Service by Abe was 10/10! Patient, attentive, kind, and his suggestion were on point. He even added fresh fruit complementary. We sat in the traditional sabiib seating area on a Saturday afternoon. We had the Shaab Tea, two Sambusa, Sabaayad. The flavors were exactly what I wanted even though I had never tried Somalian food before! Off to a great start and then the mains came and we were blown away!! We got the Hilib Ari and Chicken Suqaar and both were so tender, flavorful and scrumptious! I highly recommend Safari to anyone in the area who wants to try some bomb food! read more

While it's not crowded, I'd recommend making a reservation . Safari is Somali/ East African food. Interior can fit about 20-30 people, including the back couched area, and is very spacious. I loved the ambiance and interior designs inside. Ordered the chicken Suqaar, which was delicious. Meat was so tender and flavorful, as was the rice. Also had the Suqaar fries but wouldn't recommend them as they're just marked-up regular fries. Portions are quite generous and prices are fair (entrees $20-25). Mostly carbs and proteins. Overall, I'd probably go back. read more

Safari - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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Pleasant experience here at Safari Harlem on a chilly evening in November. Stopped here with a companion who is Ugandan and has been craving East African Cuisine outside of Ethiopian. Back home we can really only get Ethiopian or West African at restaurants. So we were really looking forward to our visit. We came early about 4:00, and we basically had the place to ourselves. An older gentleman who may have been the owner or manager served us. He was very informative and answered my friend's questions. I ended up ordering the Chicken Suqaar - worried that it might be too spicy - I was pleasantly surprised by the mild, but warm flavor profile of the dish. It truly felt like a home-cooked meal. My chicken dish came with either rice or chapaati, and I ordered chapaati which was quite good though my friend said it was more paratha than chapaati. I didn't know the difference and I wasn't disappointed either because it tasted great either which way. I also had the Somali white grapefruit juice which was honestly the highlight of my meal. It was fresh and slightly fizzy. It was really delightful. The ambiance of the restaurant was very homey. The gentleman who served us and then the main server (when she arrived) were both super friendly and welcoming. It felt like being in someone's home, and this was exactly what we were looking for. I would definitely come back! read more

Safari - Chicken Suqaar - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

Still phenomenal! Love the somali coffee too (has ginger, cardamom, other spices) and had the crepes for dessert. Highly recommend getting as much of the sabbayad (flaky chewy chapati) as you can eat, it is delish! read more

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I ordered thru GRUBHUB food delivery. I ordered 1 sambusa, hummus and mango curry veggie. Everything was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. Only one thing my chipatti bread was small. I wish I could gotten 2 of them because it tasted really nice. Overall my food was still 10/10. I was at work and too hungry to take pictures of my food. Next time! read more

Every dish and drink we tasted was incredible. Abe took time to explain the menu to us and answer all of our questions. He even went the extra mile by finding us out in the rain after we accidentally left our credit card. Would definitely recommend for a delicious dining experience, a peaceful ambiance, and excellent staff. read more

Safari completely won me over -- Somali food might be one of my new favorite cuisines! We tried the Beef Suqaar, Mango Curry Chicken, and Hilib Ari, and every single dish was full of flavor. The owner was so warm and welcoming, and the ambiance was very authentic, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely ask for bananas with your rice -- it takes the meal to another level! read more

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We ordered Hilib Ari(goat), lam shoulder, mango curry chicken, crepe and donut. They are all amazing!! My son who is a very picky eater loves it and says, "We need come back every time we visit Central Park!" read more

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This has been part of my saved list for such a long time and I'm so glad I finally got to try it out. We came on a weekend lunch and I was really surprised that there was no one in the store. I ordered the Mango Curry Chicken and it was absolutely delicious. I love the way the sweetness of the mangos bring out the flavor of the chicken. Also surprisingly the curry reminded me a bit of Thai curry as the flavor profile was a lot milder than what I expected. There was a vegetable in there, maybe it was a huge spice I'm not sure, that I didn't know about that was interesting and that I wasn't the biggest fan of. But overall, I thought this dish was delicious especially with the rice with raisins inside. I will definitely be back to Safari to try more Somali dishes! read more

