Puerto Rican, Mexican, Dominican, Cuban, French, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Italian, Asian, as well as some of the city’s best bakeries and cafés, can be found within walking distance from one another throughout El Barrio. In the mood for mofongo, a Cuban sandwich, burritos, the finest mole sauce?  How about a serving of arroz con pollo, the best pizza in NYC, “cuchifritos,” or a mouth-watering steak? And don’t forget to finish your meal off with a piece of coconut flan, a red velvet donut, or guava bread pudding  as you wash it all down with a  pitcher of sangria, an agua fresca, café con leche or a mojito.  Visit El Barrio, your stomach will thank you!

From up and down 3rd, 2nd, 1st, Lexington, Park, Madison and 5th Avenues, East Harlem’s local shops offer hard-to-find items, often reflecting the area’s many cultures. Souvenirs from all over the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa can be found, as well as boutiques that have been lost in other neighborhoods but still hold roots in El Barrio. It is also home to many of NYC’s sneaker and specialty-urban-wear shops.