Harlem Cafe — Restaurant in New York

Harlem Cafe, a somewhat popular establishment in the vibrant neighborhood that shares its name, is a place of paradoxes. While it offers an authentic urban experience with a touch of old-world charm, its performance is unfortunately marred by a disappointing pattern of service lapses and order inaccuracies.

Upon entering the establishment, one can't help but appreciate the welcoming ambiance and the promise of a potentially appealing dining experience. The decor exudes warm, rustic vibes that blend seamlessly with the energetic spirit of Harlem, creating a visually pleasing tableau.

Now, let's talk about the food. It's good - but not quite great. The dishes show signs of culinary prowess, but they lack that final touch that would elevate them from merely pleasant to truly memorable. The flavors are there, just not always in the right proportions or combinations. Each bite carries a subtle hint of what could have been, yet falls short of the mark.

The most distressing aspect of the Harlem Cafe experience, however, is the service. The staff, while genial in demeanor, seem to operate on a schedule that might generously be described as "leisurely". There's a certain degree of patience required when waiting for your order to arrive, and even more so when you're hoping for a refill or the check.

Compounding the problem of tardy service is an unfortunate tendency for orders to be misunderstood or mixed up. Whether it's the wrong side dish or a main course that bears little resemblance to what was requested, there seems to be a recurring theme of "lost in translation" between the customer's order and the kitchen's output.

To its credit, Harlem Cafe does rectify these errors when they're pointed out, but it's a hiccup that disrupts the dining rhythm and contributes to an overall subpar experience.

In conclusion, Harlem Cafe is a place of potential, but one that is yet to fully realize it. It's a spot where you can get a decent meal if you're not in a hurry and willing to risk a few order mishaps. However, if you're seeking a standout dining experience with reliable service, this might not be your first...

What a TERRIBLE experience. My friend and I were initially super excited to find this place - cute setup and there was room to sit, grab coffee and get some work done in our laptops. After ordering our $9+ cups of coffee and grabbing a seat, we noticed THREE signs stating there was a 1.5hr seating limit – unless we purchased more from the menu, which we thought was fair. We knew we would have to order some more if we wanted to stay longer. When the employee came to hand us our drinks, she politely let us know that there was a one-hour seating limit, which my friend GRACIOUSLY responded to and asked if they could honor what they’re signs stated (1.5hrs.) The employee asked the owner of this establishment and he RUDELY and AGGRESIVELY came over and began to yell “YEAH YEAH IT SAYS THAT BUT WE CHANGED IT BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE SITTING HERE LONGER THAN 1HR, WE'RE NOT PAYING THE BILLS." When my friend began to reiterate what she initially asked (if they could honor what the signs say), this man yelled “CAN I FINISH WHAT I’M SAYING AND THEN YOU GO?!” like an animal.

We had no issue in spending more money in overpriced coffees and food items but the way this man spoke to us, we will never be stepping a foot in this place again. It is not about the money or the seating limit, but about the lack of customer service.

Some words of advice for the owner, Elhadji Cisse: If you don’t know how to deal with people and provide good customer service, you need to HIRE a manager who will treat paying customers with respect and kindness. You will NEVER attain the customer loyalty you need to run a successful business if you continue to talk to people the way you spoke to us today. You may have the funds to open a business, but you don’t have ANY of the skills to interact with customers and keep your business afloat. Please seek help and since you're a chef, maybe stay in the kitchen and far far away from guests.

I would have loved to continue to support a new and black-owned business in Harlem but the anger and hostility that came from the owner was disgusting and...

The food and experience was LOUSY at Harlem Cafe. I enjoy having brunch on the weekend. I and my significant other were doing errands ; and we wanted to get a bite to eat before we start our day. I looked on Google maps to see restaurants that were serving breakfast around 11am. The reviews seem good. When I entered the restaurant I thought “ this is a cute place”. But , that’s the only positive thing I can say. We didn’t have to wait long for a table. Ibrahima D. was our waiter. As we were telling him our order ; a table next to us asked him a question and he dismissed us in the middle of ordering and went to speak to the customers. That was very disrespectful to attend to them. He should have said “ I’ll be right with you ladies “. He walked away to give them what they wanted. My significant other, and I were appalled. When Irahima returned to our table, we let him know what he did was disrespectful. He looked down at the table and apologized. We could barely hear him. My S/O had to ask for utensils and extra napkins. We only had 1 napkin at the table. Ibrahim didn’t return to our table until I called him over to tell him there was a hair in my S/O food. My S/O had to go to the bar and pay because Irahima ignored us. The food was mediocre for how much we paid ( $ 50 ). My S/O finished his food when he notice the hair. It wasn’t his hair because he is clean shaven. Irahima didn’t seem shocked about the hair. He apologized in a low tone and looked down. He didn’t have the courtesy to comp the breakfast with hair. We could have declined paying for that meal. But my mother taught me “ The pen is mightier than the sword” I don’t recommend...