Melba's is a block from my son's apartment. We finally decided to try it out and our biggest issue was wondering why it took us so long. In fact, it was so good, we went back the next night. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere is total comfort and feeling like you are home. Our waitress from the first night came over to say hi the second night. We can't wait to go back. read more

Melba's is a wonderful, fun, delicious and inviting neighborhood eatery. The menu, though oriented around a vision of American 'comfort' food (fried chicken, mashed potatoes, barbecue ribs, waffles, etc.), contains surprises, like the small but succulent spring rolls. The food is almost literally addictive. My wife ALWAYS orders the fried chicken, I ALWAYS get the turkey meatloaf, and my daughter ALWAYS gets the sweet yams and short ribs. The service is reasonably efficient, but consistently warm, friendly and personal. The bar is impressively inclusive and the specialty drinks creative, varied, and delightful. And Melba herself is like the mama your family needed - seemingly everywhere, ruling with love, clearly filled with joy at the sight of her evolving family (the customers, of course). By the third time we went, she introduced us to the staff and everyone at the bar, all of whom she knew by name. My only caveat is that the music (funk,soul & R&B of the highest quality) can get loud enough to hamper conversation. Doubtless there are customers who love it. It's a problem when we bring my mother-in-law, who loves the food, but speaks very quietly. The good news is that nearly every time I've asked a waiter if it could be lowered, it has been, and the staff attitude has been accommodating. But even with that, Melba's is so good and so special I can't bear to deduct a star. There's something about it that makes it feel like your own personal treasure. read more

Yeah girls night out! I've wanted to check out Melba's for awhile!! Did u know that the owner of Melba's and the late, great Sylvia (of uptown eatery SYLVIA'S) were related?! There's a bit of useless trivia for ya! So I decided to make 3 apps my entree. Crab cake, catfish strips, and Tres mac n cheese! WHAT THE FRAGGERNACKLE!!? What kind of crack like substance do they fry the catfish in/ with?! So. Damn. Good! The Mac n Cheese.. Def memorable! One of the best I've had! Drank Peach Moscato and capped off the night w/ chocolate mousse cake! Listen to me. Are you listening?! My tummy would not lead u astray...make reservations and get in there. We went right after work 5:30 and there was no crowd! DEFINITELY GOING BACK! Service was wonderful and the DJ was spinning the old school R&B that made me wanna hit a basement party for real! read more

Went in for dinner this past Sunday and I must admit I was about to write an unflattering review based on the lackluster service we received, but after speaking with the General Manager the following day, he took swift and meaningful action to make up for our experience (THANKS MATT!!!!). So instead of a 1 star review based on service...the 4 star review was based on EXCELLENT food. I had the Salmon, mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach...company had Fried Catfish, Mac & cheese and greens. My salmon was a bit dry, but that was my fault for ordering it med-well...but the flavor profile was delish. The catfish was heaven, light, flaky, crispy and perfectly seasoned...sides were great as well. Thanks to Matt, we'll be back:) read more

Sometimes when I go to cool places in Harlem I kind of envision myself living there and then I slap myself back to reality. I'm a BK girl all the way. However, that doesn't stop me from trying out some cool spots in the area. My friend had been raving about Melba's for a while so another friend and I took the opportunity to dine there on a Tuesday night. We came around 6 without a reservation and we were told that we could be seated but that we would have to wrap up by 8 for a large party with reservations. We agreed and were promptly seated. Rotating DJs, a vibrant after work crowd, dim lighting, and intimate seating set the mood for the night. The service is pretty impeccable. The very courteous and professional staff throughout the night was really impressive. It felt like every other person that walked in was a friend of Melba's which is always a good sign. There was a cocktail lady passing out free samples of Chambord Liqueur which was a nice little treat. I had the sangria which was tasty but I initially felt needed to be stronger, however it may have been my very delicious meal that sopped up all the alcohol floating around in my body. I couldn't resist and I went for the chicken and waffles. So dang good. The chicken had a light coating and didn't have a saturated greasy taste and the waffles were like 3 mini clouds on a plate. My friend had the tilapia with spinach and rice and peas which he really enjoyed. Tuesday nights they have "Open Mic." We were only there for the beginning so I'm not sure what it was really about but the host was cracking jokes and people seemed really into it. Why Hello Harlem. I think you're starting to grow on me! read more

