Looking to catch up on the latest restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Harlem and beyond?
From the expansion of a beloved fried chicken joint to the debut of a red-hot vegan burger chain, here's a running list:
April
West Harlem 439 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves
This fried-chicken institution continues its Harlem expansion with a takeout spot on 125th Street.
Hamilton Heights 398 W 145th St between St. Nicholas and Convent Aves
Located steps from the A train is this new Italian restaurant and wine bar with a focus on wood-fired pizza.
Central Harlem 318 W 142nd St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Bradhurst Ave
This bubble tea spot popular with the City College crowd has opened its second Harlem location in the old Hexagon Lounge space.
Washington Heights 554 W 158th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave
The owner of the now-defunct Taszo Coffee Shop has debuted this spacious new cafe with tables and wifi in the front and a cozy computer-free area in the back that's perfect for hanging out.
March
East Harlem 1694 Park Ave and E 119th St
The two sisters behind Harlem's popular The Edge opened this new spot across town serving classic cocktails, mocktails, and a small menu with dishes including coconut fish sandwiches, cheeseburgers and hot honey fried chicken.
Morningside Heights 2911 Broadway between W 113th and W 114th Sts
Customizable Southeast Asian sandwiches and rice bowls courtesy of chef Nils Noren, formerly of Aquavit.
East Harlem 1325 Fifth Ave between E 111th and E 112th Sts
This is the third new location of Harlem's undisputed master of pan-fried chicken since rebranding and announcing an expansion in early 2022.
Central Harlem 300 W 135th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and St. Nicholas Ave
Serving up plant-based burgers with names like One Night Stand and Sloppy Toppy, this popular vegan chain out of Atlanta is now open in Harlem.
East Harlem 1642 Lexington Ave btwn E 103rd and 104th Sts
This family-owned business has a new East Harlem outpost offering not just scoops of ice cream in favorite flavors like Chairperson of the Board (Blueberry Cheesecake), but also soft serve like guava quesito.
February
East Harlem 2162 Second Ave and E 111th St
A classic diner—the long menu includes all-day breakfast, salads, burgers and sandwiches, plus main courses like steak with peppercorn sauce—has opened in the old Mountain Bird space.
Central Harlem 341 St. Nicholas Ave and W 127th St
Year-and-a-half-old slice joint Dado's Pizza has expanded with an adjoining space featuring tables plus cold beer on tap and in cans.
January
Central Harlem Inside Caninta, 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 113th and W 114th Sts
Chef Melvin “Boots” Johnson's daytime biscuit sandwich operation—it's open 8am to 2pm—has moved to Cantina, which includes plenty of indoor seating.
2022
December
Central Harlem 60 W 129th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
This rapidly-expanding coffee chain that grows and roasts its beans on a farm in Puerto Rico—787 refers to the island's area code—opened its 20th NYC location in the old Lenox Coffee space.
October
West Harlem 457 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves
This first Harlem outpost of the L.A.-based chain offers healthy to-go meals priced to match the area's median income (Everytable's food is prepared every morning in a central kitchen, then delivered to locations around the city).
Morningside Heights 3143 Broadway between La Salle St and Tiemann Pl
This sister restaurant to Babbalucci relocated from Amsterdam Avenue to a larger space on Broadway where you'll find the same imaginative brick-oven pizzas as well as belly-warming mains like porchetta and chicken parm.
Washington Heights 3820 Broadway and 159th St
From the Locksmith Bar team comes this new uptown destination for classic Peruvian food, including rotisserie chicken, ceviche and chaufa (Chinese fried rice), plus a tempting variety of pisco sours.
September
Central Harlem 310 Lenox Ave between W 125th and W 126th Sts
Right next door to the famous original, this standalone takeout space is a place to quickly grab Red Rooster favorites like the Yardbird (the restaurant's signature fried chicken), pan-fried catfish and deviled eggs, plus new items like the waffle grilled cheese and an ice cream counter.
Central Harlem 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.
Sugar Hill 750A St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts
After closing temporarily for a reboot, this artist-owned restaurant is now a destination for barbecue, drinks and live music (also drag brunch on Saturdays).
August
Hamilton Heights 1850 Amsterdam Ave btwn 151st and 152nd Sts
This eight-year-old Harlem coffee shop's second outpost—a roomy, open-to-the-public cafe with calming blue walls and plenty of power outlets—is right inside co-working space The Harlem Collective. Find the usual great selection of brews, teas, and pastries—plus a larger menu coming soon.
Hamilton Heights 1623 Amsterdam between W 140th and W 141st Sts
The team behind City College standby Cafe One has opened this casual spot right down the block, serving up everything from burgers to Korean corn dogs.
Hamilton Heights 3599 Broadway and 148th St
This popular ramen spot with locations on the Upper West Side and West Harlem has finally opened its long-planned outpost in Hamilton Heights. The menu here is the same as at the other locations, meaning you can expect a long list of ramen and soba dishes, rice bowls, gyoza and more.
Central Harlem 420 Malcolm X Blvd and W 131st St
From the Pompette wine shop team comes this cozy wine bar right next door—think bentwood chairs and exposed brick walls—also serving up small bites. Currently in soft-open mode (hours are Wed-Sun 5pm to midnight).
Washington Heights 2420 Amsterdam Ave and W 180th St
Tucked inside the colorful new Radio Hotel, this stylish Dominican spot featuring everything from mangu to mofongo is the second branch of a restaurant based in Santo Domingo's historic Ciudad Colonial.
Central Harlem 2210 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 119th St
A Queens-based pizza chain that specializes in an upside-down Sicilian (cheese on the bottom and sauce on the top) as well as traditional slices with a solid variety of toppings.
Central Harlem 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.
July
East Harlem 2258 Third Ave between E 122nd and E 123rd Sts
Fusion tacos, burritos and quesadillas featuring everything from classic pork carnitas to Korean bulgogi.
Central Harlem 264 Lenox Ave between W 123rd and W 124th Sts
Located on the ground floor of a Lenox Avenue brownstone, this new spot from the team at Sottocasa—it's one block up from the popular Neopolitan pizzeria—sells freshly-made pastas to go, plus coffee and an array of Italian pastries.
June
Central Harlem 349 Lenox Ave between W 127th and W 128th Sts
A reliable destination for vegan food and fresh juices since 1994, this takeout spot—a favorite of Mayor Eric Adams—has opened a second location on Lenox Avenue, complete with a small outdoor seating area.
Hamilton Heights 3473 Broadway between W 141 and W 142nd Sts
A Scottish pub pouring pints of Tennet's lager, Belhaven stout, plus "your finest deep fried cuisine," including fish and chips and, yes, fried burgers and chips.
May
Hamilton Heights 3569 Broadway and W 146th St
Occupying a roomy corner space on Broadway, this bar and restaurant with a cozy retro vibe offers craft cocktails, draft beers, a seasonal dinner menu, plus brunch on the weekends.
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