La Fonda Boricua

This Puerto Rican restaurant has been a staple of the Spanish Harlem community since 1996, and it’s here that you’ll find some of the best mofongo in Manhattan outside of Washington Heights and Inwood. Try the shrimp version which comes with tail-on shrimp and big hunks of plantains, all drenched in aromatic garlic sauce (you get a choice of a tomato- or garlic-based sauce). If you want something meaty, order the crispy chuletas or almost-sweet pernil. La Fonda Boricua often hosts live music nights with flamenco dancers and Latin jazz bands, so follow their Instagram here to stay in the loop.