Melbas food was amazing..the YAMS ARE A MUST..We went for my birthday and it was much needed as I am not from NYC and am here while I wait for my Glambaby to get a new Heart Transplant..so i have been eating hospital food since Jan.13th...so to go out was a big deal even for a few hours..BRIAN OUR WAITER WAS AMAZING YOU MUST REQUEST HIM he waited on us with personality..proffessionalism..and catered to our every request with a smile!!! It was the 1st time there and HE made our experiemce so enjoyable..we even met Ms Melba outside and she was gracious enough to take a picture with us...Thank you Brian and Melbas for giving me a few hours to laugh with friends in my most difficult time. read more

I was in the city on Saturday to run a 10K race in Central Park, and I couldn't very well leave the city without a proper brunch to see me off. With the race finishing in the north end of the park, I began considering my options in Harlem. Of course, I had it! Bobby Flay's Throwdown show did an episode featuring chicken and waffles at Melba's, a short walk away from the park. Oh, this was going to be a delightful way to celebrate a well run race (a personal best for me), and I would be lying if thoughts of eating here didn't see me through the anaerobic portion of my race. I dutifully waited for them to open at 10am and saw my way in. I was excited to be here. The restaurant is smallish, but does have a rather nice bar prominently situated up front. Plenty of seating fills out the rest of the space and accents like vintage chandeliers definitely add charm. Miss Melba herself can be seen on the main floor, commanding the area effortlessly with her ever genial personality. Melba's definitely has a neighborhood spot feel to it, and I enjoyed the coziness of the restaurant. I courteously looked over the menu, but there could ever only be one choice for me: chicken and waffles with a Sugar Hill beer (drink local) to wash them down. Let me be clear about the waffles. They are --egg nog-- waffles! Yes, that delicious seasonal drink, which is probably runner's kryptonite for all practical purposes, forms the basis of the batter for the waffles. Obviously, what results is a much richer waffle teeming with flavor that is deliciously pre-sweetened and flavored. My dish served up three of them. They look a bit small, but, being rich, they go a long way. With a little bit of confectioner's sugar and a little bit of syrup, I managed to have some fairly decent waffles. They were not heavy at all either. The chicken was great too. I had a choice of dark or white and opted for the dark. The skin was tasty and crispy. The fried chicken, comfort food at its best, was particularly comforting. All in I had a great meal and particularly excellent service. Overall, they are not the very best chicken and waffles I have had, but they are quite good; and that eggnog twist is something you will not find anywhere else. Throw in a charming spot and happy people, well, you really can't miss with a visit here. Definitely recommend! read more

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

I've been living in Harlem all my life and always felt disappointed that I had to trek downtown to have a good time at quality establishment. However, I've been so impressed by the new restaurants and lounges that take the chic Soho-like formula and add a sexxxyy Harlem twist to it, making it hip to the core while not looking tacky or forced. Anyway...Melba's. I was actually trying to get into Society Coffeehouse across the street but it was packed! My date and I waited a couple minutes to see if anyone left the tables but no luck. So we went across the street to Melba's. This is a chic, cozy restaurant. The decor is perfect. You even have your own DJ there after 7PM spinning the good stuff. We got in at 6:30 and by 7PM the place was packed. The bar area was full as well. They've got Mojitos...awesome Mojitos! Chock full of mint leaves (best I've had in a long time). The signature drinks are a bit on the expensive side, but with the Happy Hour deal and all they came out to $6 a pop. I had a second Mojito free! I had a Po' Boy Catfish sandwich with spicy fries. Amazing...every morsel with the accompanying spread sauce! The fries had seasoning and were spicy. My date had the fried calamari. She loved it. Everything was enjoyable including our waiter. He couldn't have been more courteous, professional, and above all knowledgeable of the menu. I never felt we had to wait long. I didn't get his name but he was tall, lanky with short cut hair and square framed glasses. Really cool guy! Definitely come to Melba's! Perfect for friends, dates (and first dates), or just having a good meal! The pricing is just right too. read more

