NYC Parks Opens New Café and Restrooms at Morningside Park

Photo by NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

A brand-new Morningside Park Cafe inside the scenic Morningside Park Overlook was opened. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official debut of Harlem’s own Michael Summerville’s “Crab Man Mike” — his first brick-and-mortar location after years of serving the community as a beloved street vendor. 

Awarded a concession license in 2021, Summerville invested approximately $500,000 in capital improvements to revitalize the overlook. The upgrades include a brand-new, all-electric food kiosk equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, fully renovated ADA-accessible public restrooms, and a restored, waterproofed rooftop terrace featuring new outdoor seating with beautiful views of Morningside Park. 

The project was guided by community feedback and backing. In 2022, Community Board 9 gave unanimous approval to the design during the Landmarks Preservation Commission review process. The Friends of Morningside Park also expressed their support, noting that the café will enhance the historic park experience by providing additional seating, allowing visitors to better enjoy the park’s unique design and views. 

The café’s diverse menu includes offerings such as salads, wraps, empanadas, tacos, seafood, burgers, chicken, mac & cheese, and more — bringing a wide range of flavors to the heart of Harlem. 

This new kiosk is just one of the more than 400 concessions operating on NYC Parks property serving as vital entry points into the local economy, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. They create thousands of jobs—from food carts to bike rentals—and often fund major capital improvements, including new restrooms, expanded maintenance space, and sustainable infrastructure that supports a greener, more resilient city.