1274 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027, United States
Since we opened in May of 2001, we had a very simple idea: open a casual and welcoming trattoria to serve our homemade pastas and traditional dishes, the way our nonna used to make them. Made with fresh ingredients and amore! We joined menus with our beloved Max Caffe. Now serving breakfast, lunch & dinner.
The food was delicious and the service was good, but don't bother taking anyone for their birthday. Not only did I call ahead of time to let them know, but I also had to tell them again in person so that they could arrange something for my partner. (Of course, the person that I spoke to over the phone did not communicate this with the other staff). Even then they couldn't even simply write a happy birthday or even an hbd on the dessert. I was highly disappointed in that being that that was the most important aspect of the night.
Nice and cozy restaurant …. I expected a bit bigger portions however food was tasty
Cute and quaint place. Lunch pasta portion was really small though, felt like kids size and was hungry really quickly. Pasta taste-wise was quite authentic.
I really hope no one finds this gem ever — great vibe, great homemade pasta specials, great daily fresh juice, lovely furnitures, staff and music. Woah. I will come every night if I can. But again, I really hope no one finds this place ever, so I can keep it to my heart.
Haven't been here since early last year. This is my new regular now. After going to Via Carota yesterday and being extremely disappointed I wanted to come back to Max Soha and see if my first impression was blinded by not having tried many restaurants in NY at that time. With my wife we had 2 pasta specials, 1 bruschetta and 2 desserts and I have to say everything was extremely superior to the highly hyped Via Carota (not to mention price friendly). Pastas were extremely good and the desserts were impressive...would highly benefit from having more cocktails though!
Came here as a group of 5 people. We got a couple salads, pasta dishes and the salmon. It was very tasty and well cooked.
Wonderful food. Very unique pasta smell and taste. Very surprised to have a powerful sensory experience from takeout food. Much recommended!
Delicious Italian restaurant. The lasagna may be better if it has a thinner pasta. The salad was good, but nothing spectacular, just salad. The desserts were really good. We have a creme brulee and a mango cake.
We love Max Soha. Our trip to NY was made extra special by our exquisite breakfasts. Amazing French Toast and coffee. Looked after by our host and his staff. What a treat. Thank you! Dietary restrictions: Coeliac - gluten free. Taken care of
The chicken panini is so delicious. Normally there is no pasta for lunch, but there is pasta on the special menu for $10. I ordered it and it was delicious. Because its near the school, its delicious and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is really good*10 and the lady who took the order on the day was there!!! The coffee is amazing and the coffee in Korea is delicious. Everyone should go here
A very good cafe on the main street.
Great food, cool atmosphere.
Amazing little Italian restaurant with a great list of rotating specials
Great pasta and Tiramisu!
Absolutely best Italian food amazing service great atmosphere
Good pasta and lasagna. Service is not so good, but ok
Very nice place and very good coffee.
Wonderful spot in the Columbia neighborhood! Very attentive staff, food is really good and prices amazing for nyc! We love coming here.
Very nice and helpful staff
The place is small, but the tables are not bunched to close to each other. The food & service were fantastic. I will definitely keep going back until I have had every menu item. Food : 5/5
Great, friendly service, nice atmosphere. Delicious food. We recommend
Amazing gem with very affordable lunch options. Everything was perfect every time I went.
I came in for lunch on a Thursday with a friend and had a great meal. I ordered the Chipotle Chicken Panini and my friend ordered their pasta special. The server was very attentive and the food was delicious. Even though there was a couple at the table next to us, we were able to have conversations without it feeling like we were raising our voices despite the crowded dining room. The prices are extremely reasonable and I look forward to coming back very soon!
Delicious
I came to Max Soha for the first time for dinner. The environment was amazing and the food was exquisite. I had bruschetta al pomodoro as an appetizer and spinach pappardelle con funghi entree. Everything was amazing. Vegetarian options: Amazing selections
My partner and I went here for lunch today. At the end of our meal, we were stared at by the female waitress whom we had while paying. She proceeded to throw my card on the table after seeing we werent tipping more than 15%. It was unprofessional and made everyone involved uncomfortable. There were zero to little service interactions, so what did she expect? She didnt offer us water when we sat down. We asked and poured our own water after waiting a while. She didnt bring out our food. Someone else did. Heck, we dont even know her name cause there was no introduction! If there was barely any service, why would we tip more? It was also just plain rude to stare while a customer is paying, not sure if its an NYC thing because I havent seen it in Cali or elsewhere. Anyways, we wont be pressured in forking over more than whats fair just cause were getting stared at. It only incentivizes us to tip less next time cause tipping is not an obligation, and its really been getting out of control in our country. Just a shame since the food was pretty good, but we probably wont dine there again.
