Safari
Order Safari Takeout or Delivery
Safari Photos
Business Info
Safari Popular Dishes
SAFARI ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Safari
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
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!
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!
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!"
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!
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.
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.
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I selected Somalian food as my first brunch of 2019. Because i wanted to do and try something NEW to me in my life at this New Year start. I was visiting friend lives in Harlem, My friend is new to Harlem and we are always exploring and researching somewhere from " real Harlem " This place looked like neighborhood favorite. I've never been to Somalia, tasted neither but I believed this was really Somalian iconic food. We picked most popular dish ( they said) Hilib Ari Roasted goat served aside with Somali Basmati rice and BizBaz sauce and Chicken Suqaar Traditional southern Somalia dish, spicy chicken stew with aromatic house spice best served with Bariis or chapatti bread Both taste really good, I can't pick one dish, and I like to challenge any local flavor and my taste is flexible but If you are sensitive with animal flavor, you should pick Chicken or Beef. I meant Goat is bit strong flavor such as Lamb. They considered to make our sauce mild, But I wanna try to have more spicy next time! Additionally the server girl was cute and sweet, Some neighbor or regular customers stop by to say happy new year to her. That looked how this place is popular in Harlem. I guess it absolutely is! Anyway, good experience of unknown food in new year ! read more
Deliciously flavorful food! First time I've had Somalian food but was blown away by the spices. My friend and I had dinner here on a weekday and there was no wait time; we were immediately seated in the humble 7-8 table restaurant and greeted by the very welcoming and friendly waitress. My friend and I decided to share the Sabayaad (first pic) which comes with a large chapatti bread with sauted veges and a perfect dollop of sour cream to add a tangy taste, nicely sized portion for sharing. I had the Hilib Ari (goat) as it is the most popular dish at the restaurant and it held up its reputation! So perfectly roasted to fall right off the bone and spiced with a light spice and savory flavor that I couldn't stop until I picked off every last strand from the bone itself. Both dishes were complemented by a sour citrus-y green dip that was so delicious and lightens up the meat dishes! Overall an incredible hole in the wall restaurant in Harlem, definitely recommended for those who have not tried Somalian food before ! read more
6 years ago
For this year's NYC Restaurant Week To Go (January 25-February 28), I decided to sample Somali food in NYC. I was surprised to discover that the East African cuisine was not readily available. In fact, this may be the only Somali restaurant in the city. The restaurant offered a choice of one of three entrees for $20.21: Chicken suqaar with chapati (a thin flatbread) and a side of spiced tea; Mango curry with grits and a side of sambusa; or Roasted goat with rice and a side of Somali doughnuts. I ultimately decided on the goat entree as I was craving some meat. I ordered takeout on Grubhub and headed to Harlem. My order was available as soon as I arrived. I dug into the Somali doughnuts first. The snack reminded me of Ghanaian bofrot. Known as mahamri, they were deep fried triangles with a hint of sweetness. I enjoyed the taste, but the texture left a little to be desired. The doughnuts were chewy, but a little tough. Next, I tried the bariis, which was spiced basmati rice. The rice was reminiscent of Indian biryani in look and taste. This is understandable given the long trade history between the two countries. The rice was tasty, with the raisins and peppers adding a nice touch. The only drawback was that there was a slight aftertaste of cardamom and cinammon. I drizzled the Bisbaas sauce, which tasted of chile and lime, on the rice. It added a wonderful acidity that balanced the sweetness of the grains. I loved the spiciness of the lamb. It was not hard but I wish it was more tender; however, I also know that some African cuisines tend to cook their meat this way. I was very pleased with my experience with Somali food in NYC. Safari in Harlem is a great restaurant to support, especially during NYC Restaurant Week. I got a nice portion for the price, and the flavors left me satisfied. read more
6 years ago
