A-plus ribs, yams, A-minus corn bread, B-minus Mac n cheese, fried catfish, collards. Good service, great outdoor Harlem NY ambiance. read more

Let me be honest.... Hopes were high and I wanted to like it. But I spent $30 on food I didn't finish. I got the fried chicken, and cheese and greens. The first word I'd use to describe my meal is dry. The second is flavorless. As someone genuinely from the south, this just doesn't hit. The chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese and greens were all dry. The chicken reminded me of church's fried chicken with less flavor. The Mac and cheese was salty but not seasoned. My friend got ox tails with black eyed peas... her ox tails didn't fall off the bone and the black eyed peas seemed undercooked. I will say if you're from the south and looking for true southern cuisine this is not your place. If you want just a meal you'll be fine. read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Fried chicken plate - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Sooooo good. From start to finish. Let's start with the food. I'm a sucker for traditional soul food. Everything was so delicious. I got the smothered chicken, baked mac & cheese, and collard greens. I literally felt like I was back in the south. They also give complimentary cornbread. The service was great. We had a really friendly waitress. She took our orders and delivered our food fast. It was also happy hour so we got really yummy drinks. The mo' money was so good. It was strong and definitely worth $10. Go for happy hour from 3 PM to 7 PM. The ambiance was nice. There's live music inside. We decided to sit outside because it was a nice day. I definitely appreciated the spot because I heard so much about it on TikTok. If you're in Harlem, definitely check this place out. read more

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

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3.5 I was in Harlem, and nearby, and thought it would be perfect to try Sylvia's for he fist time. I was given a table almost immediately and someone came over shortly thereafter. Our server wasn't mean but there was just something off to me. There seemed to be some sort of discrepancy with what my friend wanted but I'm not sure. After we placed our orders, she returned about five minutes later to say that does option that was deleted want available, which I found odd. I opted for the whittling fish with Macaroni and Yams. The food was great, I opted for the banana pudding, and no offense, but may have been the worst I've ever had. Overall, it was a decent experience. My actual meal was great but the service and the BP could be improved. read more

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Friendly and knowledgeable servers. Great playlist! Good food. Being from the south, i am quite particular about soul food. Was not disappointed! read more

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Finger licking good Ordered fried chicken wings, chicken liver, and fried catfish with side of mac and cheese and traditional collard greens. Each dish was a stand out in its own right, but eating them in concert makes it that much better. The gravy served with the chicken liver went well with the wings. Cornbread with the chicken liver was good. Very filling course. Staff are very warm and friendly. Went in without reservation a little bit before weekend lunch hour and found a seat. There was a bit of a wait for food. But it was worth the wait. Inside is also very nice and homey. Has a rustic feel to the decor and theme. read more

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Upon being seated we were served complimentary cornbread, which was delicious. My hubby got the chitterlings with Mac and cheese and beets. The smell of the chitterlings was strong, definitely an acquired taste. I got the grilled chicken sandwich with fries. Overall no complaints service was on point. read more

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

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My sisters and I took our moms to Sylvia's for their Sunday brunch and we had a time! They had a soloist and pianist with smooth Sunday sounds. They were gracious enough to let my sisters and mom join in and we brought a little southern Baptist soul to Harlem! The food was great and our waitress was patient and friendly. The only downside was the wait. We made reservations about one month in advance due to our party size and on arrival we still had to wait for about an hour to be seated. Once we were seated it didn't take long at all for our food. If in the Harlem area you should definitely check out this spot but be prepared for a little wait. read more

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

Visited this place on a Saturday for dinner. We did have a reservation but we were seated early. I really liked that the music was good but not loud. It was at the perfect temp. The customer service is good and so are the drinks. We tried the fried catfish - no flavor Collar greens - good Mac &cheese - no Candy yams are good . There's a marshmallow coating. Black eye peas - yes The smother chicken gravy - no The bread on the table was delicious and filling . read more

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The outside looked like it was closed at first, but once I came in, I was greeted and sat very quickly. It was a little noisy inside, but the food was good, service was a little slow once It started to get busy, but it was worth the commute. My salmon skin was a little too charred and The drink came out after my food, but when she was reminded, I got it quickly. read more

