Safari — Restaurant in New York

🌍✨ A Hidden Gem in NYC: Safari Somali Restaurant 🇸🇴🗽

If you're searching for a truly authentic, soul-touching, and unforgettable culinary experience, look no further than Safari – NYC's only Somali restaurant, and trust me, it’s a whole cultural journey on a plate. 🍽️🔥

From the moment you step in, you're greeted with warm hospitality, the kind that makes you feel like you're being welcomed into someone's home – not just a restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and filled with the aromas of East African spices that instantly awaken your senses. 🧡✨

Let’s talk food... WOW.

The suqaar (spiced beef or chicken), paired with buttery rice or chapati? 😍

The sambusas – crispy on the outside, perfectly spiced inside? Pure joy. 🥟🔥

The banana served with rice? Yes, it's traditional – and yes, it works beautifully. 🍌🍛

And don’t even get me started on the shaah (Somali tea) – warm, spiced, and deeply comforting. 🍵💫

Everything is made with love, heritage, and flavor. You can taste the care in every bite. This isn’t just food – it’s history, pride, and tradition passed from one generation to another.

💬 Whether you're already familiar with Somali cuisine or it's your first time – Safari will leave a lasting impression. It's a must-try for food lovers, cultural explorers, and anyone who appreciates the power of a shared meal to tell a story.

🌟 Unique. Authentic. Bold. 🙏 Blessings to the amazing team and owners for bringing such a beautiful slice of Somali culture to the heart...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Safari, a Somali restaurant in Harlem. As someone of Somali descent, I was excited to experience the flavors of my heritage in the heart of New York City.

The ambiance of Safari is truly welcoming. The Somali music playing in the background created an authentic and soothing atmosphere, and the decor, rich with Somali history, made me feel connected to my roots. It’s a perfect place for both those familiar with Somali culture and newcomers eager to learn more.

The food was delicious and presented beautifully. However, I felt it lacked the genuine Somali taste that I am accustomed to. While the dishes were flavorful, they could benefit from a touch more authenticity to truly capture the essence of Somali cuisine. This is an area where I believe Safari has room for improvement.

Despite this, the overall experience was delightful. The staff were friendly and attentive, adding to the positive atmosphere of the restaurant. I would definitely visit Safari again, especially when my Somali family comes to town, to share this wonderful experience with them.

Safari is a gem in Harlem, and with a few tweaks to enhance the authenticity of the flavors, it has the potential to be an outstanding representation of Somali cuisine in...

My partner and I decided to try Safari after passing by it a few different times. The cuisine always intrigued us and having grown up on East African food, I really wanted to give it a try. Upon entering, I was little worried, we pushed our reservation back 15 minutes and when we arrived there were no other patrons. Did a quick google check and it seems its busiest during the lunch period. Well, come for lunch and dinner! The food is fantastic. We had the sabaaya, beef and veggie sumbusa, chicken suqaar and kalankan. The beef sumbusa was our least favorite item, we felt the beef could have used more seasoning and it was a little on the cold side. Everything else was incredible! The sabaaya had me calling my mother because it reminded me of her cooking. Get your entrees family style and enjoy sharing from a large serving dish, it’s an awesome experience. Make sure to order extra chapati, it may be some of the best in the city. I ordered a few to take home. We were so full we passed on dessert and chai, although it took a lot of back and forth. Then the waiter handed us a free shot of chai and changed our minds! We had to take two orders home with us. I’m not sure where yet, but this is definitely in my top ten restaurants in NYC, let...