Safari is the one and only Somali restaurant in NYC. It is a MUST TRY experience. The food is delicious and the owners Mona and Shakib are two of the nicest people. They make you feel welcomed, like a guest in their home. Today I stopped by for a quick bite. I had their Somali injera with a delicious tomato filling. It was made fresh and was very fun to eat! I also had some Somali tea which was so good!! This would be a great breakfast combo. And with indoor dining officially closing, they are adapting to make it easier to grab and go. Mona and Shakib, thank you for bringing a piece of your beautiful and fascinating culture to this city. We are so lucky. I highly recommend everyone make a trip here. With this COVID nightmare on the rise again, We got to keep them going strong! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Need to update their apple map hours, they're closed and apparently have been for a while. Would've been great to know after traveling all the way from Manhattan. read more
I was looking up a restaurant in Harlem to go to before a performance at a jazz club later in the evening. After a quick Google search, I decided upon Safari, as I'd never tried Somalian food before. My husband made a reservation online for the three of us that same evening. I didn't think that we'd need a reservation, but when we arrived there at 6pm on a Saturday, we were glad that we'd made it, as the restaurant was jam packed. After we'd arrived, one group immediately left, and their table was speedily cleared for us. Only upon sitting, did we realise that the rest of the diners aside from us, were all together, and visiting from somewhere. We decided to share one appetiser between the three of us, the sabaayad. It was presented shortly after we ordered. The sabaayad was a dish of flatbread, with vegetables atop the bread, and a spicy green sauce on the side. It looked simple in appearance, but was superb. Our main dishes came out soon after that. I had the hilib ari, which is their signature dish. It consisted of roast goat with basmati rice and a spicy sauce. I don't like to eat goat very much, but Safari's rendition of it was mouthwatering, and extremely tender. My husband got the mango curry chicken, while my brother had the vegetarian version of this dish. Both exclaimed that their dishes were also excellent. The two of them had a sweet tooth after their mains, so we shared Somalian crepes for dessert. The crepes were thick and not too sweet, served with honey on the side. All in all, we had a supremely delicious and satisfying meal, complemented by lovely service. Would definitely recommend and return. read more
Safari is a small Somalian restaurant. The food is a bit pricey but it is unique. My friend and I had the jumbo steak and mango chicken curry. We wanted to order two mango juices, but they only had enough for one so we also settled for a fiimto. I am glad they ran out of mango juice because I much prefer the fiimto which is a berry and hibiscus drink! It was sweet while the mango juice tasted watery. The entrees comes with rice and a side of bis-baas sauce which I didn't particularly like. It is very spicy and sour tasting. The chicken mango curry was delicious and mild. I expected more beef in the jumbo steak. It was too salty. The mango curry was much better. read more
9 years ago
UH-MAZING. My friend was visiting and we were looking for a new cuisine to try out. Safari comes up on yelp and the pictures looked great (big portions, fair prices, etc) I so we decided to give it a try. Immediately upon entering the small establishment, we were greeted with a big smile and a hello. It wasn't extremely busy but I don't know why!!!! the food is sooo good and flavorful. We tried -vegetable sambusa $4 each (they're like samosas sort of) -beef sambusa $4 each -sabayaad $8 for two big pieces of chapatti bread and this vegetable mixture on top -mango chicken curry $16 -hilil arib (braised goat) $18 Literally everything we ate was so tasty and made with love. Highly recommend this gem. read more
6 years ago
First of all, you MUST try this place. I met the owner at a networking meeting and he said he has the ONLY Somali restaurant in the tri-State area. Tonight I was biking around Harlem and stopped in to try it out. I had the vegan Sabaayad (see pic) and it was fantastic. My mouth was watering well after I ate the spicy deliciousness. It was super fresh and really hit the spot. The owner was there and we sat and talked for an hour. I highly recommend this place! read more
I'm so sad- I saw the great reviews and, since I'm just in Harlem for the weekend I thought I'd try Somali food for the first time. I got the beef suqqat, mandazi, and fiimto. The fiimto was really delicious. The rice that came with the suqqar was tasty, but the main dish itself was salty and the worst part was that the meat was incredibly tough. I mean, no exaggeration - I had to spit out 80% of the beef because of the gristle. Maybe it would be better with a different protein. And the mandazi was dry and cold. I won't give up on Somali food, but this was not it. read more
I had a dinner date with a couple of former work colleagues and since they both live Uptown we all agreed we ought to check out one of the African restaurants in Harlem. We settled on Safari since the reviews were favorable and not one of us have ever tried Somali food before. Well, I'm so happy we did because everything was delicious! We started with some sambusas which were very similar to Indian samosas. We then shared 3 different entrees, the beef dish served with chapati, chicken with rice, and the fish of the day with pasta. The combination was a bit unexpected but the flavors worked and we were soon lamenting the fact that we ate through it all way too quickly. We finished the meal with the crepe for a little sweet finish. This is definitely a place I need to go back to and hopefully next time with my fiance who would love the bold flavors of each dish. Next time I also want to try the goat! read more
8 years ago
Came for lunch Saturday afternoon. Thus place is small family run type establishment. Food was decent. We got the lunch special goat with rice. I also got a chicken salad off the appetizer menu. I wasn't a fan. The tangy dressing with an odd flavored chicken. A little overpriced for their small sambosa. read more
This place is a gem. Claims to be the only Somali restaurant in NYC and I won't challenge that assertion. We stumbled in after a popular comfort food joint up the street was super-busy. The proprietor welcomed us during a mid-afternoon lull. Do not expect super-fast service. This is a small family restaurant with all that entails. Too bad I wasn't very hungry and only tried the dessert (crepe dipped in honey). Yum. The mango drink was also pretty tasty. My friend had the signature Somali dish (goat with beans and rice) and was a happy customer. Would like to return and explore the savory side of the menu. read more
5 years ago
Didn't know that this restaurant existed until I passed by. Decided to try it myself and it was heavenly! The lady who served and took our order was friendly. It was my first time trying Somali food and I loved every bite of it. Got the beef suqaar. Will be back again! read more
2 years ago
Nice hidden gem find in Harlem! We were originally trying to drop by Amy Ruth's, but the line there was beyond ridiculous. Someone ended up looking for an alternative on the Yelp app, and this place looked like it had pretty good reviews. I've never had Somalian food before, so wasn't really sure what to expect. The space itself is quite small and cozy. No frills, simply decorated, but clean. The hostess/server was incredibly friendly and stopped by to chat a couple times throughout the meal. I opted for the hilib ari which is a slow-cooked goat dish and served with rice. It was very good, although the serving size was probably just a tad bit small given the price. It's served with this spicy green sauce on the side which was absolutely delicious (have no idea what was in it). One of the best parts of the place is that it's BYOB! Also with no silly corking fees that seem to plague this great city. There's a liquor/wine store around the corner with decent selection if you didn't happen to bring anything from home. Pros: - First (and maybe still only?) Somalian restaurant in NYC - Friendly/hospitable service - Delicious food - BYOB (with no corking fee!) Cons: - Slightly on the pricier side relative to serving size Had a great time here and would definitely come back if I'm in the area! read more
I liked Shaax Somali, which was a spicy Somali tea with milk. I liked the fact that it had a lot of spices including ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. Isbarmuuto, which was which grapefruit juice, tasted pretty much like grapefruit with carbonation. I think it was a bottled drink rather than home made. Mango curry and Hilib Ari were ok. I would love them a bit spicier. read more
A friend recommended this restaurant after reading a great review in The Village Voice. Our group of 12 people filled up half of this small, quaint restaurant. The restaurant was small, but we've actually been to smaller restaurants. Nice atmosphere, very friendly (although slow) service. I don't think they're used to serving such a large group all at once. Ok, onto the food...these were some of the tastiest dishes that I've had in a long time! I loved ALL the dishes but the standout dishes were the Chicken Sambuza and the Mogadishu Beef Sugaar. The basmati rice and Bisbaas sauce (surprisingly in 3 of the dishes) were fantastic! Their Shaax Tea (very aromatic sweet Somali tea made w/ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves) was delicious! I am definitely going to go back and try some of their other dishes...can't wait! :D Here are the dishes we all shared: Sambuza (Traditional beef and chicken