Sisters New York

Soul/Jamaica Fusion in Harlem

Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....
""Sisters" in New York is a Jamaican restaurant. Let's put it like this: when I go to Jamaica, I don't seek a restaurant until I come back!"

Jamaica is my playground. I stay in 'West End' near Negril, slightly up the hill in a small cabin; I cook for myself and I walk to a tiny beach. I drink Sorrel, eat Sweet Sop, Sour Sop, Aki, Starapple, Mango, Guava and Tamarind, but I rarely seek a fancy Jamaican restaurant; i save that for the city.

Here’s why: Sisters Caribbean Cuisine in Harlem will serve me more sophisticated food, and still give me a nice, tall glass of icy Sorrel, the thing I most crave. It’s made from flower petals for God’s sake---how can one resist? It’s tart, sweet, dark purple, quenches and dries my slippery, hot mouth on first gulp.

In New York most of my getting to Harlem is done via CitiBike so by the time I get there I’m thirsty. Outside, Sisters has a bench, Marcus Garvey Park (with its SummerStage concert series) kitty-corner, and a hot breeze in the summer. Sorrell in hand, I’m in ‘Jamaica’, but only 25 minutes from home.

Inside, there’s Trinidadian chicken, curry flavoured rotis, jerk chicken (which everywhere is only an imitation of the Jamaican thing), salt cod, dirty rice, yams, greens with okra and many other, west African temptations, very reasonably priced. Highly recommended: oxtail stew. My sorrell costs about the same as coffee in my neighbourhood.

While you’re reading, please read further---this charming, prize-winning, sweet short story about sweet sop. You’ll smile, which is very, very good for you.

You may bring your own wine.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

New York Spotter Geoffrey

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes. Why New York I love New York because of its broad cultural spectrum realized in all forms of the arts, food, technology, politics and transportation, and its easy access to the beautif...

About this spot

47 East 124th Street

Entrée:

US$

15

+1

2124103000

Nov 6, 2025

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

UWS Phone Booth

Last payphone booth

One block away from a 21st century LinkNYC WiFi tower on Broadway sits one of three West End Avenue working telephone 'booths', the last in NYC...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Dec 6, 2025

Anthony & Son

Old-school sandwich shop

After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Dutch Kills

Upholding cocktail culture in Queens

"Dutch Kills" in New York isn't hiding it's one of the best bars in the city, but it isn't publicizing the fact, either. No password to enter, however!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Montero's

Quirky Brooklyn dive bar

"Montero's" (est. 1939) in New York is one of the weirdest bars I've ever visited, in the best way possible; it takes you back to working-class Brooklyn...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Bund on Broadway

Soup dumplings

"Bund on Broadway" is one of the most popular restaurants on Astoria's restaurant row in New York. I always go straight fo the famous pork soup dumplings.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Conference House

Pre-Revolutionary history

The "Conference House" in New York is a perfect place to escape modern life if you're interested in what life was like in the 1600s...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Vite Vinosteria

My special occasion spot

"Vite Vinosteria" in New York is the Italian restaurant where, ever since I moved to Astoria, I've celebreated nearly every birthday & anniversary...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Hunter's Point Library

Waterfront reading room

"Hunter's Point Library" in New York, on Long Island City's waterfront, is definitely for you if you're a fan of books, architecture and skyline views!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

House of Yes

Uninhibited fun

"House of Yes" is a colorful, eclectic space in New York that houses everything from roller skating to trapeze artists. Free entry on Fridays before 11pm!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Victoria

Yang

Dec 4, 2025

Jajaja Plantas Mexicana

Vegan Mexican food

"Jajaja Plantas Mexicana" in New York is a creative joint that has vegan versions of traditional Mexican food. It's delicious, affordable & healthy!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Victoria

Yang

Dec 4, 2025

Star Polish Bakery

Best mak

"Star Polish Bakery" in New York makes the best Polish desserts and cakes, especially the makowiec. Here they make it exactly the way I like it...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Art Gallery Hopping

A cultural way to explore NYC

New York City is ideal for Art Gallery Hopping, and opening & closing receptions occur frequently. Here are my go-to spots when I'm thirsty for some art...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Victoria

Yang

Dec 4, 2025

Heading to New York?

308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

New York app Home
New York app Home
New York app Map
New York app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

308 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:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters