Restaurants in Harlem: 9 Must-Try Spots with Flavor and Soul

As an uptowner based in Washington Heights, I’ve fallen in love with these best restaurants in Harlem.

From Afro-Caribbean fusion haunts in El Barrio to heartwarming and mouthwatering soul food, there’s so much to love (and eat!) in Harlem.

There’s hard hitters like Sylvia’s, which has been in business for over 60 years (yes, you read that right!), to fantastic fast-casual spots like Teranga offering African delights.

Without further ado, let’s dive into these best restaurants in Harlem!

Best Soul Food in Harlem

1. Amy Ruth’s

Amy Ruth has been serving comfort food in Harlem for over 25 years, and I learned why upon first bite.

Almost as memorable as their epic soul food are their uplifting murals of legendary black figures that grace the walls of this establishment.

Plus, the menu items are named after famous and notable black figures, like the Rev. Al Sharpton, which you’ve got to try. The fried chicken is crispy af on the outside and alive on the inside, retaining tons of moisture. The waffles are extra eggy and fluffy.

The secret?

“Always cook with a good attitude,” head chef Sister Jannette Mohammed said. “You put that good energy into the food, so when the person is eating the food, they can taste that love. That is the key.”

While the chef-founder Carl S. Redding has since passed away, his concept of “treating people with love and care … like family” still lives on today, said Sister Jannette.

It’s no wonder regulars frequent this place. “I can say that the regulars are pretty loyal to whatever it is they get, and they absolutely expect you to know it,” server of 13 years Tashii Jacobs said.

Amy Ruth’s has just opened a downtown location on 14 St.

2. Sylvia’s Restaurant

The South Carolina Lowcountry food here is the real deal. It’s no exaggeration to say that Sylvia’s is a Harlem fixture; they’ve been in business for over 60 years since Sylvia Woods opened shop in 1962.

Everything stands out from the first bite, from the side dishes to the fried chicken, which is seasoned to the bone.

And I get why. “Our main ingredient is love,” Sylvia’s granddaughter and manager Kendra said. “If you’re not cooking with love, your food is not gonna taste good. And that’s something my grandparents used to say.”

I’ve felt that love from the personable, amazing staff at Sylvia’s, too.

“I like our elders in the community,” Kendra said, who “come in honestly, maybe 2-3 times a week.” A lot of “elders that live in Harlem are originally from the South or from the Islands,” and “they don’t maybe have as much family here anymore as they wanted, so this is a sense of home for them,” she said.

The college scholarship that Sylvia created in memory of her husband Herbert continues, and the foundation has awarded over $500,000 since its founding.

3. Red Rooster

The food is tasty at Red Rooster, but what I love most about the comfort food restaurant is the sophisticated, elevated ambiance. While there’s plenty of casually dressed diners, come in your best classy outfit and down comfort food classics by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.

The rustic steel chicken sculptures are tastefully placed around the venue.

4. Chocolat Harlem

Chocolàt is the neighborhood spot for soul food classics in elevated space and smooth R&B classics. Here, the Southern food with Caribbean flare is rich and delicious and the cocktails are punchy and strong. Come for brunch; the red velvet pancakes with fried chicken won’t dissapoint ($32). Add $25 for bottomless mimosas and $30 for bottomless bellinis. This black-owned restaurant was founded by Leon Ellis, a Tuskegee grad who was born and raised in Clarendon, Jamaica.

Address: 2223 Frederick Douglass Boulevard @120th St, Harlem, NY 10026

Best Restaurants in Harlem for Date Night

5. Maison Harlem

Maison Harlem is a quintessential neighborhood corner French bistro with consistently delicious food and cozy vibes that keep you coming back.

Where else can you get a Bloody Mary for $8 during happy hour?

Maison is full of regulars and has been a neighborhood fixture for 12 years, having survived through a fire and only closed for one day during covid (because of 3 feet of snow).

Expect delicious food and plenty of light during the day.

6. The Good Good

The portions are huge, the music is rolling and the laid-back ceiling fans whir overhead. At The Good Good, it all comes together like a warm hug. Beer-battered basa catfish is way too wide for the brioche buns and are showered with tangy BBQ slaw ($23). The bistro is owned by sisters Juliet and Justine Masters (who run The Edge Harlem) and designer Lesly Bernard, whose Caribbean heritage is reflected in the menu.

7. Contento

With upscale vibes and thoughtfully plated Afro-Caribbean soul food with Peruvian influences, Contento is a lovely place to try something new. Contento was founded by Yannick Benjamin, a second generation restauranteur and full-time wheelchair user whose establishment is also accessible. Get a plate of yuca in rocoto pepper sauce ($17), followed with feijoada, a black bean stew with beef cheek, bacon and sausage ($40).

Best Fast Casual Restaurants in Harlem

8. Harlem Shake

Lovers of smash burgers will love Harlem Shake. Yes, the food and milkshakes are delicious, but what makes the place legendary is undeniably their retro decor. On the walls are hundreds of autographed headshots of famous Harlem figures like Maya Angelou and Janelle Monae, and the bathrooms are a fantastically dizzying collage of Jet Magazine covers. The old-school diner vibes make what would otherwise be a fast-casual experience a truly memorable one. Though it hits the nail with the nostalgic aura, Harlem Shake was actually born in 2013, after founder Jelena Pasic fell in love with the neighborhood and worked to create “a dining experience that would pay homage to Harlem’s singular history and capture the spirit of the region.”

9. Teranga

Senegal-raised co-founder and James Beard award-winning chef Pierre Thiam brings African dishes to Teranga, with a focus on incorporating African super foods. You can dine-in or takeout at this fast-casual dinery flanking the northeastern corner of Central Park. The ancient vegan bowl comes with slowly burning jollof rice topped with efo riro kale stew and a side of kelewele roasted plantains ($14).

Best Restaurants in Harlem (Conclusion)

In this article, we went over the best restaurants in Harlem.

If you’re searching for a casual spot with stellar soul food offerings in this uptown neighborhood, look no further than Amy Ruth’s and Sylvia’s.

The heart of Harlem is the perfect place to enjoy great food with live music to celebrate the incredible diversity of New York City and black culture in the United States.

There’s so many perfect options for date night as well, like French restaurant Maison Harlem.

1. Amy Ruth’s
2. Sylvia’s Restaurant
3. Red Rooster
4. Chocolat Harlem
5. Maison Harlem
6. The Good Good
7. Contento
8. Harlem Shake
9. Teranga

Thank you for checking out my article about the best restaurants in Harlem!