A Starter List (70 and Counting!) of Black-Owned Businesses in Harlem You Can Support Today and Every Day
- The Curious Uptowner
- Feb 25
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 27
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 70—and counting—terrific spots.
If you don't have time to visit them all, be sure to check their website or socials for more ways to show your love.
Restaurants
2267 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Hearty West African stews, heaping mounds of jollof rice, and more.
2795 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 148th and W149th Sts
Small-but-popular Ethiopian eatery with art-filled walls.
2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 116th St
A modern take on soul food with a side of fresh biscuits.
• 439 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves
• 340 W 145th St and Edgecombe Ave
Chef Charles Gabriel's legendary fried chicken spot has a new logo and two new locations in the neighborhood, but the delicious pan-fried chicken hasn't changed one bit.
2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 122nd and 123rd Sts.
This new bistro (the proprietor ran Extra Virgin in the West Village for two decades) is serving Caribbean-Asian fusion dishes like shrimp coconut curry stew and more.
2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 120th St
Contemporary soul food destination known for its red velvet pancakes.
747 St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts
Old-school seafood spot with fried fish sandwiches and more.
101 Edgecombe Ave and W 139th St
Sister-owned restaurant reflecting the duo's British and Jamaican heritage.
684 St. Nicholas Ave and 145th St
Old-school fried fish joint where the lines are always out the door.
109 Malcolm X Blvd between W 115th and W 116th Sts
Creative rice bowls from James Beard Award-nominated chef JJ Johnson.
1694 Park Ave and E 119th St
The two sisters behind Harlem favorite The Edge have opened this spot across town serving classic cocktails, mocktails, and a small menu with dishes including coconut fish sandwiches, cheeseburgers and hot honey fried chicken.
1944 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 117th and W 118th Sts
Welcoming Caribbean storefront serving jerk chicken and more.
2308 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 135th and W 136th Sts
House-made biscuit sandwiches heaped with fried chicken; bacon, eggs & cheese; and more.
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.
W 139th St and Lenox Ave
Owners Tyrell Dixon and Kiana Miles run both a food truck and a popular watermelon stand.
1528 Amsterdam between W 135th and W 136th Sts
Homey food, from omelettes to salads to sandwiches, in a welcoming space.
1239 Amsterdam Ave and W 121st St
Popular Ethiopian since 1988.
300 W 114th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd
Soul food destination by Melba Wilson, who was "born, bred and buttered in Harlem."
1708 Amsterdam Ave between W 144th and W 145th Sts
Tiny storefront selling freshly-made Jamaican patties, cakes and drinks.
60 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
This new 4,500-square-foot restaurant from the team behind Ponty Bistro is serving up steak and seafood on Harlem's legendary strip.
2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and W 139th St
Creative French meets West African on a sunny neighborhood corner.
310 Lenox Ave between W 125th and W 126th Sts
Marcus Samuelsson's world-famous tribute to Harlem.
2374 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Lounge serving popular lobster truffle mac and cheese, plus cocktails.
55 St. Nicholas Ave at W 113th St
Known as New York's only Somali restaurant.
196 Malcolm X Blvd at W 120th St
Italian baked goods and comfort food, plus cocktails.
328 Malcolm X Blvd between W 126th and W 127th Sts
Famous soul food destination frequented by locals and tourists alike.
1280 Fifth Ave between E 109th and E 110th Sts
Stylish fast-casual African eatery from chef Pierre Thiam.
763 St. Nicholas Ave between W 148th and 149th Sts
Ethiopian meets Mediterranean in a historic Harlem space.
• 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.
2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 119th St
Chic wine spot with Spanish- and Italian-influenced plates.
2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Lively French bistro decorated with colorful bric-a-brac.
Cafes
85 E 125th St and Park Ave
Serving up its signature ginger juice, coffee, pastries, and more.
2259 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and 133rd St
Chef Ejhadji Cisse of Harlem's Ponty Bistro is behind this stylish all-day cafe offering coffee, French pastries, warm sandwiches and a whole lot more.
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.
137 W 116th St between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
Tiny coffee shop featuring a range of small roasters.
• 2754 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 146th St
• 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
381 Lenox Ave between W 129th and W 130th Sts
Modern hookah bar with cocktails and bites.
2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Craft beer destination opened by three HBCU graduates.
2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 112th and W 113th Sts
Group painting classes with a side of fun cocktails.
