Afro-Caribbean American · Lincoln Center · James Beard Best Chef New York 2024, World's 50 Best One To Watch 2023
Kwame Onwuachi's Lincoln Center masterpiece earned a James Beard Award and World's 50 Best recognition, and somehow it's still underrated. The suya-spiced steak, the jollof rice, and the shrimp cockta...
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The Red Rooster
American Soul Food · Harlem · James Beard Nominated
Marcus Samuelsson's Harlem landmark is part restaurant, part cultural institution, part community center. The fried chicken is legendary, the cornbread is addictive, and the weekend gospel brunch is a...
92
3
Kabawa
Caribbean Fine Dining · East Village
A newcomer to the East Village bringing refined Caribbean cooking to a neighborhood always hungry for something different. The menu draws from across the islands with thoughtful, elevated preparations...
Sylvia Woods opened this Harlem restaurant in 1962 and it became the Queen of Soul Food. The fried chicken, the mac and cheese, the collard greens, and the cornbread are all exactly what they should b...
88
5
Ginny's Supper Club
Cocktail Lounge & Music · Harlem
Marcus Samuelsson's underground supper club beneath Red Rooster serves live jazz, elevated cocktails, and Southern-inspired small plates in a sultry basement setting. The fried chicken sliders and the...
88
6
Amy Ruth's
Soul Food · Harlem
Amy Ruth's has been the Harlem soul food queen since 1998. The chicken and waffles named after Al Sharpton, the smothered pork chops, and the mac and cheese are all deeply satisfying. Celebrity names ...
87
7
Mah-Ze-Dahr
Artisan Bakery · Financial District
Van Leeuwen started from a yellow truck in 2008 and became New York's favorite artisan ice cream brand. The Earl Grey, the honeycomb, and the vegan options are all outstanding. The shops are cute, the...
87
8
Melba's
Southern Comfort · Harlem · James Beard Community Impact
Melba Wilson opened her Harlem restaurant in 2005 and immediately became a neighborhood institution. The fried chicken is legendary — crunchy, juicy, and seasoned with something that defies explanatio...
86
9
Bar Kabawa
Caribbean Bar · East Village
A vibrant Caribbean-inspired bar and restaurant in the East Village that brings island flavors with real finesse and fantastic cocktails. The jerk-spiced dishes hit hard, the rum program is deep, and ...
86
10
A&A Bake and Doubles Shop
Trinidadian · Bed-Stuy · NYT 100 Best 2025
The undisputed king of Trinidadian doubles in NYC, this tiny Bed-Stuy counter serves some of the most addictive $2 snacks in the five boroughs. The bara is perfectly fried, the channa filling is warml...