From rice joints to reservation-only 18-seat spots, Harlem is packed with seriously good places to eat and drink. Edible Manhattan has covered some of them, like the community coffee shop Common Good Harlem and the cozy comfortable and yet still elegant Clay, in the past and yet every time we return to the neighborhood it seems like there are new places to try. From Archer & Goat to FieldTrip to Teranga, here are some of the newest restaurants that have us heading uptown this winter.
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Located in a charming historic brownstone, stepping into Jenifar Chowdhury’s and Alex Guzman’s Archer & Goat feels like walking into the home of a beloved friend. You’ll find nods to each of their heritages throughout the food and drink menus, where they expertly blend South Asian and Latin American cuisines into creative dishes like Rogan Josh, an aromatic Kashmiri dish of lamb braised in Greek yogurt and ginger with pappardelle pasta, and Goat, a cocktail that pairs tequila with turmeric and fresh-squeezed orange and lime juices.
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Confession. I’m not a fan of rice, so I was skeptical of chef JJ Johnson’s counter-service spot where rice is the star of basically every dish. But from the veggie basmati rice bowl with roasted broccoli and cucumber coconut yogurt, to sticky rice with shrimp, toasted coconut and green curry sauce, to the Texas brown rice bowl with braised beef and spicy black beans, a visit to FieldTrip is like taking an eating tour around the world without leaving NYC. It’s fun, educational and tasty even if like me you don’t love rice.
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Looking to woo your sweetie or impress your visiting parents? Take them to chef Russell Jackson’s Reverence. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the tiny restaurant features a 5-course tasting menu highlighting seafood, poultry and vegetable dishes that pay homage to California, where Jackson is originally from. But be prepared, located in a 150-year-old building in historic Strivers’ Row, the 18-seat spot is reservation only.
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At first glance East Harlem’s Teranga could be mistaken for any other fast-casual spot, but while the format is similar to other popular customize-your-dish eateries, the ingredients stand out. You’ll find fonio, an ancient West African grain similar to both couscous and quinoa with a mild, nutty flavor, as one of the options for a base, to which you can add salmon, chicken or vegetables and then additional vegetables. It’s just one of the dishes inspired by chef Pierre Thiam’s West African childhood.
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Longtime Harlem resident, nutritionist and cookbook author Lyn Genet Recitas opened Lyn-Genet Kitchen in May of 2019. With its laid-back vibe, healthy comfort food, heavy on plant-based but with some meat options, Lyn-Genet Kitchen offers something for every type of diner. Serving wine and beer, you’ll find dishes like lamb burgers, tandoori veggie spiced burgers, avocado fries and fajitas on the menu as well as grain-free desserts.
