Our 5 Favorite Harlem Restaurants … Right Now

Once a well-kept secret among local residents and adventurous foodies, Harlem's fantastic restaurant scene is now a well-known fact across the five boroughs and beyond.

In Central Harlem — stretching from Central Park to 155th Street, between the Hudson River and East Harlem — you'll find an eclectic mix of establishments that are as vibrant as the neighborhood that surrounds them. Offering old-school soul food, international fare and New American influences, these restaurants boast some of the most intriguing food and exciting young culinary talent in the city

Take your appetite across 110th Street, and see what all the buzz is about.

Frequently named one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city, Abyssinia is set in a modest space on 135th Street. Chef and Owner Frehiwot Reta came to the U.S. from Ethiopia nearly 20 years ago and quickly became known for her injera — the traditional flatbread that serves as both platter and utensil — which she sold out of her Harlem home. Benefitting from spices supplied from relatives still residing in Ethiopia, mounds of classic dishes like steak kitfo and misir wat (lentil stew) are served on large rounds of injera and meant to be shared. Bring your friends and adventurous appetite.

This lively hotspot has been dishing up soul food specialties to locals and celebrities for more than 50 years. Although founder Sylvia Woods, the "Queen of Soul Food," passed away in 2012, you can still feel the history and passion for food here, thanks to her children's and grandchildren's dedication to sustaining her legacy. Enjoy classic Southern fried chicken, grits, collard greens and fried catfish, and be sure to check out the "World-Famous Sunday Gospel Brunch."

Billing itself as "the premier comfort food destination," Melba's features expected entries like meatloaf, mac & cheese and mashed potatoes, punctuated by surprising fare, including spring rolls and empanadas. The restaurant earns top Zagat scores among Harlem restaurants, not only for the food, but also for the friendly service and well-appointed surroundings. Founder Melba Wilson is a Harlem native, and her upcoming cookbook means that you can try your hand at southern comfort food in the comfort of your home.

Innovative chef Marcus Samuelsson is often credited with the Harlem food scene's current renaissance, and with an endlessly creative menu that offers Southern specialties with European and African influences, it's no surprise the James Beard winner has received such accolades. Samuelsson, born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, first came to prominence as the executive chef at Aquavit and went on to open Red Rooster in 2010. From blackened delta catfish to udon noodles with octopus, expect the unexpected at this always-crowded hotspot.

Offering mouthwatering Caribbean seafood and street eats, this tiny, quaint spot on 116th Street earns top scores among Zagat and Yelp diners alike. Seafood boils — peel & eat shrimp, crab legs or crawfish — will satisfy healthy appetites, while unique fry baskets and sandwiches provide smaller bites. Vegetarians will delight in the wide range of veggie sides, including seared cauliflower, dirty rice and sweet plantains. Great outdoor seating and a friendly wait staff add to the charm of this hidden Harlem gem.

 Interested in more great locations for food and drink? Check out more of our food blogs!

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