Morningside Park

$500K Capital Investment Renovations Include All-Electric Kiosk, Modernized Public Restrooms, and Enhanced Outdoor Seating with Views of Morningside Park Overlook

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue today joined Manhattan Councilmember Shaun Abreu and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new Morningside Park Cafe inside the scenic Morningside Park Overlook. 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.

“This vibrant new café is a testament to the power of local vision and community-driven investment,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “The Morningside Park Overlook has been transformed into a welcoming destination where Harlem’s rich culture, history, and flavors all come together. With modern upgrades and incredible views, this space is now an even more inviting place for New Yorkers to gather, relax, and enjoy their park.”

“The addition of the Morningside Cafe adds another beautiful feature to this park, which serves as our oasis in the city,” said Victor Edwards, chair of Manhattan Community Board 9.

“We’ve been investing in Morningside Park for years, and this ribbon cutting shows what that work is all about—making our parks safer, greener, and more welcoming. We’re proud to welcome a new concession stand the community can rally behind, run by a vendor they already love. Mike has brought more than food—he’s brought vision, heart, and real investment into this space. It’s a full-circle moment, carrying on his father’s legacy right here in Harlem. These are the stories that make our district special, and we’re excited for what’s ahead,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu.

“The Morningside Café, spearheaded by the beloved ‘Crab Man Mike,’ represents a vital step forward in our commitment to eco-development and sustainable community engagement,” said Dr. Maurice Franklin, chair of Manhattan Community Board 10’s Parks and Recreation Committee. “Michael Summerville has long been a cherished fixture in Harlem, and this new café serves as a fantastic opportunity to celebrate local entrepreneurship while nurturing our environment.”

“This is a momentous occasion for Morningside Park,” said Brigham Keehner, of the Friends of Morningside Park. “It’s the first time in 22 years that we have an established business here, and we couldn’t have asked for a better one. The Café, with its friendly vibe and intoxicating aromas, is much more than a place to eat. It’s a place for the park’s communities to gather, connect, relax, refresh and celebrate – all of the things we love so much about this very special park.”

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.

Last fiscal year, NYC Parks registered approximately $160 million in concession contracts, ranging from established major companies to individual entrepreneurs. In the same fiscal year, Parks’ concessions accounted for approximately $53.2 million in revenue, marking the highest amount of concessions revenue collected by Parks in a single fiscal year. This is over three-quarters of NYC Parks’ total revenue of nearly $70 million.