patties made with aromatic herbs and Somali seasoning; deep fried and served with bisbaas dipping sauce) - Both were delicious but the chicken was better. One of the Fav dishes of the night! Hilib Ari (Most popular dish - roasted goat with Somali basmati rice and bisbaas sauce) - the only thing that would make this dish better is if they could make boneless goat! Hahaha Kismaayo Chicken Suquaar (Traditional Southern Somali dish - spicy chicken stew with aromatic house spice; served w/basmati rice) - another tasty dish but compared to our other dishes, this one wasn't as good. Chef's Special Liido (Fresh catch of the day served w/homemade lime zest sauce and bisbaas rub; served w/pasta saldata) - the catch of the day was King Fish....the fish was cooked perfectly and went really well with the pasta. Nice flavors! Mogadishu Beef Sugaar - (rosemary and mimita infused beef sugaar cooked w/vegs, served with bed of Bariis and basmati rice) - Hand down, the Fav dish of the night! The flavors were outstanding! Note: Bisbaas sauce is made of garlic, lime, serrano chili, cilantro and yogurt.,,,sooooo Good! And don't forget: this restaurant is BYOB! read more
Home Run with Somali food!!! Im giving this place 5 stars for a couple of reasons. Not just the ambiance or unique food but for PURE HOSPITALITY!!! I had a curry chicken & pita bread bc I didnt want to eat rice or anything heavy at 1am. My friend was having an attitude bc they wanted Senegalese food but they just closed. I was excited tho to try Somalian bc I love to support my fellow Africans & know Somali food is very popular in the UK. Tony the waiter was I think the nicest waiter I EVER had. He was so hospitable & respectful. He even went next door to get us a RedBull bc my friend looked tired. They gave us complimentary tea & dessert on the house. Food was amazing & I love the tea. I think I'll come back just to taste the tea again. I havent had tea that good since Abidjan. These people are sweet & I think a great addition to the community. I will definitely be back read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
10 years ago
We stopped here for lunch after finding it on Yelp. The restaurant did not have posted hours so when we walked by the first time the sign said closed but they were really open, they just forgot to turn the sign around. When another place did not turn out we returned and had a very enjoyable lunch. I got the mango chicken ($16) and the wife ordered the goat ($18). Both were excellent. My mango chicken was sweet but also had some heat at the end, how interesting. We were also given bananas to cut up and add to our dish, and it really brought an additional flavor level and balanced some of the heat. We started with the sambuzas (2 for $8) that were homemade and so flavorful and light, not at all greasy or heavy like so many at Indian restaurants. The ambience is quite modest. We were there on a hot day and I was dying from the heat when they saw me dripping away and finally turned on the AC. But you come for the food and it is excellent, so don't let the other stuff get in the way. Service was warm, friendly, and efficient. If I lived in NYC I would come here all the time. read more
5 years ago
Saddd saddd sadddd!!! Mandazi was a sad thin unleavened piece of fried dough that would undoubtedly cause a stomach ache! Mandazi does not usually look like this!!!!! read more
8 years ago
Ab..so..lutely AMAZING! Listen...I'm a African food connoisseur..pretty much been to over 75% of African spots in NYC...let me tell u right now..this place is easily on the top of the list...the meat, fish...I swear the lady in the restaurant had to be marinating those babies for like 16+ hours...the rice was reminiscent of Indian/Pakistani rice, but that makes sense as Somali cusine(this restaurant) has a lot of middle eastern influences..oh did I mention very decent portions..I'm a big dude so I require, um, more than usual amounts of food, and let's just say this place satisfied that requirement Definitely would recommend to ppl looking to get into Somali /East African cuisines, or just looking for a good meal in Harlem..Will be back many times more!!!!!! read more
2 years ago
