Restaurant in New York City, United States
Counter-service Middle Eastern that earns its ranking.
Taim has ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats list three years running, reaching #256 in 2025 — a real credential for a counter-service Middle Eastern spot in SoHo. Chef Einat Admony's falafel-forward menu delivers at its price point. Walk-ins only, no reservation needed, and best visited before noon or after 2 PM to avoid the lunch rush.
If you are choosing between Taim and a generic falafel counter in Nola or the East Village, pick Taim. Chef Einat Admony's Spring Street spot has ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats list for three consecutive years — 2023 (Recommended), 2024 (#353), and 2025 (#256) — which puts it in a different tier from most casual Middle Eastern in Lower Manhattan. It is not a special-occasion restaurant, but it punches well above its price point for a quick, quality-forward lunch or an easy solo dinner. If you want something more substantial in the same cuisine lane, Al Badawi and Kubeh both offer a fuller sit-down Middle Eastern experience nearby.
Taim sits on Spring Street in Nola, a stretch that sees heavy foot traffic from shoppers, locals, and visitors moving between SoHo and the Lower East Side. The physical space is compact , this is a counter-service format, not a linen-tablecloth room , so if you are hoping for a quiet, lingering meal, adjust expectations accordingly. The layout is built for efficiency: order, wait briefly, find a seat if one is open. That spatial reality is the most important thing to understand before you go. It works well for solo dining and pairs of two; groups of four or more may find the tight quarters frustrating during peak hours.
The OAD Cheap Eats ranking is the clearest external signal of quality here. Cheap Eats lists are competitive , OAD aggregates votes from serious diners and food professionals, so a three-year run at an improving rank (from Recommended to #353 to #256) signals genuine consistency, not a one-season moment. That trajectory also suggests the kitchen has not coasted. For context, the OAD North America Cheap Eats list covers hundreds of venues across the continent, making a top-300 position meaningful. For Middle Eastern at this price level in New York, also consider Mamoun's for a more grab-and-go falafel experience, or Ayat in Bay Ridge for a fuller Palestinian spread at a similarly accessible price.
On timing: midday on weekdays is when Taim draws the densest lunch crowd given its SoHo location. If you want the most relaxed version of the visit , easier seating, shorter wait , aim for an early lunch (before noon) or a late one (after 2 PM). Weekend afternoons can also be calmer than Saturday midday. The restaurant does not operate a drinks program in the cocktail-bar sense; the beverage offering at a counter-service Middle Eastern spot like this is functional rather than a draw in itself. If a strong bar program is a priority for your outing, pair Taim with a separate stop, or look at the broader New York City bars guide for something nearby.
Chef Einat Admony is a credible name in New York's Middle Eastern food conversation , also known for Balaboosta , which gives Taim a culinary pedigree that most fast-casual spots cannot claim. That said, the experience here is driven by the food at the counter, not a chef-driven tasting format. Do not book expecting tableside attention or a composed tasting menu. The value proposition is: precise, well-sourced Middle Eastern at a price point that makes it an easy repeat visit. Google reviewers average 3.8 across 164 ratings, which for a counter-service spot in a high-expectation market like SoHo is a reasonable signal , not a standout score, but consistent with a place that delivers on its core promise without overreaching.
For broader New York City planning, see our full New York City restaurants guide, hotels guide, and experiences guide. If you are interested in Middle Eastern food beyond New York, Baron in Doha and Bait Maryam in Dubai represent the category at a very different price and ambition level.
Taim does not require advance booking , this is counter service, and you walk in. No reservation system, no dress code, no booking difficulty. For groups larger than four, the compact space is the real constraint; plan to arrive early or be prepared to wait for seating. Payment is standard. The address is 45 Spring St, New York, NY 10012. Check directly with the venue for current hours before visiting, as these are not confirmed in the data available here.
Quick reference: Counter service, no reservation needed, 45 Spring St SoHo, arrive before noon or after 2 PM to avoid the lunch rush.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taim | Middle Eastern | Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America Ranked #256 (2025); Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America Ranked #353 (2024); Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended (2023) | Easy | — | |
| Le Bernardin | French, Seafood | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atomix | Modern Korean, Korean | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Per Se | French, Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Masa | Sushi, Japanese | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Eleven Madison Park | French, Vegan | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in New York City for this tier.
For Middle Eastern at a similar price point, Mamoun's Falafel is the main walk-in competitor with more locations, but Taim has the edge in recognition — it's ranked #256 on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list for 2025. If you want a sit-down Middle Eastern experience, the category shifts entirely toward different venues and a much higher spend.
No. Taim is counter service on Spring Street — walk in, order, eat. It's the right call for a casual lunch or a quick solo meal, not a birthday dinner or anniversary. For a special occasion in SoHo, you need a different category of venue entirely.
No booking required. Taim operates as counter service with no reservation system, so you walk in. Peak lunch hours on Spring Street can see a queue, but there is no advance planning needed beyond showing up.
Taim is a Middle Eastern counter known for falafel, built on Chef Einat Admony's approach to the format. Beyond that, specific menu items are not confirmed in available data — check the menu at the Spring Street location directly before your visit.
Counter service venues on busy SoHo streets are not built for large groups. Taim works for pairs or small groups of three or four who can move quickly through the line. For a group dinner or a seated experience, this is the wrong format.
It's walk-in only at 45 Spring Street, no reservation, no dress code, and payment is fast. Taim has appeared on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats list three consecutive years (2023–2025), which is a useful signal that the quality is consistent. Arrive knowing what you want — this is a counter, not a leisurely sit-down.
Yes, this is one of the stronger solo-dining formats in SoHo. Counter service means no awkward table-for-one dynamics, no wait for a reservation slot, and no minimum spend. Taim's three-year run on the Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats list gives you confidence the food holds up without needing to commit to a full meal out.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
