Lola's
Asian, Southern · Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Asian-Southern Synthesis
Chef
Suzanne Cupps
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Lola's is a strong New York City pick for diners who want chef-led Asian-Southern cooking with current awards momentum, including a 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #71 placement and a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist nod. Book it for a curious dinner rather than a predictable luxury occasion; lunch is the more practical route when availability matters.
About Lola's
Lola's in New York City works if the draw is chef-driven Asian-Southern cooking. Its recognition includes a New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #71 placement for 2026 and a 2025 James Beard Award Semi Finalist nod, but the clearest reason to book is the restaurant's specific culinary point of view rather than a generic special-occasion script.
Asian-Southern cooking with a chef-first reason to care
The clearest reason to pay attention is Suzanne Cupps. The cuisine labels, Asian and Southern, are broad, so the decision should not be based on chasing one named dish or expecting a specific format. Treat Lola's as a chef-led New York City restaurant where the appeal is the crossover of influences, not a checklist menu.
The practical move is to check the restaurant's current official materials before committing if budget, format, or a particular menu item matters. If the goal is a New York City dinner with a defined culinary angle and current recognition behind it, the case is stronger.
Book for the times Lola's is open
Lola's is closed Monday and Sunday. Hours are Tuesday 5–9:30 PM; Wednesday and Thursday 12–2:30 PM and 5–9:30 PM; Friday 12–2:30 PM and 5–10:30 PM; and Saturday 11:30 AM–2:30 PM and 5–10:30 PM.
Use those windows as the main planning constraint. Lunch is available Wednesday through Saturday, with Saturday beginning at 11:30 AM, while dinner is available Tuesday through Saturday. The dress code is smart casual.
Where it sits in a New York City decision
Choose Lola's when the priority is a chef-specific Asian-Southern meal with confirmed recognition. Choose another New York City option when the occasion requires a cuisine, price point, service style, or room format that must be known in advance. Other named options diners may weigh include Café Carmellini, Ilili, Planta Queen, Nomad, The NoMad Restaurant, depending on what kind of night they are planning.
For broader planning around the city, these city guides are more useful than overloading one reservation with every possible need: see Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, Our full New York City experiences guide. The decision is simple: book Lola's when the cooking style is the reason for the night.
Planning details
- Location
- 2 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
- Website
- lolasnyc.com
- Phone
- (646) 941-4787
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Lola's reads like a tightly argued entry in New York's dining conversation: an Asian–Southern fusion kitchen that has earned placement on The New York Times Leading Restaurants list. The copy frames the restaurant as thoughtful and critically serious rather than casually experimental, positioning it among the city's most discussed tables. Located in NoMad, just below Madison Square Park, Lola's strikes a balance between trend-forward energy and culinary restraint; its profile is defined more by the craft and critical attention of its cooking than by any particular gimmick or gimmickry.
Best For
Lola's is best experienced when you come with the intention of engaging with its cross-cultural cuisine—particularly in the evening when restaurants of this caliber are most fully expressed. The Times recognition signals a destination-level meal, whether you're marking a special occasion or meeting colleagues for a thoughtful business dinner. Its placement in the Flatiron/NoMad corridor makes it convenient for neighborhood diners and visitors following Manhattan's restaurant conversation, and the menu's signature items give clear touchpoints for a memorable dinner.
Ordering Tips
Let the menu's signature items guide your choices: the Crispy Chicken Thighs, Short Rib & Shiitake Dumplings, Fried Fish Lettuce Wraps, Housemade Naan and the Union Square Bento are called out as highlights. Given Lola's emphasis on an Asian–Southern marriage of flavors, choose a variety that samples both sides of that equation so you get a sense of technique and flavor pairing. Prioritize a couple of the named dishes to understand the restaurant's point of view, then expand from there based on seasonal offerings.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and modern with moss-green tiles, blond wood, pleasant buzz, and just-right lighting—lively yet conversational.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Crispy Chicken Thighs
- Short Rib & Shiitake Dumplings
- Fried Fish Lettuce Wraps
- Housemade Naan
- Union Square Bento
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to book if Lola's is full
Try Ilili for a group-friendly table with Lebanese dishes built for sharing, or Café Carmellini for a more classic upscale Italian night nearby. If the priority is plant-forward dining, Planta Queen is the cleaner alternative.
Restaurant context
How Lola's compares in NoMad and nearby
Café Carmellini is the safer choice for polished Italian dining and a more familiar upscale script. Lola's is the better call when the point of the booking is a chef-led Asian-Southern angle and current recognition, but Café Carmellini is easier to explain to a mixed group that wants classic comfort and a room with a more formal feel.
Ilili is stronger for groups because Lebanese dining naturally supports sharing and a wider spread across the table. Lola's is better for two to four diners who want a more focused read on Suzanne Cupps's cooking. Planta Queen should be the pick when plant-forward dining is the brief; it is a clearer fit for dietary alignment than Lola's, where the draw is the broader Asian-Southern point of view.
Nomad and The NoMad Restaurant are better references for diners prioritizing NoMad atmosphere over a specific cuisine lane. Choose Lola's when the meal itself is the reason to book; choose those peers when the decision is more about the neighborhood setting and a familiar hospitality rhythm.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Lola's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Lola's
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lola's | New York City | Asian, Southern | 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #712025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City |
| Café Carmellini | New York City | Italian | Star Wine Lists 20262026 Forbes Recommended2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #392025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America |
| Ilili | New York City | Lebanese | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #319World's Best Wine Lists 20252024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3772023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Planta Queen | New York City | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #778 | ; |
| Nomad | New York City | Michelin Guide France & Monaco 20262025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate | ; |
| The NoMad Restaurant | New York City | No published awards | ; |
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How Lola's New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lola's accommodate groups?
Group capacity or private dining information is not listed. Lola's is in New York City, parties should plan around the confirmed service windows: dinner Tuesday through Saturday, plus lunch Wednesday through Saturday. For larger-party needs, check directly with Lola's or consider another New York City option such as Ilili.
What should a first-timer know about Lola's?
Go in for Suzanne Cupps and the Asian-Southern brief, not for a single signature dish. The confirmed recognition matters here: New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City #71 for 2026 and James Beard Award Semi Finalist in 2025. If you want to compare it with another New York City choice, The NoMad Restaurant is one possible reference point.
Is lunch or dinner better at Lola's?
That depends on schedule. Lunch is Wednesday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM and Saturday from 11:30 AM–2:30 PM. Dinner is Tuesday through Thursday from 5–9:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5–10:30 PM. Café Carmellini is another New York City option to consider when comparing plans.
What are alternatives to Lola's in New York City?
Other New York City options to consider include Café Carmellini, Ilili, Planta Queen, Nomad, The NoMad Restaurant. Choose Lola's when the appeal is Suzanne Cupps's Asian-Southern cooking and the restaurant's confirmed recognition.
Is Lola's good for a special occasion?
It can make sense for a special occasion if the occasion is centered on chef-led Asian-Southern cooking. The James Beard Award Semi Finalist nod and the New York Times ranking give it confirmed credibility. For a different New York City comparison, Café Carmellini is another option to weigh.
Is Lola's good for solo dining?
Solo diners can still consider Lola's during its lunch or dinner hours. If flexibility matters more than the specific Asian-Southern focus, Planta Queen is another New York City option to consider.
