This is the kind of place I wish I knew about my freshman year at Columbia (also wish I had more money to eat out, but alas). Sadly, my first time here was right before graduation. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. I came with 2 other friends at around 8:30pm on a breezy weekday night, and left full and content. The atmosphere was quiet intimate, with the dim lighting and brick walls, making it the perfect place to go with some close friends. My friends all know that I am not the biggest fan of pasta and its generally high prices, but the food and price at Max Soha was quite reasonable. I got the Casarecce alla norcina, which was delicious and $14. The pasta was al dente, and the sauce/cheese combination was the perfect balance to the sweet sausage. I was most impressed by the service - our waitress was super attentive, and refilled our bread basket a couple times (we were starving). While I still have never been blown away by pasta in my life, I would recommend Max Soha to anyone at Columbia or in the area. The only sticking point about this place is the cash only policy, but hopefully you come with someone who happens to carry $100 bills on them. read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Casarecce alla norcina - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Had the lunch frittata and a glass of Merlot. Portion was on the small side as was the bread. Had to ask for EVOO. Indoor makeover needs to deal with loudness and proper indoor temperature. read more

Nice food but a bit pricy. My friend who used to come said the price is higher than before and portions are smaller now. read more

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Super nice and accommodating- eggplant with ricotta and rigatoni was a winner. Highly recommended, we'll go back.

Came here for the first time and tried the risotto special which was delicious! Their version of iced tea (w strawberry and orange juice) sounded good on paper and the wait or really sold me on it but when it arrived it tasted really watered down. For dessert I went with the Affogato, which is gelato with a shot (or two?) of expresso and it was great. It really woke me up from the food coma I was about to fall it. Their tiramisu looked great as well! read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Risotto special - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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CASH ONLY!!! Went several times the last few months when I was living in New York. There's always different specials each day; a pasta and a risotto. I've tried most of their set menu items: the carbonara is always amazing (this dish is the only reason why my boyfriend will even step foot onto the island of Manhattan); the spinach pappardelle is very solid, lots of mushrooms in it; the strozzapreti is also very good in a nice truffle cream sauce. I would recommend going for the specials if you can; those pasta dishes are made fresh and you can really taste it. They also have complimentary bread at the beginning of the meal and will provide more so you can dip it in any extra pasta sauce from your dish. read more

This was my first time having Carbonara and it exceeded my expectations. Good price, excellent food, great ambiance, very cozy and family friendly. read more

The atmosphere is nice, staff is welcoming. The food was great, with the exception of my pasta sauce being too watery. My friend ordered the salmon, we got the caprese salad as an appetizer, and mashed potatoes and I ordered spinach pappardelle noodles with chicken, fresh mozzarella, and cream sauce. The cream sauce was delicious but this was boarding on a noodle soup dish. The salmon was good, too, nothing over the top but no complaints. They have a small selection and a few specials. All in all, it's a nice neighborhood spot. Nothing off the charts but a solid 4! read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Dined with my dad and sister for an easy going dinner, and that's exactly what we got. Small but charming space, and very fitting for the occasion. I ordered the mushroom pasta, and added shrimp. Dad ordered salmon. Sister ordered something I couldn't eat because of meat (which I don't eat). Portions looked small upon arrival, but the meals were filling and yummy. Service was so good - our waiter checked up on us every now and then. Wine was delicious. 4.5 stars. Will definitely go back for casual meals. read more

Consistent local Italian spot. Been here for decades now. If you're in the neighborhood it's one of the only good Italian places.

Wowwww, this place is sooooo delicious! I ordered the Linguine and it was incredible, perfectly portioned and the flavors we great! I don't eat Italian often, but this is was the best I've had AND it was so surprisingly affordable for NY. I highly recommend the Colosi Nero D'avola 2018, which the sweet waiter recommended to me. Food was great, service was quick and incredible, and outdoor seating was comfortable (just a little squished outside in between two other tables). Definitely remembering this one :') read more

Max Soha Restaurant - The Linguine and Colosi - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A go to spot in the neighborhood. Portions are just enough for one person with most dishes under $20. Also love their $20 wine bottle specials. Can also call ahead for reservations for groups. Great spot for a date. Request the window nook seat. read more