Really not good pasta. We ordered lamb and bolognaise sauce pastas. Very disappointing. It was no lamb meat in the pasta or sauce. Bolognaise pasta was tasteless. Really don t understand the good reviews???Also small portions for the price and it s not cheap considering the quality and size. Much better Italian pasta for the same price in the neighbourhood. As someone said, go somewhere else. The place is small but cozy.
Enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana and pistachio profiteroles! Delicious!
Great, expressive cuisine. Dana perfectly seasoned. Pistachio cheesecake is amazing
Accepted my credit card! Not cash only as of 01/22/23. Incredible spaghetti Al pomodoro, I am in a state of euphoria afterwards. And it was only $14 for a very good portion size! Highly recommend stopping in, the natural light and interior is beautiful as well. Service with a smile here!
Small Italian restaurant near Columbia University. Friendly welcome. Fair price for NY.
Max Soha recently reopened after a complete renovation. Theyre still getting their sea-legs back, but Im so happy to see a neighborhood gem return. From 9 to 3:30, theyre serving breakfast and coffee with old favorites from Maxx Cafe. As someone who LOVED that cafe, I am happy to say that the almond biscotti is just as good as I remember. The service here is kind and efficient. If you miss the cafe as much as I do, consider stopping by for coffee.
A little hidden gem! Amazing food and consistently good. Vegetarian options: The vegetarian dishes are delish Kid-friendliness: I was able to bring in a stroller and park it without inconveniencing anyone. They also offer to go cups, for toddlers.
Great atmosphere, service, and food at a price 1/2 of what you d expect. Definitely recommend
Always comfortable. Good food and good service.
Favorite neighborhood restaurant. Simple and tasty dishes, great value
Ive been there twice really nasty odor throughout the restaurant and it just a major turn off. the food is very bland and underwhelming
Great lasagna! And good pasta.
It s cute. It s out of the way, so it s a quiet street. It s homey. The hosts are friendly and accommodating. Small, so you feel as though you have all the servers attention. Relaxed atmosphere. And I bet it s great to sit OUTSIDE when winter s finally OVER!
Very cute place, good prices. The people who work there are nice. 3 stars because the pasta I ordered (spaghetti with ragu) was overcooked and the sauce lacked flavor and salt- disappointing. The beet salad was good. If they could make their pasta better I would be going back all the time! Have also been for brunch, which is nice.
Wonderful service staff, good food and we have an enjoyable Thursday lunch.
Disappointing. They don t give you cheese if you ask to go. Overcooked.
I have been to Max Soha three times now. The first two times the experience was great and the wait staff was very attentive and kind. However when I went there on Saturday (June 3) the white lady server was not only very impolite but didn t even come once to our table despite us calling her over and over again. After seeing that we are asking for assistance repeatedly she just decided to send the person in the bar instead. Also the Chai Tea latte on this specific day tasted like sweet milk. I couldn t taste the chai at all. Since the waitress wasn t showing up I had to go to the bar to request someone to make my chai stronger and the person just added some tea concentrate in front of me and said that it was fixed.
Delicious homemade pasta
Great service and great food!
Welcoming staff. Will alter menu items for you
Pretty good!
Excellent little Italian spot in the that s stood the test of time - I have been frequenting it for going on 20 years. Reasonable prices, delicious fresh pasta and a cute cozy vibe. Great choice if you re in the neighborhood.
Beet salad was amazing - lamb ragu, exquisite! Vegetarian options: There were a few options and they offered tons of substitutions Food : 5/5 |
My son and I had the bruschetta with mozzarella which was delicious. My son had the special ( sausage, shrimp, pasta and vegetables). I had the carbonara. The carbonara was a little too oily but other than that our meal was great. Great intimate atmosphere as we dined out by the street. The inside looked felt like this restaurant could have been easily set up in Sorrento or positano.
I m still in shock lol I haven t been here since the most recent revision.. otherwise I ve been eating from this place for 7 years. I have never left here feeling hungry (but alas I was) I had one of the worst meals from a restaurant ever from one of my favorite spots. It s a shame what covid, inflation etc has done to this city .. it s obvious corners are being cut and the food just isn t the same. I don t think I ll be back..
I had a pickup order that I couldn t get until way later than expected they remade my order for me so that it would be hot, and let me sit down while I waited. So so so kind.
I entered by chance, the coffee and burrata toast were amazing.
