Best Soul Food Restaurants In Harlem, New York City, USA

1. Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken

Do you want to visit one of the last old-school fried chicken joints in The Big Apple? Well, make your way to Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken in Harlem. It has been in business for 30 years and continues to be one of the best places in New York City for fried chicken and other Southern soul food favorites like smothered pork chops, chicken and waffle, turkey wings, collard greens and more. For the yummiest pan-fried chicken in NYC, there is no place like Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken.

Must Try: Pan Fried Chicken with Sides, Smothered Pork Chops

Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken

Address: 2461 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: 11AM-12AM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

2. Ponty Bistro

A warm, dark-wood bistro, this is another establishment in New York City that is famous for its French and West African cuisine. When it comes to soul food restaurants in Harlem, Ponty Bistro is one of the best for sure. The food on the menu is created by Chef Cisse and Chef Cheikh, who are both the owners and the executive chefs. Although the original restaurant was located in Gramercy Park, a second location was opened in Harlem and has become a hot favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Must Try: Norwegian Benedict (smoked salmon and home fries), Crab Benedict (fresh crab meat and home fries)

Ponty Bistro

Address: 2375 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, New York

Website: Ponty Bistro

Opening hours: 9AM-12AM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

3. Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

When it comes to soul food, traditional Ethiopian cuisine is a great choice, and Abyssinia is the place to go to in Harlem, New York. This is where you can taste some of the most delectable stews and injera. The restaurant is compact and casual with friendly staff to take care of your needs. When you want to bite into delicious Ethiopian food while in New York, make your way to Abyssinia in Harlem.

Must Try: Meat Sambusa (pastry shells filled with ground beef, jalapeno, and onion), Yetimatim Fitfit (tomatoes, onions, and jalapeno mixed with Ethiopian bread called injera and seasoned with olive oil and lemon)

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant

Address: 268 W 135th St, New York, NY 10030

Opening hours: 11:00AM-3:00AM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

4. Melba’s

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Opened in 2005, Melba’s has come to be regarded as the premium restaurant for comfort food in New York City. Owner Melba Wilson wanted to build a restaurant where customers can enjoy a comfortable dining experience and enjoy great food combined with excellent service. Whether it is lunch or dinner, you can be sure that you will love every bite of the fantastic food you are served in this restaurant. If you are looking for the best soul food in Harlem, New York City, you should definitely go to Melba’s.

Must Try: Buffalo Wings, Pulled BBQ Short Rib Sliders (with cheddar cheese)

Melba’s

Address: 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026

Website: Melba’s

Opening hours: 5PM-11PM, Weekends 10AM-3PM, 5PM-11PM

Average price for two people: 22-30 USD

5. Harlem Hops

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located in the heart of Harlem, Harlem Hops is one of the top restaurants for soul food in New York. You can enjoy amazing food, local craft beers and a sense of community when you visit this well-known establishment. Harlem Hops works with some of the city’s finest breweries to provide customers with a bespoke collection of innovative and interesting beers to taste with their food. The menu has everything you need to go with the beers you choose.

Must Try: 2X Smoked Brisket Burnt End Sausage, Chipotle Chicken, Spicy Pie Chicken, Habanero Beef Spicy Pie

Harlem Hops

Address: 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030

Website: Harlem Hops

Opening hours: 4PM-12AM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

6. Red Rooster

When it comes to famous places for soul food in New York, Red Rooster is a major landmark in Harlem that you must visit. This is where some of the best comfort food in this part of the United States is served. The menu celebrates the roots of American cuisine and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson is known for his creative cooking. The stylish comfort food restaurant not only offers superb soul food but amazing live music events as well.

Must Try: Poppa Eddie’s Shrimp and Grits, Tiff’s Jerk Chicken, Ananya’s Injera Porcini Pasta

Red Rooster

Address: 310 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Website: Red Rooster

Opening hours: 11:30AM-10:30PM

Average price for two people: 31-60 USD

7. Sushi Inoue

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed.

Want to try a different type of soul food? Head to Sushi Inoue in Harlem. This is a popular Japanese restaurant that offers traditional fare, including the chef’s choice options. Enjoy the company of Chef Inoue at the sushi bar where he will cut up the best seasonal seafood cuts for you. The first Michelin starred restaurant in Harlem is the perfect place to enjoy high-end omakase and the most delicious sushi you will ever taste.

Must Try: The three different levels of upscale omakase

Sushi Inoue

Address: 381A Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: 5:30PM-11PM

Average price for two people: 61 USD

8. Sylvia’s

Known as “The Queen of Soul Food”, Sylvia’s Restaurant was founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, and it has not stopped serving some of the most delicious soul food in New York City since then. The Harlem landmark is known for its generous servings of Southern comfort food, which is why it is a community favorite to this day. What makes Sylvia’s even more special is that the superb food is reasonably priced, so you can eat to your heart’s content without spending a fortune!

Must Try: Oven Baked Half Chicken, Sylvia’s Down Home Fried or Smothered Chicken, Grandma Julia’s Cornmeal Fried Whiting, Sylvia’s World Famous Talked About Bar-B-Que Ribs

Sylvia’s

Address: 328 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Website: Sylvia’s

Opening hours: 8:00AM-10:30PM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

9. Amy Ruth’s

When you are checking out famous soul food restaurants in Harlem, you cannot miss Amy Ruth’s. The famous restaurant was inspired by the memory of a loving grandmother and serves some of the most amazing authentic Southern comfort food you can have in New York City. If you did not get enough of the delicious food while dining at the restaurant, you can order more from the restaurant’s take-out section. When it comes to home-style Southern cuisine, there are not many places that can come close to this superb Harlem restaurant.

Must Try: Chicken and Waffles, Fried Catfish, Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Amy Ruth’s

Address: 113 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

Website: Amy Ruth’s

Opening hours: 8:30AM-11PM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

10. Seasoned Vegan

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Want to try soul food that has been reinvented for vegans? Then you simply must visit Seasoned Vegan, run by a mother-and-son team. These long-time residents of Harlem have given Southern favorites like barbeque ribs and fried and smothered chicken a major change by using convincing alternatives to meat, generous seasoning, and the most important ingredient, a whole lot of soul. Seasoned Vegan has changed the way people view Southern comfort food and created healthier, cruelty-free alternative fare that is just as delicious as “authentic” soul food.

Must Try: Chicken Nuggets, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Chopped Cheese Wrap, Power Soul Smoothie

Seasoned Vegan

Address: 55 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10026

Website: Seasoned Vegan

Opening hours: 5PM-10PM

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

Dine at the very best restaurants in Harlem, NYC

When you are looking for the best soul food in Harlem, New York City, you will not be disappointed as there are more than a few eateries that serve superb comfort food. After you have tried the fare at these famous establishments, gone will be the belief that you can only get the best soul food in the South!