After nearly six years of leaving a void in Toronto’s cultural scene, beloved Queen West restaurant Harlem is reopening its doors next month.
On Tuesday, the restaurant revealed it’s making its long-awaited comeback to its original home at 745 Queen Street West by mid-May.
Open for nearly 10 years, then-titled Harlem Underground was once hailed as one of the city’s rare Black-owned music and performance venues. Known for its soulful atmosphere and emphasis on community, the African-American and Caribbean restaurant was a staple in the neighbourhood before its unexpected closure in November 2019.
Owner Carl Cassell says the decision to close was fueled by the desire to support his wife, Ana Silva’s, dream of opening a wellness retreat. The passion project, Wild Nature Retreats, was completed in August 2024 in Simcoe County, and dons a 10-bedroom property – dubbed the BlackHouse – constructed by Cassell out of 20 shipping containers and other repurposed materials.
“She had supported me all the time. So, I was like, it’s time for me to support your trade,” Cassell explained to Now Toronto on Wednesday.
“We moved out of the city and that enabled me to work on the project full time… I spent four years building out the retreat.”
But despite the success of the retreat, Cassell could never fully shake the deep connection he had to the Harlem community and the restaurant he had built. Between overhearing friends reminisce about the good old days at the restaurant, and witnessing the growing sense of exclusion in the world, it became clear that reopening Harlem was not just about a business venture; it was about honouring a legacy and responding to the local Black community’s ongoing need for a space that felt like home.
For many in the city, Harlem had been more than just a place to eat; it was a cultural hub, a gathering spot for people to connect, share stories, and celebrate life. Live music, spoken word poetry, and after-hours drag balls were once all the rage at the eatery, and Cassell promises all of that and more in its revival.
“There’s always room for it in the city, a space for our own,” Cassell said.
“There’s no bureaucracy to get in… there’s no hierarchy.”
With its opening soon approaching, Cassell reveals that Harlem will introduce new elements that reflect both its past and its future. One of the most exciting changes is the restaurant’s revamped menu, which will feature the old-school classics like jerk barbecued chicken and mac and cheese, but in a tapas-style twist.
Additionally, Harlem will incorporate African design elements throughout the space, bringing a touch of the continent’s rich history and culture into the dining experience. With a name aptly inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, a thriving artistic movement for Black artists in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as an ode to his grandfather, the cornerstone of the family, Cassell assures the restaurant will be a direct reflection of his own journey and a reiteration of the welcoming environment that Harlem was known for.
“We’re keeping the vibe as simple as possible, so it can be accessible and remain like that,” he said.
As Harlem enters a new era, Cassell emphasizes his commitment to continuing a legacy of inclusion, empowerment, and shared Black experience in the city. Whether you’ve been a day one patron or visiting for the first time, he encourages everyone to come out and celebrate community.
“Our motto is always come for the food and stay for the vibe. We encourage people to stay, chill, and be in your space,” Cassell said.
Online, people expressing their excitement at Harlem’s return flooded the restaurant’s Instagram comment section.
“Long overdue,” one Instagram user wrote. “Welcome back bruda!”
“Wow. Amazing!!! So many good times. I might have to fly in for that,” another said.
“Thank God,” one person praised. “Please focus on great live bands because we miss this scene in the 6ix.”
And even Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall had to drop an “Ayyyyyyyyyyyyye,” in the comments.
