Melba's Restaurant

On my Birthday June 2nd, my Wife and I planned a trip to NYC from Schenectady, NY. I told her that I wanted Chicken and Waffles from Melba's in Harlem. So we traveled 3hrs just for this special brunch. I was definitely happy with the service and the meal was exceptional, but what surprised me the most was when my waiter and the host came out with a carrot cake and began to sing happy birthday to me. The other guests were all joining us. I had to get up and start dancing. On my 59th Birthday Melba's made it a really Special day. I thought It was scripted by my Wife but it was done by the Wonderful, blessed employees. I'm so Grateful 🙏 Thank you for the best Birthday celebration. I didn't take videos, but it will definitely remain in my memory Forever...We will definitely be back soon.

We stopped at Melba’s for lunch and really enjoyed it. We got there early, so thankfully there was no wait. The fish and fried chicken were both really good and not greasy at all. The mac and cheese was tasty, and the greens had a nice spicy kick. My wife enjoyed the chicken and waffles.<br><br>The rice and beans were just okay and probably not something I’d order again. Other than that, the food and service were both good. Overall, a great lunch spot and I’d come back.

The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender with rich, flavorful gravy, and the fried chicken had the perfect crispy crunch while staying juicy inside. Pure comfort food done right at Melba’s Restaurant.

Delicious food and great vibes only! The place was packed so I was really glad we made a reservation. We ordered a bunch of stuff and split it with the table which I think worked out really well. The chicken and two sides was huge and lasted me two more meals after that!

If you’re anywhere near Harlem and not stopping by Melba's Restaurant… you’re missing out—seriously.<br><br>From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of life. But what really made the experience unforgettable was our server, Bryan. Top-tier service. Attentive without hovering, friendly without forcing it—he made us feel like honored guests, not just customers.<br><br>Now let’s talk about the food… because wow.<br><br>The waffles? Soft, perfectly cooked, and just the right balance of crisp and fluffy. The fried chicken? Hot, seasoned to perfection, and bursting with flavor in every bite. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was so good I had to slow myself down—I was about to hurt myself trying to enjoy every bite too fast.<br><br>My wife ordered the veggie pie, and she was absolutely ecstatic. Every bite had her smiling—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care.<br><br>Everything we had was on point. No misses. Just straight excellence from start to finish.<br><br>Melba’s is not just a meal—it’s an experience. We’ll definitely be back… and next time, I’m coming hungry all over again.

One of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. Melba’s Restaurant really delivers amazing Southern comfort food. We had the fried catfish, French fries, yams, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and chocolate cake — everything was delicious and full of flavor. The fried chicken was especially outstanding: crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Great atmosphere, friendly service, and a place definitely worth visiting again. 🍗🍰✨

The food was terrible. I ordered the so called Jamaican oxtail there was no Jamaica in it at all flavorless no scotch bonnnet no nothing. Food was so bad didn’t even want to take it home. No one leaves food behind. The catfish was good. The chicken was good. The collards weee corny. The white potatoe salad was awful. The Mac and cheese was gooey and cheesy. The way people like it. One and done for me. That’s not southern cuisine but a waste of time and money. Then one of the workers was sweeping the floor as we were eating. Who does that? One and done for me. The fried chicken was okay. Ordered drinks that came out thirty minutes later and they came out warm a hot sweet tea and a warm lemonade. The bill came I’m to 100.00 dollars. People will eat anything .. not me and say it taste good . I can’t and I will not lie. For reviews or ratings

Everybody was kind and welcoming, busy place.<br><br>I got the cornbread dusted deviled eggs, collard greens, yams, mac and cheese and catfish. I was disappointed that my stomach wasn't bigger because I wanted to try more food.

I had an amazing time at Melba's. It was my second time coming time coming to this restaurant, and I enjoyed myself with my friends. The food was delicious. The service was great. I loved the vibe and the soul/R&B music that was playing. I usually don't go to Harlem as much, but going to this place in Harlem is definitely worth it. I will indeed come again, and tell more people about it.

I ORDERED FOOD AT THIS RESTAURANT AND WE SPENT $190. DOLLARS, ON NEW YEARS DAY. FOOD WAS POORLY PACKED. THEY DIDNT SEND THE FRIED CHICKEN I ORDERED. MY DEVIL EGGS WERE ALL MASHED UP AND MUSHY. THIS UNACCEPTABLE.THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE SHOWED NO CONCERN AND COULD CARE LESS. I FEEL THIS WAS VERY UNFAIR. I HAVE PICTURES OFF SOME OFF THE FOOD AND HOW IT LOOKED WHEN THE DELIVERY PERSON CAME. THIS WAS NOT THE DELIVERY PERSONS FAULT. THE PACKING FROM THE RESTAURANT WAS RESPONSIBLE . WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHICKEN ? I GUESS YOU ATE IT 🤓

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed that the host was seated on a stool with his back to the entrance. In my opinion, this was unwelcoming, as hosts should be positioned to face the door and greet guests as they arrive.<br><br>The main dining room was fairly busy, so we were seated in a secondary dining area. Unfortunately, this room was nearly empty and noticeably drafty, which detracted from the overall dining experience.<br><br>Our server appeared to be new but was polite and attentive. However, there was an error with our order. My uncle specifically requested grilled catfish but was instead served fried catfish. I ordered fried chicken with mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The chicken was extremely dry, and the mashed potatoes lacked flavor. The mac and cheese, however, had a pleasant texture and was the highlight of my meal.<br><br>The bill was reasonable for an establishment that is often quite busy on weekends. That said, I would not consider this one of the best soul food restaurants available. It seems that, as with many restaurants that start strong and gain popularity, the quality of the food has declined. This is not a restaurant I would prioritize when recommending places to visitors, as there are better options in the area.

Soon as we walked up we ran into a famous actor. We had no wait on a Wednesday At 2pm. The food was great. The long Island ice tea was very strong. Before we left we ran into a famous comedian.

Nice restaurant, not too big or small. There were two sides, both had seating area but one side had a bar. I tried the jerk oxtails which were small, but seasoned very well and I received a good portion.<br>My son enjoyed the chicken and waffles, which was probably our favorite.<br>The short ribs were also seasoned well, but overcooked. Overall, I enjoyed and would go again.

Fantastic food! Great stop after exploring Central Park North. Braised short ribs were amazing. Had the mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach with it!! Everything was spot on. Had 2 of Melba’s HIT (Harlem iced tea) they were really great. Took a piece of sweet potato pie to go too. My daughter had the sliders and a side of fries. She loved them. French fries were hot and crispy. Tuquan took care of us. He was kind and efficient.

I loved Melba’s. This was a real treat. I am grateful for my experience at Melba’s. The food was 🔥🔥🔥. They accidentally spiled a drink on one of my friends and compensated us well for the accident. Much respect for making things right abd going above and beyond. The Jamaican oxtails were the right decision along with sweet potatoes and greens. The cakes were delicious as well. I appreciated the art work inside. I would definitely go back!