Good food and good services. My advisor recommended this place for authentic Italian foods. To correct my understanding of pasta (which was spaghetti with meatballs or Fettuccine Alfredo), I give it a try. I ordered Rigatoni alla Siciliana and my boyfriend ordered spaghetti with lamb ragu. We both loved it. The flavor is simple yet strong; the pasta is steaming hot and cooked al dente. I was suspicious about their portion size initially, because all the pictures on yelp make it look very small. However, the portion is just right. I found the dish a bit heavy and was not able to continue about three quarters in. But boyfriend had no complaints and thought everything was just perfetto. Definitely will come back and try other items on the menu. They all sound very interesting. read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Top: lamb ragu. Bottom: rigatoni siciliana - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I love this place. It gives me such a comforting and warm feeling whenever I'm in the area and can come. Small and quaint but on the money. Here for brunch for the 1st time so let's see how the Buttermilk pancakes are. read more

Briefly: Pretty good, just DON'T get the meatballs. More extendedly: Came to this restaurant for dinner. The prosciutto and Mozzarella di Bufala appetizer was really good, the garlic sautéed spinach and spaghetti chitarra con ragú d'Agnello were solidly decent/good, and the employees were friendly (particularly the waitress with the injured fingers). However, there was a spate of confusion regarding the POS terminal confusingly giving a discrepancy between the amount of tip we gave and the amount it charged us, the spaghetti alla carbonara tasted kind of more like alfredo sauce, and most importantly the classic meatballs appetizer was ATROCIOUS. Bathing in some (admittedly nice) tomato sauce were three tiny dry, crumbly, flavorless lumps of...meat? As someone who really loves meatballs done right, these disasters were without a question bottom two all time for me. I ate all three because I wanted to verify to myself that they were as bad as I thought they were in the previous bite, and was repeatedly disappointed to find no improvement. I debated whether to give this place three or four stars because one could avoid easily my biggest issue by just not ordering the meatballs, but eventually settled on three because I was just so intensely unhappy with the meatballs. So yeah: nice place, a decent option. But DO NOT get the meatballs. read more

Second time around, it was just as amazing. Food was fresh and amazing. Our server Obiel was very friendly and accommodating. He recommended our dessert cheesecake was very delicious. Great spot for dates and get togethers. read more

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Pros - Price is really reasonable compared to other Italian restaurants. I sometimes feel like many of the Italian restaurants overcharge for their food but this one doesn't! - I ordered the carbonara and it was pretty good - it's cute and cozy inside Cons - CASH ONLY (again, I am not a big fan of cash only places..) - I had creme brûlée for dessert, and I didn't like how this sugar topping on top was too hard..I was expecting something more soft -My friend ordered a different kinds of pasta with veggie in it (I forgot the name of it, sorry!) but the noodles were kinda too soggy. I don't think I will order this menu if I go back. Overall, if you live close by this place or if you are a student at CU, I would recommend you to visit this restaurant for lunch. I am not sure about dinner, but I assume it will be more crowded. There is not that many good restaurants around this area so this can be a good option for you! read more

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WOW!!! What else is there to say, other than what a sublime experience. I truly can not begin to describe the ecstasy my tastebuds endured when consuming my supper at Max Soha. The ambiance exceed my wildest expectations, it felt as if I was eating in the streets of Sicily con mi famiglia! read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I came here on a Saturday night with a few friends. The place is cute, cozy, and well-decorated. The wait staff are super kind. They brought out complimentary bread and some tomato-based sauce, which was ok. The bread was not good, but I didn't have high expectations for it since it was free bread. However, I ordered the spinach parpadelle con funghi, and it was amazing! I was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful and light the sauce was. I will come back here whenever I'm in the area and craving Italian food. We ordered the tiramisu and gelato for dessert, and both were great as well! read more

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Delicious salmon and steak, they had scallops for their specials and it was amazing. Everyone enjoyed their meals and the service was great... this is a great place and I highly recommend it read more

My sister brought us here cause she said they have really good pasta and she was right! I don't remember what it was called but it was muy delicioso (it was like spaghetti w/ meat pasta). And my mom and sister both got some seafood pasta (I didn't try it cause I hate seafood but they enjoyed it) We also got their wine and gelato. Very affordable and friendly staff. If I come back to Ny, I would most def come back here :-) read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This restaurant is a deceiving hole in the wall that has delicious food! The pricing is really reasonable and you can't really go wrong with what you get from here. The wine is reasonable and the service is great! Check this place out if you are looking for a casual place with good food! read more

Max Soha is unequivocally my favorite Italian eatery. The food is damned good. The service is great and the atmosphere is DOPE. From the moment I ate at this place, for the first time, I knew I'd be coming back till the day it no longer exists. It's the mix of these things and the utter lack of pretentiousness, that I love so much. This is one of those IYKYK spots. And for errbody that don't know, SOMEBODY SHOULD'A TOLD YA! read more