Great dinner before an MSM concert. Definitely on the list to eat there again.
I had a salad there which was very basic by design but really flavorful with good quality ingredients. Definitely stood out. My friend felt the same way.
Great Italian food at a wonderful price point.
Best pasta I ve eaten in ages! Had the daily special of spicy nduja sausage, mushrooms, a little cream - amazing. My husband had the carbonara and loved it. Good beer and wine selection too. Nice cozy and familiar atmosphere. My kind of place!
Their Carbonara Pasta is wonderful.
Once this was a great restaurant, but no more. I ate here recently wanting to revisit one of my favorite restaurants, but was appalled by what it has become. The revised MaxSoHa is just terrible, food uninspired and the place has lost the character it once had. I recall a time when you have to call a week or two ahead of time for a reservation, I should have been tipped off when I called and the hostess told me I should have no problem getting a table at 6pm. Years ago when I lived on the block this was my go to place, but sadly I will never return again. I got the carbonara, which ended up being a bowl of cream soup with cut up deli ham and overcooked pasta. The dinner was not just bad, it was crushing. Although the service was pretty attentive, so I do give them credit for that.
Lovely little place with great food, deserts and wine!
Excellent food and service. Try the special
Amazing food and a really cute and comfy atmosphere
Good salad, v friendly and helpful wait staff
Im biased... Its been my favorite Italian eatery since the late 2000s. I love this spot.
A very cozy atmosphere and the food was very good .
Layout/atmosphere *Cafe with a bar; tables on outside sidewalk patio Service *Friendly Food/drink *Bruschetta al pomodoro (chopped tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and garlic on Tuscan bread0 - good *Prosciutto & Mozzarella di Bufala (with basil & balsamic glaze) - good *Spinach Pappardelle Con Funghi (porcini mushrooms & truffle-cream sauce) - Good *Chicken marsala - good *Complimentary bread with olive oil - good *Peroni
The pasta here is cooked amazing, the wine selection is fantastic yet affordable, but the service is always subpar.
We ve lived on this street for 19 years. This was the only recommend place back then. And we used to come weekly for the amazing food and friendly service. Now - they ve either sold out to a cheap restaurant group that cuts corners to pay rent - or else they still control the business and just don t care. In any case the food is far inferior to what it used to be. Far more expensive for what it was. And the service is chilly - at best.
Max Soha is a classic, homey, and nice Italian restaurant in Morningside Heights. Whenever I am craving a good homemade italian style meal I visit Max Soha. The food is good, the pasta is fresh and the service is always good. I love their tomato sauce and the meatballs as a starter. The restaurant offers a selection of $20.00 wines which are always nice. The atmosphere is very relax and laid back. Do not expect anything out of the ordinary, this is just good, laidback, and homey food. My favorite pasta is the casarecce a la norcina a creamy and lightly flavored truffle and sausage pasta that is 10/10!! Did I mention the fresh bread??!
The food here was INCREDIBLE. The drinks were good but not great, but the food. Holy mother the food. I will be eating here at least once a week for my remaining time in NYC.
Quaint italian place right near Columbia. We got the soup of the day and the special and they were both excellent.
You get what you pay for here. You can t order a NY strip for less than $30 and really expect much more than you get here. I find it hard to criticize too much at the price point but I got the Strip steak, girlfriend got the Marsala & we shared the Bruschetta app. Steak was under-salted, extremely undercooked (and I ordered medium rare), the sauce didn t complement it well, and the potato side wasn t memorable. Marsala was O.K.. I liked the sauce, the chicken was a little dry though and the mashed potatoes definitely came out of a cardboard box. Bruschetta was almost great, tomatoes could have been a bit more fresh. I d still recommend this dish however. Overall, I probably wouldn t come back here but wouldn t say the food is bad. It s affordable and if you don t have a snobby palate you could enjoy it.
Great food although its its not full Italian no more and they cook with packaged foods like rumo pasta (not bad nor am I hating!) If youre looking for an authentic eyetalian place I would look elsewhere
Good comfort italian, decent wine
Ordered the lamb ragu pasta which was absolutely fantastic pasta was cooked just nicely and the lamb was so tender it melted in my mouth. However, servers were pretty impolite and uninterested in service.
The food was underwhelming and mediocre at best. The linguine nere portion was small and the chicken parm did not have any flavor, it needs seasoning. The bread basket was two tiny pieces of bread....what?! Not sure how the reviews are so high.
Brilliant Covid friendly patio setup. Rare gem these days.
Incredible Covid friendly setup with heaters and a covered patio. And as always, delicious pasta.
