After some truly challenging times, the city's food and drink scene began to regain its footing in 2022—and uptown was no exception.
Exhibit A: The wave of new bars, restaurants and cafes that washed over Harlem and beyond last year, including the crowd-pleasing new location of a beloved fried chicken joint, two new options for vegan food, plus fresh outposts from uptown favorites.
Here's a list to get you started:
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 opening last year then 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
This Queens-based pizza chain 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.
April
West Harlem 2331 12th Ave and W 133rd St
Chinese food meets hip hop culture at this restaurant and nightlife spot with bottle service.
Central Harlem 2100 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 113th and W 114th Sts
This plant-based sensation has outgrown its popular ghost kitchen on 135th Street and opened a bright sit-down restaurant serving up vegan soul food, burgers and shakes.
Central Harlem 137 W 116th St between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
A new specialty coffee shop has taken over the old Shuteye Coffee space, featuring roasters like Harlem-based Plowshares.
March
Central Harlem 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 a bit. Pair your order with classic soul-food sides like corn bread, mac & cheese, and collard greens.
February
Central Harlem 2220 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts
The team behind Chilean pastry shop Dulceria has opened a wine and tapas bar right next door specializing in Spanish and Chilean wine.
Inwood 4736 Broadway between Arden and Thayer Sts
South American-inspired small plates plus wine and cocktails in the cozy space that used to be Tannat.
January
Hamilton Heights 1610 Amsterdam Ave between W 139th and W 140th Sts
A new spot for creamy house-made gelato (look for unexpected flavors like pink bubble gum and raspberry rosewater), plus beautiful flower cakes and cupcakes, puddings, and more.
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