Spaha Soul: A Unique Soul Food Experience in East Harlem, NYC

Spaha Soul Introduce

In the vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood of East Harlem, a truly special dining experience awaits at

Spaha Soul

. This isn’t your typical soul food spot; it's an intimate, upscale restaurant that masterfully blends traditional Southern comfort food with a modern, global twist.

Spaha Soul

is a testament to the idea that soul food is a living, evolving cuisine, one that can be both deeply rooted in history and boldly innovative. The menu is divided into two distinct sections: “Traditional Soul,” featuring dishes passed down through generations, and “Soul Fusion,” showcasing creative dishes inspired by the owner’s global travels.

More than just a restaurant,

Spaha Soul

is a place of community, history, and warmth. It is proudly identified as a Black-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, and veteran-owned business, and the owner, Chef Artist, is consistently praised as a "gracious, consummate host." The atmosphere is described as an "intimate setting," making it perfect for celebrating special occasions, from family milestones to cultural celebrations like Juneteenth. The restaurant's dedication to quality is evident in every detail, from the use of organic ingredients to the cultural significance behind each dish.

For New Yorkers seeking more than just a meal—looking for an experience that is both delicious and genuinely heartwarming—

Spaha Soul

offers an unforgettable night that is worth every moment.

Location and Accessibility

Spaha Soul

is located at

2294 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

, a prime spot in the East Harlem neighborhood. This location is easily accessible and provides a cozy setting away from the busiest city streets. The restaurant is well-equipped to welcome all guests, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive dining experience for everyone.

The ambiance is both casual and upscale, making it a great destination for a variety of occasions, from a romantic dinner to a group outing. With outdoor seating available, guests can enjoy their meal in the fresh air when the weather permits. The restaurant's location in a diverse and lively part of the city makes it a perfect stop for locals, groups, and tourists alike who want to explore a true New York City gem.

Services Offered

Spaha Soul

provides a range of services designed to create a comprehensive and memorable dining experience.

Dine-in: The primary service, offering a full table-service dining experience in a cozy and intimate setting.
Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy the food from home, delivery service is available, bringing the delicious soul food to your door.
Catering: The restaurant offers catering, allowing you to bring the unique flavors of
Spaha Soul
to your next event or celebration.
Reservations: Given the intimate size and popularity, reservations are required or highly recommended, ensuring a spot for your special occasion.
Private Dining Room: For groups or special events, the private dining room provides an exclusive and intimate setting.
Bar Onsite: The full bar offers a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and other beverages to complement your meal.

Features and Highlights

Spaha Soul

is celebrated for several unique features that distinguish it in the New York dining scene.

Exceptional Soul Food: The food is the main highlight, with customers raving about the “fantastic” and “delicious” dishes. The menu is divided into traditional and fusion concepts, offering something for every palate. The use of organic ingredients further elevates the quality.
Live Music: The restaurant features live music, which adds a vibrant and festive layer to the dining experience, making it perfect for a special night out.
Great Cocktails and Desserts: The bar is praised for its "great cocktails," and the dessert menu is a standout, ensuring a perfect end to your meal.
Upscale Yet Casual Atmosphere: The ambiance is described as both trendy and upscale, yet it remains casual and cozy, making guests feel right at home. It’s a place that is family-friendly and welcoming to all, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Warm and Gracious Hosting: The owner, Chef Artist, is consistently highlighted in reviews for his incredible hospitality and for making every guest feel like a part of the family.
Diversity and Inclusion: The establishment proudly identifies as Black-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, and veteran-owned, contributing to a diverse and inclusive environment that attracts a variety of crowds.

Contact Information

To make a reservation or inquire about catering, you can contact

Spaha Soul

directly.

Address:

2294 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

Phone:

(347) 463-7387

What is Worth Choosing

When you choose to dine at

Spaha Soul

, you're choosing an experience that is both a culinary adventure and a celebration of culture. For a truly iconic taste of the menu, you should explore both the traditional and fusion offerings. From the "Traditional Soul" section, the

Grandma Lizbeth's Catfish and Collards

and the

Chicken Basket

are excellent choices, embodying the classic, comforting flavors of home-style cooking. The

Cornbread

is also a standout, as highlighted in a review, and is a must-have side.

For a more adventurous palate, the "Soul Fusion" dishes showcase the chef's creativity. The

Pork Chop and Grits in our famous Poblano Sauce

is a bold choice that demonstrates a masterful blend of American and Latin flavors. The

Veggie-Minded

section, with organic ingredients, also offers excellent choices like

Papa Jack's Spicy Mint Noodles

for those seeking a lighter, yet flavorful, meal. For dessert, the reviews suggest that it is a highlight, so saving room for it is a good idea.

The atmosphere and hospitality are perhaps the most compelling reasons to choose

Spaha Soul

. A reservation-only policy on some nights ensures that every dining experience is special and personalized. The owner's personal touch, making guests "feel at home and one of the family," creates a welcoming and memorable environment. The live music adds a unique, sophisticated vibe that makes it an ideal spot for a date night or a special group event.

