Where to Eat in Harlem NY: 10 best restaurants

Harlem is the heart of African-American culture and one of New York’s must-see destinations, not only for its art and music but also for its cuisine. The kitchens of this neighbourhood in Upper Manhattan serve up some of the finest dishes you’ll have the chance to savour during your stay in the city.

Don’t hesitate to venture out of Manhattan to experience the soul of New York: the neighbourhood of Harlem. If, after attending a gospel service or taking a tour of Harlem, you fancy staying on for a bite to eat in the neighbourhood, here are 10 fantastic restaurants in Harlem serving finger-licking good food.

Amy Ruth’s is famous for serving some of the tastiest Chicken & Waffles in New York. If you want to try the best dishes of Southern cuisine, you’ll be in for a real treat at this restaurant in the heart of Harlem.

Its most famous dish is fried chicken with waffles drizzled with maple syrup. A combination that might sound a bit odd at first, but once you take a bite, you’ll be surprised to find it works. In fact, Amy Ruth’s Chicken & Waffles are legendary in the city.

But if this dish still doesn’t tempt you, there are plenty of others on the menu, such as the hot chicken sandwich or the grilled ribs with barbecue sauce. And as a side dish, a portion of battered prawns or sweet potato. To drink, a super-refreshing glass of sweet tea and lemonade called “Half & Half”.

Sometimes you have to queue a bit to get a free table (especially on Sundays) but the service is quite quick.

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The Red Rooster Harlem restaurant is a true institution in Harlem. Located just a few metres from the famous Apollo Theatre, throughout its history it has welcomed artists of the calibre of James Baldwin and Nat King Cole, who have come to sample the delicious traditional American dishes prepared here.

The kitchen at Red Rooster Harlem is run by the renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, who reinterprets Southern cuisine using locally sourced ingredients to give it a unique and special touch, such as the crab cake, chicken nuggets smothered in BBQ sauce, chicken & waffles and some cornbread. For dessert, the strawberry shortcake will take you to seventh heaven.

You’ll love Red Rooster Harlem’s food and bohemian spirit, as the restaurant is open to local musicians and artists who’d like to showcase their work there.

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If you fancy trying the famous American brunch during your visit to New York, Ruby’s Vintage is the place to go. A tiny spot in Central Harlem, perfect for relaxing at the weekend or for having a drink and enjoying a great atmosphere in the evening.

As well as the traditional eggs Benedict, the popular Southern Breakfast (scrambled eggs with turkey sausage, bacon, potatoes, grits and biscuits) and the Devil’s Mess (scrambled eggs with pepper jack cheese, chorizo and caramelised onions) are real hits here, though there are plenty of other options on the menu. You’ll leave Ruby’s Vintage feeling re-energised and ready to make the most of your day!

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If, whilst exploring Harlem, you’re looking for a restaurant serving Chicken & Waffles that’s a bit more low-key and not packed with tourists like Amy Ruth’s or Red Rooster Harlem, you should definitely add Melba’s to your list.

It’s a fantastic place to eat during the week and although the restaurant tends to get busy because the food is absolutely delicious, the service is quick and attentive and they’ll soon find you a free table in the dining room.

Take a quick look at Melba’s menu because you’ll be drawn to every dish straight away. The Chicken & Waffles are the star dish, but I recommend ordering other dishes too, such as Melba’s spring rolls, Fish & Chips or the Southern-style chicken.

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If you’d prefer a quick bite that won’t take up too much time so you can get on with your sightseeing tour of Harlem, I recommend trying the bagels at Bo’s Bagels. They’re to die for!

There are over a dozen varieties, ranging from the most traditional options to specialities, though you can also create your own bagels with whatever filling you like. If you’re not sure which to choose, go for an egg and cheese sandwich (it’s a sure-fire hit!) or ask the staff for advice, but remember to have a coffee with your bagels because they make a really lovely one here.

Bo’s Bagels is a very popular spot in Harlem and you might sometimes find queues at the entrance, but the service is quite quick so you’ll be served in no time. You’ll want to come back!

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If you fancy a change from the usual menu and want to give fish a go instead of meat, in Harlem you’ll find restaurants like Famous Fish Market that serve delicious fried fish and seafood.

Run by the same family for almost 50 years, it’s one of the best places to eat fresh fish in New York. A real gem! The menu is simple but the flavours are irresistible. The dishes arrive piping hot, crispy and well-seasoned. Ready to eat and enjoy.

At Famous Fish Market, I recommend ordering the whiting sandwich or, if you prefer, they can also serve it in a basket with a side of chips with tartar sauce or chilli sauce.

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Harlem Biscuit Company is another of those places where you can grab a quick bite to eat if you don’t have much time to sit down for a proper meal whilst exploring this New York neighbourhood. It’s famous for its Southern biscuit sandwiches, which are absolutely delicious!

There’s plenty of variety on the menu, so you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect one for you. I recommend the Langston sandwich (fried chicken, gherkins, onion and chilli with garlic honey) or the Bodega sandwich (bacon, egg and cheddar cheese). However, if you arrive at Harlem Biscuit Company on an empty stomach and raring for breakfast, you simply must try the hearty Biscuit Breakfast with a Southern-style biscuit, French omelette, grits, bacon and fried chicken. You’ll leave there with a smile from ear to ear!

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Everyone loves pizza, and it simply had to feature on this list of restaurants to eat at in Harlem. In the heart of the neighbourhood, you’ll find Pizza By Lucille’s, a counter-service takeaway, but it’s actually quite handy if you want a quick bite to eat before heading off to a baseball match, as it’s situated about 15 minutes from Yankee Stadium.

However, if you’d rather sit down and relax for a while whilst you eat, its sister restaurant , Lucille’s Coffee & Cocktail Bar, is just two doors down. There you can try other dishes such as the roast beef sandwich, the salmon burger or the lobster mac & cheese. And to drink, a tasty cocktail! The Flamingo Coloured Punch or the Sup Mango are absolutely lovely.

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Located in the historic Mt. Morris district of Harlem, Barawine is a charming Parisian-inspired restaurant where you can sit and enjoy a glass of fine wine accompanied by a cheese platter at the bar, or head into the dining room to savour a hearty Franco-American-style meal. Whatever takes your fancy!

The interior is very pretty and has a fantastic, intimate atmosphere. However, it also has a terrace if you prefer to eat al fresco. On Sundays, Barawine really comes alive with live music.

As for the food, I recommend ordering the French onion soup, the fried goat’s cheese with Portobello mushrooms, the mussels marinière or the Barawine burger. For dessert, tiramisu. It’s absolutely lovely! They also have vegan and gluten-free options on the menu.

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For travellers who haven’t yet tried the delicious Soul Food in New York, a visit to the Harlem neighbourhood is the perfect opportunity to discover BLVD Bistró, specialists in this culinary style associated with the Southern African-American community.

BLVD Bistró is one of those little hidden gems tucked away in a historic red-brick house in Harlem that you’ll be glad to have discovered. As you walk in, you’ll find a small dining room with a pleasant and lively atmosphere. Especially on weekend evenings when there’s music with a DJ.

I recommend trying the Southern potato salad, the barbecue pork sandwich or the BLVD cheeseburger. And to top it all off, a slice of banana pudding.