First time back to Max Soha since the pandemic hit. Food and service is still excellent and at fantastic prices, as usual. While I skipped the outdoor seating this time, it looks well constructed and has heaters - certainly I will be back for it one day. Looking forward to continuing supporting this local business in the neighborhood.
Great food and service!
My favorite spot since 2016!! I m a loyal customer. The food is always good. I love the penne vodka and pasta carbonara During the pandemic they followed all the guidelines and still managed to make their customers happy. They use to be cash only but I think they changed that due to the pandemic for convenience.
I ve been curious about Max Soha since I was in college back in 2008. It seemed unaffordable. But now it s pretty reasonable and the food is excellent and homey.
Ordered the Rigatoni Siciliana (eggplant, mozzarella, tomato sauce & basil). The pasta was cooked al dente and the tomato sauce is spiced well and is very good. I wouldve loved a better eggplant ratio-to-past in this dish as I was expecting but what eggplant there was, at least was good and not mushy. My wife had the Chicken Marsala which was much better than mine. The sauce makes that dish! Others at our table had the Chicken Parmigiana which I sampled and it also, was delicious and the rigatoni with meat sauce was very good. Their meat sauce is fresh with plenty of meat, crushed tomatoes, and well spiced. We started our meal with the Caprese and Bruschetta al Pompodoro and both appetizers were very good. The house wine tonight was a California cabernet that was well priced and went well with our meal. They only accept cash here so thats one thing to consider when visiting. It makes the visit a little inconvenient.
The gnocchi is great. I find it really hard to find well made gnocchi in the city. They thankfully take credit cards now (previously they were cash only). The wine list isnt great but its a college area place.
We had dinner here and the food was absolutely amazing. Staff were very accommodating to our wishes (we ate outside despite the weather and altered our dishes slightly). Food is very affordable and portions are perfect. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends!
After waiting for ten minutes to pick up my food at the door I wasnt greeted by any of the staff that breezed past me. I stopped one of them and gave him my name and told him I was there to pickup my order. Both staff members I spoke to seemed reluctant to give me the food I had paid for. My name was clearly printed on the ticket on the bag and uncommon enough to not be confused. The staff were rude and unprofessional. I immediately regretted spending my money here based upon their behavior and will not return.
Great food and service
The chicken Marsala was an incredibly basic meal. Dry grilled chicken and mashed potatoes with very little flavor. My wife and guests were VERY disappointed. Small portion size. We ended up eating leftovers afterwards. There are many options to choose from in UWS/Harlem and we really had high hopes for Max Soha. We will NOT go again.
Food was great and the staff helpful. We ate outside on a warm summer evening so it was noisy but its NYC sooo. We will be back. Oh the desserts were bellisimo!!!
The black linguine is the best pasta Ive had in a while!
We ordered takeout from this restaurant upon visiting the city because we were too tired to venture out for our first evening. We were disheartened to receive overcooked pasta with a bland sauce, and we both ordered different dishes with the same complaints. I took only a few bites and had to throw it out. Too bad with all the positive reviews.
Good pasta and reasonable prices
Sma intimate place. Food was pleasant. Perfect place to eat and chat for a spell
Friendly, unassuming, nice service. Fabulous wine list if you like (relatively) ultra-cheap bottles of good quality. Our 2 pasta dishes were excellent, octopus salad very good. Bread of high quality. Espresso very good. Tiramisu decent and big enough for 2 to 4. Excellent rapport prix-qualite as the French would say.
The fettuccine lamb dish was perfect as was the caprese appetizer and mixed green salad. The flavor of the tiramisu was on point. The service was quick and very personable even with a busy time. But there is limited seating, so reservations would be ideal for a larger group. Can t wait to return.
Great food, cash only. Hidden gem
Had a reasonably good meal at Max Soha. What really stood out was the coffee ($2), which was strong and good tasting, and the diced eggplant in tomato sauce and basil ($6.95). That was a scrumptious dish. It went well with the nicely toasted bread that came with it. The grilled mixed vegetables ($9.95) were OK. A bit thin and not much to munch on. They were in a good tasting oil. That dish was not worth the money. My dining companion had the spinach pappardelle con funghi ($13.95) (crimini mushrooms & truffle-cream sauce) that he said was OK and at moments good. The bread that came with the meal was good. It came with a salsa. I was disappointed in the salad offerings which for $11.95 didn t offer much. I would have liked to have ordered a dinner sized salad, but they had maybe 3 ingredients. Nice setting. Attentive staff. Has a neighborhood feel to it.