Safari - Hooyo Faduma's Mango Curry Chicken - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I hiked up to this neighborhood on the 1 train to experience Safari - a beautiful Somali restaurant nestled a stone's throw away from Central Park North on a beautiful tree lined corner. From the outside this place was unassuming but as you step inside you are instantly transported to another world. The bright red patterned carpeting and beautiful playlist called out my name. I wholeheartedly welcome to opportunity to dine in floor seating, so this visit was nothing short of an experience. We visited during restaurant week so opted to go for the prix fixe menu. This started with a delightful hummus and sambusa filled with meat. The hummus was more on the acidic side, it wasn't my favorite but it was definitely tasty. I prefer hummus a little smoother and creamier. The sambusa was delicious but I would've loved if they were bigger. The green sauce that came along with it was absolutely divine, I think they should offer that sauce on the side with their entrees actually. For drinks, the mango juice did not impress me too much, there was somewhat of an artificial quality to it. It might be because I am Pakistani and spoiled with some of the world's best mango juice.. I also did not really like the tea, it seemed too weak and milk heavy. I think the beverages here definitely need some improvement. For the mains my friend went with the lamb/goat stew and I went with the mango curry chicken. Both dishes came with fragrant yellow rice. We shared plates and I really enjoyed the lamb curry. The lamb was moist and cooked down, and the curry was heavy on paprika and other spices, which I absolutely loved. The flavor was very mellow, but well balanced. The mango curry had a tartness and bright acidic flavor to it. That was very enjoyable. I especially love the greens and herbs in this curry, but I think my one complaint was that it was a little bit watery. This comes down to a personal preference, but I do like my curry to be thick and creamy sometimes even a little oily. The meal ended with the sweet crêpes that were dusted with cinnamon and came with a syrup and honey. These were a good ending to the meal, although I do wish these crêpes had some sort of filling in them to contrast through the sweetness and push this dessert to the next level. Service was friendly and attentive, our food came out right on time and we had a cure of the kitchen which looked clean and well organized. I think apart from a few small improvements, this is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant dishing out some authentic Somali food and putting this cuisine on the map. I look forward to eating here again one day when I find myself in Harlem next time. read more

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Sigh* I came here for ny restaurant week. Let me paint the scene. Its about 1230p on a Thursday. Prime lunch time. 2 guest are seated and talking. No employees are in sight. Im waiting and waiting. Finally someone emerges from the back says you can sit anywhere. I ask about the restaurant week menu. He said its not available yet. Online it shows they will have a lunch menu but apparently they are only doing a dinner menu. I just ordered an app The beef sambusa 8/10 very good not oily good flavors. The issue for me was the lack of service. I sat and sat waiting for someone to come back over. Again its only 3 of us in the spot. Not sure what the delay was . The place has potential . The staff isn't rude they just arent attentive. read more

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The inside is beautiful, the music and ambiance really felt authentic to the cuisine. While I've had plenty of Ethiopian/Eritrean food, this was my first time trying Somali food. The woman working was very sweet, when I was there on a Saturday afternoon it seemed like she was doing everything -- taking orders, in the kitchen, serving, cleaning. There was no separate brunch menu so we ordered the classics from the standard menu. For vegans/vegetarians there are two options -- one being an open faced wrap and the other is a mango curry. All of the entrees of course come with banana, I've had banana with rice/stew before and I never get tired of the sweet/savory combination. Everyone at my table loved their food -- it was so flavorful and unique to most other cuisines we've tried. I tried the Sabaayad wrap which was a bit small in portion, but packed with flavor. Most tables, including ours, got the "Shaax Somali" tea which is served in a small kettle for the tables with cups for whoever ordered some. It's so warm (both in flavor and temperature) and great in the winter especially. While service was kind, it was admittedly a bit slow -- you might have to flag whoever is working down if you're in a rush. A cozy spot for brunch, lunch or dinner in Harlem; I'd definitely recommend! read more

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There has been a lot of buzz lately about this Somalian restaurant in Harlem, so I decided to check it out. I am happy to say that the place was super clean. The tables and floors were shining, and I arrived after 6pm. There was, what appeared to be, traditional music playing over the speakers, and a traditional dining space set up in the rear of the restaurant. I ordered the vegetarian Sambusa. It was very good. It came with a dipping sauce that had some "kick" to it. The pastry was flaky, similar to a beef patty, but not the same texture. For my main dish, I ordered the Hilib Ari. This dish is a Somali staple in households, so I had to try it. I thought that the meat would be lamb; however, it was goat. It was tender and well seasoned. The goat literally fell off the bone that's how tender it was. This dish also came with Basmati rice and BizBas sauce. For dessert, I tried the mandazi. Is essentially fried dough with some cinnamon and syrups or honey. They were not on the menu, but the chef made it since I requested it. It was just ok. For drinks, I ordered the Safari Mango Lassi and the Fiimto. Both were very good. Overall, Safari hits on all cylinders. It's a great place to dine-in or take out. The owner, Shakib, was very nice and even took a picture with us once we were done eating. Keeping my promise to him, I'm spreading the GOOD word for everyone to come to Safari in Harlem for some good Somalian food. Til we eat again... read more

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I'd definitely come back to try the mango chicken curry next. The chai was so good and so was the goat curry. Really cool area to sit if you don't want a table too. Service was perfect. read more

Safari - Goat curry and chai - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

