The Best Restaurants in Harlem
Are you looking for the best soul food or the best classic southern comfort dishes in New York City? If so, you MUST visit Harlem! Harlem has a rich history alongside its rich and tasty foods. With BBQ ribs, fried chicken and everything in between, it is sure to be an adventure for any foodie. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Harlem.
Vendy Plaza – 1590 Park Ave at E 115 St
An honorable mention has to go to the new and exciting Vendy Plaza. The plaza under the Metro North tracks will feature some of the best food trucks in the city every Sunday from now until the end of November.
Red Rooster – 310 Lenox Ave
Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster has been the talk of the town since it opened. Their menu is full of fresh and modern takes on classic Southern dishes like their blackened catfish and their shrimp & grits.
Chez Lucienne – 308 Malcolm X Blvd
Next door to Red Rooster, there is Chez Lucienne, a highly touted French restaurant in the neighborhood. Dishes like their coq au vin, steak au poivre and Kobe beef burger has us salivating at the possibilities.
Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too – 366 W 110th St
Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too is a great place for outstanding homey Southern food. From a hearty seafood gumbo to tasty BBQ chicken, you will be sure to leave satisfied and with a full stomach!
Mintons – 206 W 118th St
Mintons is a historical jazz nightclub that recently reopened. It has a menu of Southern favorites like mac n’ cheese, fried green tomatoes and braised collard greens. With good food and good music, what more can you ask for?
Jin Ramen – 3183 Broadway
Jin Ramen is the curveball on the list. When you think of Harlem, you are probably not thinking about ramen yet one the best ramen noodle shops in Manhattan is Jin Ramen, which in fact is located in Harlem. We especially love their shoyu and tonkotsu ramens.
Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken – 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd #1
You can’t visit Harlem without getting some fried chicken! Our pick for fried chicken is Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken. The skin is crispy, the meat is juicy and it is just perfect.
Harlem Shake – 100 W. 124th St
Harlem Shake has a cool, fun retro diner vibe. They have delicious burgers, a great selection of sodas and of course shakes!
Sylvia’s Restaurant – 328 Malcolm X Blvd
Sylvia’s Restaurant is a landmark in Harlem and the go to place for soul food in New York City. Their menu reflects their storied history and the food here is just delicious. The fried catfish, the fried chicken & waffles, the chicken livers, the gumbo, the collard greens etc. are all amazing.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que – 700 W 125th St
We love BBQ and a number of new BBQ restaurants have opened in New York City in the last few years but Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is still of one of the best. Their ribs in particular are just divine. We also always make sure to order some of their famous chicken wings too.