Had a reasonably good meal at Max Soha. What really stood out was the coffee ($2), which was strong and good tasting, and the diced eggplant in tomato sauce and basil ($6.95). That was a scrumptious dish. It went well with the nicely toasted bread that came with it. The grilled mixed vegetables ($9.95) were OK. A bit thin and not much to munch on. They were in a good tasting oil. That dish was not worth the money. My dining companion had the spinach pappardelle con funghi ($13.95) (crimini mushrooms & truffle-cream sauce) that he said was OK and at moments good. I was disappointed in the salad offerings which for $11.95 didn't offer much. I would have liked to have ordered a dinner sized salad, but they had maybe 3 ingredients. To give the restaurant justice, the table next to us was loving their squid linguine. Nice setting. Attentive staff. Has. eighborhood feel to it. read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Eggplant in tomato sauce - this photo does not do justice to this delicious dish - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I came here on a Friday night with my friend Peter, who lives just a few blocks from here (and whom I know since our Edinburgh years). This small Italian restaurant is cute and charming: with a very nice wooden bar, a huge mirror above it, and wine bottles all over, it gives out a warm and welcoming vibe. By its look alone it is certainly a place where you could take a date. The wine list is surprisingly short, with just 4-5 bottles of red or white wine to chose from, plus a house wine. I certainly expected a bit more of a choice, since by the sheer numbers of bottles all over this place could pass as a wine bar. The beer selection also needs work: the only beer they have that is worth mentioning is Blue Moon Since it was a mild and pleasant evening in October, however, we decided to have dinner outside. Although let's face it: the view over the Grant Houses projects is not particularly charming. If you take a date here I suggest you stay inside... For starters my friend had the mixed grilled vegetables ($6.95), and I had the fresh fennel salad with parmigiano and balsamic vinegar ($5.95). My salad was a bit disappointing: I liked the oranges in it, but the fennel was lacking that bitter kick that I was expecting. Also, where exactly was the parmigiano...? When I saw the homemade spaghetti alla chitarra with lamb ragu' ($11.95) I got very excited: spaghetti alla chitarra are homemade egg spaghetti that are thin and square in section; I love them, and it's not easy to find them! The dish is generous in size, with a lot of lamb ragu' which was very good. Alas, the spaghetti were a bit overcooked, which was a bit of a disappointment Overall the bill was $45 each including tips for a bottle of wine, an appetizer, a salad, and two pasta dishes. The waitstaff is attentive and non-intrusive. The clientele, despite this being Morningside Heights at the very border with Harlem, was exclusively white. read more

Max Soha is terrific. Love the atmosphere! Every thing I have ever bought here has been fresh and tastes amazing. The staff was really helpful and service is great. I recommend it. read more

Reallygood, authentic Italian. Conveniently located, inconveniently cash- only. Really good bread and $20 wine. Amazing lasagna and spaghetti. Will return. read more

Cute and cozy Italian restaurant with good food. The space is very tight as the tables in the middle are pushed together to make one long table, so hope you don't mind bumping elbows with the people next to you. Walking space is also tight, especially on the night that my party and I visited because it was busy nonstop. Gnocchi, lasagna, calamari, creme brûlée, and tiramisu were delicious and tasty. Service was prompt and everybody made sure that we were ok and not in need of anything during our entire stay. Would definitely go again if ever in the area. read more

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Sat outside on a perfect summer evening. The risotto and shrimp special was excellent, with the risotto cooked al dente, like it's supposed to be. Service was very attentive. This places is a great value for excellent Italian food. Cash only, but worth the trip to the cash machine. read more

I came here early on a Friday night, about 5pm for dinner. There was only 1 other group there. Apparently no reservations are needed for a party of 2, only 4 or more. By the time I left at 6:30 the place was packed! It's a relatively small restaurant so not ideal for large groups The waiter was nice. But I did not like how they did not have anymore sangria even though it's on their menu. Nor did that have the Pinot Grigio on their menu. Weird. We ordered the burrata as an appetizer. They my friend had penne ala vodka and I had the spaghetti carbonara. Not the best I've ever had but the quality is comparable to the price for each dish. For dessert we had a tartufo and creme brulee. Same thing, not the best but good enough for the price. I would definitely return for a casual dinner. May not be worth a wait though. Overall the food was good and decently priced. It's cash only which I was prepared for, but could be inconvenient for other people. And I wasn't a fan of the wine situation read more

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We love this spot! Welcoming atmosphere, good food, comfy sofas and friendly staff and owner We go there almost weekly to have a late breakfast. read more

