Ponty Bistro

In town for 9 days, I enjoyed Ponty's 3x...great food, great service and great vibe...💥💥💥💥💥

Youre gonna kill someone if youre making mistakes like this. This was buried underneath, and the most insulting part is that the vegetables weren't even steamed correctly

Food: 1

Service: 1

This restaurant welcomes taste experiments. Their dishes are superb. The care shown to diners here was exceptional. The kitchen team has talent. You ought to try this restaurant promptly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

I find myself here for lunch frequently. He talked freely with people at multiple tables. The setting continues to enhance my meals. The experience satisfies completely. Our plans include coming back on our next trip.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Honest review…. The food is decent which is why I’m giving two stars, however they really need some help. We were in with a large party for lunch.

The service is atrocious, it is so so slow. We waited over 30 minutes just to get drinks and bread. Come to find out the bread was HARD AS A ROCK. The bread was so hard we were tapping it on the plate and it was making a clanking sound and you had to physically squeeze it to crack it open.

They messed up the food order on three of our dishes and had to correct it. One of our guests had a piece of metal or aluminum about 4 inches long and about an 1/8th of an inch thick, in his chicken dish. (They did take it off the bill)

The place needs a good deep cleaning as well, the bar is dingy with stains visible on the walls, the windows need a good cleaning with just some windex, the bathrooms are disaster, just no upkeep. Like I said, we had a large party so we had a bunch of little tables made into one large table, every single table was wobbly and not secure, so our drinks kept moving and tipping, it was just an overall unpleasant experience.

Like I stated earlier, the food was decent, but we will not return, it was just disappointment all around.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

My future includes many visits to this place because they clearly know what they're doing. Food lovers who care about quality and price will appreciate this restaurant. The entire group of employees performs wonderfully. Their menu succeeds throughout and the place matches my daily path. Without a doubt, I'm coming back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Dirty bar every time. They need to shellack the bar so it doesn’t absorb the food and drink stains. Also when I asked the staff to wipe the bar down, of course, they did it with grand attitude. Get it together!!! #FixIt

Update: this restaurant has improved over the years. I like supporting local restaurants. The floors need to be redone because they’re always slippery regardless of the shoes I wear. The food and drinks have greatly improved as well as the service. Upgraded stars ✨

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

I visited Pony Bistro in late September 2025 for a work dinner. Let’s just say I’m glad this was a work dinner and I didn’t spend my money at this restaurant. We dined from a Prefix menu. I was concerned the food would be spicy as it’s an African/French restaurant. For appetizers we were served chicken wings, calamari and some type of puff. The puff was spicy and the chicken wings were the only thing that was good. For dinner I order the steak which came with some type of sauce that wasn’t good. The steak also had an after taste to it I stopped eating it. For dessert I ordered the chocolate lava cake which wasn’t any better. It also had a weird after taste to it. I also tried the crème burlee which also wasn’t good and had that same after taste. This isn’t a restaurant I would be visiting again.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Fantastic spot in the heart of Harlem!
Ponty Bistro is an absolute gem — their cocktails are outstanding, with creative Afro-Caribbean influences that make each drink unique and full of flavor. You can really taste the balance of tropical and African elements in every sip.

The Senegalese chicken is a must-try — perfectly seasoned, tender, and bursting with spices that are bold yet beautifully balanced. It’s one of those dishes that stays in your memory long after the meal.

The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, and the location couldn’t be better — right in the center of Harlem, making it a great stop for dinner, drinks, or a casual night out with friends.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience amazing African-inspired cuisine and a vibrant Harlem vibe.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always have a great time when I eat here. Food is excellent and the service is even better! The owner and staff are very accommodating!

Excellent food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

excellent service with a smile, staff went above and beyond to make sure our dining experience was top-notch!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time trying West African Cuisine and everything that I ate and saw on everybody else's dish was delicious and looked cooked with dedication to serving amazing customers.
Also the place was very welcoming as soon as you step in and the service was great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is the place to go to relax after work, with company or just yourself. Actually anytime is a great. A group of nine of us were there to celebrate one of my sister's birthday. Phillip was the gentleman who served us. He was pleasant, joked with us, and has a great demeanor. I ordered mussels with white sauce. I wish I had taken a picture. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!! It was freaking delicious 😋, with a side of bread that was soft and warm. I highly recommend this place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered catering for my birthday party and they DELIVERED - literally and figuratively. Did a rush order for twelve people and everyone ate it up - delicious risotto, well seasoned wings, and delectable fish stew. Grateful to Chef and the whole team for the last minute hustle; I will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5