Dinner Before the Club: West Village Edition

  • By: Julianne Elise Beffa

Pre-Club Restaurants…

So, I’ll be honest- my bestie Sophie Bronsil keeps a 300+ restaurant hit list in an Excel spreadsheet. I roasted her for it endlessly, but every time we needed a spot before the club, her list saved the night. Over the years, living in New York, we’ve eaten our way across every borough with one mission: find the perfect dinner-to-nightlife pipeline.

Now, I’m opening up Sophie’s secret spreadsheet and turning it into your guide. And where better to start than the West Village? It’s the city’s chicest pre-game neighborhood- pasta dens, bistros, and hidden gems that set the tone before the sparklers hit your table. Here’s where to launch your night, from Excel to LOOP.

Related | 21 Manhattan Cocktail Bars Every Insider Knows

I Sodi (Italian – Tuscan)

The definition of chic intimacy-Tuscan cooking under warm lights, like a movie scene in your favorite rom-com.

  • What to Order: Classic lemon pasta or that legendary lasagna designed for two.
  • Address: 314 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014
  • Hours: Mon–Thu: 4:30 PM–10:30 PM, Fri–Sun: Lunch 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, Dinner 4:30 PM–11:00 PM

Emily West Village (Italian-American comfort, pizza)

Casual but with cult status—great for groups needing fast, funky fuel that still feels elevated.

  • What to Order: Emmy Burger or Detroit/New York hybrid pies edged with crispy frico crust.
  • Address: 35 Downing Street, New York, NY 10014
  • Hours: Mon–Thu & Sun: 11:00 AM–10:30 PM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM–12:30 AM

Amelie Wine Bar (French wine bar)

Romantic French flair—feels like you’re in Paris on opening night.

  • What to Order: Oysters with a spritz or crisp wine—tactile and chic.
  • Address: 22 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011
  • Hours: Fri: 3 PM–12 AM, Sat: 11 AM–12 AM, Sun: 11 AM–11 PM

One If By Land, Two If By Sea (New American / French fine dining)

Old-school NYC romance- perfect for setting off your night drenched in decadence.

  • What to Order: It’s classic—steak, fine New American plates designed to linger over.
  • Address: 17 Barrow Street (between Seventh Ave South & W. Fourth St), New York, NY
  • Hours: (Not listed online)-assume dinner hours; reservations recommended.

Don Angie (Italian-American)

Red-sauce polish with an Instagram edge- post-dinner glows guaranteed.

  • What to Order: Red-sauce classics- bold, modern, and photogenic.
  • Address: 103 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY
  • Hours: dinner service typical; check Resy.

Frevo (Michelin-starred French tasting)

Theory of a hidden dinner-intimate, experimental, and makes the club feel like an encore.

  • What to Order: The full 10-course tasting menu—taste-forward and theatrical.
  • Address: 48 West 8th Street, New York, NY
  • Hours: Reservations only for counter service- perfect for curated evenings.

Related | The Ultimate New Yorker’s Guide to Los Angeles

Wallsé (Austrian / European)

  • Understated Viennese refinement- just luxe enough for a slow build into the night.
  • What to Order: Anything from schnitzel to spaetzle—Euro-comfort with finesse.
  • Address: 344 West 11th Street, New York, NY
  • Hours: Reservations via Resy; typical dinner hours apply.

Dell’anima (Italian – returning classic)

Nostalgia meets nightlife- pasta that’s legendary, and a kitchen that stays alive all night.

  • What to Order: Ricotta toast, pasta like pollo al diavolo or simple bruschetta; also late-night bar bites like flatbreads or smashburgers.
  • Address: Cornelia Street (former Pearl Oyster Bar space) in West Village
  • Hours: Keeping kitchen open past midnight for post-show crowd

From hidden gems to Michelin-style experiences, the West Village is stacked with dinner spots that prime your night with atmosphere, flavor, and style. Whether you want French elegance, Italian soul, or avant-garde tasting rooms, these are your runway to the club.

Read More