Two New Restaurants Set to Open in Morningside Heights

Editor's note:

A version of this article was originally published by Columbia University Facilities and Operations.

February 19, 2021

Two small business owners will bring their food to Morningside Heights later this year after signing leases with Columbia University. The restaurants, which each have one other location in the city, will bring new options for brick oven pizza and Japanese food to the neighborhood.

Roberta’s, a pizzeria based in Bushwick, Brooklyn, will be opening its first standalone location in Manhattan at 2913 Broadway between 113th and 114th Streets. Eater NY has described Roberta’s as “steadily transforming itself from a very good Italian-American joint and pizza parlor into one of New York's most quintessential kitchens.” Known for their brick oven pizza, Roberta’s will serve a mix of classic and specialty pies, salads, entrees, and more.  Roberta’s is anticipated to open in the summer.

Sapp’s, a Long Island City restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, will open its second location at 2888 Broadway between 112th and 113th Streets. The menu will feature sushi, specialty rolls, ramen, rice bowls, grilled and skewered foods, and more.  A drink menu will be available with beer, wine, sake, and cocktails. The restaurant is owned by Shih Lee, who owns Michelin-recommended SHI in Long Island City, and partners Eric Lehrer and Selix Lai who were a bartender and long-term waiter at SHI, respectively. 

Picture of inside of LIC location.

Lee thinks opening a second location of Sapp’s in Morningside Heights – and his first venture in Manhattan – would be a great fit for the neighborhood.  “We're very excited to be part of the Columbia University community, especially in a post pandemic world,” Lee said. “We want to help reinvigorate the neighborhood with good food and good times.”  Sapp’s is anticipated to open in the fall.

The signing of Roberta’s and Sapp’s is consistent with Columbia University’s long-standing retail approach, which favors local businesses that bring a variety of amenities and experiences to the diverse Columbia community and surrounding neighborhood. The two restaurants will join several other local businesses that have recently opened or signed leases in Columbia buildings in Morningside Heights and Manhattanville, including Hex & Co.Blue Bottle CoffeeDos Torosthe Expat, and a multi-concept food hall in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center.