Much like how different strands of lycra anchored to specific areas influence the "drape and hand" of a piece of garment, different cultures stretch their food ways across their neighbors, influencing them in a myriad of ways. Take Somalia, for instance. It's located on the horn of Africa between Ethiopia and Yemen - the gulf of Aden to its north leads to Egypt, and on the other side of the Arabian sea sits the Indian subcontinent. The Italians and the Brits fought a few conflicts over the area, and Somalian cuisine shows influences from all the regions named above. So based on that understanding, one can definitely map food experience for a given region back to the points of ethnic influences, recognizing spices here, techniques there. However, the problem that I have now is...if your experience just seem like a bunch of serious ganking, is it because your assumption of its taste experience did not match up, or is it because the restaurant just isn't all that great? That's the issue that I am struggling with when it comes to Safari - the only Somalian joint within 700 miles of NYC. If you want to visit another joint the nearest one is located in Minneapolis. It's a tiny place, with about 6 tables. The chef is the server, and on a wintry day, she's not that busy at all. The menu isn't really much - the appetizer is only about 4 dishes in total, there are 2 suquars (beef and chicken), the hilib ari is the roast lamb stew, and you got a few things like hanger steaks and the chicken superb. The dessert was supposed to be crepes drizzled in honey. So remember what I said about Somalia being a land under various influences? In the back of my mind I keep thinking that the restaurant might be "borrowing" too much from the neighbors. The $4 grapefruit juice that I had tasted suspiciously like a Grapefruit Lilt from the UK. My wife's gingery cardamom tea? Similar to a Yemeni tea with a piece of ginger cut melted in. The rice that came with the entrees tasted like a biryani. The bizbaz sauce strongly resemble the coriander chutney "green sauce" found in better halal chicken and rice carts around the city (Sammy's in JH or Tariq #1 north of Union Square). The hilib ari (stewed roast goat) highly resemble the loubia from the Yemen cafe up in Brooklyn, and the chicken suquar seems to resemble a chicken and rice setup. Now, it's no problem saying that the food resembles something familiar and delicious...the problem lies with the sticker shock. Take the hilib ari, for example - it's $18. Now, the Yemen cafe in Brooklyn charges $19 for the similar Loubia. Except in the case of the Yemen cafe, once you order a meal they'll give you a green salad with a bowl of lamb broth, a hubcap sized piece of tandoor bread, and the tea is all-you-can-drink and serve yourself. No similar generosity were found here. The hilib ari portions are okay (just rice and meat with veggies on a single plate), but not entirely generous. Order yourself an app and a drink, and it'll be roughly $30/person. If you consider the neighbors and what was served on the local restaurants (Le Savane, New Ivoire, the former Africa Kine, now at 7th/West 133rd), they usually do 2 things: charge big bucks for a sitdown but toss in some goodies, or go barebones as a takeout counter but keep the prices low-ish. It felt like Safari started off as a cheap-ish takeout joint appealing to the locals at W116, but as the neighborhood gentrified they raised the prices to take advantage of the local yupsters. Now, I am not saying that the restaurant is bad per-se, since I'll need to fly to Minneapolis or San Jose to get more data points. That being said, there are better and cheaper places in Harlem to get more bang for your buck. Keep that in mind. It might taste fine, but it doesn't taste original, and you are paying more for it. read more
6 years ago
7 years ago
6 years ago
Stopped by for takeout yesterday, specifically for their vegan sabaayad, & I'm still dreaming about it tonight! I have never had Somali food before but let me tell you it won't be my last. Safari's food is so delicious & now I'm hooked. We got the vegan sabaayad, beef and chicken sambusas, and sabaayad wraps - & in the future we'll be sure to try the mango chicken & roasted goat. read more
4 years ago
My boyfriend and I were staying in NYC for a wedding. We always enjoy the huge variety of African food available in Harlem, and were staying a few blocks away from Safari, so we headed over for lunch. OMG. Everything was so delicious. We started with the meat sambusas, which were done in my favorite style - really light and flaky on the outside and super-flavorful on the inside. We ordered the Chicken Suqqar & Hilib Ari (goat stew) to share. They were both sublime. The flavors of the chicken were subtly layered, and the goat was tender and fragrant. I had the grapefruit soda and my boyfriend had the hibiscus berry drink: each was a refreshing accompaniment to the hearty stews. We ended with a Somali dessert -not sure what it was, but it was gooey and sweet, and came with the BEST buttery cookies ever. The service was attentive and warm, and we will definitely come back for dinner the next time we're in NYC! read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
We try to explore a new cuisine every now and then and this time we wanted to try Somalian. Read about this place as it was mentioned in New Yorker. It is certainly not a fancy or fine dining place but more of like after work hang out, hole in the wall kind. Food was very flavorful but not spicy. Everything that we ordered was delicious but the goat entree was my favorite. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
