The Best Dominican Restaurants in Harlem, NYC

Foodies from across the city choose Malecon’s two uptown locations for Latin American eats worth traveling for— above 95th Street, that is. At this Yelper favorite, Dominican dishes like mangu, or mashed green plantains, garlicky mofongo, and maduros, or fried sweet yellow plantains, shine from breakfast through dinner.

This El Barrio bakery whipping up Puerto Rican and Dominican street food has been endorsed by just about every uptown eater. Visit Cuchifritos to rub elbows with the locals (and maybe get some recommendations) and to dig in to cod fish fritters, rotisserie chicken, fresh juices, and of course, cuchifritos galore.

Flor de Broadway serves homestyle Dominican grub your abuela wouldn’t sneeze at — really. Island favorites such as sancocho, or Dominican soup, rice and beans, and hearty beef stew — all served with warm customer service — provide all the comforts of DR without the unappetizing flight fees.

This Washington Heights haunt has been the premier place for Dominican food in Manhattan for more than 23 years. Surveying the menu at La Barca Restaurant, it’s easy to see why. Dominican staples not often found off the island, such as codfish with eggs, ripe plantain casserole, and hen and yucca soup, are all represented (and enthusiastically enjoyed) here.

Don’t let the name confuse you: Washington Heights’ New San Francisco is all about old-school Dominican dishes. Here, lesser-seen recipes like Dominican-style oxtail, longaniza Dominicana, and traditional chicken sancocho attract eaters of all generations and good taste.

As the name suggests, the star of La Casa Del Mofongo’s menu is the dish of fried and mashed plantains shaped into a bowl or ball which, though born in Puerto Rico, found its home in the Dominican Republic. Á La Casa, mofongo varieties include a shellfish medley of mussels and crab, traditional fried pork rinds, bacalao, and creamy queso.

Whatever you’re craving, the chances are that El Caridad can satisfy. Located on the Upper West Side-Harlem border, this Latin restaurant serves everything from traditional tripe soup and pernil Dominicano to Dominican cake and even Dominican-style spaghetti.

You’ll want to slow down when taking in El Chevere’s menu of Dominican fast foods. With comfort classics like papa rellena, or fried meat-stuffed potatoes, mangu, and yellow rice and beans, this beloved El Barrio spot is worth a second look.