Order take out ahead of time, through Uber eats. Got notification that food was ready. Got to Melba's was told I had to wait for my order. Waited more than an hour to get a order that I called for ahead of time. Ordered fried chicken, with mac and cheese and candy yams. Portions were small but the food was good. In all not worth the wait. read more

Met here with a few co-workers for some awesome dining and drinks. One of the ladies had dined here before and was raving about it so I was looking forward to feelin the fuss, ya dig? Now, I'm a southern born and raised black woman with a granddaddy who smoked a pipe while makin shine in the garage. Ya heard? I grew up on soul food and, perhaps, therein lies the issue. I was expecting to be blown away and, unfortunately, this fell a bit flat. With the greens and peas egg roll (DELICIOUS) leading the experience, I was convinced this was going to make me slap somebody's aunt sass but, alas, it was the stand out for the night. My smothered chicken was bland, rice & peas dry and the greens tasted canned. I did try another person's Mac-n-cheese and yams and while the yams were tastums the Mac-n-cheese didn't stand up to it. For those prices, I doubt I'd make a second trip but if I do, it will be for apps (more egg rolls please!) and drinks only. That Harlem Tea...I've had raunchy dreams about it. Shout out to the bartender (who was a gorgeous chic who happened to remind me of the guy who stars in Mr. Robot...only, obviously, a girl) on that one. That drink was everything. I'm going to write it a love letter right now. read more

Ordered from Uber eats, nobo likes chicken fried in fish grease! Disgusting! as money as we pay for three wings over $10.00 the grease needs to be fresh! read more

The food here is always tasty. Catfish is on point and eggnog waffle is really good. This time I got the crab cake appetizers, oxtail dinner with candid yams and mac n cheese. Crab cakes were good, crispy outside but tender and flavorful inside. The oxtail was super good, falling off the bone tender and bursting with flavor but a tad bit too salty. The Mac n cheese was good but a little lack luster. I've definitely had better. The yams were mouthwatering delicious! By far my favorite part of the meal. On the negative, there is always a super long wait. We waited almost an hour to be seated. On a busy Friday night, it seemed like they only had 2 waitresses working the whole place. Needless to say, service was poor. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Oxtails, Candied Yams, Tres Mac & Cheese - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

It is good but the onion rings were tasteless and the dark meat chicken was to chewy.there was only 2 small bathrooms

Celebrating my brother's 50th birthday and we couldn't have picked a better restaurant; service GOOD, Food AWESOME, waffles are worth the Uber from Time Square! We may be back tomorrow lol read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

The food is good. When it comes to ordering though, you will have to check your bag each and every time. When I tell you something was either wrong or missing EACH TIME I ordered for pick up I am not telling a JOKE! I did notice someone is adding in extra salt to the collar greens ..... whoever it is needs to be jailed read more

We just had the most amazing meal delivered. Me and my bf each got chicken and waffles and split a macaroni, yams and collard greens. Every single thing was amazing we are blown away and in a food coma. read more

Melba 's food was amazing. Seasoned well and over all delicious.The staff was great and attentive. The drinks are well worth the price. And I left completely satisfied. I would recommend going to Melba's any day. read more

The hostess working tonight was absolutely terrible and extremely rude. We walked in 3 people to our party, were asked if we had a reservation, we said no and were told it would be a 45 minute wait. The wait was fine, but when we said okay, she told us there's no waitlist and she'll "remember us". Highly unprofessional. As we left we could hear her laughing in the background with another waitress / hostess saying "yeah when it's this busy, im not doing a waitlist". Is that not the whiter point of a waitlist?? Extremely unprofessional and rude. I have never been to a place that is full and says there's no waitlist sorry. Who ever manages this place should definitely look into who is greeting and being the face of their establishment. Won't be recommending to anyone. Very sad because I've had Melba's in the past and the food was pretty decent. Oh well. read more

Food was cold, Mac & Cheese had no flavor, and looked as if a bunch of shredded cheese was thrown on top of it to make it look appetizing. Potato Salad was watery, we was seated outside no heaters in the fall time. Im appalled, and the wait was super long. I use to love this place but Melba's didn't love me back! I don't think Bobby Flay would be okay with cold food for $120. read more

