After some truly challenging times, the city's food and drink scene has begun to regain its footing—and uptown is no exception.
Exhibit A: The wave of new bars, restaurants and cafes washing over Harlem and beyond in the last year, including the crowd-pleasing new location of a beloved fried chicken joint and two recently-opened food halls.
Here's a running list to get you started:
September
Sugar Hill 750A St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts
This casual spot, which first opened last year then temporarily closed for a reboot, is now a destination for barbecue, drinks and live music.
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
A 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 Thu-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 Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo.
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), but it also serves up more traditional slices with a variety of toppings.
Central Harlem 2167 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd between W 128th and W 129th Sts
Easily spotted by its large 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 that runs 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 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 new 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 Broadway corner, this bar and restaurant with a slight retro vibe offers craft cocktails, beers and a recently-introduced dinner menu.
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 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.
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.
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