TO ALL 1 STAR READERS LISTEN UP: The review goes like this.... My gf and I went to Melba's to use our Groupon $40 discount (thank god we didn't pay full price!). The first go around, we didn't make reservations despite trying to call to make one... they, however, don't answer there phone after 6pm. So on the first go around, we didn't get a table because the restaurant was PACKED... a good sign we thought, so we decided to come back for another try a week later... boy were we wrong! Strike 1 On the second go around, despite making reservations for 7:15pm, we weren't seated until 7:30pm despite being early and arriving at 7pm... Strike 2 goes to the amount of time it took to even get served a drink and take our order (15 +15 more mins! = 30 mins of nothing but seating so far) Strike 3 went to cooking time. I had the most expensive plate on the menu (The Sea Bass for $23) and she had their "infamous" chicken and waffles.... (Caution... dark meat takes 5 mins more?)... took 40 mins to get my puny dish, and another 10 mins for my date to get her's... we've now been here for over a hour, and they didn't even ask if we wanted more wine on the 2nd go around... and what's up with serving in 2 tranches? FOOD SHOULD COME TOGETHER PEOPLE! Strike 4 is THE FOOD: Thinking the most expensive thing on the dish would be half good (THE SEA BASS) but nooo... it was tiny (compared to the people around me who ordered the sword fish, and other plates... mine had to be the smallest there... which prompted this review). It also was sub par... only warm not hot especially for the time we waited. It also tasted like something I cooked at a university rez out of the frozen super market... DISAPPOINTED! Her chicken and waffles were tasty I have to admit but SMALL! Seems like a soul food place with a minimalist dish... not impressed. I'd say go to KFC and save the extra money and time! Strike 5 came in getting any service at all for the bill or clean up... with such a long wait line you'd think they'd be in a rush to seat as many as possible but noooo they take there time here too! So all in all, if you can afford to waste 3 hrs waiting for 'OK' chicken and waffles (steer clear of all else) then MAYBE it's worth a look... but would I go back again? NO~! read more

Down home delicious southern food in the heart of Harlem. Finger licking food eating. I have tried many of the dishes and they continue to delight me for years. If you are there on a Tuesday you get to experience live music while you graze on all the yummy menu options. Great staff who can help you navigate your food choices and the cocktails are on point everytime. My favorite dish is the brazed short rib it's slap you're mama good. So next time you are in Harlem make sure to visit this Uptown staple and get you some good ole southern fusion food. read more

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

See all

Oh dear.... I want to give it 1 star because now I will never have any money and there goes my waistline. The food was delicious. The service was impeccable. Get the fried chicken and pancakes with a side of bacon. Start your weekend right! read more

2.5 Stars Unremarkable. That basically sums up my experience at Melba's. First, the hostess (who I presume is an owner, because she had an air that was dismissive, yet authoritative) was not nice. There nothing welcoming about her welcome. It was more like, just so you know you'll be waiting -- very abrupt and matter of fact. The food was underwhelming. I'm trying to figure out why this place is so popular, because based on my experience, it's a mystery. I had what I believe is they're signature dish, the Chicken with Egg Nog Waffles. The Egg Nog Waffles were supposedly featured on Food Network or something. The chicken was pretty dry to be dark meat and fried. The waffles were pretty good. They were topped with a strawberry butter, which I found tasty and clever. But it's not the type of thing that going to make you running back. It was good, but if I never have it again, I'll be unaffected and not regretful. The music was pretty good, so was my bellini. read more

Best meal I had all year! Excellent service also- will be going back. I had the catfish with Mac and yams. Catfish was fried to perfection and the Mac and cheese was to die for. Yams were sweet and savory! Go for a little piece of south in the city! read more

My first time at Melba's. I made a special trip since a friend recommended the Chicken and Waffles. Upon arrival we waited a while before we could even order. The manager was standing in the corner not doing a single thing to help the situation. When we expressed our concern that we were waiting too long to order he simply apologized and said " that waiter will be there shortly." Keep in mind that the server was being held up by a customer who decided to have a phone conversation whilst ordering. Instead of the manager being proactive and taking our order himself, he continued to let us wait while occupying his corner. Once the server actually came to us, our experience was pleasant. He was very professional and extremely attentative. The food was great as well. I had the chicken and eggnog waffle. I ordered white meat and was given dark meat, but no big deal I still ate it, and it was superb. Very flavorful I highly recommend it. As soon as the bill came, without hesitation the manager flew over to the table to take the payment, while we were still eating. He then sent over someone to start clearing our table, once again still not finished eating. Our being as outstanding as he was, apologized. There is nothing that irks me more than feeling rushed when I eat. Not to mention we were done with our food in less than 20 minutes. It took longer to order than for us to eat. I'm very disappointed in the management of Melba's. It's tough to say if I would ever return. But hopefully you helpers have a better experience, because the food is delicious. read more

