A Local's Guide to Eating and Drinking on Amsterdam Avenue
Published 08/16/2021
There are plenty of bars and restaurants to try along the bustling four-block stretch of Amsterdam Avenue in Morningside Heights between 106th and 110th Streets. Just three blocks from the northern reaches of Central Park, these establishments serve a diverse community of tourists, longtime Upper West Side residents, young professionals, Columbia students and faculty and multigenerational immigrant families from everywhere in the world.
The majority are homegrown places whose owners operate another local spot or two, dishing up a street market’s worth of bar food and international cuisine. Many continue to offer outdoor seating as part of NYC’s Open Streets initiative, so pull up a chair and indulge.
1
Nobody Told Me
1
951 Amsterdam Ave.
It would be a shame if no one told you about Nobody Told Me. This somewhat-recent addition to the neighborhood (they opened in 2019) offers a variety of comfort food and healthful small plates, including their fried chicken sandwich, avocado toast and crunchy salad of fresh chicory greens. There’s also an excellent selection of wines by the glass, beer and cocktails, all of which are even more tempting during happy hour (3–6pm weekdays).
2
Awash
2
947 Amsterdam Ave.
Two doors down from Nobody Told Me, Awash serves Ethiopian food in a softly lit, open space that has been operating for more than a quarter century. Consistently filling portions are offered here at reasonable prices. Vegetarian options are on the menu alongside kitfo, Ethiopia’s famous version of steak tartare. It all comes served on warm injera bread.
3
Tropical Sensation
3
953 Amsterdam Ave.
Tropical Sensation is a haunt for the neighborhood’s vast Latino population. Here you can expect hearty sancocho (traditional Latin American stew), Latin music and seafood. The service is friendly and the outdoor scene is lively.
4
Lion's Head Tavern
4
995 Amsterdam Ave.
Head one block north to the southeast corner of 109th and Amsterdam for lunch or late-night bites at the Lion’s Head Tavern, a sports bar and dive. Here, classic bar food reigns supreme, with orders of wings practically flying out of the kitchen and onto tables.
5
Dive 106
5
938 Amsterdam Ave.
Head south a few blocks and across Amsterdam, and you’ll probably run into a few fellow bar hoppers at this local joint. Dive 106 may appear slightly more polished than Lion’s Head, but it’s as low key as they come. While the ownership and name of this spot has morphed more than once over the years, its essential character and flowing beer taps remain.
6
Bánh Vietnamese Shop House
6
942 Amsterdam Ave.
This recently opened BYOB pho spot is a culinary standout on the block, and with their addition of outdoor dining, you’re more likely than ever to get a table. Bánh serves the flavorful noodle dish in a handful of varieties, including chicken and vegetarian. The small menu is rich with delicacies not often found north or south of Canal Street, such as banh chung chien rice cake, a sticky, crispy rice cake with mung beans and ground pork. But the best surprises are the weekend specials, which might include a combo of crispy, spicy chicken wings and tender smoked chicken feet.
7
Thai Market
7
960 Amsterdam Ave.
Amble north and step across West 107th Street to Thai Market, which serves exceptional homestyle Thai cuisine that blows its competition out of the water. Standards like pad thai or massaman curry are flawlessly executed, and the daily specials are often knockouts, like Norwegian salmon in a light curry sauce over jasmine rice with fresh sautéed spinach or a fiery green mango salad with strips of crisp-fried salmon skin. Thai beer, wines by the glass and some tangy Asian-inspired cocktails are also available. Thai Market has a spacious, well-lit interior and sidewalk seating.
8
Taqueria y Fonda La Mexicana
8
968 Amsterdam Ave.
Less than half a block north of Thai Market is this bite-sized Mexican diner. The cook is always stationed in the front behind a sizzling grill, whipping up tacos and burritos, steaks and shrimp or hefty Mexican breakfasts. The house-made chips here are not to be missed, and all three accompanying salsas will delight your taste buds, though a couple of them will also make you reach quickly for your water. The service is friendly and the jukebox catalog has decades of Mexican pop music—crooners included.
9
Amity Hall
9
982 Amsterdam Ave.
This rowdy late-night spot has two bars and multiple large-screen TVs for broadcasting sports. The atmosphere is just as lively during brunch on Saturday and Sunday, when “bottomless” mimosa taps are brought out to the tables.
10
Bombay Frankie Roti Roll and Suite
10
992 Amsterdam Ave.
On the northwest corner of 109th and Amsterdam, Suite, a welcoming gay bar, is connected to an Indian roti shop, Bombay Frankie Roti Roll. This fresh, flavorful Bombay street food dish comes filled with lamb or chicken and lots of spices. There are plenty of vegetarian options too, including eggplant and chana or aloo gobi. The chicken lollipop—fried wings lightly dusted with fragrant Indian spices—are very difficult to put down.
Once you’re full on roti, head through the side door into the divey Suite and grab a beer from the friendly bartender. Stick around for karaoke which occurs several nights a week.
11
The Hamilton
11
998 Amsterdam Ave.
A more sedate drinking hangout is just up the block: the Hamilton is a compact, 32-seat whiskey bar with an amazing selection of scotch, bourbon and rye that the amicable bartender will shake or stir into a delicious cocktail. It’s a friendly retreat from the often pumped-up neighborhood scene just outside, and a great place to start or wind down your evening.
12
Silver Moon Bakery
12
2740 Broadway
Satisfy your sweet tooth with an éclair, fresh chocolate croissant, delicate macaron or fruit tart at Silver Moon Bakery. Any of these would pair well with their lattes (iced and hot) and some people-watching outside. Before you leave, buy a fresh loaf of bread—like a fig and pepper baguette.
13
Tartina
13
1034 Amsterdam Ave.
For fine dining, venture just outside of our four-block boundary to the southwest corner of 111th Street and Amsterdam. That’s where you will find Tartina, a sophisticated Italian spot where you can get delicious, even uncommon pastas like tubbettoni with swordfish, paired with great wines.
Finally, if it’s not too late, you need to stretch your legs and you aren’t too full to walk, don’t forget that Central Park is just three blocks to the east and Riverside Park just two blocks west.
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