While Manhattan is often the focus of chatter about NYC, Brooklyn is always mentioned as a cool spot to visit. There is one area that doesn't get a lot of attention, and that's East Harlem. It might not be talked about as the safest place around but that's not actually true. According to Niche.com, this neighborhood has 118,883 residents and gets a grade of A-minus. The website says that there are awesome public schools here and that "young professionals" make up a lot of the population.
The next time you're in NYC, be sure to take some gorgeous photos of the night sky... and then head over to East Harlem. This area is totally worth visiting. Here are some reasons to check it out.
You'll Want To Dine At Mountain Bird
There are tons of restaurants in Manhattan that get rave reviews, along with many that aren't great at all. There are also some amazing places to eat in East Harlem, which is one reason why this place is worth checking out.
The Infatuation recommends Mountain Bird, a French restaurant that has many chicken dishes. Husband and wife duo Kenichi and Keiko Tajima run the restaurant together. According to the restaurant's Trip Advisor page, this is a great neighborhood spot because the cost of each dish isn't super high, but it has a sophisticated vibe. According to NY.Eater.com, the restaurant closed in 2014, which was rent-related, but opened again in the fall of 2015. Their menu includes a turkey burger that has Mornay sauce, which is definitely unique.
Sam's Famous Pizza Is, Well, Famous (And You'll Want To Go To Patsy's Piza, Too)
New York is known for its many shops that serve pizza, and you can find impressive pizza in East Harlem, too. Sam's Famous Pizza has food that is considered seriously top-notch and it's worth going to East Harlem to try it out. As Ny.eater.com explains, "Sam's represents the long-running Italian presence in the neighborhood."
The Infatuation recommends Patsy's Pizza. One Trip Advisor review says, "The restaurant has been here since the ’30s and you definitely feel the charm of the place." Another shared, "The pie is so good I would be afraid I’d ruin it by putting even one topping on it." The menu has the Original Coat Oven Pizza which has grated mozzarella, tomato sauce, and a thin crust, along with Marinara which doesn't have any cheese and Patsy’s Alla Vodka.
The Graffiti Hall Of Fame Is Super Cool
Is there anything cooler than stumbling upon some graffiti that rivals the fanciest art? According to The Culture Trip, you want to check out the Graffiti Hall of Fame in East Harlem. It has been around since 1980 when Ray Rodriguez (whose nickname is Sting Ray) wanted a place where street art could be taken seriously.
Atlas Obscura says that the schoolyard of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex is the home of the Graffiti Hall of Fame. These days, street artists from around the world will come here and create something in the area. The website notes that this is a super neat and tidy area as there has been a recent renovation.
East Harlem is totally safe and also worth checking out, so on your next trip to New York City, head over to this borough. You'll find a restaurant serving up delicious chicken dishes, two pizza places that are both beloved by locals, and some incredible street art.