Third Avenue - 138th Street (6)

Mott Haven is NYC’s coolest neighborhood for artists, ranging from rappers to muralists to fasionistas. And it’s one of my favorite stops for street art.

Even before leaving the station, you can tell … this stop is on a different level.

Right outside the station you’ll see the J.P. Mitchell public housing projects and a very large church. Go north along Willis, and you’ll find my favorite social-justice Oaxacan restaurant, La Morada, which serves up incredible mole and the best hot chocolate I’ve had. Right around the corner is Mottley Kitchen, an airy and vibey cafe and hangout spot.

Go south a few blocks to get to the artists’ hub, with incredible street art at intersections like Third Ave and Bruckner, 134th and Alexander, and the area around there in general.

Underpass street art.

Let’s start with The Lit. Bar, a bookstore and wine bar born from the dreams of a girl growing up in The Bronx.

The Lit. Bar.

Here’s something wild: a Barnes & Noble was the only bookstore in The Bronx, until it closed in 2016. So, there was literally no bookstore in The Bronx after that… until The Lit. Bar opened up in 2019. Now, it’s a precious local treasure. Project 472 recommends you buy a book and toast to the story.

Next up, we have The Bronx Native, a Mott Haven cultural hub with streetwear and 90s vibes for sale. The space is tiny, but the vibes are mighty. It’s a hangout place for artists, regardless of whether there’s an event on like an open mic, or it’s a random Wednesday afternoon.

You ever meet someone and just know they’re going places? That’s the vibe you get with a lot of people out in Mott Haven, like Zuga at The Bronx Native. Follow him before he’s too cool to follow you back.

Lastly, I have two more streetwear recommendations: Famous Nobody’s and UP NYC. Because if you’re hanging out in Mott Haven, may as well look fly.

Jenny from the block.