2 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

At Ponty Bistro, Franco-Senegalese cuisine reigns supreme. The sophisticated flavors and cooking traditions of Senegal and West Africa are combined with French and Mediterranean dishes. They are served alongside house cocktails in a warm, dark-wood bistro in this oft-neglected reach of Central Harlem. With the motto “good food, good friends,” guests often return because of the entire experience, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cisse’s Pancakes, named for the chef and owner, are a crowd favorite.

Renaissance Harlem, the third restaurant venture for chefs Cisse Elhadji and Cheikh Ali, brings upscale American cuisine to the historic neighborhood. Named as a nod to the Harlem Renaissance, the restaurant’s feel is “just right,” with music varying from nostalgic ‘90s to Afrobeats at a volume that still allows for intimate conversation. The menu fuses traditional French, African, and American spices to capture the combination of cultures and foods found in Harlem, while blending fresh local ingredients and traditional French cooking methods. The contemporary rustic interior, attentive wait staff, and friendly bartenders make for a perfect mix of casual elegance. Expect healthy portions and even better presentation.