Melbas Reviews

I had heard alot about Melbas. I finally stopped in today. I had the Crab Cakes Mac+Cheese and Potato Salad. Everything was delisicious. The Crab Cakes were filled with Crab, not bread. They were seasoned just right. Potato salad can be tricky, but this was my kind of potato Salad. The Mac is luscious 3 cheeses and lots of butter. Next time I'll try the Cat Fish..I highly recommend..Oh and the server was delightful..

The fried chicken wings and cheesy grits were delicious. Wings were fried to perfection. Friendly staff and prompt service.

Great food. Very busy day which made food service slow. The experience would have been better of it wasn't overly crowded. Not sure if that normally delays the meal but the food didn't come out hot. The manager was very apologetic and complimentary! Would definitely go back when not crowded.

Amazing customer service. The rum punch was delicious and strong, and the food was on point as well!

Super disappointed at this restaurant's service, unfortunately I didn't get around to eating the food. First, I checked with the host how long before we would be seated, he said 30 minutes. I added my name to the list, parked and came back in 15 mins, waited another 25 minutes in the cold just to watch the host give special treatment to certain people, giving them seating before us. So finally after getting a seat, we waited for another 40 minutes and the only person who came to our table was the busboy who gave us a cup of water. After approaching the host on two separate occasions he told us he would send someone over, never happened, so we got up to leave and one waitress apogized and took the menus up. To make the evenings worse, a couple that was seated after us, a waitress came over to take their order, which was the final straw that made us leave. Inside the restaurant was also very cold. I was excited about trying the food coming all the way from CT. I know I will never come back or recommend this restaurant.

Had a Blast! Food absolutely delicious.
Melba is full of love for her guest.
Harlem is where my heart is!
#129th

I can't belive that you can eat something like southern fried chicken and pancakes or waffles with mapple syrup.... together. So in Melba's you can do it. Enjoy

i been going here for 3 years in dates with my ex....but I took my mother for mothers day and she loved it..and she is a very picky eater....their crab cakes and potatoe salad is to die for! I'm so glad they opened up the space more!

Lovely place to eat, delicious food and drinks and a pleasant atmosphere. The wait staff does a very efficient job.

Best chicken waffle in NYC. Do not sleep on Melba's. They also usually have seating, which is uncommon for hyped-up fried chicken spots.

This the best place to get a meal with fantastic jass in the back ground. Servers were fanominal.

Absolute pleasure. The food and atmosphere met up to the expectation. VERY satisfied!

Awesome waffles & fried chicken. Great speedy service

I love this restaurant the chicken and waffles are to die for

First time visiting. The service, ambiance, music, and decor was excellent. The food was delicious, well seasoned. It was an excellent experience!

Food was excellent and at a good portion size. The space is cozy and can fit large groups if needed with ease. My only complaint is that service is a bit slower than most places when you first sit, had to wait a bit to simply get water and two cups of coffee. Once the orders for food we're though, it came out fresh, fast, and hot. I highly recommend the sweet potato pancakes, even though I I wish they were larger. I'll be going back for sure.

This place is The Best. Thank you so much. Had for the second time Catfish and Plain Grits. Next time with Jehovah's help The Catfish and waffles

It was like a family reunion with amazing food! And it was my first time there.

I've heard good and bad things about Melba's over the years. One of the main consensus is that service was slow.

Saturday during Memorial Day weekend I finally made me way to the restaurant. We arrived about 5:30pm and were immediately seated. I was impressed by the large selection of menu items available. My waiter was very attentive and helpful.

I ordered the Southern Catfish, Tres Mac & Cheese and Candied Yams. No later than 15 minutes into my conversation with my friend did our food arrive. It was piping hot and delicious. The Catfish was HUGE!

It's not often you find a soul food restaurant with really good soul food. I believe soul food is hard to recreate outside of your grandmother's kitchen.

One thing I recommend is that you go before or after the weekend rush. Good Luck!

My favorite place for Southern comfort food. They have added more table but it's a real cozy spot that I always feel welcome in.

Typical soul food. Not the best I've ever had but it was okay. Most plates looked very bland and flavorless. It lacked presentation. I ordered the chicken and waffles. The waffles were deeelish. The chicken best was a bit dry.
The best part of my experience was sitting at the bar and enjoying Champ, the bartender. Awesome personality.

