Silvana

Silvana is a cafe, Middle Eastern restaurant, and gift shop all rolled into one. At this Harlem spot, people sit at the communal tables with their laptops and lattes for hours, taking periodic breaks to shop for candles, totes, and knickknacks for their apartments. Our favorite things to eat are the falafel with tahini and the mini salad, which comes with your choice of six different items. (Be sure to include the super creamy hummus with a yogurt-like consistency and the tangy, spicy matbucha.) There’s also a huge space with a bar downstairs that hosts all kinds of artists, and there’s never a cover (except for Blues night on Mondays). You’ll feel like you’re at the coolest basement party ever.

photo credit: Kenny Yang