Sea & Sea New York
Fried fish takeout
On 116th Street just east of Malcolm X Boulevard (aka Lenox Avenue) —and abutting the West Africa Market—is Sea & Sea, a busy, important Harlem fish shop.
Inside, on one hand you have the long, self-serve fish counter iced and piled deep with Porgies, Whiting, Bass, Snapper (red, white and blue), Blue Fish, Catfish, Salmon, Tile Fish and Flounder followed by stacks of most of those same fish, filleted. At the back is shellfish and crustaceans (showing oysters at $1 each).
On the other hand is the grill/steamer with a menu that includes almost any fish from the opposite wall served with chips (deep fried potatoes) or onion rings or vegetables (either fried or steamed).
My whole Porgie came as two large pieces covered with a beautifully browned coarse crust—crunchy and hot, clinging tightly to the steaming fish it contained. Be warned: every piece of cooked fish retains its bones which contribute to its fulsome flavor.
This is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand and busy with customers from neighbourhoods near and far.
There is no seating inside or even outside on the sidewalk, or for some distance in any direction. It’s a stand-and-eat operation offering huge portions at a comically affordable price. My Porgie and chips—much more than I could eat—was $7, cash only, please.
The nearest trash can is on the corner of 116th and Lenox.
About this spot
Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
S&P Lunch
1928 Lunch Counter
S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928, serves Jewish classics like matzoh ball soup and latkes in a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. A must-visit!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Dive 75
Quality trivia contests
"Dive 75" in NYC is a noteworthy sports bar for its Tuesday Night Trivia contests. Clientele is also big on board games, and the beer is relatively cheap!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Professional Baseball
April 4 opener 2025
Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Rubenstein Atrium
Lincoln Center free concerts
"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Revson Fountain
Lincoln center
"Revson Fountain" at the Lincoln Center in NYC is one of the results of the renovation that started in 2006. It's spectacular and a must-see!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Gray's Papaya
Traditional NY hot dogs
"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Paris Cinema
Last single screen cinema in NYC
"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
American Legion Post 398
Hot Harlem night
At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
"A Great Day in Harlem" Site
Historic jazz site
"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River bike route
The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
New Plaza Cinema
Art house cinema
"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 301 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite New York
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
