(212) 925-3310

196 Elizabeth St (nr. Prince St.)
New York, NY 10012 40.7218 -73.9942

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: NoLita, Downtown

Hours:

Daily 11am-11pm

Price:

$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Food Delivery, Brunch, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Thai

Dress Code:

Casual

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Lovely Day

Featured Review

Melanie Berliet

Contributor

After a devastating fire in 2008 left it shuttered for months, the refurbished version of this shabby-chic Thai restaurant in Nolita has reopened, and it’s almost an exact replica of the original--which, in this case, is a good thing. The floral wallpaper, mosaic tiles and red-topped tables that made the casual cafe feel like a Bohemian ‘70s-era kitchen are still intact. The menu, too, is largely unchanged, featuring appetizers like ginger fried chicken and summer rolls, as well as classic entrees like Pad Thai and green and red spicy curries (with chicken, shrimp or tofu) served over white or…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
The restaurant delivers between West Broadway and Forsyth Street, and Bond and Broome Streets.
What to Drink:
The black currant-flavored fresh-squeezed lemonade is refreshing all year-round.
Fun Fact:
Lovely Day steps away from traditional Thai food during brunch, with a menu that includes an Irish-style breakfast (baked beans, sausage and toast) and an Irish sausage sandwich.
ambiance
75.0% positive
  1. “Service was also horrible and the ambience is not that great.”
  2. “Definitely a great place for friends to get together and eat in a chill atmosphere.”
  3. “What can be better than a good yet cheap noodle dish, candle light and a cozy vibe?”
  4. “this is still one of my most favorite restaurants in the area the food is inexpensive but very good (kimono shrimp special was excellent) and has a great atmosphere.”
food quality
76.46999835968018% positive
  1. “Decent Thai food in cute - though a bit dank - little Nolita hangout, BUT service terrible.”
  2. “love the food, love the room, love chicken pad thai.”
  3. “The Seared Tuna w. wasabi is a great change of pace and the llong beans are really tasty too.”
  4. “Really tasty spring rolls and noodles for a good price though.”
  5. “At prices under $10, it was a good enough meal.”
  6. “The food is tasty, and the prices are great.”
  7. “The food was great and it was the perfect place to go after shopping with hordes of people on Broadway.”
  8. “I'm still mad that i had to pay for lousy food.”
  9. “and I'll even go as far as saying the food LOOKS good.”
  10. “The crispy chicken nugget apetizers were really good, and so was my spicy eggplant with green sauce.”
  11. “What can be better than a good yet cheap noodle dish, candle light and a cozy vibe?”
  12. “dirty dish was returned cleaned with a dirty rag and no apology.”
  13. “Known for both it's good prices and it's cool clientele, the food is also very good.”
  14. “The mojito was tasty too, and nothing was expensive, which is unusual for the area.”
  15. “The spicy hobo noodles are great, I suggest the chicken.”
  16. “this is still one of my most favorite restaurants in the area the food is inexpensive but very good (kimono shrimp special was excellent) and has a great atmosphere.”
  17. “The food was completely mediocre, even though the prices were on the lower side.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Definitely a great place for friends to get together and eat in a chill atmosphere.”
  2. “the crowd is not bad to look at so all around great place to hang, people watch and enjoy a lovely day.”
  3. “The food was great and it was the perfect place to go after shopping with hordes of people on Broadway.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Unfortunately Lovely Day has been closed due to a fire in the building but everybody i know has been awaiting the return of this awesome spot.”
service
50.0% positive
  1. “Decent Thai food in cute - though a bit dank - little Nolita hangout, BUT service terrible.”
  2. “used to work in Soho and my friends and I would go to Lovely Day when we wanted to get away for a long, long lunch because we knew the service would be slow and we could always use that as an excuse when we got back to the office.”
  3. “service is a little too cool for school but if your in the mood for hipster vibes then chill and enjoy!”
  4. “The service was slow but so what, just don't go there if you are in a rush.”
  5. “Glasses and silverware were dirty and service was a sham.”
  6. “the crowd is not bad to look at so all around great place to hang, people watch and enjoy a lovely day.”
  7. “The food was great and it was the perfect place to go after shopping with hordes of people on Broadway.”
value
81.25% positive
  1. “The food is tasty, and the prices are great.”
  2. “Really tasty spring rolls and noodles for a good price though.”
  3. “The food was completely mediocre, even though the prices were on the lower side.”
  4. “Known for both it's good prices and it's cool clientele, the food is also very good.”
  5. “The mojito was tasty too, and nothing was expensive, which is unusual for the area.”
  6. “What can be better than a good yet cheap noodle dish, candle light and a cozy vibe?”
  7. “At prices under $10, it was a good enough meal.”
  8. “this is still one of my most favorite restaurants in the area the food is inexpensive but very good (kimono shrimp special was excellent) and has a great atmosphere.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “used to work in Soho and my friends and I would go to Lovely Day when we wanted to get away for a long, long lunch because we knew the service would be slow and we could always use that as an excuse when we got back to the office.”
  2. “The service was slow but so what, just don't go there if you are in a rush.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/29/09

