Your Guide to NYC's Best Murals in Soho, Nolita, & Chinatown

Your Guide to NYC’s Best Murals

Our wall guides are now moving on past the borders of Houston… That’s right, we wandered all the way to New York City to bring you all the details on the best colorful walls there.

Now, clearly, New York City is too big to tackle at once. So, for this trip, since we were staying at the Nomo Soho Hotel (in the Soho neighborhood), we focused our explorations on that general area. Now, if you are a purist when it comes to NYC neighborhoods, you’ll note that our wanderings extend beyond the boundaries of Soho itself. In fact, we wandered from Soho to Nolita and even Chinatown.

But rest assured that these areas are still quite close to one another. Without a doubt, we recommend exploring the area on foot. Not only is this a healthy option, but you’ll also find it easier than driving around. Plus, you never know what new street art you might stumble upon!

So, please use this guide (the map, the addresses, the photos, and the words) to your advantage! Explore this wonderful, character-filled area of NYC. We think you’ll love Soho, Nolita, and Chinatown as much as we do!

Wall 1 : Emojis mural by Tom Bob

Address: 15 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012

Tips: Don’t just go for the mural. Instead, stay there and explore the Prince and Elizabeth street area! Right in front of mural is Cafe Habana, which is a Nolita mainstay! Just a few more steps away from the mural, you’ll find tons of shopping such as Aesop, TOMS, Rag & Bone, and more. Plus, grab some tacos and aguas frescas at our favorite Tacombi Fonda Nolita!

Wall 2 : Tictail Market monthly changing mural (October wall Thomas Danthony)

Address: 90 Orchard St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: The cool thing about this particular spot is that mural is ever changing. Plus, inside Tictail Market, you can buy prints of the current mural! Furthermore, go for the mural, and then browse the unique clothing and accessories at this shop, which focuses on emerging designers from around the world. Additionally, only two blocks away, and not to be missed, is The Fat Radish – one of our favorite spots to eat in Chinatown!

Wall 3 : Don’t Call Me Baby mural by Baron Von Fancy

Address: 132 Allen St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: Right on the other side of this mural, you’ll find one of our favorite breakfast/brunch spots: Russ and Daughter’s. Russ and Daughter’s has the best lox and bagels, making it absolutely worth the wait if there’s a queue. We suggest going mural hunting early in the morning and then grabbing breakfast at this great sport.

Wall 4 : Geometric Pastel mural by Edward Granger

Address: 120 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: While you are here, make sure to explore Allen street, on both directions. There are many great small-scale murals as part of #thenewallen, an art collective by Baby Brasa.

Wall 5 : Flowers mural for #100gatesproject by the Tanya Taylor team

Address: 132 Allen St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: This wall is on the same street as #thenewallen murals. In fact, the entire area is a great area to explore for many other mini murals. Pro tip: Keep your eyes up for some great, albeit hard to reach, murals on the rooftops.

Wall 6 : Claws mural by Claudia Gold

Address: 118 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: If you’re in need of a quick, refreshing break from you’re wall wandering adventures, you’re in luck! There’s a Starbucks on the corner here. Plus, just steps away, you’ll find 10 Below Ice Cream, a super cute ice cream shop. And again, don’t miss all the great street art along that stretch of Allen Street.

Wall 7 : Graphic Animal portrait by @eelcovirus for Baby Brasa babybrasa

Address: 129 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: Come here before 11 am before Baby Brasa opens, if you want to take a glimps of this awesome gate mural. Then, come after 11 am to sample Chef Franco Noriega’s famous Peruvian chicken! Also, Chef Noriega and Milan Kelez began The New Allen (#thenewallen) art collective, which has transformed Allen Street into a NYC Street art gallery. So make sure to explore the area around Baby Brasa for great street art! Bonus: on the side of this mural these are two mini murals on the left.

Wall 8 : Joey Ramone mural by Solus Street Art and John Matos

Address: 2 Bleecker St., New York, NYC 10012

Tips: Go for the mural, then stay at Saxon + Parole for a great meal at this American eatery. Then, walk a block south to see the famous Bowery Mural (see #9 below)!

Wall 9 : Bowery mural (current installment by Logan Hicks)

Address: E Houston St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: The Bowery mural, owned and operated by Tony Goldman, changes seasonally and looks different at different times of the day as the light shines on it differently. You might or might not catch this masterpiece by artist Logan Hicks, but this is a mural never to be missed, as it has a long history for attracting great street artists. After viewing the huge mural, go across the street for a little shopping at a favorite, Rag and Bone, and then refresh with some agua fresca and tacos from Tacombi Nolita.

Wall 10 : Colorful Semi-circle mural by Jason Woodside

Address: 13 Doyers St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: Mural is on a small curved street in Chinatown. The good news is that you probably won’t ever find a car parked in front of it, given the narrowness of street. While you are there, step into Nom Wah Tea Parlor for a great tea and a bite. This restaurant has been serving dim sum since 1920, making it the oldest in Chinatown and perhaps even all of NYC.

You can find more photos of this wall here in this recent fashion article.

Wall 11 : Gigi Hadid mural by Tristan Eaton

Address: 389 Broome St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: While this mural is located on a top side of a roof, and you won’t be able to make portraits in front of it, this masterpiece is not to be missed! In fact, we consider it one of the very best murals in Soho! And while you are there, cross Broome street for great coffee at one of our fave NYC shops, Happy Bones!

