Restaurants

Picks to dining and drinking in Harlem, including the latest restaurant and bar reviews and the best new places to eat and drink in Harlem. Discover Harlem’s best restaurants and bars

With sometime mixed reviews from locals, but loved by everyone Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster (on Lenox Avenue) still gets the best food thumbs up and it doesn’t hurt that they have some great jazz downstairs at Ginny’s curated by jazz guru Greg and Jewel Thomas.

The II Cafe Latte food spot on Lenox Avenue and 120th Street in Central Harlem is a favorite for lite fair, social and/or business meetings. Even better the menu serves up healthy fixens from breakfast, brunch, to lunch, dinners, drinks and deserts. As a nice addition, they have art show of local artists on their walls. Tip: go before are after lunch because it is super crowded.

Deserts

This is one of our fave categories when we’re sitting around thinking of  what our palettes love, top of our list is Make My Cake on 116th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.,. Great customer service and killer cakes, apple cobbler, chocolate cake of all kind. Tip: the cheesecake is the ticket.

Burgers

Checkers, a beloved fast food chain is a great addition to the Washington Heights (not Harlem).  With its trademark red with the black and white drag racing flag logo and drive thru stores, the 125th street location is Harlem’s sole sit-down location. Checkers burgers are juicy and nicely sized at a handful. Their buns are soft and fluffy.  They offer over ten different options including the eponymous Checkers burger, a triple cheeseburger.  Tip: stick with the burgers they are definitely the star of the show.

Jimbo’s offer a variety of diner style food options. The meat is freshly ground daily and  each burger is cooked on a griddle, which keeps the patty moist and tender. You can order your burger prepared just the way you like and can add your choice of  toppings. For those looking to eat less red meat, there is the  tasty turkey burger. Jimbo’s prices are very inexpensive and they most locations offer free delivery. Tip: The most popular option is the Bacon Cheese Burger.

The Village Pourhouse is an experience to remember. This neighborhood sports bar is filled with college students as well as residents from the area. Another great choice is Smokehouse Burger, which marries the aromas of BBQ with a smokey flavored sauce and topped with shoestring onions.  Tip: For the non-meaters, The Village Pourhouse offers a veggie burger which does not skimp on taste or flavor.

Have a spot you love not listed here, post it in the comments section below.

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