Travel 2 minutes 17 May 2024

Al Roker Unveils His NYC: Where to Eat, Explore, and Shop with Style

The television icon shares his favorite NYC spots, from theater district restaurants to Harlem haberdasheries.

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Al Roker is synonymous with two things—weather and great taste. While Roker can't make the sun shine, he brings his dapper fashion to America's most-watched morning show, TODAY. Beyond his anchor duties, Roker spearheads the monthly walking challenges for the Start TODAY community, with 700,000 members and counting.

A modern renaissance man, you can often catch Roker and his family at fine restaurants like Tatiana by chef Kwame Onwuachi and One Starred Clover Hill. Beyond the plate, Roker enjoys the city's richness through its museums.

Here, Roker dishes for The MICHELIN Guide on his favorites, from a Harlem haberdashery to an applause-worthy, theater district restaurant.

Explore more insights on New York from our Inspectors, chefs, and celebrities.

New York has over 8 million residents. Where do you go when you’re craving an intimate meal?

Clover Hill is a small jewel box of a restaurant. I think it has just 12 tables and the food is just exquisite.

What about when you're in the mood for a dinner that captures the energy of the city?

Tatiana is big and boisterous. The cuisine is Caribbean- and African-infused. Kwame Onwuachi has created this place that captures the potential of New York. It's about as diverse of clientele as you'll ever see.

What’s a timeless neighborhood favorite that delivers a classic New York dining experience?

A lovely spot to dine on the Upper East Side is Café Boulud from Daniel Boulud. I've known him since literally both of our 30-something-year-old daughters were newborns. It’s one of those tried and true, great New York places.

At Clover Hill, the interior is calm and dishes are refined. (© Natalie Black | Evan Sung, Clover Hill)

At Tatiana, dishes are bold and beautiful. (© Evan Sung, Tatiana)

Which cultural institutions do you think every New Yorker—or visitor—should experience at least once

From a cultural standpoint you've got the usual suspects, whether it's the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Schomburg Center in Harlem. Each one represents a worldview of culture. I think different audiences can go to each one and learn more about culture in general.

What’s an underrated cultural spot in the city that deserves more attention?

One that people might not think about, but I think they should consider, is the Transit Museum in Brooklyn. If you like trains and buses, and they are New York City's lifeblood, you ought to go to the Transit Museum.

Which outdoor spaces do you think best capture the essence of New York’s history and spirit?

Central Park was designed by Frederick Olmsted as kind of a tonic for the “huddled masses” who had immigrated to New York—to give them outdoor space and a sense of nature. Its Brooklyn sibling, Prospect Park, is another gem. And the Bronx Van Cortlandt Park is just unbelievable.

A peek inside the New York Transit Museum (© Black Paw Photo)

Where do you go when it’s time for a sharp cut or a clean shave?

I've got a great barber on Lexington Avenue. His name is Alex at Shantl & Co. Barber Shop. [Another is] Sharp Styles on East 85th Street. Both are terrific. The guys both happen to be immigrants and both know how to shave a head.

What’s your favorite spot for finding head-turning hats that match any mood or style?

A terrific hat store up in Harlem is called Flamekeepers. Handmade hats of all designs, all colors, whatever mood you're in, from a derby to a fedora to a trilby. You can get a terrific hat.

America knows you love dogs. What makes a pet groomer stand out as truly exceptional in the city?

We have a great little groomer in our neighborhood. It's called Groomingdales and they treat each of the dogs like family. Pepper always comes back with a little knit bouquet or something on her collar. You know it's a great place when your dog is actually pulling to get to the place.