While you were busy trying to soak up summer, an impressive number of noteworthy bars, cafes and restaurants opened in Harlem between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Here's what you may have missed–and where to head right now. From south to north:
109 Malcolm X Blvd between W 115th and W 116th Sts
Chef JJ Johnson is back in Harlem—he's the former executive chef at The Cecil—with this new fast-casual rice restaurant serving dishes like Asian-style shrimp bowl with sticky rice and green curry sauce.
2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd btwn W 123rd and W 124th Sts
A perfect spot for drinks before or after the Apollo, this swanky new bar has been attracting fans of finely-crafted cocktails ever since it opened right around Memorial Day.
64 Tiemann Pl and Claremont Ave
This new Asian-influenced corner pub pairs bright Thai and Vietnamese dishes with signature cocktails like the Bangkok Mule.
85 E 125th St and Park Ave
Guinean-born brothers Mohammed and Rahim Diallo finally realized their dream of opening a cafe specializing in ginjan, a type of ginger juice popular in West Africa. Look for other kinds of African specialty drinks, plus La Colombe coffee and artisanal pastries made in East Harlem.
712 W 125th St and Marginal St
Hell's Kitchen sports bar 123BSB expanded to this location right by the West Harlem Piers, offering $1 sliders, $2 shots, $3 beers–and lots more.
1520 Amsterdam Ave and W 135th St
This corner shop across the street from City College specializes in bubble tea made with premium loose tea from Taiwan, where the drink originated; it's brewed fresh every three hours to avoid any bitterness.
2592 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 138th St
Underground dining pioneer and Bravo TV alum Russell Jackson's latest fine dining destination is this 18-seat spot on Strivers' Row offering a five-course tasting menu for $98.
1766 Amsterdam Ave btwn W 147th and W 148th Sts
From the owners of Indian restaurant Mumbai Masala comes this new spot right next door with a huge menu of Thai classics.
And here are a handful of spots that have reopened:
2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 116th St
One of Harlem's most popular spots for modern soul food moved from the ground floor of a historic brownstone on Lenox Ave to a larger corner space a few avenues west.
1239 Amsterdam Ave and W 121st St
One yearlong renovation later, this Columbia-area Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant has reopened just in time for the new school year.
2500 Frederick Douglass Blvd btwn W 134th and W 133rd Sts
After a brief summer hiatus, the two-year-old uptown branch of this ice cream store is back to serving small-batch, pop-inspired ice cream made with all-natural ingredients.