Great brunch spot. You should arrive hungry and try the chicken and waffles.

Wonderful place! Wonderful atmosphere! Great food! Awesome wait staff!

Let me tell you about this amazing restaurant. Yum. Yum. Yum. Dessert should be the green apple sorbet!

I must say, honestly.... This place is FANTASTIC!!!

The food and service was spot on. You owe it to yourself to visit.

I have only been here for brunch and it was delish! The waffles are wonderful esp. with the chicken. Nothing like a good chicken and waffles. Everything was freshly made so it takes a minute to go, but worth the wait!

Delicious food, great music, perfect ambiance and wonderful wait staff...Brian was the best!!!

Love Melba's. Try the catfish. Dinner or app, it is delish. The white Sexy Sangria...to die for.
Gets very crowded so make reservations.

Authentic little Harlem restaurant. Arrive early enough (just after the first mass on Sunday) otherwise you will have to wait before you can sit down. Impeccable service and the dishes are gorgeous!
I highly recommend it

My favorite place. Great food and staff. Love Melba

Melba's is a nice place to get some good soul food, good drinks and some good music by Frankie Paradise. I recommend anyone to go to have a great experience.

EveryTIME I come here the women behind the register are mad disrespectful

Most Recent: I asked for a supervisor because I knew the ghetto lady at the daiquiri counter would not assist professionally. Supervisor comes, and the lady on the register hops OFF of the register from assisting other guest, to tell her supervisor what happened (while she was on break and another lady assisted me in her absence) and the supervisor completely ignored us while and after listening to the cashier who should have been hard at work with that 30 year old line she had waiting on her. Soon as she stopped talking the supervisor happily turned around shaking her head side to side and profusely repeating (*insert guideline here*.) I wasnt asking for anything free we just wanted our money or the product was all. (Which my sister got after finessin their petty ways) The most ignorant lot of people in the South. Everytime.! (But what should I expect when the supervisor was the one who ddnt want to take my order initially but literally stared at my mouth while I ordered with another associate.) Im starting to think Melbas trying to send the world a message with their choice of staff.
However,
Pros: The two stars are for Jennifer. Thank you Jennifer! but I can not allot Melba s any more than those two.

Must try the BBQ Turkey meatloaf and collard greens! It's slamming!!!

I've been going to melbas since 2011 and I've always loved her food but my last 2 visits I wasn't impressed by the macaroni and cheese it seems like the recipe changed but everything else was wonderful.

Took my mom to Melbas this evening. Ive been bragging since me, my wife and 7yr old daughter had dinner there about a month ago. My mom was here visting from South Carolina when my brother passed away Dec 6th. My mother and I have not had peaceful quality time together until this evening. I can honestly say this evening splendid and the care we received added to our peace and good vibrations and the food continues to be Excellent!

From the time we entered the door! We were well taken care of. From the host who seated us, the waitress who took our order, to Melba the owner who complemented me on the way I took/take care of my mom. My mom and I not knowing she was the owner until after our conversations and not knowing all of us including the host were all from the South!

Many more blessings for you and your staff Melba.

Peace, Love and Light.

Marlow & Ms. Hattie White

#Melbas
#KindredSpirits
#NothingLikeSouthernHospitality
#WeGullah
#MotherandSonNightOut
#Harlem
#FredrickDouglasBlvd

Great food and service, very intimate and personal.

Loved the Strawberry Hennessey! The food was excellent, but the service needs to improve. The waiter never once came over to check on us to see how we liked the food, if everything was okay, and if we needed anything. Points definately deducted for that.

Country Catfish with collard green and potato salad.... God Bless America for this dish. I cleaned the plate and left nothing for the trash. Definitely going back if not again this weekend, ASAP. Truly a south Gem and representation of southern cooking in New York City.

***Take my money now kind of place***

Dominican Creole food with the flavor of the Dominican countryside is worth going and savoring those exquisite dishes varied Dominican menu.

Great food. Service left something to be desired but a good experience overall. Try the chicken and waffles!

Food is amazing ... but please note if a celebrity is in there you will be overlooked ..