Ultimately,

Spaha Soul

is a unique destination in New York City. It is a place where every dish tells a story and every visit feels like a celebration. It's an opportunity to support a local, minority-owned business that is dedicated to crafting not just great food but an unforgettable cultural experience. For anyone in the East Harlem area looking for a truly special night out,

Spaha Soul

is the perfect choice.

Spaha Soul Vibe

Traditional Soul
I learned to cook with my Grandma' and my Aunts. These are some of the traditional things that were made when I was growing up. Things that till this day remind me of home
Chicken Basket: buttermilk-fried, grilled or BBQ $12.00
Chicken breast marinated in buttermilk and spiced. Served with your choice of 2 sides: black-eye peas, candied yams, spicy yams, cornbread, collard greens, veggies, mac and 3 cheeses, dirty rice, cheddar and garlic mash papas
Salty Sweet Chop and Candied Yams $10.00
Chop grilled to perfection topped with our salty sweet mix and yams simmered in butter and brown sugar
Stuffed Pork Chop $14.00
Our organic chop is brined in our special seasoning. Then slow-cooked with a homemade cornbread stuffing and topped with gravy and a side of berry compote
Pork Chops and Dirty Rice $15.00
Baked chops served on a bed of black eye peas and dirty rice
Grandma Lizbeth's Catfish and Collards $15.00
Chunks of catfish breaded in our seasoned corn meal. Fried to perfection and served with our famous collards

Soul Fusion
Traveling all over the world and trying to cook soul food was a challenge but one I took on willingly. These are some of the dishes I created trying to discover what is SOUL
Pork Chop and Grits in our famous Poblano Sauce $15.00
Seasoned Pork Chop served with our creamy home style grits topped with our rich poblano sauce
Julia Chop $15.00
Tender chop served with our spicy mango sauce, served with coconut rice and fresh veggies
Apeksha's Coconut Curry $10.00
This curry is sweet and spicy and filled with fresh vegetables
Vladamir's French Boy Gumbo $11.00
This chicken-based gumbo made with seafood overtones is a spicy tasty treat. Served with dirty rice
Meat Balls $12.00
Our balls are served with your choice of Poblano Sauce or Red Sauce. Your choice of whole wheat or Standard noodle

Veggie-Minded
Something for the Urban Herbivore. Man cannot live by fried chicken alone
Vegan Wrap $10.00
Tortilla filled with yams, black eye peas and rice. Served with a side of our vegan collards
Papa Jack's Spicy Mint Noodles $10.00
This dish is a bit of Africa Meets Asia, rice noodles in a rich veggie sauce. Topped with seasonal vegetables
Pasta á la Season $10.00
Amazing whole-wheat pasta served with a rich homemade tomato based sauce and fresh veggies
Veggie Loaf $10.00
Our mouth-watering veggie loaf is made with mushrooms, zucchini, carrots and an assortment of beans. Served with our mashed yams and a veggie-based gravy

Salads
Made with organic micro greens and lettuce. These salads are sure to put a bit of adventure in the ordinary salad experience
House Salad $10.00
Organic Hearts of Romaine topped with apples and cheese. House salad dressing

Extra Sides
Black-eye peas $4.00
Candied Yams $4.00
Spicy Yams $4.00
Cornbread $4.00
Rolls $4.00
Collard Greens $4.00
Veggies $4.00
Mac And 3 Cheeses $4.00
Dirty rice $4.00
Cheddar And Garlic Mash Papas $4.00

Main
Brunch $20.00
Pre Fixe $35.00
Drinks $2.75
We make fresh seasonal drinks daily! Nothing from a can or bottle

Spaha Soul Details

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned
Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
Identifies as veteran-owned

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Dine-in
Takeout

Highlights
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Live music

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Cocktails
Comfort food
Organic dishes
Private dining room
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Spaha Soul Photos

Spaha Soul Location

Spaha Soul

New York New York County New York 2nd Avenue

2294 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

Spaha Soul Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 156 user reviews.

chefartistmusicBYOBdepositcornbreadplatefried chickenpork chopsfeel

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Really nice intimate setting, came here with my family for juneteenth. This is how you do soul food. Fantastic! The watermelon salad, corn bread and fried chicken really stood out. The owner is an amazing person that really cares about the ingredients and cultural significance
June 30 · Michael Blue
We have celebrated a couple of milestones here, and every single time we go, Chef Artist is the most gracious, consummate host, making us feel at home and one of the family on each and every visit.To say that the food was "delicious as usual", is an immense understatement! We thoroughly enjoyed our time and would definitely recommend it.An unforgettable night you will be glad you experienced... CALL HIM AND BOOK IT NOW!!!
January 02 · OJ Walé Baks
This spot combines quality and service! The team has a level of beauty that's apparent. Their dishes stand out from countless others. This place delivers more than most. Wonderful cooking, prompt attention, and remarkably kind staff!
September 13 · Olivia Celice
I had such an amazing time here. My husband David made reservations via text and we used the chef course options that had various course meals that were out of this world. They do have BYOB option, and you need to call/text ahead for reservations. I highly recommend and had such an amazing experience and really good food!
July 08 · Deysi Vatman
The place delivers solid meals. The food is noteworthy and the service is considerate. Fresh ingredients make their dishes special. The staff's demeanor adds to the overall experience. This spot makes me happy every visit.
August 26 · Terixo Smitix