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48 Reviews
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Melba's service was warm kind and quick.
There is a waiting area at the front of the restaurant that is large enough to take your coat and even hold a stroller. The decor is simple and elegant with some great paintings which honor Black culture on the walls. The small bar is cozy and the bar tender is welcoming. Drinks are sweeter than I'd like but if that's your palette you'll enjoy. The food is the real reason to come. Everything was good the oxtails were full of meat not just fate and bone. The Mac and cheese was so crispy on top with tender macaroni and a smooth luxurious cheese béchamel. The yams were the perfect texture though a bit sweet. The collard greens were some of the best I have had in Harlem. The Smothered chicken or fried chicken is excellent; Crispy skin tender meat , seasoned well and balanced. Plus we were served food within 10 mins of ordering. The price is right. For the serving size and quality the price is very affordable. I Recommend for sure.
Be the first to ReplyWe had the traditional chicken and waffles.
Wow! That and the terrific rum punch make Melba's a must visit.
Be the first to ReplyI can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner! What a
I can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner! What a gem! The food is so delicious and flavorful. I ordered crab cakes with yams, Mac and cheese, and collard greens. The collard greens and yams are the best. They have decent sized bar to sit at or tables if you prefer. I didn't order a cocktail but I did have the Melba's skinny margarita. The owner has her own canned margarita!! It was super light but I felt a very nice buzz. It was perfect because I don't like feeling too tipsy and it has delicious flavor. I wish there was way to purchase them in store.
Be the first to ReplyDining at Melba's is always a pleasant experience.
Her chicken and waffles is my go to dish regardless of the time of day!
Be the first to ReplyThis restaurant was by far the most amazing comfort food I
This restaurant was by far the most amazing comfort food I have ever had! The service was exceptional and the ambiance was dazzling. I thought I was going to need a to go box for my left overs but there was nothing left on my plate to take home. Now as I fly back to California I will recall the delicious food that topped my experience in Harlem. The waffle with strawberry butter along with the chicken wings etc. are stuff dreams are made of. Melba's delivered! Between Sylvia's and Melba's if you only have time for one, I'd choose Melba's!
Be the first to ReplyMy four friends and I have been wanting to dine at Melba's
My four friends and I have been wanting to dine at Melba's Harlem Restaurant after hearing positive reviews. The place was quite attractive with beautiful African art work and spacious seating arrangements, although one of our tables was unstable. The staff was hospitable and service was good. We were looking forward to trying Melba's signature chicken and waffles and other soul food. We ordered two entrees of chicken and waffles, a side order of waffles, smothered chicken, short ribs, collard greens and Mac and cheese. The food presentation was good. However, those famous waffles had no taste of eggnog and was not tasty. The serving of syrup was small and we asked for additional syrup. The portion of dark chicken was tiny and my wings were a generous portion, but the chicken did not taste good. The greens were too spicy but the Mac and cheese were good. The order of sweet potato pie was cold. Needless to say, the food was a big disappointment. It's hard for me to believe that Melba beat Bobby Flay with her signature waffles, unless we weren't served the signature waffles. We just should have gone to our local diners where the food far surpassed Melba's. In all, we feel Melba's is far too overrated and we will not be returning.
Be the first to ReplyWe came in on a Friday afternoon after not being able to
We came in on a Friday afternoon after not being able to get in another restaurant. They seated us promptly, and they also were courteous. We ordered fried chicken and oxtails. My sides were yams and greens. The food came out in literally 2mins. I can appreciate that! It was fresh and hot. I didn't try the chicken, but my guy said it was just ok, and he's a chicken head! Eats chicken 10xs a week! Seriously. I had the oxtail meal, which wasn't good. It was little oxtails with tough meat. Drowned in gravy/sauce that wasn't good. I didn't like the hot sauce it was like a spicy thick tarter ketchup type of sauce. I didn't eat it. Wrapped it to go. The greens and yams weren't all that. I wouldn't go back. And I'd say try them for yourself.