A delicious and happiness-inducing meal! Had the most delicious chicken suqaar (I was licking my fingers) and ordered the Somali chai twice because it was just too good! The food was incredible but somehow the service was even better. The waitress was such a delight -- very hospitable and genuine. The floor seating area is very beautiful. read more

Food was very delicious. The flavors were very clean allowing the xawaash to shine through very clearly. Not overly salty. The basbaas had just enough punch to make you feel it but also wasn't punishing. Suitable for someone who hasn't had a great deal of East African cuisine. For a beginner the only thing I'd caution about is that the Hilib Ari still has bone in it, as is traditional. The decor is lovely, and there's ground seating for those who wish. The service was speedy and considerate. I do agree with the previous reviewer that there are some details that could stand review. The menu is a little unclear about the spice levels of the dishes - simple enough to fix by rewriting the menu. Also, the menu itself is a little roughshod and alignment is off in certain places. Not a big deal and can be fixed overnight. However, our food came out hot and delicious consistently, so the concerns of the previous reviewer seem to have been addressed. I'm cheering for these guys - more unique and elegant restaurants like this in Harlem is always a win. read more

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This place is so delicious and decently priced. The hibiscus juice was good and the white grape juice must have been good because it was sold out. We ordered the flat bread, sambuusas, goat dish, and mango curry dish. Everything was delicious and we had some left to take home. The food came out quick and the server was very attentive. It has a good amount of seating at tables or on the rugs. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Noted that Safari had moved from W. 116th to this location, but hadn't realized it was open until I saw 2 people sitting there last night. Safari offers Somalian cuisine. Had not eaten at the earlier place, but thought I'd give it a try, picking something up for lunch. The closest to a lunch-priced option was their Sabaayad Wrap, which comes with beef or chicken grilled with onions and seasonal peppers in a freshly homemade chapatti. I ordered the beef, which was absolutely delicious along with the accompanying green sauce. The combination of spices and all the ingredients... Yum! That being said, given its size, it either could have been bigger or priced less to make it more filling for lunch. From my understanding, they've only been open for a little over a month. When I mentioned about how it would be great if they have reasonable lunch specials, since I frequently bring in lunch from other places in the neighborhood, they told me it's something they plan in a few weeks. Looking forward to try out what they'll have what they have as lunch specials since there are many things on the menu that seemed exciting and worth trying. Especially like to have another great local restaurant closer by! To add for those not ordering take-out, the space is a nice environment with large windows with a street view. FYI - The food is Halal, for those keeping to that. read more

Safari - Safari's totally delicious Somalian Sabaayad Wrap, beef grilled with onions and peppers in a fresh homemade chapatti along with green sauce - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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Positives: - the sambusas were great. The pastry was not greasy at all this time, which was fantastic. The beef one was a bit on the salty side but the bisbaas (hot sauce) helped. - The space is open and airy. A good amount of seating. Some floor cushions with traditional decor in one area. - Parking surprisingly did not take that long to find on an adjacent street on a Sunday afternoon but maybe we lucked out. - The service was friendly Constructive feedback: I couldn't get over the fact that they allowed the meat to come out cold. It's embarrassing when you rave to people about how good Somali food is and then they get cold dishes of suqaar and hilib ari. Please tell whoever is in the kitchen never to do that again. The mango juice was also almost at room temperature. Could have added some ice. If you want to thrive in this economy, and get consistent repeat customers, you have to pay attention to quality and the details. read more

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We came to this place nearby because we all wanted to try Somalian food. We waited foreverrrr for everything the place was full and food took about an hour to come out my sister was pissed they didn't even bring water or clean up the tables next to us. She also really didn't like the food even though we liked it, we definitely won't be coming back because the service was horrific. read more

Safari - Chicken Suqqar - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

I went to their old location and it was great. I had a great chat with the owner and she prepared me something so modern I was taken a back by it. I didn't realize Somali food had a cold side to it. read more

Tasty food. I got the vegetarian options mango curry and 2 appetizers. It wasn't busy. read more

Safari - Menu - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for takeout for the first time. I tried the goat and also the chicken. They were both good, I liked the goat more as the chicken was slightly dry and could have used more sauce. The service was good, they were helpful in making the choices. I also enjoyed the mango lassi as well. It was refreshing on a hot day. I will be coming back. read more

Safari - Goat was flavorful and delicious! - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

this place is amazing! The food is perfectly spiced and delightful. Good portions and affordable. So many interesting things to try on the menu. Every time I have been there everyone working there has been very nice and accommodating. Excellent for delivery too, have always gotten my order right and it's always been hot, delicious, and on time. read more

What a remarkable food experience! Employees here treated us with exceptional kindness. The savory food was consistently great, visually appealing and thoughtfully combined. You'll notice the reasonable costs and generous amounts. I enjoy everything about this place and say so. read more

Amazing food, design and service. Second visit can't wait to come back! They also participate in restaurant week! read more

Safari - Banana crepe - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing food, amazing service, great vibe, great value. highly recommend the Somali coffee

The food here is fantastic! So flavorful and fresh. Also the servers are incredibly kind and attentive. Would highly recommend!

