[Updated May 4, 2023] Looking for great restaurants in Inwood, NYC? Maybe like us, you live in Manhattan’s northernmost neighborhood and want to check out a new place to eat.
Or possibly you’re visiting New York City, have made your way uptown, and have worked up an appetite after checking off your list of things to do in Inwood.
Whatever your situation, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from when your stomach starts to growl. Restaurants in Inwood, Manhattan are known primarily for serving outstanding Dominican food but there’s also a whole range of cuisines on offer, from Italian and Mexican to Venezuelan, classic American, and more!
So, whether you want to grab coffee or takeout for a picnic in one of Inwood’s parks, relax over a nice sit-down meal, or satisfy a dessert craving, Inwood has something for every appetite.
The most well-known dining spot in Inwood is the strip where Dyckman Street meets Seaman Avenue. For more information, see the section below on Dyckman restaurants. However, there are plenty of amazing places to eat off the Dyckman strip, too.
Here is a sample of Inwood restaurants we have enjoyed.
FiTo
FiTo is a clear winner in the cuisine category of South American-inspired small plates. They make a tasty sangria—both red and white—too. FiTo is in a well-trafficked location: on Broadway and close to Fort Tryon Park, which makes sitting at their café tables on the sidewalk lively and interesting.
Indoors is nice, too. It’s fairly small and intimate and doesn’t have a lot of tables, though there’s additional seating at the bar.
Everything we’ve eaten at FiTo has been outstanding, from the pulpito (octopus with potatoes, chimichurri, and lime) to the skirt steak to the cheese boards and pizzettes. In addition to killer sangrias, they also have an eclectic wine list, super weekday Happy Hour specials, and a Sunday Brunch Happy Hour. Check out their website for weekly live music.
FiTo has quickly become our new favorite Inwood restaurant! And if you’re looking for a little romance with your meal, this is where you’ll find it.
- Seasonal outdoor seating
- Address: 4736 Broadway, New York, NY
- Reservations: Accepted, not required.
Cañave
Soothing murals painted on the walls and dim lighting illuminated with tea lights create a relaxing, intimate ambiance here. The menu is Latin American-inspired, with tacos, steak dishes, pork chops, and more.
I recommend Cañave’s Happy Hour, which takes place Tuesday-Friday til 7 p.m. This is the time to order $8 margaritas, rum punch, and wine!
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for a schedule of live music performances. Cañave is located at the southern end of the neighborhood at the edge of Inwood and Washington Heights.
- Address: 4716 Broadway, New York, NY
- Reservations: No reservations needed.
The Hudson
Note: The Hudson is open seasonally, from May-September.
For a cocktail hour with sensational river views in Inwood, you can’t beat The Hudson (formerly La Marina), located at Dyckman Marina near the community sailing docks and Inwood Canoe Club.
Waterfront seating is scattered around in various arrangements and includes picnic tables, sofas, bar stools, and café tables, both indoors and out.
The cuisine is casual—don’t expect a fancy meal. Think shredded chicken tacos, BBQ pulled pork sliders, and burgers. In our experience, available food items vary from visit to visit. Food is served cafeteria-style: order with your phone and a server will deliver it to your table.
Beer, wine, and cocktails are available on the drinks menu.
Beverages are served in plastic cups and food comes on cardboard trays. This and the waterfront location lends to a kind of casual, beach concession vibe that’s nice for families with kids, groups of friends, and anyone else who wants to sip on a cold beverage on a hot summer day and catch a breeze while gazing out at the best views in Inwood.
Note that The Hudson is also where Film Works Al Fresco, a free summer movie series that’s listed as one of my top local non-touristy things to do, takes place.
- Address: 348 Dyckman Street, New York, NY
- Reservations: Accepted, not required.
Cachapas Y Mas
An appetizing selection of Venezuelan street food is served in a cheerful environment at this casual restaurant in the heart of busy Dyckman Street. Founder Larry Villalobos started out as taxi driver. He later began operating a food truck, which has now turned into a successful family-run restaurant with two locations.
Stop in for arepas (traditional cornmeal cake) stuffed with shredded beef, ham and cheese cachapas (sweet corn pancake), fresh fabulous empanadas, and a wide selection of patacones (green plantain sandwich), and tacuchos (Venezuelan-style burritos).