Be the first to ReplyFirst time dining here and it didn't disappoint! I went
First time dining here and it didn't disappoint! I went here on a Saturday during lunch time and it was a full house. They were bumping the jams which flowed through every corner of the restaurant. The menu had a lot that I wanted to indulge, but I was disciplined enough to stick to two dishes: Spring Rolls and the Chicken & Eggnog Waffle. The Spring Rolls were vegetarian and had a fried outer layer. More like an egg roll shell than spring roll. The sauce enriches roll! The Chicken & Eggnog Waffle was the main event and I just loved everything about the dish. I opted for white meat and the chicken was satisfyingly crispy. I'm not sure if my palette could differentiate the eggnog, but nonetheless it was a hearty waffle that blended well with the syrup and butter. Service was friendly and welcoming. I'll come back again next time I find myself in Harlem!
Be the first to ReplyI need an option for Half Stars! Lol Melba's was
I need an option for Half Stars! Lol Melba's was recommended over Sylvia's when asking for suggestions. I was looking for more of a brunch spot that offered breakfast items as well; but it does not. We almost passed up the entry, due the outdoor area. The inside is really cool w/pics/portraits of black folks like Marvin Gaye. The music is great and the full bar is in eye shot! We arrived when they first opened a little after 11 and there were only few parties in there at the time; but if was getting full by the time we left, so I know it gets a lot of traffic. We ordered the eggnog waffle w/Catfish, and one with Chic, fried chicken meal w/garlic mash & greens (made with Turkey), and a side of ASAP YAMS. The fried chicken was really good! I honestly was a bit disappointed w/the waffle and catfish. It don't typically like thick waffles b/c they sometimes tend to be doughy; but this was the "signature" dish. They were a bit bland, unfortunately. The fried catfish was not what I am used to. Not sure the batter that was used but, I could've passed and got the chicken instead. The most disappointing dish was the Yams...as my colleague said..."the yams were not yammin!" They were thick and lacked sweetness. Our consensus was that this soul food is not targeted at the demographic that actually eats soul food! Servers were really nice. Parking on street; but not sure how easy it is b/c we took a Lyft.
Be the first to ReplyMelba's exudes an incredible vibe, blending the essence of
Melba's exudes an incredible vibe, blending the essence of Harlem with soulful food delights. Our dining experience included the sumptuous Salmon paired with ASAP yams and Mac and cheese, which my 2-year-old niece devoured with gusto. The chicken was undoubtedly a hit, and the collard greens were fresh and expertly seasoned. For appetizers, the crab cakes and eggrolls were standout "comforts" that truly elevated the experience. The egg roll alone was enough to make me feel like Harlem owed me nothing.
Be the first to ReplyI really wanted to like this restaurant but the lack of
I really wanted to like this restaurant but the lack of service, disorganization and mediocre food would not allow me to give Melba's past a 1 star rating.Story time, we got here past our reservation time so I will take that on the chin but to wait over an hour and a half while there were empty seats approximately 5 tables open, is out of control.Melba HERSELF was there and saw us waiting with open seats in HER restaurant and did nothing about it. SMH she even spoke to us but didn't challenge the hostess who was rude and clearly not properly trained to do her job.Cons:-sweet potato's came from a can-our drinks came out when our meal did -the waitress was friendly but not very attentive (they were not busy)-mac and cheese; more cheese than anything elsePros:-strawberry Hennessy So much potential, poor execution.
Be the first to ReplyVisited NY for a special occasion.
Being from the south I was looking for soul food. The group selected Melba's. I don't know how or who thought this was a great choice for soul food. The food was horrible! HORRIBLE. The potato salad had no flavor, no seasonings. It was potato and mayo. Living in Maryland we asked about the lump crab cakes. The biggest disappointment. Small, flat and breaded. The collard greens full of vinegar - no flavor! Turkey meatloaf was a sliced loaf ordered from somewhere frozen. There were no signs of homemade. Disappointing. The desserts were not homemade and appeared to come from a box. Definitely it was store bought. My friends called it nursing home food for those with a restricted diet. The place was crowded and I didn't understand why. Then to top it off the food was nasty and the bill was $140. The best part of the place is the artwork. Do yourself a favor, save some money and skip this on your next trip to NY.