Wall 12 : Audrey Hepburn mural by Tristan Eaton

Address: 176 Mulberry St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: If you’re an Audrey Hepburn fan like we are, you simply can’t miss this one! Just a few steps from Tristan Eaton’s Gigi Hadid mural (#11 listed above), this is one of our favorite murals in the area. The mural is on the side of Cafe Roma, where you can stop for a pastry, gelato, and other Italian treats.

Wall 13 : Love Wall by James Goldcrown

Address: 192 Mott St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: We are enamored with all art that James Goldcrown creates! Dare we say that we love his love wall? This wall of hearts is on the side of L’asso Pizza. If you’re still hungry after pizza, check out the best rice pudding ever at Rice to Riches, a mere two blocks away.

See more photos of this mural in this fashion article.

Wall 14 : Pop Art Crying Girl mural by D*Face

Address: 421 Broom St., New York, NYC 10013

Tips: Look up, as this pop art mural is hard to spot from the street. Thats because it’s located on a hard-to-reach rooftop.The mural is so great, though, that we suggest this insider tip: Stop by the beautiful, luxurious home goods showroom of Pirch. Browse their amazing selection of kitchen and bath goods, grab a coffee at their on-site coffee bar, and then walk up one floor to catch a better view of this fabulous mural! In fact, that’s where this photo was taken.

Wall 15 : Ombre Gate mural in Chinatown

Address: 89 Chrystie St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: To admire and photograph this most awesome gate mural, come in the mornings for the best chance of having the gate down. And if you are already in the area, walk to Cafe Henrie for great coffee, a healthy meal, and a big dose of pink decor!

See more photos of this mural in this fashion article.

Wall 16 : Crash Looney Toons mural by John Matos

Address: 328 Broome St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: This is such a fun wall! Make sure to walk around the corner and check out the mural in the other side of the building. More colorful wall wanderings to enjoy! Only two blocks away, you’ll find the awesome ombre gate mural mentioned above in #15.

Wall 17 : Little Cupcake Bakeshop mural by Claudia Gold

Address: 236  Mott St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: The wall was painted for, and is hosted at, the Little Cupcake Bakeshop. So why not go get a sweet treat and a drink there after you snap a picture of this fun mural?

Wall 18 : Kisses mural by Apexer

Address: 242 Mott St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: Make sure to explore Mott St. There are a couple more murals there, including one two doors away at the Little Cupcake Bakery. Right next door is Diptyque which sells lovely candles and perfumes, and around the corner, parallel to the mural, and on Elizabeth Street, is a great cafe for lunch time, Cafe Habana, with yummy Cuban-Mexican eats!

For more images of this mural, see this New York Fashion Week (NYFW) street style article.

Wall 19 : Flowers mural by Jet Martinez

Address: 250 Mulberry St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: We adore this floral moral! It’s very near the Kisses mural mentioned in #18. If you are already here, then why not walk a block towards Spring St. to try the best rice oudding ever at Rice to Riches? And when we say it is the best, we mean it! There’s a little collages set of mini murals and street art right outsode Riche to Riches!

You can see a few more photos of this mural in this NYFW street style article.

Wall 20 : Terry Richardson mural by Bradley Theodore and Hearts by Hektad

Address: 85 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Tips: While you’re here, walk along Allen street, and be on the lookout for many small sized murals, part of #thenewallen art collective! Also, walk five minutes down the street to Orchard Street to find one of our favorite restaurants, The Fat Radish. We do recommend making a reservation.

Wall 21 : Rag & Bone mural (current mural by Marc Evan)

Address: 73 E Houston St., New York, NY 10012

Tips: This wall on the side of the Rag & Bone store is ever changing. In fact, it changes as often as every month. But whatever the current offering, it is always worth checking out! Plus, you can stop by and shop in the store while you’re there.

Wall 22 : Love is Love mini mural by James Goldcrown

Address: 390 Broome St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: We love all work by James Goldcrown, and this mini mural outside of Seamore’s restaurant is no exception! Several murals included in our guide are in the immediate area, including the epic Audrey Hepburn one. We highly recommend a seafood meal at Seamore’s as well! Great food and lovely interiors. In fact, a pillar / column within the restaurant is also covered with Goldcrown’s art!

Wall 23 : Amphora door mural by Agostina Iacurci for 214 Lafayette Project

Address: 214 Lafayette, New York, NY10012

Tips: This mural changes every so often, but always worth a visit! So much to explore in this area! Two of our favorite restaurants are only a few steps away! In fact, we’d go so far as to say you can’t visit this area without a stop at Jack’s Wife Freda. Additionally, if you have a late night craving, grab some true Mexican tacos at La Esquina.

Wall 24 : Face door mural by Danielle Mastrion

Address: 159 Grand St., New York, NY 10013

Tips: Keep your eyes open for a couple more fun murals just across the street from this one! Make sure to allow some time to explore by foot, as the area is constantly adding new street art. Plus there are many great shops, cafe, and restaurants to visit.

In Closing

Finally, we must mention that street art is, by nature, ever changing. While we’ve done our best to present to you the details as they stand today (November 2016), just understand that the art can change over time.

One last thing: do you have any favorite restaurants or spots to visit in this area of NYC? Or do you know of any other murals in the area? We, of course, would love to hear! Do share.

Truly, we sincerely hope you find this guide helpful!

All photos by Maritere Rice