MY FAVORITE HARLEM RESTAURANTS
Maison Harlem
Grab your knife and fork, its time to head uptown.
Harlem has become the new place to dine out and eat fabulously. With a recent makeover in the last few years, neighborhoods in Harlem have welcomed new flavors and have become crowned the new "restaurant row". No matter the day when you clock out of work, people are heading uptown and checking in to some of the dopest restaurants in the city.
Anything you want to eat can be found up and down the streets of Harlem, so make sure to grab a table at my 10 favorite Harlem restaurants and bring an appetite, these places are sure to have you eating fabulously.
Vinateria - Vinateria hands down is my favorite restaurant in Harlem. This small black chic yet cozy restaurant celebrates food via Spain and Italy. Every time I dine at Vinateria whether it be at the communal table, a cozy corner or at the bar, the food and dining experience just get better and better. Order my favorite black spaghetti with octopus, spicy veal meatballs or the smoked salmon eggs benedict for brunch. The creme brulee and the olive oil cake are must haves before you leave.
2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd, N.Y. N.Y. 10026
Lido - I started going to Lido for dinner when it first opened. Then quickly discovered the blueberry pancakes and unlimited mimosas were a hit weekend after weekend for brunch. No matter what time of day you dine at LIDO the food is delicious. I highly suggest making a reservation for brunch. It's that serious. 2168 Frederick Douglas Blvd, N.Y. N.Y. 10026
LoLo's Seafood Shack - You don't have to wait until summer to crack crab legs and peel shrimp here at LoLo's. This is one of my favorite places in Harlem to get super flavorful seafood with authentic island roots. Make sure to grab some crabby dip, wok seared cauliflower, a LoLo's seafood pot and a soft shell crab sandwich which are just a few of my favorites.
303 West 116th Street, N.Y. N.Y. 10026
Harlem Tavern -This bustling beer garden sitting on the corner of 116th and 8th Ave is the perfect place no matter the season to grab some drinks and laugh out loud with friends. In the summer it's a great spot to people watch too. 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026
The crab legs at LoLo's
BLVD Bistro - Chef Carlos Swepson gets it right at BLVD Bistro, as I tell him every time I see him. The biscuits are to die for along with several dinner and brunch options like the double cut pork chop, the shrimp & grits, and the buttermilk pancakes. I suggest this restaurant for when your family comes to town and you need to roll up yourselves, eat fabulously and enjoy each other's company. Its a small restaurant so call ahead and reserve a table if you can. 239 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027
Red Rooster - We have all heard that Harlem is a melting pot for cultures and the scene at Red Rooster is prime example. Every night Red Rooster is jumping with music, great food, and people coming from all over to hang out and thats just at the bar. Don't miss my favorites on the menu, the deviled eggs, the Harlem chowder, and of course the signature Helga's meatballs. Right under Red Rooster is Ginny's, its sister place for late night crafted cocktails and live music. 310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027
Charlie's Place - I came across this small sushi takeout place during my internship with Chef Marcus Samuelsson. I was first skeptical but after sampling some fresh sushi and other things from their takeout menu this is a great place to grab a quick bite while walking along 125th street. I like their appetizers and the rainbow roll is packed with freshly sliced fish.
1960 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10035
Maison Harlem - If your looking for classic French cuisine without heading to France, Madison Harlem is the place to be. I dined here with my family for lunch over the summer and we praised the classic French food (hello duck leg confit, carbonara, and mussels mariniere) and attention to detail.
341 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10027