Let me start off by saying that Max Soha and Pisticci are both great, for different reasons. If you're looking for good food and good atmosphere, most people would be fine at either establishment. Max Soha is a more cozy restaurant. It was full of people, conversation, and laughter. Though the service was just average, the food was pretty good, especially for the price. The pricing at Max Soha is VERY reasonable. My date and I shared a soup, had our own separate entrees, and shared a pumpkin tart for dessert... all for about $45, including tip. Bring cash for their cash only menu, it's definitely worth the trouble of going to the ATM! Definitely get the pumpkin tart while they have it. Unlike most pumpkin dishes, they use just enough pumpkin spice to give a more mild flavor instead of the overpowering taste that usually fills desserts like pumpkin pies. The pairing with the ice cream was also perfect! We'll probably flip a coin from now on to decide whether we're going to Max Soha or Pisticci for Italian. They're both great! Why not 5 stars? I received my pasta al dente, which I really don't like. They should've asked. Regardless it was still a very tasty dish. read more

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I wish I had an apartment or a home that was decorated just like Max Soha. It's rustic, bohemian, and eclectic. I enjoy studying here. Just get a cup of coffee, sink into the couch, and read leisurely. I give the restaurant 4 stars because of the relaxed ambience, and the fact that the people who work here never give you a hard time for staying a little too long. Basically, it's one of the most charming places in the neighborhood. You'll want to return again and again to study, read, chat with friends, or just sit and have a good time. read more

I started them with five and took one star off because its Cash only. When asked by a friend to eat at Max Soha, I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance when I walked in. There were only a couple of people there on a monday night, but the place just had a good vibe. I am not one of those, "this place has a certain energy" type people, but the place just had a certain energy. I ordered the chicken marsala and it was tasty and a good size. They also had great specials. The prices were very nice. However, if you have to go to the nearby ATM and add two or three people at 1.75 a pop to the bill, your discounts are zapped away to some extent. Luckily, I was not in that group of people. The waiter was nice and engaging. He was very pleasant. We had business to discuss and he left us alone to discuss our business, and was willing to let us throw some ideas off him for feedback. Max Soha was a pleasant surprise. read more

The nicest place in this area!!! Since I live near here I occasionally have lunch or dinner here. I always like Max Soha but today was exceptionally good! My parents visit me from Korea so I brought them to here. We ordered branzino, spinach ravioli and my all time favorite. (Alas, I don't remember the name but it's the last pasta menu.. With seafoods and spicy tomato sause) Branzino was today special and it was cooked right. Not too salty and seasoned well. My parents were happy about the food. As usual, service was nice. Cash only is sometimes obstacle but i think still it's worth going! Reql gem in moreningside heights read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Cute little neighborhood spot! Small, bustling and busy little place filled with what I assume is a mix of Columbia students and native Morningside Heights residents. I would classify myself as a visitor, straight from Hamilton Heights...just a few blocks up! I enjoyed the food, tho the tables were a little too close together for my taste but few others seemed to mind. Nothing extra special about this place but for a quick after work or after class drink, seems this would meet the requirements. read more

Update: tried their coffee on another visit, because the cafe(max caffe) next door was too crowded. The cappuccino was very underwhelming; one would expect more from an Italian restaurant. Average food. Decent service. Crowded. And cash only(a negative for me). I had the linguine del pescatore. Portion size is adequate;they also give you a lot of shrimps and mussels. However,the taste is very average--there's too much marinara sauce, making this seafood pasta taste little different from a typical marinara or bolognese pasta; there was also sands in multiple mussels, which means unpleasant surprises for you from time to time. Another negative is that they are cash-only, but neither the waiter nor the hostess informed me before I sat down. I almost never carry cash with me but fortunately I happened to have cash tonight, but otherwise it could've made everything really embarrassing read more

We came here for a late bite and it was great. We were seated right away and the service was good. The manager/owner even stopped by during our meal to see if we happy with everything. For the app, I got the proscuitto e mozzarella di bufala - it was fresh and delicious. For the main course, I got one of the steak entrees from the daily specials. The steak was well cooked and flavored. The serving serve was large, so I had leftovers for breakfast/lunch the next day. Woohoo! :) read more

Max Soha Restaurant - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

An easy 5/5. Stunning Bolognese with a smooth and thick al dente noodle. Simple but satisfying garlic spinach. I don't think this place is a top dog but for what it is, it's pleasant atmosphere, and fair prices read more

Wine deal, decent food, great and helpful service. I really enjoy this place! Excellent $20 bottle of wine deal - everyday. Sign me up, weekly. I've also had some of the appetizers which were delightful - nothing absolutely gourmet but a good option if you're in the mood for Italian but not pizza. The service is always kind and helpful as well! Solid choice close to Columbia University. read more