{"id":15210,"date":"2015-02-16T12:27:21","date_gmt":"2015-02-16T16:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=15210"},"modified":"2025-05-02T09:41:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T13:41:35","slug":"live-like-local-central-harlem-manhattan-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/16\/live-like-local-central-harlem-manhattan-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Like a Local in Central Harlem, Manhattan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15218\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-brownstone-steps-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of brownstone steps\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Central Harlem is home to the traditional brownstone apartment and a rich history<\/div>\n<\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Welcome to Central Harlem!<\/strong> Rich in culture and history, Central Harlem remains a vibrant hub of African-American art, music, and activism. Explore iconic landmarks like the Apollo Theater and Marcus Garvey Park, once home to legends such as Maya Angelou and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=zHap3VP2vDcM.kUmI-o2_1_yg\" width=\"585\" height=\"400\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Central Harlem is north of Central Park, south of the Harlem River, west of 5th Avenue and Harlem River Drive, and east of Morningside Park and Edgecombe Avenue (a <a title=\"Live like a local in Upper Manhattan: Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights &amp; Washington Heights\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/22\/live-like-local-manhattan-morningside-hamilton-washington-heights\/\">guide to the neighboring districts of Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights <\/a>). Although it was an area of historical significance for centuries (the Continental Army successfully prevented the British from invading New York during the American Revolution), Harlem became world-famous thanks to a time period known as the Harlem Renaissance. The 1920s era witnessed an explosion of literature and the arts from the district\u2019s black population.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21719\" style=\"width: 1048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21719\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide.png\" alt=\"Explore Central Harlem\u2019s best shopping, dining spots, vibrant farmers markets, and cozy caf\u00e9s\u2014 your essential guide to experiencing Harlem like a local this fall!\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide.png 1048w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide-1022x1024.png 1022w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide-768x769.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-shopping-dining-coffee-guide-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1048px) 100vw, 1048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21719\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Explore Central Harlem\u2019s best shopping, dining spots, vibrant farmers markets, and cozy caf\u00e9s\u2014<br \/>your essential guide to experiencing Harlem like a local this fall!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nestled between Central Park and the Harlem River, Central Harlem boasts easy access to downtown Manhattan and beyond, thanks to the A, B, C, D subway lines, Metro-North at 125th Street, and an array of buses.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Go shopping in Central Harlem<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15211\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-apollo-street-theater-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Apollo Theater\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Something old, something new: The fabled Apollo Theater sits next to updated shopping centers<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Wander along <strong>125th Street<\/strong> for top retail like H&amp;M and Marshalls, or discover unique boutiques on Frederick Douglass Blvd. Don\u2019t miss Harlem Haberdashery for fashion-forward finds, or Grandma\u2019s Place for charming toys<\/li>\n<li>For <strong>stylish menswear<\/strong>, check out <strong><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.harlemhaberdashery.com\/\">Harlem Haberdashery<\/a><\/strong>. Book lovers will enjoy Revolution Books, and for gourmet finds, <strong>Harlem Wine Gallery<\/strong> is a must-visit. Farmers markets, like the <strong>Uptown Grand Central Market<\/strong>, bring fresh produce during the warmer months (June to November).<\/li>\n<li>Farmers markets bring the best of local produce to urban settings. Enrich your cuisine by visiting the <strong>125th Street Farmers Market<\/strong> for foods such as various honeys, marinades, herbs, and Caribbean flavors. Non-profit organization <strong>Harvest Home<\/strong> sponsors chapters at Lenox Avenue and Harlem Hospital to bring produce and other goods to your dinner table. Keep in mind that because these markets rely on fresh produce, they are seasonal (generally the season lasts between June and November).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Dining &amp; Nightlife<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15217\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-waffle-fried-chicken-dish-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of waffle and fried chicken dish \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Soul food is the name of the game at Sylvia\u2019s Restaurant<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>From legendary soul food to budget-friendly bites, Central Harlem is a foodie haven<\/strong>. Don\u2019t miss Sylvia\u2019s Restaurant for classic comfort dishes and its famous Gospel Sunday brunch. Craving global flavors? <strong>Zoma<\/strong> delivers bold Ethiopian spice, while Harlem Shake serves nostalgic 1950s-style burgers and shakes. Local favorites like <strong>Amy Ruth\u2019s, Red Rooster, Melba\u2019s, Corner Social, Lido, Chez Lucienne, Patisserie Des Ambassades, Lolita\u2019s Restaurant, and 5 &amp; Diamond round out the scene<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>On a budget? You can still eat well\u2014Oui Oui\u2019s pizza (<strong><a title=\"Top 10 Pizza Spots in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/top-10-pizza-spots-new-york-city\/\">other perfect pizza parlors here<\/a><\/strong>) and savory crepes hit the spot. Explore Senegalese dishes at Kaloum Restaurant, or go healthy with a custom bowl from Island Salad. More standout options include Jacob Restaurant, Custom Fuel Pizza, IHOP, Tropical Grill &amp; Restaurant, and Marina\u2019s Soul Food &amp; Salad Bar. For broader culinary adventures, <a title=\"Tour the world with food in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/06\/tour-world-food-new-york\/\">explore New York&#8217;s international food scene with our guide<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15214\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-coffeeshop-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of coffeeshop \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Coffee shops in Central Harlem may remind visitors of the hip caf\u00e9s in Greenwich Village<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Coffee culture thrives here<\/strong>: visit <strong>Lenox Coffee<\/strong> for artisanal brews, or the newly popular <strong>Manhattanville Coffee<\/strong>. Tea enthusiasts should explore <strong>Serengeti Teas &amp; Spices<\/strong>. For an after-dinner drink, check out <strong>Harlem Hops<\/strong>, a Black-owned craft beer bar, or the lively vibes at Shrine. Let\u2019s take a look at <a title=\"Top 10 coffee shops in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/24\/top-10-coffee-shops-new-york\/\">our favorite coffee shops across the city<\/a>!