The food was amazing and the service was also superb! Olleigh made sure the experience was great and made amazing recommendations, chicken and waffles with strawberries butter, ox tail and braised ribs as well as the crab cakes. All the dishes and sides were great! Stop by read more

The worst soul food I ever had; when the waitress was asked about corn bread with the order she responded the kitchen is too small to make cornbread, my order came fried chicken collard greens mac&cheese only thing edible was the fried chicken, lemonade taste like water no taste; service was poor and so was the food never again read more

Great place for brunch. #1 specialty Catfish and Waffles. Great happy hour. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Brunch Menu - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Today was my third and last time here. I'll sum up all three visits. Customer service isn't their fortè. At all. I've had issues on all 3 occasions upon arrival with the host(ess). The last two times I visited (about 2 weeks ago, both within the same week or so) there was a light skinned man as the host. The 1st time, it was early and the place was half full and he seemed to have hesitation seating me as I told him a friend was on her way. When she arrived 15m later and told him a friend was here already he said "oh she's been here a while." Unnecessary. Server that day also said a similar comment to my friend when she came over to take her order. Why is everyone commenting on this? I said nothing to this staff about her running late. Again, unnecessary. The food was meh. The following Saturday I went back to give it another try. The same host said "I usually don't seat 1's at a table." Interesting that he forced me to sit at the bar when I didn't care to. Sitting at the bar for 10 min before I was even greeted by the older bar guy, I watched him make drinks. Sloppy drinks. (Speaking from a bartender's perspective) he didn't measure anything, he made drinks in wet glasses that he was rinsing...not washing off and his wine pour wasn't a pour, it was just him sloshing the wine in the glass letting it splash everywhere. By the time I finally got a mimosa, I watched him rinse another glass out and slosh the champagne and OJ in the glass. I looked at the glass when set in front of me, I can see lips around the rim. Chapstick perhaps. I left. Today my niece wanted pancakes so since it was nearby I said it's early enough, we shouldn't have a problem getting pancakes. Arrived at 11:15a and the hostess was on the phone for 6 minutes and when she got off, she was scrolling through an iPad for another 5 minutes. We still hadn't been greeted. A server who had come near us greeted us and told us she'd be with in a sec. when she finally gave us her attention, she STILL hadn't greeted us and just asked how many was in the party. We were seated and we gave our order within 5 min. 25 minutes later we had yet to get our beverages (coffee and OJ). The same bartender was there steadily and sloppily sloshing drinks together. We left. Customer service at this place sucks. This stems from management. So management sucks. The food isn't that great to begin with so with shitty customer service, you can best believe I'll never set foot in there again. Every experience I've had there has been trash. Good luck if you try it. read more

Baaaaayyyybeeee.... the food here is nothing but the pure unadulterated truth! Everything from the wait staff, music, atmosphere to the FOOD was just what my guest and I needed. There's no more to say, on this here night the Lordt hath made, Melba's served some of the best soul food Harlem has to offer. read more

i was excited to melba's once i heard she beat bobby flay. so i was stoked to order the chicken and waffles my girl ordered the ox tail peas and rice and potato salad. my chicken and waffles was ok the chicken had a decent taste a lot like any restaurant that plain salt and pepper taste nothing that blows you away the egg nog waffle with the strawberry lemon butter although it wasnt served piping hot just warm so the butter barely melted was good. now my girls ox tail was fuckin gross crazy salty!!. my girl who was feeling a little under the weather figured it taste like that because she wasnt feeling well but i felt fine and it was a salt fest going on on that plate. if i had tasted it from the beginning inwould have sent it back. we sat outside and it smelled like a garbage truck in the outside booths like they were cleaned with a dirty sour stinking disgusting mop and cloth!! the waitress was slow so slow that i asked for more chili sauce for my spring rolls that i was finished eating them by the time i got the sauce!! not to mention when i paid my bill i had to go find the waitress who had me waiting 20 min to bring me the receipt to sign so i could leave. i feel that since this is your main restaurant you should pay attention tonthe up keep even for the outside tables i would suggest if you eat there you eat inside the service is probably better the smell is better and there was music and people seemed to be having a good time inside. the wobbly table outside made people mad because they kept tipping when you leaned on them to eat or just to talk and rest your arm on the table. damn shame out black owners only care about lining there pockets than making sure the people who visit and patronize their business have an excellent experience all around. will i go back there???.....hell no!! not when you have harlem tavern, row house and blvd right down the block and all looked cleaner and had live music (jazz) and better ambiance and atmosphere!!! read more

