After some truly challenging times, the city's food scene has begun to regain its footing—and uptown is no exception.
Exhibit A: The wave of bars, cafes and restaurant openings washing over Harlem and beyond in the last eleven months, including the crowd-pleasing new location of a beloved fried chicken joint, two new food halls, plus a buzzy new eatery with accessibility at its core.
Here's a running list to get you started:
May
Hamilton Heights 3569 Broadway and W 146th St
This new hangout with a slightly retro vibe is holding a soft opening, offering craft cocktails, beers and small bites in a roomy corner space on Broadway.
April
West Harlem 2331 12th Ave and W 133rd St
Chinese food meets hip hop culture at this new 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 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 local roaster 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.
2021
December
Washington Heights 3952 Broadway between W 165th and W 166th Sts
Right across from New York-Presbyterian Medical Center, this new ramen spot is also the place for dumplings and rice bowls.
Washington Heights 813 W 187th St between Fort Washington Ave and Pinehurst Ave
Pastry chef Karah Rempe has opened her first bakery in the neighborhood, offering bread, pastries, and other treats made in-house. Now also serving breakfast.
November
Central Harlem 2224 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 120th St
This new gastropub from the Lido team is the spot to watch international sports—from soccer to cricket—while grazing on menu items like pigs in a blanket, open-faced grilled gruyere cheese sandwiches, and vegetarian chili, all by executive chef Serena Bass.
Hamilton Heights 1707 Amsterdam Ave between W 144th and W 145th Sts
A new coffee shop serving Counter Culture brews and "beautiful things" by POC- and women-owned brands—including pieces from fashion brand William Okpo that owner Lizzy Okpo runs with her sister.
Hamilton Heights 3604 Broadway between W 148th and W 149th Sts
A new craft beer spot that's both a bar and a shop, with 16 tap lines and refrigerators stocked with more than 250 beers and ciders from around the world.
Central Harlem 370 Lenox Ave between W 128th and W 129th Sts
A Filipino chef and a pair of DJs have opened this new juice bar with signature smoothies like the Harlem Shake, made with mango, baby spinach, avocado, blueberries, and almond milk.
October
La Chula at Northend Food Hall
Washington Heights 4300 Broadway and W 183rd St
This 6,000-square-foot dining hall finally has its second food stall: La Chula, serving up Mexico City-style tacos, burritos and tortas filled with everything from beef birria to a meat-free mix of mushrooms, zucchini and cheese.
East Harlem 232 E 111th St between Second and Third Aves
A shiny new Italian Roastery—the blue Probat roaster is right behind the counter—has opened in a 4,000-square-foot space offering everything from espressos to Chemex pour-overs. There's also breakfast, lunch and gelato.
Washington Heights 805 W 187th St between Fort Washington Ave and Pinehurst Ave
The owners of Tampopo Ramen have debuted a new spot a bit further uptown featuring traditional sushi, fresh udon noodles and donburi rice bowls.
September
West Harlem 3229 Broadway at W 130th St
A full-service tapas restaurant inside the Manhattanville Market where you can end the day with good wine, cocktails and traditional Spanish small plates like Ibérico ham and shrimp with garlic.
Hamilton Heights 126 Hamilton Pl between W 142nd and W 143rd Sts
This spot that used to be Hogshead Tavern has been transformed into a speakeasy-style cocktail bar featuring live jazz from Thursdays to Sundays.
August
East Harlem 2108 Second Ave between E 108th and E 109th Sts
This Mexican mom-and-pop recently opened a new location offering more birria quesatacos and cemitas, plus breakfast burritos and classic desserts like churros and tres leches.
East Harlem 1693 Lexington Ave between E 106th and E 107th Sts
From the team behind East Harlem Bottling Co. comes this 25-seat cocktail bar with sharable plates, including oysters on the half shell.
July
East Harlem 177 E 100th St between Lexington and Third Aves
The owners of Belgian mousse bar Mojo have opened this festive Brazilian-inspired cocktail bar, serving small plates like stuffed pao de queijo, right next door.
Central Harlem 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 113th and W 114th Sts
A neighborhood favorite for fresh tacos and margaritas, this Mexican spot just debuted its third Harlem location.
June
East Harlem 88 E 111 St between Park and Madison Aves
Designed with accessibility in mind, this new East Harlem gem includes two different bar counter heights and plenty of space to move around. On the menu are Peruvian-influenced dishes like ceviche and creamy quinoa, plus wines made by folks from indigenous backgrounds, the BIPOC community, and more.
West Harlem 341 St. Nicholas Ave and W 127th St
A new pizza joint with properly crusty slices and pies in flavors including vodka, bianca (white), and sausage & broccoli.
Harlem Public at Northend Food Hall
Washington Heights Broadway and 183rd St
This long-awaited food hall's first restaurant, Harlem Public, is finally open and serving its signature fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, and fun drinks like the Pop Rocks margarita.
Central Harlem 2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Chef Darryl Burnette's new cafe—complete with swings—is right next door to his small gem, Belle Harlem. Already a hit: the made-from-scratch bagels.
West Harlem 409 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves
This Harlem institution, known for its frosted layer cakes and cupcakes, has opened its third bakery right on 125th Street.
West Harlem 3229 Broadway and W 130th St
A glossy new food hall on Columbia's West Harlem campus that's home to four food concepts offering everything from thick biscuit sandwiches to creamy hummus bowls.
Central Harlem 2340 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and W 137th St
This colorful taco spot closed its location on Lenox Avenue and 118th Street a few years ago, but is now back in the old Ruby's Vintage space.
Skinny's Cantina on the Hudson
West Harlem 701 W 133rd St and 12th Ave
A new Mexican spot where you can pair your tacos with pitchers of frozen margaritas and enjoy it all on the huge outdoor terrace.
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