When we moved to the Great Frozen North in October 1998, I discovered Sylvia's collards and blacked-eye peas -- cans of vegetables that somehow seemed to warm the gales off the ocean and melt the snowdrifts that buried my T-Bird, which featured a rear-wheel drive that made it a nightmare in the winter. One time I nearly had a come-apart in the aisle of a Star Market in Gloucester, Mass., when the Sylvia's cans disappeared. When we finally found those cans relegated to a dusty space above the meat cooler -- a sacrilege -- we literally filled the shopping cart with every last one, including the yams, for fear something had happened to Sylvia's and they would never make them again. Fortunately for us, and surely many other people, they didn't stop. Ever since those days, I've meant to visit the original Sylvia's -- the restaurant that inspired the canned goods that for so long kept me connected to the kitchens of home. But in my few trips to NYC we never seemed to have the opportunity. (For that matter, I never got to the expansion location in downtown Atlanta, so much closer to where I grew up, before it closed, either.) Well, that changed this weekend. A lot has happened since our canned-Sylvia's era - some kids, a couple of careers, a lot of homes North and South. But when we finally took the subway to the original Sylvia's, on the 250th anniversary of American independence, it was everything I could've hoped It would be. The fried chicken was crispy, moist and delicious, and not too greasy. As good as the canned collards and peas are, the fresh variety was loads better and tasted almost like home (though not exactly like home), just like we knew they would. The mac-and-cheese and sweet tea were terrific. And the people were truly wonderful. We were so happy to be there -- and they were happy to have us. If I had a quibble - this being Yelp, it feels like there must be a quibble - it's that the cornbread was sweetened, albeit not too much. Whether to sweeten cornbread at all is a philosophical choice, I guess. I'm a firm believer that cornbread should only be sweetened with molasses or honey at the table, and not as part of the recipe, but almost no one north of Virginia seems to share that perspective. This said, I ate two pieces. Of course, if I'd ever had the chance to meet Sylvia L. Woods, originally of Hemingway, S.C., I certainly would not have mentioned anything about the cornbread. I would've only told her how much I appreciated her, her wonderful food and her extraordinary business. The Times told her story and that of her remarkable restaurant after she died in 2012: https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/30/magazine/the-lives-they-lived-2012.html?view=Sylvia_Woods I only give Sylvia's five stars because that's all Yelp allows. Sylvia's should get all the stars. I look forward to coming back. God willing it won't take me 28 years to do it. read more

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Friendly service and a classic soul food vibe. Everyone was welcoming, and the live band added a nice touch to the experience. Fried chicken was crispy and decent The fish was fresh and lightly seasoned, which I appreciated. Chicken livers were very traditional -- simple, rich, and paired well with the gravy, great as a drinking snack. We wanted to try the oxtail but it was already sold out. Overall solid and enjoyable. I'd recommend it if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way just for this spot. Parking nearby was manageable. read more

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The restaurant seemed to have bustling takeout service but wasn't too crowded on a Friday night. The food was solid. Good ribs, good chicken. The premium sides that cost an extra $2 each was a surprise for classics like collard greens and Mac and cheese, which made the entree price $24 instead of &20. The service was attentive and friendly. read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Pork ribs with premium sides (collard greens, baked Mac and cheese) - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Not my first time at Sylvia's, but it's been awhile so I was happy to visit while in Harlem. The ambiance of this Harlem staple is still the same. I love the atmosphere, and the history that surrounds. With that being said, the food was disappointing this time around. The catfish nuggets were a little salty. The collards greens and macaroni and cheese lacked flavor, leaving a lot to be desired. Our waiter was also not forthcoming regarding the extra cost associated with adding a side of bbq sauce. Mind you the side of bbq sauce that I asked for was a bowl filled with bbq (more than a tasting). I'm not ready to give up on this local Harlem staple, so I will be back (possibly) after considering other soul food options first. read more

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Sylvia's is a historic and delicious part of NYC and Harlem. I have been coming here my whole life, but I haven't written a review yet. The food is feel-good soul food, and the best time to come is lunchtime. My favorites are the fried shrimp, fried chicken, and mac and cheese. My favorite drink is are the South Carolina Rum Punch. The service is always great, and shout out to Shayla for providing excellent service during my last visit. The ambiance is timeless and literally a piece of history. I will continue to come back and enjoy some amazing soul food. read more