My friend randomly found this place from a restaurant week. The food was delicious and well seasoned. There was also a nice small outdoor area to sit and enjoy the weather. The owner was super nice, and you can tell the food is made with love. I recommend the Hilib Ari goat dish and the Shaax Somali tea! read more
More info about Safari
55 St Nicholas Ave
New York, NY 10026
Harlem
Directions
(646) 964-4252
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Ask the Community - Safari
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
Safari - somali - Updated August 2026
Best of New York
People found Safari by searching for…
Yemeni Restaurant in New York, NY
Halal Breakfast in New York, NY
Halal Fine Dining in New York, NY
Nigerian Restaurant in New York, NY
Kenyan Restaurant in New York, NY
Kid Friendly Restaurant in New York, NY
Ethnic Restaurants in New York, NY
Live Music Brunch in New York, NY
Exotic Restaurants in New York, NY
Unique Fun Dining Experiences for Kids in New York, NY
Trending Searches in New York, NY
All You Can Eat Crab Legs near Safari
Allergy Friendly Restaurants near Safari
Biscuits And Gravy near Safari
Country Fried Steak near Safari
Dairy Free Ice Cream near Safari
Gluten Free Breakfast near Safari
Home Cooking Restaurant near Safari
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt near Safari
Japanese Souffle Pancake near Safari
New Mexican Cuisine near Safari
Soft Serve Ice Cream near Safari
Vietnamese Dessert near Safari
Viral Fruit Pastries near Safari
Browse Nearby
BEST of New York, New York Parking near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Restaurants near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Coffee near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Things to Do near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Desserts near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Halal near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Middle Eastern Food near Safari
BEST of New York, New York Ethnic Food near Safari
Browse Brands
Related Searches in New York, NY
Authentic Fufu African Food in New York, New York
Authentic Injera Dishes Found in New York, New York
Best Bagels Available in New York, New York
Best Donuts to Try in New York, New York Near You
Best French Bakery Options Available in New York, New York
Best Fresh Squeezed Juice Spots in New York, New York
Best Juices and Smoothies Near New York, New York
Best Places for Bottomless Mimosas in New York, New York
Best Places for Brunch in New York, New York
Best Places for French Toast in New York, New York
Best Places for a Latte in New York, New York
Best Smoothie Spots and Cafes in New York, New York
Best Vegan Restaurants to Try in New York, New York
Best Vietnamese Sandwich Spots in New York, New York
Delicious Cheap Breakfast Spots in New York, New York
Delicious Ice Cream Treats in New York, New York
Delicious Kabsa Dishes in New York, New York
Delicious North African Food Options in New York, New York
Delicious Smoothie Bowl Choices in New York, New York
Delicious Smoothies Made Fresh in New York, New York
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in New York, New York
Delicious Syrian Food Near New York, New York
Delicious Vegan Breakfast Served in New York, New York
Delicious Wraps Available in New York, New York
Dine at Top Tunisian Restaurants in New York, New York
Dine at a Top Afghan Restaurant in New York, New York
Dine at a Top Ethiopian Restaurant in New York, New York
Discover Asian Dessert Options in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Cameroon Food in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Filipino Food in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Ghanaian Food in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Italian in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Kenyan Food in New York, New York
Discover Authentic Somalian Food in New York, New York
Discover Authentic West African Food in New York, New York
Discover Coffee & Tea Options in New York, New York
Discover Ethiopian Halal Options Available in New York, New York
Discover Ethiopian Vegan Options in New York, New York
Discover Fresh Acai Choices Available in New York, New York
Discover Fresh Organic Coffee in New York, New York
Discover Gluten Free Ethiopian Food in New York, New York
Discover Halal African Cuisine in New York, New York
Discover Health Markets Available in New York, New York
Discover Popular Iced Coffee Spots in New York, New York
Discover Popular Sunday Brunch Places in New York, New York
Discover Senegalese Food Options in New York, New York
Discover Top Asian Food Options in New York, New York
Discover Vegan Desserts Near New York, New York
Discover the Best Romantic Restaurant Options in New York, New York
