Melbas Reviews

Just moved around the corner and the place always has a crowd and looks/smells good, so had to give brunch a shot.

I got grilled salmon and salad and it was cooked perfectly and a great portion for $17.

Friend got the chicken and egg nog waffles. He said it was good and that the waffles didn't have a strong egg nog taste, which he was happy about. At also ~$18, it was a bit pricey for the portion size, but the incredibly friendly and attentive staff made it worth it.

We got warm welcomes, smiles and great service from everyone there. We'll be back for the mac' next time for dinner...

Our food and service was A1!!! I will definitely be back!

Rude! Never going back, the wait staff was cool but the woman I think who is the owner has terrible people skills. She talks to you like you're stupid or you are a child? I wanted to curse her out the way she tried to speak to me, when I was talking to someone in my group about the service. Also I called to ask about reservations or if I needed some, they said no...got their they said we needed one? Well yes and no or kinda sorta? Why didn't they inform me ahead of time, we drove over 2 hours to get their to be disappointed. Place is clean but tight though

Delicious brunch and very sweet people! I highly recommend the chicken and waffles.

Melba's is my Sunday dinner soul food staple. We order take out just about every Sunday.

Great food and even better service. A lot of people seem to not be happy with the speed, but southern comfort food needs extra time to get the love in there. While you wait, they ll keep your drinks filled and won t forget about you.

the service was exceptional.
the food was horrible some was under seasoned and some was over seasoned.. the Turkey meatloaf taste like puree food smh.

My husband and I went here after our wedding and the food was well seasoned, only thing that bugged me was the lighting it was very dim. I looked too good to be sitting under candle light

The short ribs of beef, Mac&cheese and collard greens was 10 fingers up. I had ordered some to go.

Hay hay!!! Me and THE WIFFIE visit the melba's today and it very very nice...and the waiters r good.. BUT PLEASE PLEASE HAVE UR MALE WAITERS PULL THERE PANTS UP OR WARE BELTS..
THANKS YOU 4 ASKING...

Always wanted to go. Our group was treated well. Food was tasty!

Nice place. Small and loud but good atmosphere. Great chicken and waffles! Bit pricey.

I just had lunch at Melba's and it was disappointing. I ordered the chicken and waffles. The chicken was golden brown but it had little flavor. I put hot sauce on to punch up the flavor. The supermarket fried chicken has more flavor. The quality of the chicken wasn't good. I ordered dark meat and in any other restaurants that would be a thigh and drumstick (leg). They served the one piece. I worked with chefs in the past and when you buy the one piece leg it's not good quality. Good quality chicken is when it's a whole chicken cut into pieces. It left a bad taste in my mouth for Melba's food.
It was my first time eating out since Covid19. I was looking forward to the experience. Melba's wasn't the place to go. Melba's please serve better (quality) tasting chicken.
Hope this is helpful.

Melba's is a traditional soul food restaurant that carries a friendly and casual environment. The food is very good for those who enjoy southern food

Food was excellent. Service was excellent as well. Highly recommend.

I love this place. Great food and place to eat and relax with friends.

This is a Harlem staple. The food is comforting and never disappoints.

The food is always good
Had the sweet potato waffles and apple smoked bacon. Couldn't eat for another 6 hours.

Delicious! Busy on a Sunday afternoon, but no wait for a table. Great food (chicken and eggnog waffles) and drinks. Price was fair for the size of the servings. Good service and friendly staff.

My family treated me to dinner at Melba s for my birthday & to my delight the food and the atmosphere was perfect!

The staff was kind enough to come sing the Stevie Wonder version of Hapoy Birthday and they allowed me to serve my own cake (for a small fee)

My only request- I need a second plate Those Ox Tails were everything

Collard spring rolls are delicious. Nice outdoor set-up. Everything is currently served takeaway style even if you stay to eat. Ole, our waitress, was very kind.

Food was delicious. Being from Lousiana the only thing missing was some cornbread.

First time there. I wish they would serve some of the vegetarian dinner items for brunch as well. Brunch options were limited

I had Chicken and Waffles. Chicken wings was a little greasy. The Waffles was great! The ice tea and lemonade was good. The place is nice, Go check it out.

