The Commerce Inn

The story

The Commerce Inn: Early American Tavern in NYC's West Village – Michelin Recommended

The Commerce Inn

On the quiet corner of Commerce and Barrow Streets in the West Village, The Commerce Inn revives the spirit of an early American tavern. The restaurant is the work of acclaimed New York chefs Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, who have crafted a space that feels both timeless and immediate.

The interior honors the architecture of a 1900s West Village building that has welcomed guests for nearly a century. The design emphasizes utility and material honesty—wood, simple lines, and a sense of place that avoids nostalgia. It is a room that lets the food and the company shine.

The menu is described as "American cookery," drawing on heirloom recipes and intuitive, seasonal cooking. The food is straightforward and grounded: piquant pickled oysters in bread and butter brine, comforting rarebit, fortifying pot pies, and uncomplicated vegetables. This is not fussy cuisine; it is prepared simply and served with genuine warmth. The American steakhouse influence is present in the hearty, protein-focused dishes, but the overall approach is broader, celebrating the full larder of early American cooking.

The bar pours deftly crafted cocktails, clear milk punches, and smoky spirits. The wine list highlights small American producers from the Finger Lakes to the Sierra Foothills, a thoughtful complement to the food.

This commitment to craft and authenticity has earned The Commerce Inn a Michelin Recommended distinction, a natural recognition for a kitchen that prioritizes substance over spectacle. Whether you visit the dining room or the tavern, the promise is the same: libations, nourishment, and good cheer, served in a room that feels like it has always been there.