Rao's
It's impossible not to put Rao's on a list of Harlem's (or America's) best, but don't think that means you'll be eating here. Although the family-owned Italian restaurant is technically public, Rao's only has twelve tables which are reserved for "the regulars" (which stretch back for generations), A-List celebs like Woody Allen, and the Mayor of NYC. If you do have the good fortune to be invited to Rao's, the meatballs and roasted pepper salads are musts. They do have locations in LA and Vegas, so you can try your luck there (just know it's not the original).
Rao's, 455 E. 114th St
[Photo via @beenfatforever]