I'm a sucker for chicken and waffles. And this place certainly hits the spot. All this at a small yet classy restaurant with the nicest lady around makes dining here a welcoming and warm experience. Chicken was fried to perfection with the skin at the right saltiness and crispiness while the meat was of the appropriate juiciness - not at all oily compared to the fried chicken at lesser dining establishments. If you're worried about dried out chicken, I recommend sticking with the dark meat. The half chicken breast I got for my white meat portion was on the drier side so it was disappointing (the fried chicken at Gladys and Rons is slightly better). While the fried chicken was on par with what I can get, the waffles were absolutely AMAZING. Melba's Belgian waffle-styled eggnog waffles were amazing in their sweetness and fluffiness and not like anything I've ever had. That accompanied with the strawberry butter is TO DIE FOR. I understand that the fame of beating Bobby Flay at a throwdown is going to flood the place, it wasn't too terribly busy while I was there and I thought they would be slightly more attentive than they were (hopefully they can work on that). Despite their shortcomings the amazing waffles combined with their fried chicken in an amazing place. read more

So the lesson learned is: don't come on Friday at the height of dinner time. But otherwise, our meal at Melba's was delicious! My husband and I drove in from CT to join my family for my father's birthday dinner at Melba's. We arrive just before them, and after some initial confusion over the reservation (under "Big Papa's Birthday" - because I totally would've known that, Dad *insert sarcasm*) are seated at one of the window tables - clearly the best seats in the house. The place is tiny and cramped, especially with full tables/bar of diners, which also makes it LOUD. You can't have a conversation with anyone at your table without shouting, which honestly was unpleasant and caused my father to pretty much not talk at all. Our waiter was very nice, took drink orders after getting us water and left us with the menu. Everyone was pleased with their beverages, especially the mojitos. We shared the catfish strips and pulled shortribs sliders to start; the strips are quite good, crispy batter-fried with a light batter akin to tempura, and a tasty aioli sauce. The sliders were...teeny tiny. I mean, they are legit bite-size, and two per order. The kitchen and waitstaff seemed to be having difficulty with the packed dining room, but our entrees finally arrived and the food is really good. My dad allowed me a taste of their eggnog waffles and fried chicken (delicious, some of the best waffles I've had, but sweeter than most) and his side of mac 'n cheese (good cheese combo, creamy). My pan seared chilean seabass was delectable, they cooked it perfectly (portion was so small, but maybe I'm being greedy) - although I regret getting the potato salad, my sister's description didn't quite match my expectation. My husband also had the fried chicken, although he wished there had been more meat on his plate. The pecan crusted tilapia was also fabulous, as were the collard greens - and boy are those yams SWEET! The one issue we had was how freaking long it took for us to leave. My dad was the only one who wanted coffee, so we waited...and waited...and I eyed the large crowd waiting for seats...and waited...and as my mom got up to find someone and ask for the check, his coffee arrived. 20 minutes. As he drank, my mom paid and we gathered ourselves to go home for the cake I made. My parents have been to dinner at an earlier time during the week and didn't experience any issues, so it must be the weekend where you have noise and longer waiting times for everything. Make sure you have a reservation if you're dining here! read more

Love, love, loveee Melba's!!! The food is delicious, the ambiance is very nice with a hybrid rustic and Tudor feel and the staff is amazing! I've had the salmon (delicious), Yukon mash potatoes ( so savory), spinach (soo tasty), crab cakes (perfect blend of crab meat and crunchy coating) and the waffles with strawberry butter....to die for....like you have not lived unless you tastes Melba's waffles! But what makes this place really amazing is the staff: Damien, the manager, is quite honestly one of the nicest and warmest human beings I've ever met; and to think my first encounter I was trying to be a pushy customer. Instead of throwing shade back at me, Damien, instead, stayed calm, cool and collective, reassuring me my table would be ready once all my dinner guests arrived (we were 30 mins late to our reservation). Since then, I've enjoyed every moment with Damien, he is truly so kind, fun and a great manager! Then there is Sherrie...Sherrie is one of the most attentive waiters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was a sweetheart from jump, never rushing us and making sure that whatever we needed , was taken care of 100%. So you might be questioning how sweet and lovely Sherrie really is? Well when one of my inebriated dinner guest forgot their credit card, Sherrie was kind enough to run 2 blocks, in all black, in 90 degree weather, just to make sure my friend's credit card was returned...that amazingly kind and lovely! And this is what I love about Melba's: it's old Harlem 21st century style. When you would go to a restaurant in Harlem back in the day, halfof the time you went to the restaurant for the food, but the other half you were going there for the people because you knew the people and the people knew you and cared about your well-being! That's the service Melba's provides: great food and better people! I Heart Melba's and you should go! read more

The food, the drinks, the service and the music all just perfect at this wonderful Harlem Soul Food restaurant. I highly recommend it !

