4. Earl's Beer & Cheese
9.0
1259 Park Ave (btwn E 97th & E 98th St), New York, NY
American Restaurant · East Harlem · 169 tips and reviews
Josh Tart: Awesome little dive with an awesome beer selection. Try the Brie and Blackberry jam grilled cheese. It is amazing.
The New York Times: Recommended dishes: Beer cheese; grilled mozzarella sandwich; grilled cheddar sandwich; Asian gnocchi and beef. Read more.
Thrillist: Add a twist to your mac and cheese with noodles, goat cheese, a healthy dose of rosemary, and shredded chicken. Read more.
6. El Aguila
8.1
1634 Lexington Ave (103rd Street), New York, NY
Mexican Restaurant · East Harlem · 31 tips and reviews
Isabel Zapata: Great conchas, good tortas, and acceptable tacos.
Jorge Ortiz: The águila (eagle) of Aztec prophesy set the location of their capital Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City). El Águila's brightly lit signs herald 24-hour authentic Mexican food, drinks, dessert, and music.
DoubleDeuce: It's a well-organized menu with plenty of authentic Mexican choices and sauces and fresh ingredients to make your taste buds happy. All for a very fair price.
7. Rao's
8.2
455 E 114th St (at Pleasant Ave), New York, NY
Italian Restaurant · East Harlem · 34 tips and reviews
The Corcoran Group: Start with a perfectly prepared Manhattan and follow it up with Mozzarella in Carozza, a Stuffed Veal Chop and Rao’s Meatballs.
Daniel M.: So you can't get a table? Stop in and have a drink at the bar. Who knows, you might just run into Robert DeNiro or Woody Allen!
Bravo: If you are lucky enough to know someone to get in to Rao's, go. The meatballs and sauce are worth the trip. Try the steak pizzaiola. If you can’t get in, buy their cookbook! -Jill Zarin, Real Housewiv