Raoul’s: What to Know
Open since 1975, Raoul’s is a SoHo institution — a dimly lit, art-crammed French bistro on Prince Street complete with oil paintings and a taxidermied stag in a rainbow wig. It’s the platonic ideal of an old-New-York bistro: steak frites, a serious wine list and a buzzy, timeless room that’s stayed cool for five decades.
The single row of front tables doubles as the walk-in bar, widely held to be the best seat in the house. Its off-menu burger has near-mythic status, capped at twelve a night for bar guests only — a rule the kitchen enforces without exception.
What to Expect
Raoul’s doesn’t run a happy hour — it’s a full-service dinner-and-brunch bistro, not a deals bar. If you want the bar experience, the front room is walk-in only and fills fast. Angling for the famous burger? It’s first-come, twelve-a-night for bar-sitters, so get there early in the evening.
The Room
A narrow, atmospheric SoHo bistro packed with oil paintings and eccentric taxidermy, with a coveted walk-in bar at the front and a skylit back room. Romantic, loud and gloriously old-school.
Who Raoul’s Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| The bar burger hunt | Only twelve of the cult off-menu burgers are served nightly, and only to bar guests |
| Special-occasion dinner | Steak frites, a deep wine list and a 50-year pedigree make it a classic date and celebration room |
| Weekend brunch | Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday, a lower-key way into the SoHo institution |
| Late martini at the bar | The walk-in front bar is the spot for a nightcap in peak old-SoHo atmosphere |
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Raoul’s FAQ
Does Raoul’s have a happy hour?
No. Raoul’s is a classic French bistro without a formal happy hour. The scene is the walk-in front bar, where regulars go for martinis and the famous burger.
Where is Raoul’s?
At 180 Prince Street in SoHo, Manhattan, between the Spring Street (C, E) and Prince Street (N, R, W) subway stops.
How do I get the Raoul’s burger?
The off-menu burger is served only to guests at the walk-in front bar and capped at twelve per night, so arrive early in the evening to have a shot.
Does Raoul’s serve brunch?
Yes — brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, roughly 11am to 3pm, ahead of the evening dinner service.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Raoul’s before visiting for a specific deal.