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Sylvia's Restaurant is truly a soul food experience you don't forget. Some of the best soul food I've ever had--hands down. The menu may be on the smaller side, but they absolutely know what they're doing, and every dish proves it. I left completely stuffed (with leftovers, of course), and every single bite was worth it. The cornbread muffins were unreal--soft, sweet, and honestly more like cake in the best way. The smothered chicken came out piping hot, tender, and full of rich flavor. And the candied yams? I'm obsessed. Perfectly sweet, perfectly cooked--just everything. If you're in New York and craving authentic, comforting, made-with-love soul food, Sylvia's is a must. read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Smothered chicken - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Sylvia's was good. I'm visiting from Florida and went because of its history. It's nice to see the restaurant still maintain its charm. The service was a bit slow though and I heard that with the new owners, the vibe has changed. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the mac and cheese that came with complimentary cornbread. I drank my light meal down with Sylvia's Uptown drink which I'd assume is her version of iced tea and lemonade. The space is cozy yet very spacious. It's almost as if you're stepping back into time going down the timeline of all the class act guests who's stopped by. read more

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

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Ended up waiting around 30 minutes or so before we got sat. I forgot the waiter's name but she was very attentive and helpful with what to order. My friend had the mac and cheese with barbecue shrimp. She liked the shrimp but stated the mac was too salty. I tasted the collard greens which were well seasoned but watery. I liked when greens have some oil in them. The chicken and cornbread were the stars. Crispy, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. The cornbread tasted like real authentic cornbread. It had crispy edges and was moist on the inside. Add some to it and chefs kiss! I could have went without the cobbler. It was tasteless, just a bit sweet. I don't know if we got a tired old batch or the baker wasn't in the mood that day but that wasn't it. read more

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Miriam (the manager) was so accommodating even though I was lost on the way from the airport. Great service! Food tasted homemade! I'll be back. read more

We have literally been talking about this meal for 30 years, and my only regret about it is we didn't come sooner. It's an easy walk from the subway, and every bite was delicious. Fried chicken. Cornbread. Collards. Black-eyed peas. Mac & cheese. Super friendly staff. We wanted dessert but forgot to bring extra stomachs. Next time! read more

This was everything I needed... when the Mac & Cheese is right... everything is right. Got the catfish read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Catfish, Mac & Cheese, collad greens (yes, that IS spelled right) - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped in for a quick meal before my show at the Apollo, but unfortunately, the service was slow and we barely made it on time. First impression: the decor feels outdated, especially for such a well-known restaurant. The food was seasoned nicely, but the fish portion was small, and the mashed potatoes were dry and stiff--luckily I added gravy, which helped. The highlight of the meal was definitely the complimentary cornbread and the fresh string beans. It seems like the go-to order is the fried chicken and mac and cheese--those plates passed my table at least ten times. Maybe that's the move, but based on my experience, I doubt I'll return. read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Grilled Atlantic Barbecue Salmon - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Sylvia's is a core part of Harlem but I don't think the quality is the same anymore. It saddens me to write this review and not give it 5 stars but I pride myself on honest reviews. I made a reservation online, same day which worked out well. We were seated and greeted nicely. The staff was friendly and attentive. Moving onto the food; it was really salty and extremely rich. I enjoy rich foods but I ordered the green beans thinking it would help cut the richness but it did not :( Nothing seems fresh and I think the only thing made to order is the fish. Lastly, the atmosphere could definitely be worked on. The tables are well loved as well as the chairs. It's just seems so dark, I wish there was some lightness in the atmosphere to liven the place up and make it more inviting. If the quality of the food improves, I would definitely go again but for now, I will not be returning. read more

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Sylvia's 328 Malcolm X Blvd. New York, NY 10027 Cornbread Carolina Style Smothered Chicken & Waffle Sylvia's World Famous Bar-B-Que Pork Ribs Sylvia's Down Home Fried Chicken Coconut Pineapple Cake Located in uptown Harlem, this soul food restaurant will pour out your hunger. Originally founded by the late Sylvia Woods, her historic legacy continues as it is now run by her grandchildren. The fried chicken was hot and crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside. I highly recommend the dark meat if you want that perfect touch. The ribs are smothered in Sylvia's homemade sassy sauce. The barbecue sauce was so pure, I had to request a dipping cup. You won't go wrong with any two sides you choose with your meal. They are definitely a backbone to the main course! My top two personal favorites are the collard greens and candied yams. The cake was fantastic for the most part. My minor criticism is to use less frosting because it took away the flavor from the coconut and pineapple. In addition outstanding food, service was impeccable. Ghenette provided great service and she took care of any of my requests. Take a ride to Harlem if you are craving southern traditional home cooking with a touch of soul! #sylviasrestaurant #harlem #soulfood #smotheredchicken #chickenandwaffles #barbecueribs #lenoxave #cornbread read more

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It was Father's day 2026 and we had reservations for 6pm. The waiter never gave us our silverware. We had to reach out to other personnel to serve us. The food was salty.... the collard greens, fish and Mac n' cheese. I did inform the Mgr. Overall the atmosphere was good but this time thumb down for the food. read more

So once you walk in, you greeted with a lovely smile and your guide it to your seats. Now it's pretty crowded for a weekday afternoon, but the customer service was great very great very welcoming. The decor was nice. You seen pictures of the owners pictures of different. You know celebrities and people that came. It looked very clean. Very nice even the bathroom very nice very clean. The menu was decent. It wasn't overly priced. You're most likely gonna spend between : 20 and maybe $35. I have to say overall the food was decent. The baked chicken was really good. I have to say it's not dry at all and sometimes that I can be hard for people to cook, but the baked chicken was good. The side was decent and my sangria was good as well and they do not pour lightly but overall, it was a good experience and I would recommend people to come here. It may not have been like back then when the owner was alive, but it's still a decent place to come and dine. read more

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First time in Harlem, we had to try Sylvia's! Unfortunately, it was not worth the hype. The ambiance is non-existent. Tables are a bit messy and poorly set. Pictures of Sylvia with her celebrity guests scatter the walls. While our waitress was nice and attentive, I was turned off that while we were placing our order she interrupted to let us know 6/7 guests need to order an entre and not just the dessert. Uhm, you've provided us some water, corn bread and butter, partially taken our orders. When and how are we supposed to be aware of this rule I have never known restaurants have had before. It must be strange or it must be me. I guess I should be asking all the restaurants I go to if they have a minimum entre requirement. Dishes may be good and famous, but overpriced in my opinion. For the price of the dishes, I expected they'd make up the cost with the ambience and service. read more

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On a trip to my, we definitely wanted to make a pilgrimage to Sylvia's, which did not disappoint. We both ordered fried chicken, me with waffles, my partner with greens and Mac n cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious and well cooked. We had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated, they have a waiting area in their covered outside seating. We chose to sit outside, which was protected from the wins and the elements and was very comfortable. read more

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This hurts to write. But I gotta be honest, the food recently at Sylvia's was average at best. I ordered the fried catfish, mac & cheese, and traditional greens. The mac & cheese was surprisingly cheesy, but dry. There didn't really seem to be any sauce in the baked mac & cheese, and it seemed that there were pieces of cheese inside, but they were not melted. My daughter can make a better mac & cheese. The fish portion was small and seemed to be overcooked, and or pre-made. Which is surprisingly because if that's the only thing that you can make fresh, you would expect that to happen. And lastly, the cornbread muffins were dry and overcooked also. One person, $45 total with one drink seems to be a bit overpriced for what I received. read more

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

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Great to be in Harlem! Had to visit Sylvia's! The food was what I expected, plenty of soul flavor! Now the cocktail drinks on the other hand..I had the Harlem Blues..it was like drinking sugar surp with vodka..not great at all..but other wise, the service was great Dayh, or server was great..best of luck on your album!! read more

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This place is worth the walk -- not the drive -- all the way from the Bronx to Harlem. That's how good it is. Sylvia's isn't just food, it's culture, history, and soul on a plate. The food was incredible: perfectly seasoned, cooked with care, and deeply comforting. Every bite tasted like tradition done right. Nothing felt rushed, nothing felt generic -- this is the real thing. The service was warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere felt alive with history. You can feel the legacy the moment you walk in. This is the kind of place you tell people about when they ask where to eat in New York. If you're anywhere near Harlem and don't stop here, you're doing yourself a disservice. I'd make the walk again without hesitation. read more

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Stopped by on a Wednesday with a group from work. The place itself is pretty spacious and they were great about accommodating us. They start you off with delicious cornbread. I couldn't stop eating it lol. I had a margarita for my drink. It was on the stronger side which I was not mad at. Since we were a larger group and everyone ordered different things, a couple of orders did get a little mixed up, but they were great about making sure everything was corrected. For my entrée I got the catfish with yams and steamed rice. It is an additional charge if you want French fries which is a little strange. I really enjoyed the catfish. With their hot sauce it is a match made in heaven. The yams were not too sweet and had a slight vanilla flavor which I enjoyed. I also ordered the fried chicken and mac and cheese to go. Both were simply good. I would return and it is a place you have to try at least once. Thank you Sylvia's! read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Catfish Entree Yams Steamed Rice & Cornbread - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing food. I got the combo with dark meat, baked mac n cheese, and collard greens. The restaurant inside is nice and dimly lit, service is fast read more

I really wanted to like this place. The vibe is cool, the live music is a nice touch, but the food just isn't good. The fried chicken tastes worse than Popeyes, and the mac and cheese is honestly bad -- it's wild when Popeyes has better mac and cheese than a sit‑down spot. The cornbread is the one thing they get right. Come here for the vibe. Don't come here expecting good food. read more

Celebrating wifey's birthday she said that we haven't been there in years. I know the last time we came here the beloved owner and Namesake of this legendary restaurant herself was still alive (she passed 2012). I decided to surprise wifey with a Gospel Brunch celebration, however no gospel artist or artists were present. I was told the brunch started at 11:30, however when we left at 12:35 the only music was what was being piped in. Secondly, there is no brunch menu just the regular menu. I asked was there a brunch menu by one server, I was told he would be right back after he brought our water. He never returned instead our server Aliyah came over, that was when I was told they only have their regular menu to offer us. I decided to just with the fish and grits as a side and black eyed peas. Wifey decided to also go with the fish with the candied yams and traditional collard greens. They have 2 types of collard greens but I don't recall what they were called. You also receive 3 pieces of cornbread. 3 always seemed to be an odd number for 2 people why not 2 or 4. The food was tasty no complaints about that just disappointed about the so called Gospel BRUNCH. read more

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I have seen this everywhere and had to try it. Coming from the south I think my expectations were higher. The service was really good and the food came out fast. The greens were bitter so I'd skip and the Mac and cheese tasted like noodles more than cheese, the catfish was thin and crispy which was good. It was just okay overall. I don't know if ai d say this is SOUTHERN cooking. The cornbread was REALLY good though! read more

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Historic / landmark Harlem restaurant with very small bar, est. 1962. Very clean inside, & very friendly, courteous, & attentive staff. Delicious food - the fried catfish & fried chicken here are off the hook. Only 3 stars b/c very overpriced & small portions. Given their landmark cultural status, as well as how busy they are at all hours, I get it, but the value of the food & small portion sizes do not gel with the food / drink prices. read more

Sylvia's Restaurant - Kale Caesar salad & fried catfish fingers - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

We were a party of three for a late lunch. We all had the fried catfish and sides were pickled beets, traditional collars, and candied yams. The service was just okay. It was definitely nothing to write home about. I had to ask the waiter to refill my drink while it had been empty for at least 10 minutes. It wasn't busy when we were there, so waitstaff just needs to be more attentive to the guests. While this was a recommended place to dine, the candied yams weren't sweet at all and something seemed to be missing. The fried catfish was bland. The cornbread was slightly sweet and had a cinnamon after taste. The current owner, Sylvia's grandson, was there. I tried to pay him a compliment and he walked off. If you're looking for customer service, then don't bother coming here. If you want to patronize a Black business and don't care about the food etc., then this is for you. read more

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My food is allways terrific. And the service of allways a vibe. I love this place and I refer EVERY Ree Body there!! read more

It's a straight shot from the subway (10mins) but somehow my GPS still took us on what felt like the longest walk, so by the time we got there, we were exhausted and looking forward to amazing food. There wasn't a wait so we were able to be seated as soon as we arrived. Their restaurant seemed like it could pick up at dinner time, so I'm glad we made it beforehand. We ordered the down home fried chicken with candy yams, and mac & cheese. My daughter had the fried chicken with mac & cheese and mashed potatoes and I ordered the smothered chicken with greens and mashed potatoes. They gave us cornbread once we were seated. I thought it was a nice touch and it was delicious. It didn't take very long for the food to come out and the serving sizes are pretty big. We should've tried different options, but everyone was sure what they wanted. I was able to see the other meals at different tables as they came out, and if nothing else the presentation was nice. Had a great fulfilling outing. Would recommend! read more

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