Harlem

Miss Maude’s Spoonbread Too (547 Lenox Ave., between 137th and 138th Sts., 212/690-3100, $12) serves up heaping portions of tasty Southern dishes, as does its sister restaurant, Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too (366 W. 110th St., between Manhattan [1] and Columbus Aves., 212/865-6744, $12).

The legendary Sylvia’s (328 Lenox Ave., between 126th and 127th Sts., 212/996-0660, $13) has been expanding over the years and attracts tourists by the busload. The food’s still fine but the atmosphere is not what it once was.

On the part of 116th Street known as Little Senegal, Africa Kine Restaurant (256 W. 116th St., 212/666-9400, $11) serves delectible Senegalese food. Share the grilled meats and stews which come with bowls of rice.

Some of the best fried chicken and grits to be found anywhere in the city are on the menu at Charles’ Southern Style Kitchen (2837 8th Ave., near 152nd St., 212/926-4313, $14).

The kitschy Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (646 W. 131st St. 212/694-1777, $14), a sister restaurant to the Syracuse hotspot [2], proves you can get decent bar-b-que in New York.

On Harlem [3]’s east side, Patsy’s Pizzeria (2287 1st Ave., between 117th and 118th Sts., 212/534-9783) was the country’s first coal-stoked brick-oven pizzeria. A Frank Sinatra favorite, it was established in 1932, and now has branches elsewhere in the city. An average small pizza costs $12.

To get into tiny Rao’s (455 E. 114th St., near Pleasant, 212/722-6709, $27), you have to book about three months in advance. The Rao family has been serving fine home-cooking in this former Dutch saloon since 1896.

The traditional Hungarian Pastry Shop (1030 Amsterdam Ave., near 111th St., 212/866-4230) sells mouthwatering strudel and other sweet treats.

Near Columbia University [4], the sprawling West End (2911 Broadway, between 113th and 114th Sts., 212/662-8830) was once a favorite haunt of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. It still offers cheap pitchers of beer and a standard bar menu.