Melba's Restaurant - Chicken and eggnog waffles Ox tails rice and peas and potato salad. - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Melbas was so delicious! I loved the atmosphere, the food was amazing! I really enjoyed every single plate and had the red velvet for dessert which was also very delicious. The sangria drink is a must try! All I can say is I enjoyed my visit very much and will be back when I'm back in NY read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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I have been to Melba's on many occasions and this last time the floors were dirty and the staff is not professional. The food was tasty but the portions were small. I ordered the catfish and only got 1 piece. This was not what I expected. read more

Melba's is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. The best Mac & Cheese, the best waffles. I could go on and on.

I've always wanted to go there and I finally had my chance! The service was great, the drinks were fantastic and food was good (not excellent but good). Although the place is kind of small, the atmosphere was pleasant and I most definitely will be dining there again -- definitely worth it. read more

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now Today was my mother's birthday 10/27. We called prior to coming because we were traveling from Brooklyn, NY. I understand due to Covid things are different but the hostess sat us down at a table for two. Every other person dining was at a table for four why her it was four people or not. He said NO I'm saving the table for customers coming. We sat and waited for 10 mins and we were never acknowledged. When a waitress finally came to the front she went to a table that came in way after us. She wasn't attentive and seemed very annoyed. The customer service was horrible. While walking out none of the employees stopped to ask why we were leaving. There were only four tables being occupied so the service should've been prompt and friendly. This was an awful experience especially from someone driving from a different borough on their birthday. read more

First Melba's visit for the year and tried something new. The Spring Rolls!!! Why haven't I had these all along??!!! Never would have thought to try black eyed peas, greens, and cheese wrapped in rolls. It was deliciously paired with a duck-like sauce. I've been frequenting Melba's for years and have not been disappointed yet. Simple decor. Great atmosphere. The staff and patron are always so friendly. Just wish they served cornbread. read more

It was definitely worth making the trip uptown! The fried chicken was amazing and freshly cooked, it was just obvious. Service was also very strong and they moved quickly to get as many people in and out as possible (they weren't pushy about getting people out). I would absolutely make a return trip and highly recommend Melba's to anyone! read more

Food is fine and used to be a great neighborhood spot with good music, but now every weekend, the music is blasted on speakers with drums outside and it's so so loud. read more

I came in to Melba's to place an order to go. I asked the manager Aron for a glass of water while I waited for my order. He said, "Yeah". But didn't move. I asked the hostess and she was at least nicer but then he said he would get it. No friendliness, no courtesy whatsoever. Love the food but Ms. Melba i highly recommend you install a camera at your hostess counter so you can see yourself how customers are treated. In my order to go this is the 3rd time I get no napkins no fork only ketchup and 2 packs of hot sauce. I don't need Ketchup for what I ordered. A couple came is looking for a table, Hostess said we only have seating outside and I understand is very hot out so they left. Why not offer them a seat at the bar or let them know it will be a bit of time and offer a glass of water, instead of just letting them leave. I just don't get how there is no customer service now a days. read more

The chicken and waffles is what saves this place. I would give that dish 5 stars. But the frittata we got was mediocre and service was spotty. I also noticed that my chicken piece was the runt of the litter and noticeably smaller than everyone else's at my table. Not sure I'd make the trek from Queens again, but if I was craving c&w and in the area, I'd come back. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

I don't know what happened and where is Melba but she's needs to come back and oversee the food. It was not good. I always like the atmosphere , the customer service was exceptional As always but it was raining and all I could smell was a wet dog. Not good. The cost was way too expensive for the food yo taste so bad. I regret putting up this review but I hope the owner sees it. read more

As a life longer New Yorker, i am not sure why it took me so long to try out Melba"s. My friend and I arrived pretty close to their closing time (it was packed) but the amazing waiter let us order and sit at the bar! The chicken and waffles were exactly what i would pictured it to be! So Yummy! and the strawberry butter was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Our drinks were also good, and the bartender (male, Hispanic, super cute) was a sweetheart!! DONT DELAY, GO TO MELBA'S TODAY! read more