Be the first to ReplyFantastic soul food!! We got lucky with a last minute
Fantastic soul food!! We got lucky with a last minute reservation and was greeted with warm service and cozy atmosphere upon walking in. To start off, we ordered the Melba's Spring Rolls, which were bursting with flavor and paired well with the sauce on the side. For our mains, my favorite was the Chicken and Waffles. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the waffles were fluffy and sweet. We also got the BBQ Braised Short Ribs with our choice of collard greens and sweet yam as sides, and it did not disappoint. The meat was tender and falling off the bone, and the BBQ sauce was tangy and sweet. I especially enjoyed the collard greens, which were well-cooked and seasoned, and the sweet yam added a nice contrast to the savory ribs.Overall nice atmosphere and lovely Southern-style dishes!
Be the first to ReplyIt had been years since I'd last been to Melba's, so I was
It had been years since I'd last been to Melba's, so I was so pleasantly surprised to see they had expanded, making the space even larger. This may have been done a while ago, but because I hadn't been, I didn't know. Also, Melba was there, wonderfully greeting her guests and speaking about the restaurant to all who asked her questions.And then the food came (quickly too!). Although I recall her speaking about how she was making cleaner soul food (years ago), I wasn't prepared for HOW clean and HOW delicious it would be. So flavorful, but still soul food. It's proof positive that soul food doesn't need to be drowned in sugar or butter for it to taste exceptional. Masterful is the only word I can think of to describe what I experienced. I absolutely cannot wait to go back.
Be the first to ReplyGreeters were pleasant but not welcoming.
15 minutes to get a drink at a bar with only two other people????? Appetizers arrived lukewarm to cold. Still wondering the name of server since he did not introduce himself. Ambience was very cafeteria. Staff having more fun in the back of the dining area than the patrons. I was very disappointed. Two stars because my guest enjoyed the Oxtails.
Be the first to ReplyWarm, intimate, quality.
Inviting, home cooking with love. VISIT MELBASShe has obviously handled picked her partners. Everyone was welcoming.
Be the first to ReplyI wasn't expecting Melba's to be so good because I am from
I wasn't expecting Melba's to be so good because I am from the south and what northern city can do soul food like the south? I had to eat my words. The food was delicious. Melba's would have received 5 stars; however, if you are going to do soul food then you must have cornbread and Melba's doesn't serve cornbread. Ms. Melba, now you know better. Fly me to NYC and I will show you how to make gluten-free and regular cornbread that will make you dance. I had Salmon, candied yams, and collard greens. I also had a sangria. For dessert, we opted for the sweet potato pie which was delightful. Also, Bryan, our server was so friendly and helpful and he deserves an award for being one of the best servers ever. Please give this man a raise. He went above and beyond to make us happy and he definitely exceeded our expectations. Kudos to Bryan. Lastly, that hot sauce is amazing. I am waiting for it to be bottled and mass produced because I will definitely be ordering some.
Be the first to ReplyI had a great experience at Melba's.
Our party of 4 was able to walk in and get seated without a reservation. The ambiance and the food were great. I ordered the fried chicken, collard greens, and yams. The Southern Fried Chicken was super crispy and juicy. The collard greens were good, just wish it was in a separate bowl so the juices wouldn't flow into the yams and chicken. Other then that, great experience.