- Dine in, takeout, delivery.
- Address: 107 Dyckman Street, New York, NY
Pop + Pour
As the name suggests, Pop + Pour is a wine bar but the cocktail menu is what stands out. Most memorable during our last meal was the smoky beet cocktail, made with mezcal and beet juice and topped off with Hawaiian black salt lining the rim of the glass (see photo below).
The food came with flair, too, when our server lit our Rum and Coke Glazed Ribs on fire for a moment after she set it down on the table.
The menu is Latin inspired. You can order a tableful of tapas if you’re in the mood to share. I recommend this so you can try a little of everything. Entrée-sized meals are also available, some of which are designated as vegetarian.
The vibe inside is relaxing and just what’s needed after a tough day at work. Keep an eye on Pop + Pour’s Facebook page for live music events and Happy Hour specials.
- Heated outdoor seating available.
- Address: 200 Dyckman St., New York, NY
- Reservations: Recommended
Elsa La Reina del Chiccarron
In business since 1999, Elsa La Reina del Chiccarron is an Inwood staple. This is the place to go for mofongo, a dish made of mashed plantains mixed with chicken, pork, seafood, or steak. Lots of other tasty Dominican menu items are available as well, from grilled steak, to roasted chicken, and fried chops.
There’s also a selection of yaroas (Dominican street food) such as ripe banana with pork rind. If you’re looking to hit the most well-known restaurants in Inwood, NYC, Elsa La Reina del Chiccarron is a must!
Dishes are large and reasonably priced.
- Address: 4840 Broadway, New York, NY
Bocadito’s Bistro
The seasonal floral displays that drape the entrance makes this the most charming restaurant in Inwood. The décor inside is even more enchanting and is meant to evoke the warmth of an old country home. The menu is based on European Bistro cuisine, offering such items as seafood ceviche, steak risotto, pan roasted halibut, and chicken rollatini.
Beer, wine, and sangria are available from the bar. The intimate charm at Bocadito’s Bistro is a good choice for a special date or celebratory dinner. Serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
- Seasonal outdoor seating available.
- Address: 4863 Broadway, New York, NY
- Reservations: Recommended
La Nueva España
I dare you to walk by this Dominican restaurant without giving in to the urge to step inside and order one of the chickens cooking on the grill, visible through the window as you pass. La Nueva España has been our go-to takeout restaurant in Inwood for years-and we never go wrong!
Our favorite takeout meal is a whole grilled chicken with a side of rice and beans and an order of tostones.
Though we usually do takeout, there’s a large seating area inside this always bustling restaurant. The extensive menu includes Dominican seafood, chicken, steak, and pork dishes. Try Mofongo de Cerdo (mashed green plantain with pork) or Sopa de Mariscos (seafood soup) and Tres Leches or Flan de Coco for dessert.
- Address: 606 W. 207th St., New York, NY
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Taqueria Emilio
When I want the best tacos in Inwood, I order them from Taqueria Emilio. They’re open until 1:00 a.m. in case you get the late-night munchies. For breakfast they serve up huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and more. And in addition to excellent tacos, they also serve great burritos and fajitas.
- Address: 563 W. 207th St., New York, NY
Serrano Salsa
Tall plants and colorful flags decorate the outdoor seating area at this casual Mexican restaurant, which is just steps away from the A train. The central location is lively and fun if you don’t mind the constant buzz of pedestrians and traffic.
The first time we ate at here we ordered burritos and, I’m not going to lie, we were a little puzzled when they came out round-shaped instead of tubular, which is the only shape I had ever seen for a burrito. In the end, though, it only mattered that it was a very tasty burrito.
Serrano Salsa offers lots of great specials like Taco Tuesday (three tacos for $9.99), Thursday Night Nachos (nachos with your choice of topping for $9.99), and weekday lunch specials. They also serve breakfast all day.
- Seasonal outdoor seating available.
- Address: 4979 Broadway, New York, NY
Dyckman Restaurants
No doubt, the most popular restaurant scene in Inwood is on Dyckman Street at Seaman Avenue, where a row of restaurants takes up two city blocks.
