5 Underrated Restaurants in East Harlem, New York NY Worth Trying
Updated 29 September 2026 · 22 restaurants in East Harlem, New York NY considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide covers five underrated restaurants in East Harlem, New York NY that deserve more attention than their review counts suggest. Each one holds a Google rating of 4.4 or higher from fewer than 400 reviews, and 22 qualifying places were considered before ranking by Google rating weighted by review count. It is meant for locals and visitors who want a solid meal on East 116th Street, Lexington Avenue or nearby blocks without relying only on the most reviewed names.
#1
Elpis Pizza & Gourmet Food
★ 5 (55 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Elpis Pizza & Gourmet Food is a pizza restaurant on East 116th Street that goes well beyond slices. Reviewers mention pizza that is not greasy, along with chicken piccata, penne alla vodka, the Elpis salad and a well-cooked burger. Several comment on a clean kitchen, friendly service and a welcoming room. It opens at 10 am on weekdays and at noon on weekends, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Pizza plus pasta in one stop
- Address
- 308 E 116th St, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–10 pm; Mon 10 am–10 pm; Sat 12–10 pm; Sun 12–8 pm; Thu 10 am–10 pm; Tue 10 am–10 pm; Wed 10 am–10 pm
#2
CANTINA HARLEM
★ 5 (49 Google reviews)Bar & grill$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
CANTINA HARLEM is a bar and grill on East 116th Street open daily from 11 am to midnight. Reviewers describe it as a newer neighborhood spot with a cozy, casual room and an extensive menu, and several point to arrachera tacos served on handmade tortillas. It offers dine-in, takeaway and delivery, along with wine, alcohol, small plates and dessert, and guests say the service is attentive and friendly.
Best for: Late tacos and drinks
- Address
- 355 E 116th St, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Hours
- daily 11 am–12 am
#3
Supreme Eats Pizza And Pasta
★ 4.9 (123 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Supreme Eats Pizza And Pasta sits on Lexington Avenue and is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Reviewers mention crisp plain slices, pasta, garlic knots, a pepperoni pinwheel and mozzarella sticks dipped in vodka sauce, plus fries, buffalo wings and shrimp Alfredo. Guests describe a clean dining room and courteous staff, and one reviewer notes that a scheduled delivery arrived promptly.
Best for: Quick slices and casual delivery
- Address
- 1590 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Hours
- daily 10 am–10 pm
#4
7th Heaven Pizza
★ 4.9 (99 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
7th Heaven Pizza is on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and late hours until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers say pies are made fresh through the day and single out a pizza topped with pasta shells, the grandma Sicilian, broccoli, BBQ and margherita pies, wings and garlic knots. Customers describe calling ahead for pickup, a clean shop and help with large advance orders for parties.
Best for: Call-ahead pies for a group
- Address
- 2496 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–11 pm; Mon 11 am–10 pm; Sat 11 am–11 pm; Sun 11 am–10 pm; Thu 11 am–10 pm; Tue 11 am–10 pm; Wed 11 am–10 pm
#5
Girasole Trattoria
★ 4.9 (76 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Girasole Trattoria is an Italian restaurant on East 100th Street that opens in the afternoon on weekdays, from noon on weekends, and is closed Mondays. Reviewers mention calamari, carciofi, breaded artichoke, endive salad, pesto fettuccine, a lemon-forward chicken piccata and eggplant Parmesan, along with strong cocktails and happy hour deals. They also describe cozy decor and attentive service, and seating and entrance are wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Sit-down Italian dinner
- Address
- 177 E 100th St, New York, NY 10029, United States
- Hours
- Fri 3–10 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 12–10 pm; Sun 12–9:30 pm; Thu 3–9:30 pm; Tue 3–9:30 pm; Wed 3–9:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 22 restaurants in East Harlem, New York NY with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Elpis Pizza & Gourmet Food ranks first, with a Google rating of 5 from 55 reviews. CANTINA HARLEM is second at 5 from 49 reviews.
Which restaurants in East Harlem, New York NY are open late?
CANTINA HARLEM stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: CANTINA HARLEM $20–30. The others do not list a price range.
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