A good dinning experience for the second time @Melba s. First for my bro s b day and the second time was grand. Harlem was lit as was Melba s and their turkey meat loaf. Keep up the good work we need more of Melba s.

CONS
1. Baked Mac n Cheese was BLAND it needed more Flavor...
2. Jamaican Oxtails was Tender but BLAND. Desperately needed Flavor and a Distant Hot Kick if it's going to Compete with Golden Krust on Flavor. Honestly, the Price of $28.00 needs to be DROPPED to $15.00. So not worth the price. I think keeping it Soul Food Style Oxtails would be Best unless you going to Stand Out as The Best Jamaican Oxtails with Extra Flavor and Hot Kick. Other than that the Cut Size of the oxtails are good.

PROS
1. Collard Greens was Well Cleaned and SUPER Flavor with a Distant Hot Kick. (Very Addicting.) That Distant Hot Kick is what the Jamaican Style Oxtails need.... Don't be afraid of Scotch Bonnet Peppper People. No Hot Sauce on my food either. I want The Hot Peppers to Marinate and make love to all the flavors within that pot just like your Collard Greens.
2. Sweet Tea Cocktail was Strong and Delicious.
3. Rum Punch was Strong and Delicious.
4.Smothered Fried Chicken needs more Flavor but the Gravy SAVED that dish...
5. Jamaican Style Rice and Peas was Well Cooked but needed more Coconut Milk Flavor.
6. Friendly Staff.
7. Nice and Cozy Interior and Exterior.

Sometimes no.most times slice cake are thin for price smh

Mac n cheese was good. Grilled shrimp, catfish strips, potato salad, collard greens was delicious.

We had dinner here tonight to celebrate our 13th year wedding anniversary. The food was mediocre and the air condition was next to none. It was 84 degrees outside and it felt like we were sitting in a sauna. I really couldn't enjoy my food, due to the lack of air conditioning. The only plus side to this restautant is that the waitress was very attentive to our needs. She was very polite.

Melba's is ok the place is small and the air coming in from the front door makes it uncomfortable to take off your coat. Both times I've been in the winter. In addition, you feel kind of rushed because people without reservations are waiting by the entrance to be seated. Thus, the hostess is constantly scanning and walking the floor to see if patrons are finished or look like they may be soon. The plus is service, food, drinks and service are decent.

I tried the chicken and waffles. My food was a little cold. The chicken tasted very good, but the waffles wasn t out of the ordinary and tasted basic. Nice atmosphere and food came pretty quick.

The food was good once the order was correct, the server was so busy and forgot our lemon and mimosa, when we finally got it was warm and flat. Total waste of $9.00.

Food was great, but the bartender Mr Joe was the highlight of that evening, love this place

LOVE LOVE LOVE their food! Best southern comfort food in Harlem hands down.

Food was below average and the wait to get the food was over an hour long. Wouldn't come back!

My girl melina one of the last soul food in Harlem that's not commercialized southern comfort food

Chicken & Waffles are awesome and the service was great

They have decent comfort food, not the best "eggnog" waffles I ever had, especially since they advertise it as a winning dish in beating Bobby Flay. But the service here is fantastic, they are extremely attentive to everything.

Food is ok just had waffle and chicken wings were over fried to salty...

I visited on Feb. 5th 2020 with family. Our server was Olay she was very pleasant. The only con is she dead played my cousin about his ID for a drink and he's older than I am. If she was unsure she couldve handled it in a more professional manner. Dont just not give him the drink based on your own judgement. The food was good. The fish and chips was my fave even though I ordered the ribs. Coming from Brooklyn I cant say I'd be back again but we were excited to come not only bc its black owned but they had Leroy Campbell paintings.He was my sister's elementary art teacher. Kudos to whomever picked those pieces. It sets an amazing ambiance to the dining area.

Came here early on a Sunday morning. Got a seat immediately. Ordered the Fried Chicken and Eggnog Waffle. Absolutely amazing! Enjoyed every bite. Service was great. Will be back again to try more of the menu.

If you have a long time to wait for your server and you like fried chicken and waffles, you will love the warm friendly atmosphere in this place. If you're a gourmet with a New York Minute, go somewhere else.