Perched on a corner, they have survived the recession and a changing neighborhood to become a valuable asset to a hungry international clientele. In the beginning, they were either fabulous or terrible depending on who was in charge on any given night. Even then it was fun to squeeze into one of their tiny tables, and now that those turbulent times are in the very distant past you can eat their great food. Good food is a creative process. Good wines too!!!
Authentic Italian food with affordable price
When I have paid, the bill quantity was 59$. I have paid 63$ (4 dollars for tips) and the waiter has come and said me that the tip was very low and we must pay a higher tip. That is imprehesive. I will pay the tip that I want taking in consideration the service....
Excellent food for reasonable prices in a slightly cramped yet cozy little place.
This would be my all time favorite in the town! Dont forget to check out their special menu each time you arrive.
One of my favorite places - I used to live nearby and its the only place close to Columbia I always go when Im in NYC. Fair priced, great pasta, great wine list, excellent espresso. And although it is a bit of a hassle, I actually love the fact they still only take cash!
Quality Italian food at a great price, food is always amazing and the staff is great!
The foot was very good!
Great service, felt clean. Went with two friends and we each ordered different pasta dishes and an appetizer, we were underwhelmed by all 4, especially considering the prices.
Delicious food, great service
Food and service were excellent.
I ve been going to this wonderful nyc spot for over 10 years, always a delightful sensory experience. I recently had their en salta mixta, lentil soup and Merlot.... it was simply deliciously perfect.
The lamb ragu was divine bliss. One of those dishes you can close your eyes and taste after not having been in town for a few years. Where has it gone? Max Soha is a go-to. Beautiful, complex tastes. I discovered this place as a teen and its been drawing me back for 20 years.
Steaka is awesome.
Fresh, authentic, Italian cuisine! Great price.
Inexpensive but very good food. Fast service.
Very tasty, very affordable, service was amazing, and the pasta was very fresh. The best thing they have is the bread dipping sauce that takes them 5hrs to make!
A classical Sicilian comfort food spot. Specials change regularly, which is nice.
Excellent pasta
Great food, great atmosphere, and great service!
You will always be surprised by daily special.
My no.1 choice for pasta in the area. Staffs are also so very nice.
Great food and service in an unexpected location.
Their gnocchi is to die for and will pick you up on a bad day. Cash only.
The service was great the food was delicious. Had the fettuccine with Italian sausage and chicken with tomato sauce so yummy. Portions were just enough. Had the creme brulee as a dessert and they played happy birthday for my mom thank you guys so much. Definitely will be coming back.
Great food, good prices and friendly staff. Off menu ordering no problem here !
Place is nice and neat. Great location. Staff is attentive. Menu is a little thin. Only alcohol is beer and wine, and it is a cash only business. Probably one of the reasons why prices are so low for the location.
Food is great... as for the AC, they dont have it... its soooo hot!
Very good family or groovy date place. Good was really good, pasta always rocks and they knew what their doing. Cash only
Best in town. Spinach Papardelle with mushrooms and Truffle sauce. Best pasta entree ever!!!
Literally my favorite restaurant. So good it has no right to exist. Simple, delicious food - reasonably priced, small but charming setting with outdoor seating. Cash only.
All the food was really delicious, and the wine special was great. Well definitely be back!
One of the best neighborhood restaurants in all of New York. The food is consistently amazing, and the restaurant is cheap and cheerful. The most expensive thing on the menu is the steak dinner at $25. Couldnt ask for a nicer staff! Weve had to birthday parties theyre already. Bring cash only.
Awesome music food was great and the best birthday party ever for me
Tasty foods and a nice cozy environment. I liked stake and carbonara spaghetti :) The price isn t so expensive if you share. The only problem is CASH only. So be ready to have some cash.
Excellent food, reasonable prices, cash only. Warm, cozy atmosphere
Food was good, but portions was small. Stuff was weird: they tried to be kind, but we felt like intruder. One star less for only cash payment.
Minimal, gourmet brunch menu but a SOLID one. The sausage is really special, pancakes are very good too!
Good menu affordable wine list
Favorite place to eat Italian food in NYC. Cash only so bring cash
Love it, but only takes cash.
Good food, nice quiet spot and awesome service
Everything was wonderful!
Delicious food. Excellent service. Cozy setting. Nice music.
Food is fresh . Be warned cash only place. So no cards it will be roughly 20 bucks a person.
I can t begin to describe how delicious This exquisite gem is . The spot is so cozy the food is beyond delicious and the service outstanding..
DELICIOUS FOOD AND AWESOME SERVICE