I had a phenomenal dinner with my husband. I'm so glad the server was so enthusiastic to assist us with any questions regarding our order. My husband has gluten allergies. Right away Alisha or Alysha I'm not sure but she was so delightful and catered to our needs. I have no complaints. Unfortunately this wasn't a place to be intimate, now I know for next time it's a great girls night out environment. read more

Melba's is a sweet combo of good vibes, good tunes, good drinks, and great food. Our order was perfect. Crab cakes app., barbecue turkey meatloaf, chicken n waffles, maple syrup yams and collard greens. And you'll feel very taken cared of. Luv you Melba read more

UPDATE: I don't know what happened. Overall, the food was extremely bland and did not have that homemade flavor as in the past. The spinach and candied yams tasted as if they came straight from a can. The catfish strips were so salty I couldn't finish them. Even the mac and cheese missed the mark. Where was the cheese? No one in my party finished their food. My friend ate the catfish strips and immediately started to have an allergic reaction. She's only allergic to tilapia so I don't know how this happened. Luckily another person in our party carries Benadryl with them! Thoroughly disappointed with Melba's. My appetite was not satisfied. They'll be on the back burner for a minute. read more

I usually love their Mac and cheese and food in general. However, today wasn't a good day for them. Mac and cheese was horrible. Very disappointed. read more

I believe this is my 2nd time ordering the same dish in 4 days. It is phenomenal. I had the Jamaican Oxtail and it did not disappoint. Ive sat in store for a couple of meals and always had the chicken and waffles (which are to die for btw). Overall damn good restaurant. Cant wait till outside is legal again so I can sit inside! read more

The food here was delicious!!!! I had the fried chicken, Mac& cheese and spinach I originally wanted the collard greens but they had ran out but Rayna out waitress reassured that the spinach was great. It wasn't collards, but she was right. Besides I'm a spinach fan anyway. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the Mac & cheese was on point. Now to dessert LAWD HAVE MERCY!!! The Banana Puddin!!!!!! It takes just like my grandmothers. I went here on a date, it was our 2nd. Good pick, He gets brownie point for this place!!! I would definitely go back again and again. read more

10/10 Even there sides hit! I'm a pescatarian and sides are important, the catfish was amazing and my boyfriend loved the smothered chicken. Definitely coming back w family & skipping breakfast when I do read more

The oxtails were burned and cold, the garlic mash didn't have flavor and the spinach was bland. The service was terrible.

Wanted waffles and decided on Melbas after going to DMV and Post office. Got there a lil early( before opening )about 5 minutes and wanted to know if seating was available ( online reservation wasn't available).Someone was in front of us so we waited. A manager was busy on the phone and a young lady said ,"we're closed and will open in 5min. " "The person in front of me said ,"Ok "and we started talking. The young lady comes to the front and ask the gentleman in back of me can she help him. I'm assuming it's a mistake so I wait . The lady that was in front of me says," she was here before him, "( the lady in front of me was hosting an event there) the waitress says she knows and precedes to tell us she thought we were being helped because when she said something to us we laughed at her. I'm beyond confused. I was never asked if I needed help ? She walks off so I'm not sure if she's seating me or the gentleman behind me . When I asked she pointed to a two tables and said go sit at either one. She was rude and nasty . Also the place had flies and was warm . My catfish and waffle was overcooked. My waiter was nice though. The two stars is because of him. read more

This was my 1st time dining here. I was craving fried chicken wit Mac n greens, so that's exactly what I ordered. I usually am very picky eating other people's soul food, especially the greens, but I was VERY satisfied With everything! The only thing I can say though, the chicken was a bit salty. I didn't really mind because I love salty food. As far as the Customer service. 10s across the board as well. Super friendly host & server "Brian R" read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

OMG, if you don't do anything else when visiting NY, please be sure to dine at Melba's!! Every single thing on my table was excellent!! Lot of food for the price!! So delish!!! Kim, Baltimore read more

Melba's Restaurant - Our table was sooo happy & full of yumminess!! - Southern Near Me - New York, New York