<\/p>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15213\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-bier-international-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Bier International \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Germany comes to Central Harlem at Bier International<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>When the sun sets, Central Harlem turns up the charm with its dynamic nightlife<\/strong>. Sip international brews at Bier International or enjoy casual vibes and sports at Harlem Tavern. For stylish cocktails and comfort food, head to <strong>Barawine<\/strong> or the elegant <strong>Chocolat Restaurant Lounge<\/strong>. <strong>Paris Blues<\/strong>, Harlem\u2019s beloved jazz dive, still hosts nightly live music.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t miss <strong>67 Orange Street<\/strong> for speakeasy vibes or <strong>Ginny\u2019s Supper Club<\/strong>, where jazz and soul meet modern fine dining beneath Red Rooster. <strong>Shrine<\/strong> remains a cultural hotspot, blending live performances with a global music mix\u2014rap, reggae, jazz, and more. Other great venues include <strong>Moca Lounge<\/strong>, <strong>La Bodega 47<\/strong>, and <strong>American Legion Post 398<\/strong>. And of course, no night out is complete without a visit to the iconic Apollo Theater\u2014still spotlighting tomorrow\u2019s legends on its famed stage.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21720\" style=\"width: 1052px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21720\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide.png\" alt=\"Discover Central Harlem\u2019s dynamic nightlife, iconic cultural landmarks, and lush parks\u2014perfect for enriching your New York City autumn adventures!\" width=\"1052\" height=\"1044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide.png 1052w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide-1024x1016.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide-768x762.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/central-harlem-nightlife-culture-parks-guide-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1052px) 100vw, 1052px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21720\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Discover Central Harlem\u2019s dynamic nightlife, iconic cultural landmarks, and lush parks\u2014perfect<br \/>for enriching your New York City autumn adventures!<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Stay or live in Central Harlem<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Looking for a change of scenery from Midtown or the Village? Consider Central Harlem, which has some of the best apartment architecture in the city! Our team can help you find the perfect rental, whether you are <a title=\"Harlem vacation rentals\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/vacation\/manhattan\/harlem\">vacationing here<\/a> or seeking a <a title=\"Harlem furnished apartments\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/furnished\/manhattan\/harlem\">more permanent home in a furnished rental<\/a>. <a title=\"Harlem rooms for rent\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/roommate-share\/manhattan\/harlem\">Looking for a roommate<\/a>? We can help with that too! We\u2019ll collaborate with you every step of the way to create a smooth transition into the wonderful hub that is Central Harlem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Things to do and see in Central Harlem<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15216\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-studio-museum-harlem-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Studio Museum Harlem\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Afrocentric art is on display at the Studio Museum Harlem<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Central Harlem might not be as close to the prestige of the Museum Mile (<a title=\"Explore New York\u2019s Museum Mile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/14\/explore-new-york-museum-mile\/\">find our guide to the Museum Mile here<\/a>) as its East Harlem neighbor, but it can claim one exceptional gallery among its ranks. Discover Black excellence at The Studio Museum in Harlem (reopening soon after major renovations). Visit the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church or the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Enjoy outdoor escapes at Marcus Garvey Park and the serene northern tip of Central Park.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15212\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-apollo-theater-marquee-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Apollo Theater marquee\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Apollo Theater continues its tradition of bringing magnificent artists to the stage<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Central Harlem is steeped in landmark history that continues to inspire<\/strong>. Visit the historic <strong>Abyssinian Baptist Church<\/strong>, founded in 1808 and still a vital center of faith and activism. Nearby, the <strong>Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building<\/strong>\u2014 Harlem\u2019s tallest structure\u2014stands as a bold example of Brutalist design and a tribute to the first Black Congressman from New York. At the intersection of 110th Street and 5th Avenue, <strong>Duke Ellington Circle<\/strong> celebrates the legendary jazz icon with a striking bronze statue.<\/li>\n<li>For those seeking knowledge and cultural depth, the <strong>Schomburg Center<\/strong> for Research in Black Culture remains a world-class archive dedicated to the African diaspora. And no visit is complete without an evening at the <a title=\"Appolo Theater\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apollotheater.org\/\">Apollo Theater<\/a>, where legends like Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown once took the stage\u2014and where new talent still rises every Amateur Night.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15215\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Live-like-local-central-harlem-marcus-garvey-park-nyc-manhattan.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Marcus Garvey Park\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>(Re)named for activist Marcus Garvey, this park dates back more than a century<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve finished the architectural and artistic tours, why not take advantage of the great outdoors? There are handball courts and barbeque spots at <strong>Saint Nicholas Park<\/strong>, a Kodak-worthy man-made pond at <strong>Morningside Park<\/strong>, a disability-accessible playground for children at <strong>Marcus Garvey Park<\/strong>, and many lovely features\u2013including the exquisite <strong>Wisteria Pergola<\/strong>\u2013on the northern end of<strong> Central Park<\/strong> (<a title=\"Central Park guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/18\/explore-central-park-manhattan-new-york\/\">our guide to Central Park is here<\/a>). Afterwards, take a look at our guide to other <a title=\"Top 10 free things to see &amp; do in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/14\/top-10-free-things-see-do-new-york\/\">free things to do in New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>What are your favorite places in Central Harlem?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Central Harlem! Rich in culture and history, Central Harlem remains a vibrant hub of African-American art, music, and activism. Explore iconic landmarks like&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[63],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15210"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15210"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21725,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15210\/revisions\/21725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}