There are some tasty, tasty,..... tasty things happening in here. I've only been here for brunch so far, but I've tried quite a sampling of the offerings. It's hard to keep trying new things when the cheese grits are as delicious as these are, when the bacon is as massive and amazingly crispy, the sweet potato pancakes are fluffy and perfectly sweet, and the eggnog waffles are light and crispy. I shouldn't write this review while I'm hungry. Nor should I even THINK about Melba's when I'm hungry. Moving on from the food, the service is kind, efficient, and well, honest. On one visit one of the servers took my sweet potato pancakes to another table by accident. Our server (who may have been Melba herself!) apologized profusely and brought me an ENORMOUS mimosa (that was basically straight champagne with a shot of orange juice) while the cook remade my order. Not only did I get what looked like an even larger helping of sweet potato pancakes, i also got a big old bowl of cheese grits since I had to wait. My entire meal ended up being taken off the bill. It's a nice gesture and I know it's not unheard of for places to do things like that when someone's order gets screwed up, but that one incident will definitely keep me trekking uptown to get my delicious carby brunch on! read more

Let me start off by saying I am from the south. I went to Melba's because of it's high ratings, of course, but I should've thought better about getting southern food up north. It was an ok attempt at doing southern food, but it doesn't hold even a tea light next to true southern cooking. It may be good to people who aren't from the south, but it did not make my taste buds jump. The chicken was dry and my friend didn't enjoy her catfish. For what you got it really wasn't that inexpensive like people kept saying. We were happy to quickly grab up seats at the bar because the restaurant is super tiny and she said it would be over an hour wait. The service was okay. It was just an experience that this southern girl could've done without on my trip to NYC. read more

Hmmm I decided to give Melba's a 2nd chance before I decided to write a review. As mentioned like other Yelpers if you are going to charge folks $15 - $20 for an Entree you should be licking the plate or take leftovers home. Don't get me wrong I love the fact that a sistah is doing her thing in one of of the toughest industries but if you are specializing in Soul Food please have some "corn bread". Me and my bf were surprised they did not put any kind of bread on the table when we first sat down. We asked the waitress if they have corn bread and she said "no". Really!! I ordered the catfish which was pretty tasty. The candid yams were ok. The greens were a bit salty. My bf ordered the meat loaf, yams and greens. The meat came in 2 small pieces. Truthfully his food was served on a smaller plate and it looked like a kids meal. Seriously!!! I felt bad because he's a pretty big guy and he was still hungry after he finished his meal. The manager tried to make up for the portion by offering him a piece of red velvet cake. It was a nice gesture but I'm sure he would of rather have a descent size meal instead of dessert. The restaurant is pretty small. The tables are very close together you have to squeeze yourself in to sit down. The background music did set a nice vibe. The ambiance was cute and trendy. I am a big supporter of black owned businesses but if you are going to serve Soul Food in Harlem please serve some "corn bread". read more

I don't know who Melba is or where she came from, but she needs to run in the next presidential election. Yes- Leader of the Free World. The food, ambience and wait staff were all top notch and the drinks just pushed it over the edge of glory. This was my second visit and this time I opted for the salmon croquettes, home fries and egg nog waffle. Everything was cooked to perfection. The texture and seasoning of the salmon croquettes made me feel like I had eaten the food love child of an old baptist church mother's submission for the church cook off and Bobby Flay. I cannot wait to go back and try something different. Melba for Prez. read more

Melba's is legit. Amazing smothered chicken. It's even a really nice modern space (with a great bar) for a soul food place. Totally not what I expected. Don't kill me but I didn't taste any eggnog in that waffle, though. I know that's one of the things they're famous for. I mean, it was a good waffle and the strawberry butter was amazing and it paired well with the chicken, but I wanted more nogginess. I think I'll have to try it again next time and compare experiences. Gives me a good excuse to go back. read more

