top of page

A Starter (70-Plus!) List of Black-Owned Businesses in Harlem You Can Support Today and Every Day


A List of Black-Owned Businesses in Harlem You Can Support Today and Every Day
Harlem Kettlebell Club owner Jah Washington.

Looking for Black-owned restaurants and other businesses you can support in Harlem today and every day? Happily, there are many.


As a starting point, here's a list of 73—and counting—terrific spots.


If you don't have time to visit them all, be sure to check their website or social media platforms for more ways to show your love.

 

Restaurants


Africa Kine

2267 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts

Hearty West African stews, heaping mounds of jollof rice, and more.


Benyam

2795 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 148th and W149th Sts

Small-but-popular Ethiopian eatery with art-filled walls.


BLVD Bistro

2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 116th St

A modern take on soul food with a side of fresh biscuits.


Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

340 W 145th St and Edgecombe Ave

Chef Charles Gabriel's legendary fried chicken spot has a new logo and location, but the delicious pan-fried chicken hasn't changed one bit.


Chocolat

2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 120th St

Contemporary soul food destination known for its red velvet pancakes.


Devin's Fish & Chips

747 St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts

Old-school seafood spot with fried fish sandwiches and more.


The Edge Harlem

101 Edgecombe Ave and W 139th St

Sister-owned restaurant reflecting the duo's British and Jamaican heritage.


Famous Fish Market

684 St. Nicholas Ave and 145th St

Legendary fried fish takeout joint where the lines are always out the door.


Black-owned restaurants in Harlem: Fieldtrip
Chef JJ Johnson of Fieldtrip.

Fieldtrip

109 Malcolm X Blvd between W 115th and W 116th Sts

Creative rice bowls from James Beard Award-nominated chef JJ Johnson.


Greedy Pot

1944 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 117th and W 118th Sts

Welcoming Caribbean storefront serving jerk chicken and more.


Harlem Biscuit Company

At Cantina, 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 113th and W 114th Sts

House-made biscuit sandwiches heaped with fried chicken; bacon, eggs & cheese; and more.


Harlem Breakfast Club

2167 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd between W 128th and W 129th Sts

Easily spotted by its cool vintage-style sign, this tiny takeout spot has a menu that lives up to its name. The all-day breakfast offerings include pancakes, waffles, eggs, plus everything from shrimp to salmon cakes served over Southern-style grits.


Health Station

W 139th St and Lenox Ave

Healthy food options—smoothies, salads, wraps—out of a popular food truck operating right next to an open-air produce stand.


Home Sweet Harlem

1528 Amsterdam between W 135th and W 136th Sts

Homey food, from omelettes to salads to sandwiches, in a welcoming space.


Lolo's Seafood Shack

303 W 116th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Ave

Relaxed spot featuring island-style seafood and barbecue.


Massawa

1239 Amsterdam Ave and W 121st St

Popular Ethiopian since 1988.


Melba's

300 W 114th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd

Soul food destination by Melba Wilson, who was "born, bred and buttered in Harlem."


Ponty Bistro

2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and W 139th St

Creative French meets West African on a sunny corner.


Red Rooster

310 Lenox Ave between W 125th and W 126th Sts

Marcus Samuelsson's world-famous tribute to Harlem.


The Bodega bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich from Harlem Biscuit Company.
Harlem Biscuit Company's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich.

Reverence

2592 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 138th St

Chef Russell Jackson's intimate pre-fixe spot focused on modern Californian cuisine.


The Row Harlem

2374 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts

Lounge serving popular lobster truffle mac and cheese, plus cocktails.


Safari

219 W 116th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Blvd

Known as New York's only Somali restaurant.


Seasoned Vegan

55 St. Nicholas Ave and W 113th St

Popular vegan soul food spot run by a mother-and-son team.


Settepani

196 Malcolm X Blvd at W 120th St

Italian baked goods and comfort food, plus cocktails.


Sylvia's

328 Malcolm X Blvd between W 126th and W 127th Sts

Famous soul food destination visited by locals and tourists alike.


Teranga

1280 Fifth Ave between E 109th and E 110th Sts

Stylish fast-casual African eatery from chef Pierre Thiam.


Tsion Cafe

763 St. Nicholas Ave between W 148th and 149th Sts

Ethiopian meets Mediterranean in a historic Harlem space.


The second location of Uptown Veg at 349 Lenox Avenue.

Uptown Veg

• 52 E 125th St and Madison Ave

• 349 Lenox between W 127th and W 128th Sts

Serving up fresh juices and vegan food long before it was trendy. A second Harlem location opened in 2022.


Vegan Hood

2100 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 113th and W 114th Sts

New sit-down serving up vegan soul food, burgers and shakes.


Vinateria

2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 119th St

Chic wine spot with Spanish- and Italian-influenced plates.


Yatenga

2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts

Lively French bistro decorated with colorful bric-a-brac.


 

Cafes


Ginjan Cafe

85 E 125th St and Park Ave

Serving up its own famous ginger juice, coffee, pastries, and more.


Harlem Cafe

2259 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and 133rd St

Chef Ejhadji Cisse of Harlem's Ponty Bistro is behind this new stylish all-day cafe offering coffee, French pastries, warm sandwiches and a whole lot more.


I Like It Black

409 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves

Coffee shop from the owner of Make My Cake (right next door) with a focus on Black and Brown-owned roasters.


I Like It Black at 409 W 125th Street.

