Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Celebrity Chef and Harlem resident Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant. Nightclub downstairs. Gospel brunch on Sundays. Reservations recommended.
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Red Rooster
310 Lenox AveCelebrity Chef and Harlem resident Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant. Nightclub downstairs. Gospel brunch on Sundays. Reservations recommended.
Modern soul food. Delicious, casual and right around the corner.
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BLVD Bistro NY
2149 Frederick Douglass BlvdModern soul food. Delicious, casual and right around the corner.
Harlem Shake
100 W 124th StGood burgers and shakes. Family friendly.
SETTEPANI
196 Malcolm X BlvdFriendly and classic. Satisfying Italian food.
Great brunch spot; casual. The Acapulco breakfast is my favorite.
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Il Cafe Latte 1
189 Malcolm X BlvdGreat brunch spot; casual. The Acapulco breakfast is my favorite.
Harlem Pizza
100 W 125th StA good wood-fired pizza option.
Levain Bakery - Harlem
2167 Frederick Douglass BlvdThe best cookies in NYC, at 800 calories a wallop.
Delicious Middle Eastern food. Unique gift shop. Beware the hot sauce -- it really is.
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Silvana
300 W 116th StDelicious Middle Eastern food. Unique gift shop. Beware the hot sauce -- it really is.
Babbalucci
331 Malcolm X BlvdGood wood-fired pizza; Italian food.
Marcus Samuelsson's second Harlem restaurant. Nice roasted whole chicken.
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Streetbird Rotisserie
2149 Frederick Douglass BoulevardMarcus Samuelsson's second Harlem restaurant. Nice roasted whole chicken.
Sylvia's Restaurant
328 Malcolm X BlvdWhere the Queen of soul food reigns.
Healthy Indian-inspired food and drink; fascinating decor. Service can be slow.
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Chaiwali
West 124th StreetHealthy Indian-inspired food and drink; fascinating decor. Service can be slow.
Yuzu
350 Lenox AveThe best affordable sushi place in the neighborhood.
High-end sushi for purists. No wasabi or California rolls here. You will need a reservation to sit at the counter.
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Sushi Inoue
381A Malcolm X BlvdHigh-end sushi for purists. No wasabi or California rolls here. You will need a reservation to sit at the counter.
Our go-to pizza place. Delicious wood-fired pizza and Italian restaurant in a Brownstone garden level space. Casual and family-friendly.
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Sottocasa Pizzeria
227 Malcolm X BlvdOur go-to pizza place. Delicious wood-fired pizza and Italian restaurant in a Brownstone garden level space. Casual and family-friendly.
Warm and elegant atmosphere. Mid-Century Modern Decor. Delicious food reflective of Harlem culture.
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Renaissance Harlem
2245 Adam Clayton Powell Jr BlvdWarm and elegant atmosphere. Mid-Century Modern Decor. Delicious food reflective of Harlem culture.
Harlem Taco & Bowl Company
2288 Frederick Douglass BlvdCreate an Asian or Latino taco bowl. Gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Drinks & Nightlife
Barawine Harlem
200 Malcolm X BlvdI haven't been there but it always looks busy.
Located in Red Rooster restaurant, downstairs. Different type of live music every night. Cover fee.
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Ginny's Supper Club
310 Malcolm X BlvdLocated in Red Rooster restaurant, downstairs. Different type of live music every night. Cover fee.
Claims to be the oldest dive bar in NYC (and it looks like it, just so you know). Live jazz jams every night with no cover.
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Paris Blues
2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr BlvdClaims to be the oldest dive bar in NYC (and it looks like it, just so you know). Live jazz jams every night with no cover.
I-Apollo Theater
253 W 125th StDiscover the next star at Amateur Night!
Sightseeing
A lesser-known but lovely garden with fountains and a lily pond.
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Ulwazi lwase-Conservatory
1233 5th AveA lesser-known but lovely garden with fountains and a lily pond.
The fourth largest Christian church in the world. You may get to see a white peacock roaming the gardens.
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IKathidrali yaseSt John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam AveThe fourth largest Christian church in the world. You may get to see a white peacock roaming the gardens.
A smaller, more intimate service at the oldest church in Harlem. Sunday worship service at 11 am. Call 212-534-5856 to confirm. Between Lexington and 3rd Aves.
