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 72—and counting—terrific spots.
Note that some have shortened hours due to the pandemic—be sure to check their website or social media platforms to find the best way to show your love.
And if you don't see your favorite Black-owned Harlem business here, shout it out in the comments below.
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.
2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and W 139th St
Elevated twelve-seater where both food and service is firmly in the hands of the two owners.
2795 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 148th and W149th Sts
Tiny-but-popular Ethiopian spot.
2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 116th St
Modern take on soul food.
280 Lenox Ave and W 124th St
Jamaican in the heart of Harlem.
Charles' Country Pan-Fried Chicken
2461 Frederick Douglas Blvd at W 132nd St
Fried chicken prepared the old-fashioned way.
2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 120th St
Modern, eclectic soul food.
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
Legendary fried fish joint where the lines are always out the door (takeout only).
109 Malcolm X Blvd between W 115th and W 116th Sts
Creative rice bowls from star chef JJ Johnson.
1944 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 117th and W 118th Sts
Welcoming Caribbean storefront serving jerk chicken and more.
At 67 Orange Street, 2082 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 112th and W 113th Sts
House-made biscuit sandwiches featuring fried chicken; bacon, eggs & cheese; and more.
Lenox Ave and W 139th St
Healthy food options—smoothies, salads, wraps—out of a food truck.
1528 Amsterdam between W 135th and W 136th Sts
Comfort food in a homey space.
303 W 116th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Ave
Cheerful spot featuring island-style seafood and barbecue.
1239 Amsterdam Ave and W 121st St
Popular Ethiopian since 1988.
300 W 114th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd
Owner Melba Wilson was "born, bred and buttered in Harlem."
2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and W 139th St
Creative French meets West African.
310 Lenox Ave between W 125th and W 126th Sts
Marcus Samuelsson's now world-famous restaurant is a tribute to Harlem.
2592 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 138th St
Chef Russell Jackson's glassy 20-seater is focused on modern Californian cuisine.
2340 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and 137th St
Cocktails, small plates and more in a spot named after Ruby Dee, the legendary actress who grew up in the building.
219 W 116th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Blvd
Known as New York's only Somali restaurant.
55 St. Nicholas Ave and W 113th St
Popular vegan soul food spot run by a mother-and-son team.
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 visited by locals and tourists alike.
1280 Fifth Ave between E 109th and E 110th Sts
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
Serving up fresh juices and vegan food long before it was cool (it's been in business more than 20 years).
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 its signature ginger juice, coffee, crepes, and more.
2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
A year-old coffee shop from the owner of Moca Lounge and Chocolat (on the same block).
2620 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 140th St
Cozy cafe offering breakfast and lunch.
22 E 125th St between Madison and Fifth Aves
Sophisticated tea and coffee with African roots.
300 W 116th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Ave
Relaxed cafe featuring unique gifts.
Bars and lounges
2376 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at W 139th St
Harlem's first Black-owned gay bar.
325 Malcolm X Blvd between W 126th and W 127th Sts
Caribbean-meets-Southern bites in a lounge-like atmosphere.
101 W 127th St and Malcolm X Blvd
Beer and grub spot chock full of ephemera from Harlem's storied past.
2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Craft beer destination opened by three HBCU graduates.
318 W 142nd St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Bradhurst Ave
Community, cocktails, and more.
2210 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 119th St
Cocktail bar with a food menu that includes burgers, wings and more.
2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 112th and W 113th Sts
Group painting classes with a side of fun cocktails.
2374 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Lounge serving popular lobster truffle mac and cheese, plus cocktails.
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Harlem's top spot for live music seven days a week.
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 drink
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 special Black winemakers category. A bottle of Black Girl Magic, anyone?
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 including apricot, raspberry and chocolate.
2380 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at W 139th St
A division of Make My Cake, this cafe specializes in Southern desserts.
2500 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Pop culture-inspired ice cream specializing in waffle ice cream sandwiches.
• 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
24 E 125th St between Madison and Fifth Aves
Contemporary designs for special occasions in sizes 12 and up.
241 Lenox Ave and 122nd Street
The Harlem fashion legend's by-appointment-only studio.
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.
84 W 120th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
Children's toy and book store owned by a retired schoolteacher.
2350 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between 137th and 138th Sts
Boutique cycling studio near historic Strivers' Row.
734 St. Nicholas Ave between W 146th and W 147th Sts
Offering 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.
60 W 129th St and Malcolm X Blvd
Brand-new Pilates studio with seven reformers.
• 20 E 125th St between Fifth and Malcolm X Blvds
•2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd and 120th St
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.
2235 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 131st and W 132nd Sts
Boutique fitness studio offering boot camp, kettlebell workouts, and more.
Vibrant caftans, face masks (in production even before the pandemic), and more from designer Junny Hibbert.
2373 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Focusing on art of the African diaspora.
228 W 135th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Brows, skincare and more.
Manhattanville School of Tailoring
419 W 141st St between St. Nicholas and Convent Aves
A sewing school that has been specializing in printed cotton masks during the pandemic.
66 Edgecombe between W 137th and W 138th Sts
Rare fragrances in the parlor floor of a Harlem townhouse.
2388 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 139th and W 140th Sts
The latest nail trends courtesy of Beyoncé's manicurist (just don't ask for acrylics).
191 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
Unique Harlem-centric cards and gifts.
775 St Nicholas Ave and 149th St
Spa services–massage, waxing, skin and nail care–located in a historic Harlem building.
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