Good food, terrible everything else. Oh, except the paintings. The paintings, specifically the one of the dude on the couch? The paintings are golden. But the rest? The rest made me want to write a bad review and let me tell you, I have never had any interest whatsoever in writing any sort of review. There are enough people mindlessly yammering their way through the Internet. But this experience warranted something. 6 pm reservation - didn't get seated till 7. No apologies, not even much interaction, except when we gently reminded them we'd been waiting. We're not prima donnas, but if you don't want to honor reservations, don't have 'em. Once we were finally seated, our food didn't come for over an hour, even though pretty much 99.9999 percent of the other tables (many of whom were seated after us) were served. It actually started to be a bit funny, except in the 'Wait, are we on some sort of prank show? If so, this a really boring concept for a prank show' sort of way. I'm not even mentioning the little things, like the fact that we had to get our own menus, and water refills. Well, I guess I kind of am. When the food finally arrived, we were so starving, we scarfed it down in 10 minutes and didn't even talk to each other. So much for that nice special Sunday dinner we planned (and reserved). And of course, the bill arrived real quick. And of course, the hostess was real quick to remind us to pay our bar tab, for the 3 measly beers we didn't even want but ordered because our reservation was one full hour late. And we had to actually argue for those 3 beers to be on the house, because, service?! Look, as I said, the food is fine. There is nothing wrong with the food. But as far as we could tell, there were many many things wrong with their communication skills: amongst staff and towards customers. C'mon, Melba's - get it together. read more

Hip spot with a live crowd and tasty food. Waiter was nice but could not break a 100 dollar bill when we needed less than $40 back. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Crab Cake Dinner - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

I visited Melba's for brunch on 05/22/16 with a friend. The wait was about 1/2 hour, which wasn't bad because the weather was nice. Firstly, this restaurant is very small, so tables are cramped together and it is difficult to move around. The service was unusually slow for this time day. Meanwhile, there was a line of people waiting to eat. Once inside it took a while for the waiter to come take our order. After ordering it took an additional 40-50 minutes for the food to make it to our table! I found this to be very discouraging and I was really annoyed waiting to eat for over 2 hours altogether. I ordered the Southern Fried Chicken and Eggnog Waffles, this is probably the most popular item on the menu because it was "featured on the food network." The waffles were really good and had a great taste. However, the fried chicken was flavorless, bland and lacked seasoning. Overall, I would have enjoyed it here if I wasn't waiting for so long while watching other people around me with their food. Very poor service. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles (Feat. On The Food Network) - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I went with my friend around 11am - 1230 on a Sunday and the line wasn't too long. However, if you arrive after 12 noon there will definitely be a lil bit of a wait to get in. We ordered the CHICKEN and WAFFLES, which came out with two pieces of fried chicken and three cute little eggnog waffles. Now, to be honest, I was a lil skeptical of the eggnog waffles. Eggnog? in waffles? Needless to say, It was AMAZZZZING. Best waffles I've ever had. period. And it came with the STRAWBERRY BUTTER that yall were yelping about. OMGASM. legit. I wanna ask how they make it / where they get it, but i'm pretty sure its something that is not shared with the public. The fried chicken was good, but I wouldn't say it was the most amazing fried chicken I've ever ate. My friend ordered the chicken and pancakes which were yummies as well and also came with strawberry butter, which she said it was delish as well. The space is small but cozy. It's pretty classy and cute. The waiters were attentive and courteous. You definitely have to get there early though in order to beat the line. This is a pretty popular location! I caught a glimpse of the reservation list and it was filled with names! Try to score a reservation if you can, it might speed up the process. (we did not have a reservation) Honestly, I'm a bit of a dick when it comes to good southern food. Since I was raised in the south, its really tough to impress me with the quality of southern food in the north. However, I will say that this is the best CHICKEN AND WAFFLES I've had SO FAR in the city. Of course, I have yet to frequent the other Harlem establishments, but for what I've had so far in the city, this is the best chicken and waffles yet. The waffles really make it though, along with the strawberry butter. Random: the bartender gave me a taste of the mango sangria that he was making at the time; it was delish!! I didn't order one, since I was eating at like 11am in the morning, but I would highly recommend ordering that (also it comes in a bigger glass so you get more bang for ur buck than u would say a mango bellini (mellini)). Sidenote: There was a group of White folk there too, who asked the waitress to take several pictures of themselves eating at the table and also then in front of the store (cute). IN CONCLUSION: my tummy and my SOUL left feeling incredibly happy and super yummies. Definitely highly recommended if you wanna feel GOOOD afterwards. :] read more

Melbas is a quaint, small trendy place with the neo-soul Harlem vibe that I was hoping for. Someone at another table had a birthday, and our server encouraged everyone in the place to sing Happy Birthday (the Stevie Wonder version) - it felt like a big happy family. The service was very friendly and they make you feel at home. My friends and I came here after reading some positive press on the restaurant, but sadly we were all disappointed in the food. There was an overall lack of flavor that was surprising, in everything from the fried chicken to the catfish to the greens. My friend said that the catfish at her church fish fry tasted better than the catfish at Melbas. Honestly, I can cook better than this using my handy Patti Labelle cookbook. The food was minimally seasoned, and did not have a point of view from a flavor standpoint. Perhaps brunch is a better meal for Melbas, but I certainly was not impressed by the dinner. read more

This was my first chicken and waffles experience - although I actually had the fried catfish instead - and it was borderline transcendental. I was brought to Melba's a couple of weekends ago, after a movie, on a date. First of all, the space is impressive. The large chandelier-esque lights cast down a light glow which tends to bring out one's best features... and although the space is small-ish, the tables are situated so you aren't on top of the table next to you. It felt intimate despite the dining room being full by the time we left. We also got a table once we walked in - though we arrived close to opening time for dinner. The food was great. I got the fried catfish and waffles, as mentioned above, and my date got the fried chicken and waffles. I am a person who LOVES having sweet/savory in one bite - and this particular salty, well spiced fried fish paired with the sweet maple syrup covered eggnog waffles filled all of my foodie fantasies...and left us rolling towards the train back to Brooklyn. Right on, Melba's - we will be back. read more

Wow. I love my (soon-to-be) neighborhood. Everything about it has really impressed me thusfar and Melba's is no exception. What a BEAUTIFUL restaurant. As I was sitting there amongst fellow yelpers I took a moment to envision me and all my friends dining and laughing and enjoying good food and good company. I had already eaten across the street but I browsed the dessert menu and went for my first slice of Red Velvet Cake. It was indeed red. It was certainly velvety. And quite rich. A little sweeter than what I desired but all the same quite enjoyable. I was sitting next to Hugo O. And when his Po' Boy Sandwich came he offered me some fries. I wasn't going to take one and then he gently insisted. And ... Well ... THOSE ARE SOME GOOD FRIES. Golden brown, crispy, seasoned to perfection with a little kick at the end. Mmmm. The wait staff was slow with getting our order and slow with bringing the check. Guess they wanted us to stay a bit longer. Southern hospitality I suppose. Surprisingly reasonable for the atmosphere as far as prices are concerned. And the background music was really good. I can't wait to go back. read more

I had the fried chicken with mac and cheese and greens. The greens were my favorite part, followed by the chicken and the mac and cheese. However the busboy took my friend's dish away before she was done. It was one of those things where they ask but they don't really give you time to answer, or they're already moving to take it away so you just let them. I was annoyed with our waitress for sending the guy over to do that. He also took my plate away as soon as I was finished, which put pressure on my friend who is a slower eater. I told her to take her time but a few minutes later they just took the plate away with all this food on it! They just rushed us out of there. This was a few months ago, and because I notice everything, I just clicked on the "trend" graph and see that they were getting low ratings then, but have since improved. So maybe I'll give them another try. read more

This restaurant was very nice. Decor, setting, and music makes it a delightful brunch choice for small or big groups. The food is very well seasoned () and rightfully so as the restaurant is nestled in the heart of Harlem. I recommend it especially for couples who are looking for something quaint read more

See all

Love...Love...Love Melba's!!! The food is "slap ur momma" good!!! I had the pecan crusted tilapia with Mac n' Cheese and candied yams! The Mac n' Cheese was to die for along with the fish! The yams, I could have done without. I think they used too much vanilla and they also seemed under cooked?? Idk. Other than the yams the food was superb! The staff was nice and friendly(which is hard to come by these days). I also went back to Melba's for brunch on Sunday and once again, I was overly impressed! I had sweet potato pancakes, cheese grits and slab bacon! Whew! I was super full and delighted :) The only thing that I would suggest they improve on is the lack of space. It's extremely small, but exceptionally CLEAN! Melba's is my go to secret! read more

My grandma is going to turn over in her grave- but I think Melba's is the best soul food experience I've ever had- straight up. First off the place is super cute- tiny bistro tables and candle lit, but still low key. Perfect place to take a date for dinner or bring your mom for a ladies brunch. THE FOOD IS AMAZING. Split the fried catfish and fried chicken with my date. Came with 2 sides, we got mac and cheese, greens and a side of yams. Yams were ehhhh. A little too sweet for me. But the mac was SLAMMIN. We got an extra order at the end just to take home because it was that good. SO cheesy, gooy, amazing. Greens were also to die for, especially with their homemade hot sauce. Stuff is crack. Only thing they were lacking was maybe some amazing corn bred, but I honestly didn't even need it. Everything else was beyond beyond amazing. Service was a little slow and shaky at times and the cocktails weren't really work $11 a pop which is why I had to knock em a star. Our waitress was super sweet and did her best, but she was way over her head. She didn't have much experience and maybe just started, but she was so NICE and adorable I can't knock her hustle. At the end of the day, the food was so good I would have served myself to get it!! Melbas- yall do take out? I can't be showing my face in there 3x a week, cus that's definitely how many times i"ll be coppin your mac n greens combo. See ya soon! read more

