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    Cafe Massawa

    5.0 (16 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Cafe Massawa Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE MASSAWA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Massawa

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    Vegan Sampler for 1 Great for someone indecisive! My friend loved it!
    C R.

    Great place all the way around! It's a small location, so it's not far larger groups. Otherwise it's a cute place. Nice atmosphere. Tasty food and good amount for the money!

    Alyssa C.

    Quaint Eritrean restaurant with friendly staff and delicious food! Tried their lamb and beef tibs and each comes w two veggies! Everything was delicious, the beef tibs was slightly spicy and my favorite!

    Tsebhi Derho with injera, okra, and squash & Chicken tibs with rice! Delicious!!
    Karen B.

    The service was top notch. Food flavorful and rich with a lot of tomato base. I really enjoyed the okra side (it was a special not on the menu). The Saba wine was amazing. We will be back!

    Chicken tibs for take out!
    Isabella T.

    I first saw Cafe Massawa a few months ago as I was walking around Manhattanville and had been very curious to try it because their lunch specials seem like an amazing deal and the vibes seem so cute! When strong cravings for Ethiopian hit, I decided to finally pull trigger and try this amazing place. I didn't do dine in but got their chicken tibs for take out. This was a delicious meal--- wow! The portion of chicken was quite generous, and was tender and deliciously spiced. It was the perfect combination of a very hearty, filling, and comforting meal. I got my tibs with their fluffy, injera which had that distinct fermented flavor no Ethiopian meal is complete without. You get a choice of two veggie sides. I got the alitcha which is one of my favorite Ethiopian dishes (potatoes, carrots, cabbage with generous turmeric), and the timtimo which was a super hearty red lentil stew that was a little sweet and perfectly balanced the heat of the chicken tibs. I was so full and happy after! The food is so flavorful and comforting but somehow feels really homey, like you are eating it from someone's home. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to come back for a separate dine in experience. The service over the phone was also excellent! The girl who helped us had a very gentle, warm personality. Highly recommend!

    Zigni Shiro Alitcha
    Sabrina H.

    This is one of my favorite places to go to for lunch. I got the zigni, which is small beef cubes, and shiro and alitcha as my sides. The waiter is really friendly and the restaurant has really nice decor. There is always a flower on the table. I was also given my own water pitcher which was great since I was able to refill my water cup myself. Sometimes, I also order the carrot cake (not pictured), which is delicious. I would highly recommend this place if you're looking to eat Eritrean and Ethiopian food!

    Birsin Kitcha Lentil Full
    Misgana A.

    It was a great restaurant. I went with some friends on a Saturday. Service was so nice and welcoming. We watched the Man U game that was playing while enjoying our brunch. The ambiance is really nice and welcoming. It is small space and nice atmosphere. The food was top notch. The kitcha was the best I have ever had in a long time. Definitely coming back. Thank you!!!

    Gf injera and various dishes

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    Cocteleria Perla Negra - Decor on point

    Cocteleria Perla Negra

    4.4(28 reviews)
    0.7 miHarlem
    $$

    Very cute little place. Intimate & well decorated. Dimmer lighting and darker colors, good for…read moredates. Enough space to feel like you're not on top of each other, but not really a place for huge parties. Probably great to do a buyout for birthdays, etc. The happy hour (food & drink) is affordable with a nice selection and runs a good length of time (5-7pm). The non-happy hour menu is the real gem though. A little pricey for the neighborhood, but the quality is on par with cocktail bars down in the villages, so well worth it. Service is quick without being overbearing, and casual without being lazy. Handsome bartender and server. Better to make a reservation later into the night closer to and on the weekend because the space fills up fast. *will update this review when I've tried more of the food*

    If you're uptown or in Upper Manhattan, skip the trip to Soho -- this place brings world-class…read morecocktails, vibes, and energy right to the neighborhood. The Vibe Cozy, comfortable, and full of surprises. Some nights are mellow and chill, perfect for catching up with friends. Other nights, you'll walk in and it feels like a Colombian street festival -- music pumping, people celebrating, energy everywhere. The Drinks This is a cocktail-first spot, and their selection is next-level. If you don't know what to order, just tell the staff what flavors or spirits you like -- they'll craft something spot-on every time. Presentation? Always . The Food Yes, they have bites -- but don't come hungry. The small plates are designed to complement your drinks, not replace dinner. The Extras Live DJs, curated sets, and even surprise performances -- this place keeps things fresh and exciting without losing its cozy feel. The Staff Absolutely outstanding. Friendly, knowledgeable, and they make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Good vibes in, good vibes back. Overall, one of my favorite spots in the city. Whether you want a low-key Tuesday or a Saturday night that feels like carnival season, this place delivers every time.

