternatives. I had to flag him down every time—for drinks, for food, even just to pay. Never approach my table voluntarily. Food took 30 minutes to arrive, and the place wasn’t even half full. Kitchen couldn’t be in the weeds. If it were just one issue, I’d chalk it up to them being new, but bad food and bad service make it hard to justify a return—despite how beautiful the space is.

An art filled, fun restaurant with dishes that are just unique enough to please everyone without reinventing the wheel. The perfect date night spot or a catch up with friends. The french onion dip was superb -- nice and smoky with the roe. We had the lamb skewer special and the flatbread was really good. Scallops were also a highlight with a bright corn salad and perfectly seared.

Quite stunning on the inside. I guess the owner of Hauser and Wirth (art gallery) owns this place? it’s filled with beautiful fine art and furnishings, tons of natural light and a fabulous bathroom downstairs. Really big inside as well. We came for lunch - had the crudités and Cherry tomato salad to start. Simple, fresh and light. Cocktails were juicy and fresh, I got the TLC. Burger was perfectly cooked, but rather messy and I wish there were an option to get frites on the side instead of the lettuce it comes with, since we already started the meal with a vegetable. Overall, everything was quality, simple, and well prepared but nothing really to write home about. They were able to accommodate some food allergies at our table as well, which was greatly appreciated. Best part was honestly not feeling rushed by the staff. I came here with a group and it was nice to really catch up with each other without feeling like we need to leave. Great place for larger groups and nice lunch dates.

This restaurant has wonderful food and drinks with an open kitchen concept the gives it a warm vibe. While surrounded by interesting art on the walls to the tables to the chairs you are sitting on, everything is well thought through. Our waiter was attentive and gave us good advice. Our favorites by far were the biscuits starter and chicken main! Definitely hope to be back!

My favourite new restaurant in Soho. Delicious food, beautiful art and impeccable service!!

This place is such a quirky and eclectic place / restaurant / gallery experience! It's especially fun to people watch since everyone has such interesting outfits. The food also was great in my opinion! It's definitely pricier than I'd like -- considering beans are more than $20. But. I loved the beans haha. And the duck, pork, and cabbage were great as well.

Had the pleasure of dining here with friends for a birthday dinner. Upon walking in I was in awe of the bright lights, quirky furniture and beautiful people. Think of a very trendy reso in the middle of the most popping place in NYC--it was a movie. Absolutely want to give props to the playlist with a flow of Solange, Tupac and even some Acid Jazz. The music was top tier. Now on to the food which was DELICIOUS. I can appreciate a nicely curated menu and this spot didn't disappoint. -Chicken in the white bbq sauce was chefs kiss. Skin was perfectly crisp and the chicken was moist...don't forgot to squeeze that lemon on top. -Cream Biscuits served with a butter and ham was the Beyoncé of the night. These biscuits were made with love and layered with goodness. So good we ordered another round for the table. -The roasted cauliflower and potatoes were the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. The date vinegar on the cauliflower was insanely good. I also had a chance to taste the Sunchokes side and was blown away...def cop! -the Crudo and Albacore dip were underwhelming -drinks also underwhelming. I had the Bohemian Boulevard and La Pera Loca Service was top notch from the host to the runners. I was extremely impressed with the table service (pre bussing, resetting, water service). Also the fine dining touches didn't go unnoticed (folding the napkins when the guest leave, coat check and food wrap-up pick up at the end of service) and I appreciated that as well. FYI the place is a little pricey but in my opinion I believe it's worth every dime. I'll be back.

Hauser & Wirth gallery opened their second NYC restaurant after their success in LA, and it truly feels like dining in an art gallery. The beautiful bar features artwork by Mika Rottenberg, and you can also spot Louise Bourgeois' iconic spider sculpture. With an open kitchen and rooms filled with art, you know that this place feels truly special. I loved sitting near the bar and open kitchen to catch all the action. Service was attentive but never intrusive. They gave us plenty of time to chat and decide on the menu without feeling rushed. We really appreciated that, esp given that we are in nyc. Overall, the food was solid, with the biscuits being surprisingly good- warm and crispy on the outside. We all enjoyed the chicken. The flavorful oyster mushrooms were a standout even among the carnivores. PS. The unisex bathrooms downstairs have a friendly attendant.

Go for the art, stay for the food. Great new Soho restaurant, an outpost of Manuela in LA and a sibling of Audley in London. Dining at Manuela is an immersive art experience. The art is amazing, but it is all coming from global art titan Hauser & Wirth. The food is American, but delicious and creative American (not what my mom used to cook!). The cocktails are great, as is the wine list. The staff are excellent, knowledgeable about both the art and the food. Great experience.

Beautifully curated art x dining experience in the heart of SoHo. Promising a great menu but the food took 45 min too long & tasted like your average corner cafe. The steak was almost raw (requested well done) lacking any flavor. Not what I expected. As a new spot, I truly hope the team improves the menu & service.

Loved this spot. Don't skip on the biscuits. Some of the best I've had in the city. The chicken was fire as well. Vibe and decor are on point, glad this place just opened. Service was good as well, especially for a spot that just opened.

One word; NO. I have had better food in an airport lounge. The staff are untrained and way too many standing around talking loudly. Please do not remove my plate if my partner is still eating his food. Bazar. Hugely disappointing. Subpar food, hideous decor and untrained staff. Terrible combination.

The service was great! The wine sommelier Lauren was knowledgeable and helpful. She was running around doing everything! Thank you! Food was very good but the menu was limited. The noise level was too high therefore, everyone was shouting and made the noise level even higher.