I Want More Lovely Days Ahead !

by hotchaat

Lovely Day has become somewhat of an institution in Nolita. Known for both it's good prices and it's cool clientele, the food is also very good. I love the ginger chicken and the seared salmon is oh-so-yummy !

Unfortunately Lovely Day has been closed due to a fire in the building but everybody i know has been awaiting the return of this awesome spot. Definitely a great place for friends to get together and eat in a chill atmosphere.

Cute staff doesn't hurt either !

  • Pros: Great Food and Value, Cool Crowd
  • Cons: Sometimes a long wait for a table
3 Star Rating: Average

12/01/08

Just Eh

by sharmagirl

Nothing was really the best anything, however it's a chill spot to try something earthy at a cool, hippie spot. Glasses and silverware were dirty and service was a sham.

  • Pros: Fits right in with the rest of the spots around here
  • Cons: Service, Utensils, Facility
3 Star Rating: Average

10/18/07

Good Food/Atmosphere, TERRIBLE SERVICE

by bdbez

This place has such a cute atmosphere. The food is tasty, and the prices are great. Your usual Thai fare. That said, the service is SLOW AS MOLASSES. I used to work in Soho and my friends and I would go to Lovely Day when we wanted to get away for a long, long lunch because we knew the service would be slow and we could always use that as an excuse when we got back to the office. Trust me, it will take forever for your food to get there! Also, I have found the servers to be quite rude. We still laugh and roll our eyes about the time I was simply glancing at the dinner menu written on a chalkboard at the wall and the server snapped at me, "Um, that's for DINNER, not lunch!"

  • Pros: Cute, hip atmosphere, good prices
  • Cons: Service is CONSISTENTLY slow
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/23/07

Oh Yeah

by fosterc

Been there a few times and enjoyed it everytime. Even though we've always had to wait a long time for a table, it turned out fine because we could grab a cup of wine, take it outside, sit on the benches and chat. It definitely has a neighborhood vibe.

The crispy chicken nugget apetizers were really good, and so was my spicy eggplant with green sauce. The mojito was tasty too, and nothing was expensive, which is unusual for the area.

  • Pros: cheap eats, good people watching, yummy food
  • Cons: takes a while to be seated, a little cramped
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/31/06

Lovely food, lovely vibe...

by amb1965

I am a spicy food lover.. The spicy hobo noodles are great, I suggest the chicken... The Seared Tuna w. wasabi is a great change of pace and the llong beans are really tasty too. the crowd is not bad to look at so all around great place to hang, people watch and enjoy a lovely day.

  • Pros: food, views, casual vibe
  • Cons: casual, not for prima donnas

The Details on Lovely Day

Place Categories:

  • very good thai food
  • slow service
  • good prices
  • great place
  • cool hippie spot
  • love chicken pad thai
  • completely mediocre food
  • really good crispy chicken nugget apetizers
  • good candle light
  • great spicy hobo noodles
  • cold shower
  • bad taste
  • interesting soho
  • favorite restaurants
  • suggest chicken
  • overrated third rate new restaurant
  • expensive nothing
  • cozy vibe
  • really tasty spring
  • not bad crowd
  • pretty good musics
  • dirty dish
  • great atmosphere
  • cool ok
  • cool clientele
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement