Make My Fish

120 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026, United States
+1 917-388-3138
$$$ Seafood restaurant
(646 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Located in the vibrant heart of Harlem, Make My Fish is a seafood lover’s paradise that captures the essence of soul food with a laid-back, community-driven atmosphere. Friendly staff greeted us as soon as we walked in, embodying the warmth that patrons rave about in their reviews. This gem specializes in crisp, flavorful fried fish, bringing an authentic taste of the South to New York City.

The menu at Make My Fish is a delightful ode to seafood, with popular choices that will have your taste buds dancing. Dive into the Catfish Dinner, featuring three pieces of perfectly fried catfish, served alongside two satisfying sides for just $20.50. Each morsel delights with a crispy exterior giving way to tender, flaky fish. For a lighter take, don’t miss the Catfish & Chips, a classic pairing at $14.75 that marries the golden crunch of fish with the comfort of fries.

Feeling adventurous? The Triple Play at $26.00 offers the ultimate seafood experience with two catfish, four whiting, and seven jumbo shrimps. Each bite bursts with proper seasoning, though some visitors noted that the shrimp could benefit from a bit more flavor, making it the perfect chance to customize your meal with sauces offered at the counter.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert! The reviews rave about the Banana Pudding and Red Velvet Cake, two sweet finishes that take your meal to a whole new level of indulgence. Despite some minor critiques about seasoning and side dishes, customers continually express their eagerness to return, perfectly encapsulated by Mac Chuck’s experience— “The fish is PHENOMENAL!!! Highly recommend.”

The dining experience feels communal, with happy customers chatting and enjoying their meals together. Lisa Kim highlights this atmosphere beautifully, saying, “It’s got a great community feel.” Whether you’re a local or a curious tourist drawn from TikTok trends, Make My Fish welcomes you like family, making dining here not just about the food, but about the experience.

Plan your visit carefully, as Fridays are reserved strictly for seafood, and only cash is accepted. So grab your friends, embrace the soulful spirit of Harlem, and indulge in a seafood feast that’s sure to leave you dreaming of your next trip to Make My Fish!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
No wheelchair-accessible car park
No wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Offerings
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Amenities
No toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Planning
Usually has a wait
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Cash only
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

646 Reviews
One Venus

20 Sep 2025

We came on a Friday, but they only sell seafood that day, so I couldn't get any chicken. But the crispy fish, fries, and shrimp! Banana pudding, and the Red Velvet Cake are out of this world! I will be making a second trip, just not a Friday so I can get everything! I will say that the lightly breaded shrimp and fish does not have much in the way of seasoning, they didn't add any cocktail sauce, just some very hot Hot Sauce!

Mac Chuck

30 Aug 2025

Line is way too long on the weekends so I stopped by on a Thursday afternoon. I ordered immediately and it took about 20-30min for the food to come out but it’s bc it’s fresh. The fish is PHENOMENAL!!! Highly recommend and will be coming back asap!

Lutisha Leavy

05 Aug 2025

I ordered the catfish plate with greens, yams and got a side of Mac and cheese. It was pretty good overall. The place was crowded and I only waited about 7 minutes and it was ready. The fish was nice and crispy, Mac and cheese was ok, yams ok but the collard greens need some work. I have no idea what it was seasoned with but I could only take two small bites. My suggestion is please try something else with the greens, but overall I give this place a 8.

Ahmed Mostafa

20 Jun 2025

I visited this place after seeing it on TikTok, I was craving some good fish and thought I’d give it a try. Honestly, I didn’t have any expectations, but the entire experience turned out to be an incredible surprise. From the moment we arrived, it was clear they recognized we were tourists, and they welcomed us with such warmth and hospitality. They took the time to explain the menu and help us choose our dishes, which we really appreciated. The service was fast, and before our actual order arrived, they brought out three generous tasting plates so we could sample a variety of flavors. At first, I thought that was our full order, it was that impressive! Then came our main dishes, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The shrimp in particular were unforgettable, so fresh and flavorful. If there were more than 5 bubbles to give, I absolutely would. The food, the people, the atmosphere, everything was extraordinary. A truly heartwarming and tasty experience. Highly recommended!

kasheem daniels

14 Jun 2025

Solid Spot for Fried Fish Lovers! Stopped by Make My Fish and was impressed by the portion sizes and flavor. I had the catfish sandwich, and it was seasoned perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and definitely filling. I also tried the whiting fish and shrimp dinner. The whiting was flavorful and cooked just right. The shrimp had a nice sweet and seasoned taste to them, which was a pleasant surprise. The yams were rich and tasty, while the mac and cheese was decent nothing too special, but it did the job. Overall, a great spot in Harlem if you’re craving classic fried seafood with solid sides. Will definitely be back to try more!

Lisa Kim

31 May 2025

I had the catfish & chips at Make My Fish and it was great. The catfish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the chips were good too. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and even the customers seemed happy and easy to talk to. It’s got a great community feel. Two things to note: only cash! And no chicken on Fridays, so plan accordingly if that’s what you’re after. But honestly, with how good the fish is, you won’t miss it!

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