Cô Lac
Grub Street Best Food of 2026 (So Far)
Our verdict
Chef Helen Nguyen’s Cô Lạc serves Central Vietnamese cooking in the East Village, drawing on family recipes, seafood, noodles and rice cakes. Dinner is listed Tuesday through Saturday.
Pearl is the En Primeur Club membership app, where members save venues, book tables and use the concierge.
The menu
What to order
- Scotch Egg
- Kabocha Fried Rice
- Phở Cheese Melt
Cô Lạc is an East Village Vietnamese restaurant led by chef Helen Nguyen. Its own booking profile describes a kitchen shaped by Central Vietnamese cooking, family recipes, seafood, noodles and rice cakes. The restaurant takes its name from Nguyen’s mother, who grew up in coastal Quy Nhơn.
Central Vietnamese cooking in the East Village
Its booking description names rice cakes, seafood, noodles and regional family preparations among the kitchen’s main references. The dining room is on East 4th Street; the booking profile also describes an upstairs bar for cocktails. Check the current menu for specific dishes, since those can change.
Planning dinner
Cô Lạc lists dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM and closes Sunday and Monday. Reservations are linked through OpenTable from the restaurant’s own site. The address is 234 East 4th Street, New York.
Frequently asked questions
Who leads the kitchen at Cô Lạc?
Chef Helen Nguyen leads the East Village restaurant, drawing on Central Vietnamese cooking and family recipes.
When is Cô Lạc open?
The restaurant lists dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5–9 PM, and closes Sunday and Monday. Check the current schedule before visiting.
Can I reserve a table?
Yes. The restaurant links to OpenTable reservations from its official site.
A Tight Comparison
Comparable venues nearby, for context on price, style, and recognition.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cô LacThis venue (the venue you are viewing) | Modern Central Vietnamese | $30–50 | Grub Street Best Food of 2026 (So Far) | Not listed |
| Madame Vo | Modern Vietnamese | $30–50 | Not listed | East Village, Modern Vietnamese |
| Bunker | Vietnamese Street Food | Not listed | Not listed | East Williamsburg, Vietnamese Street Food |
| Di An Di | Modern Vietnamese | $30–50 | Not listed | Greenpoint, Modern Vietnamese |
| Nam Son | Authentic Vietnamese Pho House | $10–20 | Not listed | Lower East Side, Authentic Vietnamese Pho House |
| Saigon Social | Modern Vietnamese Fusion | Not listed | Not listed | Lower East Side, Modern Vietnamese Fusion |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
Grub Street Best Food of 2026 (So Far)
Grub Street
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Details
- Cozy
- Intimate
- Lively
- Date Night
- Casual Hangout
- Private Dining
- Byob
- Prix Fixe
- A La Carte
Current opening hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 5–10 PM
- Thursday
- 5–10 PM
- Friday
- 5–10 PM
- Saturday
- 5–10 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Hours can change for holidays and private events. Last verified .
Cozy home-away-from-home atmosphere with relaxed yet lively vibe.