NBHD Brulee

2620 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 140th St

Cozy cafe offering terrific sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.


Sojourner Coffee

137 W 116th St between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd

New specialty coffee shop featuring local roaster Plowshares.


The Oma Shop

1707 Amsterdam Ave between W 144th and W 145th Sts

Chic spot serving coffee, pastries and "beautiful things" by POC- and women-owned brands.


 

Bars and lounges


Harlem Hookah

381 Lenox Ave between W 129th and W 130th Sts

Modern hookah bar with cocktails and bites.


Harlem Hops

2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts

Craft beer destination opened by three HBCU graduates.


The back patio at Harlem Hops.

Paint 'N Pour

2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 112th and W 113th Sts

Group painting classes with a side of fun cocktails.


Shrine

2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts

Harlem's top spot for live music.


67 Orange Street

2082 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 112th and W 113th Sts

Named after the address of a famed 19th-century black-owned dance hall, this intimate, bi-level bar is both sophisticated and chill.


 

Desserts and wine


Avrilililly's

1610 Amsterdam Ave between W 139th and W 140th Sts

A new spot for creamy house-made gelato, plus beautiful flower cakes and cupcakes, puddings, and more.


Avril Lekic of Avrililillys.

Harlem Chocolate Factory

2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts

Chocolates and more inspired by Harlem's rich history.


Harlem Wine Gallery

2067 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 123rd and W 124th Sts

Globally-sourced wines, including a large selection by Black winemakers. Bottle of Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut, anyone?


Lee Lee's Rugelach

283 W 118th St between St. Nicholas Ave and Frederick Douglass Blvd

"Rugelach by a brother"—a.k.a. baker Alvin Lee Smalls—in flavors such as apricot, raspberry and chocolate.


Make My Cake

409 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves

This Harlem institution, known for its frosted layer cakes and cupcakes, now has a prime location on 125th Street.


Ma Smith's Dessert Cafe

2380 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at W 139th St

A division of Make My Cake, specializing in Southern desserts.

Sugar Hill Creamery

• 184 Lenox Ave between W 119th and W 120th Sts

• 3629 Broadway between W 149th and W 150th Sts

Family-run shop selling small-batch ice cream.


 

Shopping and services


Barbara's Flowers

2522 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 134th and W 135th Sts

This second-generation flower shop sells arrangements for all occasions.


The Brownstone

24 E 125th St between Madison and Fifth Aves

Contemporary looks for special occasions in sizes 12 and up.


Calabar Gallery

2504 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 134th St

Contemporary gallery featuring artists from Africa and the continent's diaspora.


Dapper Dan

241 Lenox Ave and 122nd Street

The Harlem fashion legend's by-appointment-only atelier.


Flamekeepers Hat Club

273 W 121st St and St. Nicholas Ave

Super-stylish handcrafted hats.


Franz James Floral

2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 114th and W 115th Sts

Artistic arrangements for any occasion.


Grandma's Place

84 W 120th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves

Children's toy and book store owned by a retired schoolteacher.


Harlem Cycle

• 54-62 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves

• 2350 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between 137th and 138th Sts

Boutique cycling with a focus on community, now with two studios.


Harlem Doggie Day Spa

734 St. Nicholas Ave between W 146th and W 147th Sts

Pup boarding, daycare and top-notch grooming.


Harlem Haberdashery

245 Lenox Ave between W 122nd and W 123rd Sts

Custom-made and ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and more.


Harlem Kettlebell Club

1775 Madison Ave between E 116th and E 117th Sts

A new kettlebell studio from Harlem fitness pro Jah Washington.


A starter (70-plus!) list of Black-owned businesses in Harlem you can support
Tiffany Mason of Harlem Pilates.

Harlem Pilates

• 60 W 129th St and Malcolm X Blvd

• 108 W 116th St between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvds

Reformer, barre, and mat classes at two locations.


Harlem Underground

2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts

Graphic tees and more with a Harlem vibe.


Hats by Bunn

2283 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 134th and W 135th Sts

Sharp, custom-made hats in all styles and for all occasions.


Heath Gallery

24 W 120th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves

Small gallery with a focus on Harlem-based artists in a historic Harlem brownstone.


Honey Botanics

220 St. Nicholas Ave and W 121st St

Modern shop selling its own organic skincare line that helps with a range of skin issues.


JTW Fit

Boutique fitness team offering boot camp, kettlebell workouts, and more via virtual classes.


Junny

Vibrant caftans, face masks, and more from designer Junny Hibbert.


Kente Royal Gallery

2373 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts

Art gallery focused on the African diaspora.


Muse, a by-appointment perfume shop.

MUSE Harlem

66 Edgecombe between W 137th and W 138th Sts

Rare fragrances sold from the parlor floor of a Harlem townhouse.


The Nail Suite by Lisa Logan

2388 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 139th and W 140th Sts

The latest trends from Harlem's nail tech to the stars (think Beyonce, Queen Latifah, the list goes on).


NiLu

191 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts

Unique Harlem-centric cards and gifts.


Sheila Bridges Design

Top interior designer known for her Harlem Toile line of wallpaper, fabric and accessories.


The SPAaaht

775 St Nicholas Ave and 149th St

Spa services—massage, waxing, skin and nail care—located in a historic Harlem building.

For daily updates, follow The Curious Uptowner on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

3 comments
Screen Shot 2020-11-18 at 2.39.32 PM.png
  • Black Pinterest Icon
  • Black Twitter Icon
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon
bottom of page