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Harlem's top spot for live music.
Desserts and wine
1610 Amsterdam Ave between W 139th and W 140th Sts
Bright destination for creamy house-made gelato, plus beautiful flower cakes and cupcakes, puddings, and more.
2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Chocolates and more inspired by Harlem's rich history.
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 Sauvignon Blanc, anyone?
192 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
Named after owner Loretta Alston (not the West Coast city), this small neighborhood bakery specializes in moist cupcakes in flavors like red velvet, sea salt caramel, and loaded Oreo, plus sliced cake, cinnamon rolls, cookies and more.
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.
1553 Lexington Ave between E 99th and E 110th Sts
Possibly the moistest carrot cake in all of New York.
409 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves
This Harlem institution, known for its frosted layer cakes and cupcakes, has a prime location on 125th Street.
2380 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at W 139th St
A division of Make My Cake, specializing in Southern desserts.
• 1642 Lexington Ave btwn E 103rd and 104th Sts
• 184 Lenox Ave between W 119th and W 120th Sts
• 3629 Broadway between W 149th and W 150th Sts
Trio of family-run shops selling small-batch ice cream.
122 Hamilton Pl between 142nd and 143rd Sts
The pies are the year-round draw at this 28-year-old small business. Choose from fruit-filled varieties like the apple and three-berry or the Yelp-approved sweet potato pie. Yep, there's also pecan and pumpkin.
Shopping and services
2522 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 134th and W 135th Sts
This second-generation flower shop sells arrangements for all occasions.
24 E 125th St between Madison and Fifth Aves
Contemporary looks for special occasions in sizes 12 and up.
273 W 121st St and St. Nicholas Ave
Super-stylish handcrafted hats.
2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 114th and W 115th Sts
Artistic arrangements for any occasion.
248 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Harlem's first licensed cannabis shop is located directly across the street from the Apollo.
84 W 120th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
Children's toy and book store owned by a retired schoolteacher.
• 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.
734 St. Nicholas Ave between W 146th and W 147th Sts
Pup boarding, daycare and top-notch grooming.
245 Lenox Ave between W 122nd and W 123rd Sts
Custom-made and ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and more.
1775 Madison Ave between E 116th and E 117th Sts
Intimate kettlebell studio from Harlem fitness pro Jah Washington.
• 56 W 117th St between Fifth Ave and Malcolm X Blvd
• 301 W 118th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd
• 60 W 129th St and Malcolm X Blvd
Reformer, barre, and mat classes at three locations across Harlem.
2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
Graphic tees and more with a Harlem vibe.
2283 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 134th and W 135th Sts
Sharp, custom-made hats in all styles and for all occasions.
24 W 120th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
Small gallery in a historic Harlem brownstone with a focus on Harlem-based artists.
2373 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Art gallery focused on the African diaspora.
66 Edgecombe between W 137th and W 138th Sts
Rare fragrances sold from the parlor floor of a Harlem townhouse.
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).
191 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
Unique gifts made by BIPOC creatives.
Top interior designer known for her Harlem Toile line of wallpaper, fabric and accessories.
775 St Nicholas Ave and 149th St
Spa services—massage, waxing, skin and nail care—located in a historic Harlem building.
200 W 138th St and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
Contemporary event designer working out of the original Red Rooster speakeasy space.
Thank you for this list. I suggest that you also talk about the Black walking Harlem tour guides and how even if you’re a New Yorker, you’ll learn some
Hidden history. Yahblackmanhattan on IG and harlemheritagetours are two companies that I know of. Also, bookstores like Sisters should be listed and the Schomburg Shop (you’d have to check to see if that’s Black owned) but the library itself is for Black culture and history. My book All Black Errythang which celebrates Black history and culture is sold there.
While all these businesses are wonderful, you seem to have left out all the amazing stores for African goods and fashion such as African Paradise at 327 Malcolm X Blvd, and Alna Textiles at 1941 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, as well as smaller restaurants like Accra at 2065 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, Patisserie Des Ambassades at 2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd, and Freddy's Soul/Mangoville at 1980 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, just to name a few. There are LOTS more in this smaller/local category. I urge you to keep looking and adding to this list!
Don't forget Grandma's Place - great gift shopping for kids of all ages just off Lenox Ave!
https://www.grandmasplaceinharlem.com/pages/meet-grandma