Elmendorf Reformed Church
171 E 121st StA smaller, more intimate service at the oldest church in Harlem. Sunday worship service at 11 am. Call 212-534-5856 to confirm. Between Lexington and 3rd Aves.
A large congregation and choir popular with tourists. Services are Sundays at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 am. Call 212-864-5976 to confirm. Cross street is W. 116 St.
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First Corinthian Baptist Church
1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr BlvdA large congregation and choir popular with tourists. Services are Sundays at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 am. Call 212-864-5976 to confirm. Cross street is W. 116 St.
A large congregation with services at 8:30 and 11 am on Sundays; 6:45 pm on Wednesdays. Call 212-860-1510 to confirm. Located on 120th St. between 5th and Madison Aves.
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Bethel Gospel Assembly
2-26 E 120th StA large congregation with services at 8:30 and 11 am on Sundays; 6:45 pm on Wednesdays. Call 212-860-1510 to confirm. Located on 120th St. between 5th and Madison Aves.
Entertainment & Activities
A skating rink in winter and swimming pool in summer. It may not have Wollman Rink's views, but the prices are much nicer. Enter Central Park from Lenox/Malcolm X or ACP and you'll see it ahead.
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Lasker Rink
110 Lenox AveA skating rink in winter and swimming pool in summer. It may not have Wollman Rink's views, but the prices are much nicer. Enter Central Park from Lenox/Malcolm X or ACP and you'll see it ahead.
Much easier to get to than the Bronx Zoo. The penguins and polar bears are must-sees. Take the M2 from Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
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Central Park Zoo
East 64th StreetMuch easier to get to than the Bronx Zoo. The penguins and polar bears are must-sees. Take the M2 from Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
Sandwiched between Times Square and Grand Central, Bryant Park is one of my favorite city parks. In winter there is an open air ice skating rink with the best music and a pop-up shopping village for gifts and snacks. Summer features movie nights on the lawn and a children's carousel. Check bryantpark.org for the schedule. The New York City main public library is open year-round.
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Bryant Park
Sandwiched between Times Square and Grand Central, Bryant Park is one of my favorite city parks. In winter there is an open air ice skating rink with the best music and a pop-up shopping village for gifts and snacks. Summer features movie nights on the lawn and a children's carousel. Check bryantpark.org for the schedule. The New York City main public library is open year-round.
Essentials
This drug store has basic groceries like milk, juice, and yogurt. It also has personal supplies and a pharmacy.
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CVS
115 W 125th StThis drug store has basic groceries like milk, juice, and yogurt. It also has personal supplies and a pharmacy.
Right around the corner; known for a great selection of healthy and trendy foods. Features an extensive salad bar, Indian, Louisiana Bayou, and soup bars (rotating menu); breakfast bar from 7 to 10 am.
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Whole Foods Market
100 W 125th StRight around the corner; known for a great selection of healthy and trendy foods. Features an extensive salad bar, Indian, Louisiana Bayou, and soup bars (rotating menu); breakfast bar from 7 to 10 am.
Miss Bubble Laundromat
1492 5th AveYou can drop-off and pick-up.
Everything Else
Lowest rates but CASH ONLY. Entrance is on W. 126 St. (one-way going west). 212-531-3418
Propark America
1090 Amsterdam AveLowest rates but CASH ONLY. Entrance is on W. 126 St. (one-way going west). 212-531-3418
Arts & Culture
The main campus on W. 116 St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Aves. is a nice place for a stroll. Columbia's Miller Theater is a great place to see a show when you don't have the energy for another trip to Midtown.
millertheatre.com
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Columbia University
116th and BroadwayThe main campus on W. 116 St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Aves. is a nice place for a stroll. Columbia's Miller Theater is a great place to see a show when you don't have the energy for another trip to Midtown.
millertheatre.com
One of my favorite museums in the city. More manageable in size and wonderful exhibits about New York City history and culture.
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I-Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th AveOne of my favorite museums in the city. More manageable in size and wonderful exhibits about New York City history and culture.
Shows are all family friendly -- our favorite for kids and adults alike. Consistently excellent programming. The lobby has pre-show activities and lockers.
New Victory Theater
209 W 42nd StShows are all family friendly -- our favorite for kids and adults alike. Consistently excellent programming. The lobby has pre-show activities and lockers.