I went here last year in October when I was visiting NY and wanted some soul food and as you can see im still thinking about it! MAN, did they not disappoint me the food was on point the sweet girl we had was amazing and the music jammin'!! Can't wait to go back to NY just to eat here again.

Good food and ambiance. I ordered the fried wings, potatoe salad and spinach. My friends both ordered the catfish.The waiter was good and it can get packed in there... Only thing we didn't expect was happy hour is only at the bar, so next time we have to plan accordingly. Overall, great experience!

Good food, live band on Tuesday. Brunch in weekends!

The food was excellent. The wait staff was pleasant, even when adjusting an order.

We had to wait over an hour to be seated but we enjoyed our food once we were served. The owner was very pleaseant and engaging. The hostess gave us complimentary drinks for the long wait.

The oxtail is the best I've found anywhere in New York across the five boroughs and the baked chicken is super flavorful. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is cheerful and communal, and the prices are super reasonable. It's easier than going to the places on 125th which are more crowded.

Loved their eggnog waffles and fried chicken. Definitely a cool atmosphere the customer service was great, music was nice, and drinks were good and creative! I went for happy hour and left with all smiles! This restaurant is definitely a Harlem gem! I can t wait to go back I ll definitely recommend! This is a black owned restaurant and the owner is very pleasant and nice! I love this spot

The owner melba greets you as soon as you walk in the door ! food is also awesome will go again

Delicious food and fun atmosphere. Great artwork on the walls. Drinks looked good but didn't have them. Chicken and waffles were very tasty. Service was good but it was a bit of a wait

Food is good people working there are friendly and the owner is a sweetheart gave me two free pieces of pie.Thevplace is great recomend it to anyone looking for a great place.

This place is awesome and I love the way this beautiful black woman handles her business and her team, great place overall.

One of the best soul food places in New York. The barbecue turkey meatloaf is awesome. Highly recommended

Food was average. I expected something special, but today this was not the case. The chicken and waffles were decent, again nothing special. The coffee tasted like instant. The bacon was nearly inedible, as the skin was left on and was very difficult to chew. The service was solid. The smothered chicken was the best dish we tasted, but was still unremarkable.

Delicious food and great service! Hi Champ (favorite barista from The Flash Inn) Dinner menu is the best. Oxtails out of this world! Thanks Ms. Melba

The pick service is not very friendly and very poor. I stood there for 15 minutes after calling my order in 30 minutes prior, before someone even checked. My food was sitting on the counter the whole time, needless to say when I got it and went home which is close by all of the food was cold. The food for the most part is pretty good, except the portion sizes are very small and the yams tasted like they came from a can without much done to them and the prices are not cheap. My recommendation would be go to another soul food restaurant, there are plenty other good ones in Harlem with much better service and food portions.

Such great food. Cant help but love the 90s music too! Definitely a favorite.

Delicious food. A little tight in there but well worth it. They have strawberry butter for their delicious chicken and waffles that's just amazing . I didn't need syrup at all!

The food was great.I loved the country catfish and waffles.

The food was excellent and seasoned very well. Unfornately our sever was terrible, so that took away from our experience.

Food was absolutely amazing and the drinks/atmosphere was all that and then some. Strongly recommend the Harlem Ice Tea

Great service. Busy as usual. The fried chicken on my waffle was dry.

Amazing food worth the price , I got the chicken and waffles , yams, & pork sliders with a sweet tea. Everything was crack , cooked to perfection

Had chicken and waffle. Was ok juicy chicken, waffle a little dry, service was not good at all. Waiter had to be told we were ready to order, when he came over seem like we were disturbing him, never introduced himself. After we ordered, he went outside somewhere for about 10 15 minutes, when he came back in he never came over to table to see if we were ok. After he standing in entrance for 5min I think he realize I was getting annoyed, and finally came to table asked if we wanted dessert menu , told he no just bring receipt. He never ask was food ok, thanks for coming. Seem like he didn't want to be at work.

We drove 30 minutes to this place based on reviews and their Instagram account. We ordered and waited a good 35 minutes for our food just for the appetizer and waffle to be cold the minute we got in the car. We said ok portions are small but it still looks good. This was the only thing we ate due to driving to NY and we all got sick. We have been in bed unable to leave the hotel. So disappointed!