I was near this restaurant today and just wanted a cup of coffee but decided to order the chai tea. I am so glad that I did because the chai tea is very good!!!! read more

The food was 5 stars, but I cannot recommend that you come here in winter. It was a 30-degree night and the door was left wide open the entire time! I have no idea why. We left our coats on and even then I was still freezing. Once the food came out, though, dining here was a great experience! The Hilib Ari featured extremely tender goat and potatoes in a light, savory sauce with a hint of cinnamon. The delicious rice was served with sweet raisins and carrots. The mango chicken curry tasted a lot different than I had expected. Its sauce was sour and savory rather than sweet. We really enjoyed it. As good as these dishes were, the chapati actually might've been my favorite part of the meal. This flatbread was so light, airy and crispy all at once. It's the kind of bread I'll think about often. read more

Safari - Hilib Ari - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

We were told by staff that this is the only Somali restaurant in NYC. The trek out to Harlem was well worth it. The atmosphere here is fine and casual. There's no table service so you order via your phone which was a bit frustrating for a resurgent this small, but the food here was really good and unique. The veg options are good but somewhat similar. The Roti wrap is great and the yogurt contrasts the mango pickle well. The vegetables in mango sauce similar flavor to veggies in roti but still very good. The Mango juice was very fresh. This is a great restaurant for a casual bite and something unique while up in the neighborhood. read more

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Everything just bursts with flavor in your mouth creating a party down the hatch. Safari is the place to be. The flavors are good and the drinks and the food read more

Food was very flavorful and the ambiance was nice. The goat with rice was really good. Service was great as well. Will be back for sure.

I finally had the opportunity to visit after the move to St. Nicholas from 116st. The food was absolutely divine as I remembered it, everything was fresh and delicious. I ordered the Sabayaad, the Veggie meal and a hot cup of Shaax tea. My partner ordered the fiimto drink and the catch of the day dinner. The service is friendly and always lovely. The ambiance is warm and relaxing. Come here when you're not in a rush where you can sit back and really enjoy food made with love. read more

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I bought rice with chicken, but the rice was old and clumped together, and the chicken was dry, tough, and of low quality!

I got the vegan sambusa and it was crispy, flaky and very appetite-whetting. I also got the hangar steak and the shaax tea - both delicious, the green-sauce is something else! I will definitely be stopping by again - whether to pick up a shaax tea and lounging or for dinner. read more

Stopped in yesterday while on vacation in NYC. The staff is extremely sweet and the food is awesome. I got the mango and hibiscus drink which was great and the goat is so good! Also got the flatbread which was VERY tasty. I recommend checking out this amazing little gem. It was my first time trying Somalian food and i highly recommend it! read more

Safari - Goat dish - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

Another participating restaurants for the current restaurant week event. I went on a Saturday and they don't do restaurant week menu on Saturday, but the normal menu price is pretty similar. They serve really good Somali/East African food; definitely check out this place! I really like the goat in Hilib Ari dish - a little too salty if you eat it by itself but the taste balances out when you eat with rice or the sabaayed (chappati flat bread). The beef imo is kinda similar to normal beef stew. The sambusa is pretty good. Their juice is delicious as well. read more

Safari - Beef suqaar Sabaayed Hilib ari - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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Flavor packed food! Came here for restaurant week lunch and really enjoyed my Hilib Ari (marinated goat and rice). On taste alone, the goat is extremely tender and flavorful. This was my first instance with goat, and I was thoroughly pleased (somewhat similar to lamb). I would definitely order this again. The rice was spiced as well, which added a lot to the overall dish. As part of the dish, we also had the chicken sambusas, which are crispy pockets of chicken and veggies (also very flavorful). On the side, we ordered Sabaayed, which is similar to naan, but much lighter, and a little more buttery. Some slight disappointments were (1) the coffee, which seemed weak, but heavy on ginger, and (2) the fact that we ordered for sit-down dining and were served on aluminum takeout containers. Those aside, the food was absolutely delicious, and I would definitely go back (hence the 5/5 overall rating). Price: 4/5 Quality: 5/5 Quantity: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 3/5 read more

Safari - Sabaayed - Somali Near Me - New York, New York

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We are hooked! Safari, the first and only Somali restaurant in NYC, introduced us to a delightful concert of tastes. From the sweet and tangy flavors of the mango curry to the spiced chai and the savory and tender goat, we were more than satisfied. The chapati was very soft and chewy and useful in sopping up every last morsel. We will definitely order again in the future! read more