    Photos
    Cocteleria Perla Negra - Greenfield

    Greenfield

    Cocteleria Perla Negra - Pretty bad

    Pretty bad

    Cocteleria Perla Negra - Old Fashioned ($10 happy hour)

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    Old Fashioned ($10 happy hour)

    Archer & Goat

    Archer & Goat

    4.4(255 reviews)
    0.9 miHarlem
    $$

    I don't even know where to begin. From the moment you walk in, the staff sets the tone--warm,…read moreattentive, and deeply intentional. There's a camaraderie in the room that invites you to slow down, connect, and truly experience both the conversation and the food. Everything feels considered. My best friend and I each ordered the prix fixe menu, and it was a journey from start to finish. I began with the Spicy Corn & Coconut Soup--honestly, unforgettable. The crispy shallots added just the right amount of texture against the velvety base, and each spoonful layered flavor in a way that felt both comforting and elevated. For my main, I had the kichuri, and Chef Alex Guzman absolutely shines here. He is a star--full stop. There's a clarity and confidence in his cooking that you can taste. The cilantro chutney was perfection, and the way the mint lingers alongside the spice... it's the kind of balance that only comes from someone who truly understands their craft. You can feel his care in every bite. I ended with the key lime pie, and all I can say is thank you. The whipped cream was fresh and airy, the lime zest bright without overpowering, and the crust tied everything together beautifully. It felt like a thoughtful, intentional close to an already incredible meal. I highly recommend starting with the guava mocktail, then pairing your main with the fig mocktail--both are perfectly crafted and complement the dishes so well. Also, sit at the bar. Let Dan guide you through the experience. Trust his recommendations--you will not be steered wrong. He elevates the entire evening. And the playlist? Y'all really did that.

    From the second you walk into archer & Goat, you know you're in for an incredible treat. The…read morerestaurant itself is incredibly small, but there is outdoor covered seating that's heated. The menu changes in a spectacular. Everything ordered was delicious. I wasn't super hungry to order the roasted cauliflower and could have eaten two more plates. The portions are great for the price and the service is impeccable. Highly recommend.

    Photos
    Archer & Goat
    Archer & Goat - NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2026

    NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2026

    Archer & Goat - Glazed Lamb Ribs with cauliflower leek purée

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    Glazed Lamb Ribs with cauliflower leek purée

    Bird in Hand - Chicken and waffles and steak and eggs

    Bird in Hand

    4.3(94 reviews)
    1.0 miHarlem

    Randomly searching for a late-night bite, my boyfriend and I wandered into Bird in Hand and ended…read moreup having such a standout experience. We ordered the Mac and cheese - a burger and the chicken & waffles -- all were absolutely delicious. But the cocktails? On another level. Truly worth experiencing and experimenting with. We tried several different spins, and every single one was perfectly balanced and hit the spot. Creative, thoughtful, and genuinely impressive. The drinks are absolutely worth the price, and so is the overall experience. Huge shoutout to Joost, the bar manager -- thank you for taking such great care of us and turning a random Monday night Harlem stroll into something special. We'll definitely be back.

    So super quaint inside! I love the attention to detail, from the cozy lounge-like waiting area at…read morethe entrance to the thoughtfully placed plants throughout to the hidden kitchen door behind the well-appointed bar. I've been several times, with large groups and with just one other dining partner. It's great for both. The food is delicious standard American fare. I've had the burgers, fries, pork chop...probably other things I can't remember now but nothing disappointed. My friend had a birthday dinner there one winter and the gas burners broke or something, so they couldn't offer most of the menu items. Somehow they were still able to make burgers so we all got those. While a disappointing event, I was impressed that they were able to offer a solution. And the owner came out to personally apologize and give each of us a business card for discounted meals for a year. And they honored it every time I returned.

    Photos
    Bird in Hand - From the entrance

    From the entrance

    Bird in Hand - Patty Melt

    Patty Melt

    Bird in Hand - KIKI VANDEWEGHE

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    KIKI VANDEWEGHE

    Mess Hall

    Mess Hall

    4.2(178 reviews)
    0.7 miHarlem
    $$

    Mess Hall is one of my go-to spots in Harlem! It's hard for me to find a bar where I feel totally…read morecomfortable going solo, but Mess Hall is the exception. Their happy hour can't be beat - drink specials until 8pm! The drinks are strong, the prices are right, and the vibe is always chill but fun. The space has a cool, laid-back feel, and if you go in the summer sit in the front sidewalk seating. Or their cute backyard. The staff are all great and genuinely kind people.

    This is another somewhat new spot in Harlem whose vibe I can't quite grasp, mainly because I'm not…read moresure who they're trying to attract. It feels like a coffee shop, bar, café, lounge and pre-party stop all at once. The bar staff were "nightclub friendly", they had party energy that this place doesn't warrant. They'd make fun hosts for a great party. The space itself is confusing in an interesting way. It's cold from the tiles and exposed pipes, yet warm from the wooden walls and historic decorative figures. Maybe the idea is that you show up with your group and shape the experience into whatever you want it to be. Still, I'm of the opinion that it's a shared effort. If I'm coming out and spending my money, I deserve an experience. Let me know who you are, and I can decide if you pass my vibe check. This mystified, vaguely eclectic, "we're different but won't say how" approach makes it harder to give new places a chance. I don't see a long shelf life for this one, but hey, I'm just a customer. Came, saw... ehhh.

    Photos
    Mess Hall - Mess Hall Bar

    Mess Hall Bar

    Mess Hall
    Mess Hall

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    Cafe Massawa - coffee - Updated May 2026

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