Our Story
Harlem Shake Opens
May 2013, our flagship restaurant opened in the heart of Central Harlem at 100 W. 124th St. (corner of Lenox Ave.) The fast-casual restaurant features a menu made for both simple and sophisticated tastes.
Harlem Shake Serves
From our burgers made with custom blend Pat LaFrieda patties, NY-style, all-beef hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese/melts, to our entrée-size salads, sides and handmade shakes featuring Blue Marble Ice Cream, we use only the highest-quality, all-natural ingredients. Harlem Shake offers an extensive selection of beer and wine including eight draught beers, specializing in local choices.
Harlem Shake Represents
Our old school interior reflects Harlem’s culture and community. The “Wall of Fame” is crowded with over 200 autographed headshots of celebrities including P.Diddy, Asap Rocky, Maya Angelou, Remy Ma, and Janelle Monae. The “Wall of Fro” shows off the fabulous afro hairstyles of our customers. Our restroom walls showcase hundreds of vintage JET Magazine covers. Shannon Thorton, the original “Miss Harlem Shake” is displayed as a life size moving photo. Yearly our customers vote on a new Mr. or Miss Harlem Shake from the Harlem community. To learn more visit our Miss/Mr. Harlem Shake page. Harlemcam, the only 24/7 public live cam in Harlem is located at our flagship. It captures what’s happening on the street in real time.
Harlem Shake Out & About
Harlem Shake loves to introduce new audiences, big or small, to their fun and tasty cuisine. The award-winning restaurant has participated in major food festival and events including: City Harvest "Summer in the City" Edible Magazine "Good Beer", Village Voice "Choice Eats", Harlem Eat Up, New York City Food & Wine Festival and more to come!
Harlem Shake Supports
Our hiring policy is to hire members of the Harlem community; nearly 65% of our staff resides from the east to west side of Harlem. As a part of the village of Harlem it's important we collaborate with our community businesses and nonprofit organizations. We support our neighbors at African-American Day Parade, Black Ink, Cultured Movement, Harlem Business Alliance, Harlem Children’s Zone, Harlem Eat Up, Harlem Haberdashery, Harlem Run, heartforharlem, Mama Foundation for the Arts, Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, The Laundromat Project, MMPCIA, Power of You Teens, NYC Health & Hospitals/Harlem, Trinity Harlem Church, The Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York, Inc., United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and many others.
We are also proud members of East Harlem Community Alliance, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Harlem Business Alliance, Harlem Park to Park and NYC & Co.
Did you know that our annual Miss (or Mister) Harlem Shake winner gets to pick a Harlem non-profit organization of their choice to be gifted $500 on their behalf?
Harlem Shake Gets Respect
Harlem Shake was featured in amNewYork, Black Enterprise, Bloomberg, BonAppetit, CBS -TV, Cosmopolitan, Crain’s New York Business, Eater, Edible, Elle CROATIA, Food & Beverage Magazine, Food Republic, Fodors, Forbes, Gotham, Gothamist, Hot 97.1, The Infatuation, National Geographic Traveler, New York Magazine, NY Amsterdam News, New York Daily News, The New York Times, New York Post, Reader's Digest, Refinery29, Serious Eats, Tasting Panel, Time Out New York, Time Out New York KIDS, Thrillist, Travel Magazine, The Spruce Eats, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Where Traveler, WPIX-11, WNYW - Fox 5, Yahoo, Zagat and many more media outlets.
Highlights include:
2021
Newsbreak - Best Milkshake in New York
The Infatuation - Best Smashed Burgers in New York City
Time Out New York KIDS - 21 Fun Restaurants in New York City
10 Best Milkshakes in NYC - Gotham / Manhattan Magazine
2020
Top 5 Listing to See & Eat in Harlem - Fodors New York City Guide 2020
Best Family Restaurants Doing Delivery - Time Out New York KIDS
2019
Best Outdoor Restaurants & Rooftop Bars - New York Post
Best Birthday Party Places - Time Out New York KIDS
The Best Restaurant in Harlem (2019) - TheInfatuation
The Best Place to Get a Shake in Every State - MSN.com
10 Best Milkshakes in NYC - City Guide NY
15 Best Milkshakes in NYC - Foursquare
2018
Battle of the Burgers 2018 winner - Time Out New York
The Most Affordable Sandwiches in the U.S. - MSN.com
These 5 Burger Spots Are Among The Best In NYC - Patch.com
9 Best Milkshakes in NYC - BestProducts.com
The 11 Best Milkshake Spots in NYC - Gothamist.com
The 15 Best Places for a Milkshake in NYC - Foursquare
The 10 Best Milkshakes in NYC - City Guide
Best Kids Party Places in NYC - Time Out New York KIDS
2017
One of Best Places for Burgers in East Harlem - Foursquare
These burger queens are turning Harlem Shake into an Empire- Uptown Magazine
Best Burgers Places in NYC - Thrillist.com
The Absolute Best Patty Melts in New York- Grubstreet.com
One of most fascinating public bathrooms in NYC - Untapped Cities
2016
11 best burgers in NYC according to top chefs- Bloomberg
2015
Harlem’s Best Pick -Harlem Bespoke
Outrageously Good Fried Chicken” - New York Magazine
Perfect Fried Chicken - Bloomberg.com
NY’s Favorite Shakes “Best Shakes on #2 line” - New York Daily News
Best Milkshake in New York/The world”- Thrillist.com
Top Ten Burgers in NYC - The Village Voice
2014
Best Harlem Restaurant; WINNER 2014 - Reader’s Award Choice , Time Out NY
Harlem’s Answer to Shake Shack - Forbes Magazine
2013
Best of the World 2013, “Vintage Hangout” - National Geographic Traveler
Modern Diner with Old-School Vibe - Wall Street Journal
A Collage of Black History and Culture- The New York Times