Melba's is a wonderful place!! The food the service the patrons are friendly and the food comes fast. Everything you order is tasty full of flavor and the servings are big enough. You MUST get the catfish bites and mac and cheese with collard greens!!

Chicken and Waffle, plus warm peach cobbler a'la mode. Comfort food at its finest. So very yummy! Our waiter was excellent too.

Lovely place food was great atmosphere my first time there today brunch time I had the catfish waffles and the scrambled egg with cheese delicious and I had for my drink the sexy Melba that was delicious also I would go there again during the dinner hour

Food, ole school music and atmosphere was amazing...not to mention our host Brian gave us awesome customer service...definitely will visit again next time I am in Harlem

Great chicken and waffles, and that's before you add in the amazing strawberry butter.

The waiter was nice the service was great. The drinks were over priced

The food was so good that despite the news news of an impending tropical storm (among other things) I had a thoroughly good day! Singlehandedly turned it around. Comfort food indeed!

Food was delicious! Server was good. Will be be back again.

I met.Melba, sweet lady. She went all out to comfort me, as I waited for the restaurant to open

My sister got married here. The environment was amazing. The food was omg delicious. The service was phenomenal. Price wasn't even a thing. You can taste the love in the food. I can honestly say this is the best restaurant I have ever been. The food taste just like my grandmother's home cooking. This place is a must if your trying to get out with friends or a date with your love. Thanks Melba' s for the amazing experience.

**Outdoor dining during COVID pandemic

Service
*Friendly

Food
*Fried chicken (dark meat) & eggnog waffles - chicken was juicy without being greasy; waffle was tasty
*Sides - mac 'n' cheese was good and so was sauteed spinach in garlic and oil

Great time was had! Open Mic was amazing, such wonderful talented young people.

Food is very good. The tables are close. Ambiance is loud on a Saturday night.

twice at dinner, twice ate everything, very good typical soul cuisine and very friendly service. In the evening environment with very soft lights, spicy food, great beers (try the Ipa) .. good!

Food was amazing, service were great, hostess was awesome I definitely will be back again

Yams and mac and cheese is mediocre for the price I guess the best I can do in the hood

Wonderful experience! Food was delicious service was attentive, a little loud on Friday nights and the venue is small but none the less good restaurant. Not too pricey about the same as any commercial restaurant I had the fried chicken with the best mac and cheese I've every tasted and spinach. My friend has the jumbo shrimp which were huge and tasty as well. I am a total foodie and visit a lot of restaurants and I Will def recommend this place.

Met this beautiful soul at events I work. Her food is amazing and her sweet potato waffles are always a huge hit.

Awesome atmosphere. Delicious Southern food, perfect spot for a date night. The service was very good. I had a red sangria and it was great!

It was good it's kinda small even with them having two sides of space for seating. I wish we would've been seated on the side with the music and where most of the people were at but anyway it was ok. Collard greens (best I've tasted), Mac and cheese and yams was Good! Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I asked them for ribs and they gave me oxtails. I didn't complain because the oxtails were good and were the same price as the ribs. I think they was close to closing so they gave us what was available but they should've specified that instead of pretending it was ribs. I know my foods I ain't stupid but anyway a decent place. I would go again at an earlier time just to try something else. Like I said everything I ate was good finished my plate.

Just saw Melba in Kelly and Ryan coming Cajun salmon. It s a wonderful recipe! Looks delicious. When I can go to NY, I m going to Melba s. As far as being Greek in another life, we d love to claim you as a sister! !!!

Great atmosphere and even better food small place but big reward

I can t say enough great things about Melbas! Firstly the owner, Melba is so nice and cares about her patrons. I ve been coming for a few years now and the service and food never disappoints. Yesterday I had the pleasure of doing some outside dining. They have a cute set up. I had the catfish with Mac and cheese and yams and it was so flavorful delicious! Everything is served in to go containers. Will be returning very soon! IG: alexandra_andco #EatWithAlexandra

I hidden gem for some chicken and waffles. I did not know this place was a southern restaurant. Its good to have some variety especially in Harlem with places like Ami Ruth's and Silvia which get overwhelmed by tourist. I prefer to come here. The place is cozy and food is always on point.