The block between Seaman and Broadway was christened with a new name last year: Quisqueya Plaza. Quisqueya is the Taino word for the island of Haiti and Dominican Republic and is used in honor of the local Dominican community.
Quisqueya Plaza is closed to traffic. In the summer, outdoor tables are available to diners eating at the Dyckman restaurants.
In general, Inwood is not a touristy neighborhood. Nevertheless, no matter the time of year, weekends at Dyckman Street restaurants get crowded, with some leaning toward a clubby vibe after 8 p.m. or so. It’s also the most lively and fun place to be in Inwood on a Saturday night.
Some favorite Dyckman restaurants that have stood the test of time include:
- Mamajuana Café – Traditional Dominican dishes prepared with a modern flair. 247 Dyckman St. New York, NY
- MamaSushi – Japanese food with a Caribbean twist. 237 Dyckman St., New York, NY
- Il Sole – Italian-American staples like linguine with clams, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and a large pizza menu. 233 Dyckman St., New York, NY
- Papasito Mexican Grill & Agave Bar – Wide selection of Mexican classics served in a fun, lively setting. 223 Dyckman St., New York, NY
- The Park View – Pancakes, salads, burgers, and many more American comfort dishes. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 219 Dyckman St., New York, NY
Pubs in Inwood
The neighborhood tavern scene is alive and well. If you’re looking for beer and a burger in Inwood, check these places out.
- Inwood Bar and Grill – Sports bar with superb burger and fries and a long list of craft beers. 4892 Broadway, New York, NY
- Tubby Hook Tavern – Friendly neighborhood joint formerly known as Piper’s Kilt. Some say they have the best burgers around. 4946 Broadway, New York, NY
- Tryon Public House – Sister restaurant to Tubby Hook Tavern. An upscale take on pub food and lots of craft beers and specialty cocktails. 4740 Broadway, New York, NY
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Where to Eat on the Last Street in Manhattan
Check out the two places below if you find yourself around 218th street and in need of some nourishment.
- Park Terrace Deli-Stop in for made-to-order sandwiches and salads, snacks, water, and beer. This is a convenient option if you’re heading to Inwood Hill Park for a picnic. 510 W. 218th St., New York, NY
- Inwood Farm –The northernmost restaurant in Manhattan, formerly Indian Road Café. Conveniently located near Inwood Hill Park and has lots of seasonal outdoor seating. Serves coffee and espresso drinks, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 600 W. 218th St., New York, NY.
Where to Find Coffee and Dessert in Inwood
Most restaurants listed above have commendable selections of sweets but if you want to skip straight to dessert and coffee, check out these places.
Kuro Kirin Espresso & Coffee
Order specialty coffee and tea drinks, hot chocolate, and fresh pastries here. A small counter facing out onto the street and a few tables at the back are available if you want your order to-stay. Artwork from local artists is often displayed on the walls.
- Address: 4795 Broadway, New York, NY
Buunni Coffee
When it comes to cafes in Inwood, Buunni Coffee has, in my opinion, the best neighborhood coffeeshop vibe. Coffee sourced from Ethiopia is their specialty. They also sell coffee beans by the pound, in addition to merchandise like T-shirts and thermal coffee mugs. Be sure to keep an eye on Buunni Coffee’s events page, where they list special events like open mic nights, art shows, book clubs, and Restaurant Week menus consisting of homemade Ethiopian cuisine.
If you’re interested in the origins of Buunni Coffee, I recommend reading co-founder Sarina Prabasi’s memoir, The Coffeehouse Resistance: Brewing Hope in Desperate Times. Or check out this Thrillist article where Prabasi speaks about the community-minded approach to coffee.
- Address: 4961 Broadway, New York, NY
ChocNYC
Be sure to stop in at this local bakery for homemade cookies, pastries, cupcakes, freshly baked bread, coffee, and velvety hot chocolate.
- Address: 4996 Broadway, New York, NY
Final Thoughts on Restaurants in Inwood, NYC
Of course, my list of cafes and restaurants in Inwood, NYC is by no means definitive! After living here for more than 13 years, sometimes I feel like we’ve sampled a good selection of places to eat. Other times I think we’ve only scratched the surface. The most important thing is that we continue sampling all the amazing places to eat that we can!