NYC Guide: Soda Club
Soda Club
Address | 95 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
New York City’s vegan dining scene has evolved far beyond the basics — it’s now a culinary movement defined by creativity, sophistication, and flavor. Among its standout destinations is The Soda Club, an East Village gem that reimagines Italian cuisine through a modern, plant-forward lens. Intimate yet lively, the space hums with energy — flickering candlelight, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of conversation setting the tone for an evening that feels distinctly, deliciously New York.
At Soda Club, plant-based take center stage in ways that feel both nostalgic and entirely new. Hand-cut pastas are dressed in unexpected combinations — like lemon nori butter or white truffle cream — while small plates such as arancini with tomato sauce and focaccia with miso bagna cauda prove that comfort and innovation can coexist beautifully. The cocktails, too, are crafted with care, from the delicate Dear Dahlia Gimlet to the smoky, citrusy Miss Cannela.
Dining here isn’t just about eating vegan — it’s about celebrating how inventive and satisfying plant-based food can be in the hands of a chef who understands balance, texture, and pleasure. The Soda Club captures what makes NYC’s vegan dining scene so exciting: bold, thoughtful, and always evolving.
Our dinner at The Soda Club begins the way every great evening should — with a perfectly balanced cocktail. The Dear Dahlia Gimlet sets the tone: elegant, floral, and just a touch mysterious. Crafted with precision, it combines botanical gin, fresh lime, and a whisper of house-made rose syrup, creating a drink that feels both modern and timeless. The soft blush hue mirrors the restaurant’s refined, convivial energy — an invitation to linger, sip, and savor. It’s the kind of cocktail that doesn’t just start the meal; it sets the mood for the night — bright, beautiful, and effortlessly sophisticated. The Miss Cannela is smoky, bright, and effortlessly alluring — a mezcal and lime cocktail that dances between fire and freshness. Its citrusy bite lifts the mezcal’s earthy depth, while a hint of spice lingers softly on the finish. Bold yet balanced, it’s the perfect sip to spark the evening.
For starters we ordered a spread that was both comforting and quietly inventive — a first glimpse into the kitchen’s balance of Italian roots and modern creativity. The Arancini, golden and crisp, arrive nestled in a pool of vibrant tomato sauce that’s rich with slow-cooked depth. Each bite gives way to creamy risotto within, delicately seasoned and irresistibly warm — the kind of classic that instantly sets you at ease. Alongside, the Focaccia offers something unexpected: a miso bagna cauda that reinvents tradition with umami sophistication. The soft, olive oil–brushed bread, with its delicate crust and pillowy interior, becomes the perfect vessel for dipping into this savory, gently fermented sauce — where miso replaces anchovy for a lush, layered flavor that’s both familiar and new.
It’s an opening act that feels generous and thoughtful, the kind of start that invites conversation and curiosity. Each dish reflects The Soda Club’s playful respect for flavor — rooted in the Italian table, yet open to global inspiration. With every bite, there’s warmth, craftsmanship, and a quiet confidence that promises the rest of the meal will follow with the same creative spirit and intention.
The Tagliatelle at The Soda Club is a dish that radiates understated brilliance — bright, briny, and deeply satisfying. Silky ribbons of handmade pasta are enveloped in lemon nori butter, a sauce that merges Italian simplicity with Japanese nuance. The result is lush yet light, the lemon cutting through the richness while the nori adds a subtle sea-kissed depth. Bitter broccoli rabe and briny capers bring balance, offering sharp contrast and texture, while delicate curls of celery root add earthiness and a faint sweetness. It’s the kind of pasta that’s quietly memorable — layered with flavor, elegance, and restraint. Each element works in harmony, creating a dish that feels both familiar and completely new, a reflection of The Soda Club’s refined approach to plant-forward Italian dining.
The Gigli is pure indulgence — a luxurious swirl of pasta bathed in white truffle cream sauce, where each ruffled edge captures the velvety richness of the truffle-infused cream. It’s a dish that envelops the senses, deeply aromatic and decadently smooth, yet perfectly restrained so the truffle shines rather than overwhelms. The finishing touch — a nest of crispy leeks — adds texture and a hint of sweetness, their delicate crunch balancing the creaminess below. Every bite is both comforting and opulent, a celebration of earthy truffle flavor and precise technique. The Soda Club’s mastery lies in the details: handmade pasta cooked to tender perfection, a sauce that whispers luxury, and a topping that transforms each forkful into a layered experience of silk, crunch, and aroma — a modern ode to classic decadence.
As tempting as The Soda Club’s dessert menu was — with its elegant, seasonal sweets and promise of a final indulgence — we decided to stretch our legs and take in the East Village night. Just a few blocks away, Van Leeuwen’s beckoned with its creamy, decadent vegan ice creams, the perfect way to end an evening already full of flavor. A scoop of oat milk strawberry matcha or pistachio offered that same thoughtful balance of richness and restraint that defined the meal, but with a more casual, stroll-worthy charm.
Walking through the glow of the city, we reflected on what made dinner at The Soda Club so memorable — the care in every plate, the creativity in each pairing, and the effortless elegance that makes vegan dining in New York feel not just accessible, but aspirational. It’s a place where plant-based cuisine isn’t a limitation but a canvas — where every bite feels considered, stylish, and satisfying. Paired with that simple, sweet stop for ice cream, the night unfolded exactly as it should: a little indulgent, a little spontaneous, and wholly New York — the perfect ending to a chic vegan dining experience.