Be the first to ReplyMy husband and I were celebrating a wedding
My husband and I were celebrating a wedding anniversary/date weekend. The amazing staff accommodated our last-minute request to dine at the restaurant that morning. They went above and beyond to ensure that our first experience was more than we imagined. From the moment we sat down our server Olleigh B. cultivated an experience through all her suggestions; from beverages that complimented the "must try appetizers" like Melba's Spring Rolls that are not just eaten but as Olleigh said, "are inhaled." That's what we did with the rolls and the Country Catfish Strips. Her suggestions for our brunch selections were exquisitely tasteful. Hubby had the Honey-Ginger Baked Salmon with greens, peas and rice; I had Melba's Signature Chicken & Eggnog Waffles. And it didn't stop there because Olleigh B.'s recommendations for dessert were on point. Our experience was made that much more personable when we were able to meet the proprietor of the establishment herself, Melba. Wow! All around unforgettable! So glad we were able to see this black-owned restaurant featured on MSGs celebration of Black Excellence and Empowerment during Black History Month. Had we would not, we would have never discovered this staple in the community of Harlem. And don't forget to stop by the bar. Helen L. was working her magic as well. We will be back!
Be the first to ReplyMy best birthday party ever was hosted by Melba's.
The place is warm and friendly. My beloved, Jesus, alerted the owner that it was my birthday. When dessert arrived, the whole staff came out from the kitchen to serve me a luscious baked Alaska. They did not sing that depressing song "happy birthday " (which should only be played at funerals). No, they sang the Stevie Wonder version - a tribute to Dr. King. The whole restaurant chimed in- with ad-libbed harmonies. I was so happy that I cried tears of gratitude. Thank you, Melba's - the best, friendliest restaurant in NYC.
Be the first to ReplyMelba's has been a go to for our family for several years.
Friends in town, birthdays, no particular reason lol. (Even during the pandemic it was our go to) Today my honey and I went just the two of us in the middle the day and what a treat. Food was delicious as always (I switched up today,first time I had salmon and it was sooooo good) our server Kenny was amazing... so attentive, personable and added to our great date afternoon. He could have sat and joined us and fit right in. Then to top it off the beautiful Melba herselfcame in and she could have sat with us too. She Welcomed us, shared great upcoming stuff and we took pics. Such a pleasure to support establishments such as this. If you haven't been... what you waitin for.
Be the first to ReplyIn town on business.
Our group of 9 had a reservation and was seated right away. Waiter was attentive he gave good recommends and everyone really loved their food. Everyone accept me. I had the chicken and egg nog waffle and honestly it felt me cold. No hints of eggnog came through. The strawberry butter was equally, blah. The waffle and chicken wings were well executed, but flavorless. I'd come back, just recommend skipping this dish.
Be the first to ReplyAt first I was unsure of the prices here, but it turned out
At first I was unsure of the prices here, but it turned out to be one of my cheaper meals during my trip at the end of the day. Without reservations, we were able to get a seat indoors for a late lunch. The restaurant has beautiful artwork and great music taste (had me looking for a playlist!). The employees are very friendly when spoken to. I got the mushroom pot pie with the Mac and cheese and A$AP yams. I think I made a very good choice with this and recommend it to anyone else stopping by. The portions don't seem like a lot at first but are filling and I had left overs to take back. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly thought I didn't feel like the phyllo added much. My friend got the crispy catfish sandwich which was pretty much just a normal fish sandwich with better quality ingredients, nothing too special going on. They didn't like the fries which were thick but only had seasoning on the outside so the flavor didn't go through.
Be the first to ReplyThe host on Saturday night has an attitude.
Maybe she's overwhelmed, who knows. Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. She definitely got that 20% tip. The ambiance nice. Good upbeat music. The place had a at home dining room look. There was a line going into this place. Reservations is a must if you want to eat here. The collard greens was sweet and spicy 5/10. I've had better. The Mac and cheese was seasoned, gluey, and too a la dente as someone said 4/10. The fried chicken was partially cold, dry, not that flavorful. It was a breast with an attached wing but I've had juicier pieces of white meat before 0/10. To be honest I can't trust restaurants who always advertising their establishments on tv.
Be the first to ReplyThis place is amazing.
Came right when they opened on a Saturday for brunch with a friend, and the service was stellar. Our server recommended the crab cakes, which we got as an appetizer and were delicious.But the main event!! The chicken skin was so crispy and flavorful, and the meat itself was juicy. The waffle was real fluffy, and the strawberry butter was perfect.I'm from California, so I always just get chicken & waffles at Roscoe's. This was 100x better, can't even compare!
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