I came here multiple times with friends and sat at the bar to enjoy food and drinks. Food and drinks are excellent at those times. I love the fried catfish. My last experience, my friend and I sat at a table. It was a evening on a weekday and wasn't crowded at all. I ordered the crab cake as my appetizer and my friend skipped the appetizer and ordered the smothered chicken dish as her main. About 20 mins pasted and my friend received her chicken meal. I didn't get my appetizer yet. Almost 40 minutes later my friend finished her whole meal and I'm sitting there still waiting for a crab cake. I called the waitress to the table because she never checked on us not once and completely forgot about my appetizer, she did not apologize but came back 10 minutes later with a burnt crab cake. I was so turned off I didn't even want to order a meal after that. I did ask to speak to the manager about my experience and she took the crab cake off the bill which was good, so thumbs up for that but I didn't enjoy this night dining here, or should I say bearly dining because I bearly ate. read more

So disappointed. Had reservations for 7:30 on a Sunday night and arrived to total chaos of a street concert/party happening right in front of the restaurant and apparently sponsored by Melba's. Could not find a way in. Could not find a hostess or anyone to check in with. The street concert with local artist would have been fun if we were there for that - but we weren't. We were there for dinner and the concert was literally in the outdoor dining patio and was blaring so loud I had to repeatedly yell at a bartender trying to figure out how we even checked in. We were ignored by the female bartender (with gorgeous short blonde curls) for over 20". When we finally got her to acknowledge us she told us to look for someone with an iPad. The "iPad girl" with sparkly eye shadow was very nice and apparently she was the hostess. She told us she would try to get us in and to have a drink- we asked her HOW we were supposed to do that as the bartender refused to acknowledge us- she said, "at the bar! You're good!" When 2 other women walked up and were immediately greeted my friend finally asked what the deal was and we were told to get in line. This was after standing there being ignored for 25". A male bartender saw our frustration and quickly offered to help- I don't know what the issue was with the other bartender but we were persistently ignored which is not how you want to feel. When we were finally seated we sat there for another 20" before fetching our own menus (music still blaring so loudly we couldn't scream a conversation at each other) and it took another 15" for a very kind and apologetic waitress to come snd tell us if we actually wanted food it would be a "48" wait." We left. There is no food good enough for that treatment. We came solely to support Melba as she was an icon during the pandemic and we are nurses who appreciate the effort. But this was really the worst treatment I've ever had in my dining life and certainly not what I've come to expect when I eat in Harlem Ruined my last night in NYC which, for the record, was my first vacation since the pandemic began. read more

Celebrated my bff's bday there last night and had the best time. Food, as expected A+. But the cherry on top was our server AWA! She. Was. The. Best! Made us feel so welcome and just overall made our night. Next to the bday boy, you're the real MVP Awa!! read more

Not sure what happened tonight... Melba's is one of my favorite spots in Harlem in which I have dined in and done take out. I hadn't been here in a while, did take out today & was not happy w/ the food... The cat fish bites were different - they didn't have that flaky crispy breading like they should've being that they were supposed to be fried; the fried shrimp tasted very fishy - not sure if they were supposed to taste that way, but I've always ordered them & they've never tasted like that; the yams were not good - seemed as if they needed a little more sugar, some cinnamon and maybe a little nutmeg. I also had the Tres Mac & Cheese and I was highly disappointed - the noodles were hard, and there was barely cheese on them; it definitely did not consist of 3 different types of cheese because it did not have the flavor of 3 nor other seasoning, it was very bland. Not sure if management will see this, but I hope so - I would like to return to Melba's but would definitely need the food to be better. I'm wondering if there was a change in chef period or just tonight... read more

Died and gone to heaven! Loved loved loved everything about Melba's. Awesome atmosphere! We had the salmon, the BBQ Turkey Meatloaf, and the Shrimp with sides of Mac and cheese, collard greens, spinach, sweet potatoes. All prepared to perfection. The cocktails were heavenly originals and the service was fabulous. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Don't miss Melba's in NYC - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Best Catfish I've ever had in New York thus far hands down! The service is great and the environment is equally as good. read more