Melbas Reviews

Had a reservation waited two hours just to get my appetizers food was ok. Crabcakes were very good well balanced tartar sauce to much mayo needed a citrus. All in all the staff needs training.

Awesome brunch spot. I wished they served southern vegetables of some kind.

The food was great except the sliders but other than that it was amazing

Food was ok, my family enjoyed the oxtail and fried shrimp. The calamari need season very bland. The food was coming out very very slow.

Good southern food with great service. Next to the churches with gospel choirs.

Excellent food... Excellent service and great prices

The food was excellent and the service was great. Didn't have to wait long for the food. I highly recommend this restaurant for comfort food

Delicious food Great wait staff Friendly atmosphere

Pretty darn good chicken and waffles. Second, imho, only to BLVD.

The grilled chicken is delicious, nice & juicy . The egg nog waffles are tasty. & the prices are reasonable.

Happy they now take reservations. Best chicken and waffles in the city- hands down. Wish they had more items from their regular menu on the brunch menu such as Mac and cheese, collard and other sides. The catfish and grits was over the top as was the fried shrimp and waffles. Shared (still warm) red velvet cake. Service is great but they could use another waiter. Food comes out quick and delicious. Worth the wait if you didn t get a reservation!

The food was delicious, the drinks were strong, and we brought a waffle home for breakfast, too! One of the best chicken and waffles places I've been to, and their short ribs were amazing, too!

Casual eatery with pretty good gastropub food. Service is nice. Mac and cheese, fried chicken, and Brussels sprouts are yummy.

Amazing chicken and waffles! Excellent and friendly service. Don't miss the chance to encounter this gem if you are in the area.

So good, great experience and server Brian was excellent!!

Might be the best fried chicken I've had. And definitely try the candied yams--i don't even like candied yams and they were fabulous, like eating dessert.

Wonderful service and atmosphere. Food is amazing and music selection is great with dining experience.

Amazing comfort food. We've eaten here twice now and will definitly be coming back.

Great food as always, a lil wait in the beginning and rude guest but a great visit and good service. Had the chicken and waffles which was succulent. Catfish bites was good too. The oxtails as always was tasty.

Phenomenal food! Absolute quality and great ambiance!

Nice friendly atmosphere. Multicultural patrons who enjoy comfort food.1

I went to celebrate a birthday with a party of 10, the orders got a little mixed up but I liked the food.
The catfish was lightly battered, lightly seasoned and a huge people compared to most restaurants, it was fresh fish, not processed. The Calamari was fried just right, the crab cakes were very big (2) for the dinner portion. The fried chicken was juicy,, no slimming on the Mac n cheese nor spinach which was sauteed just right. I'm not a yams fan but they smelled good.
I will return to Melba's again not just because of the food and it's prices, the atmosphere was comforting.

Food was on point, everyone one in our party of 10 was happy with their meal.

Service was pretty quick too. Nice ambiance, loved several of the paintings posted up and the music level was just right.

Parking is a beast, use uber or other public transportation.

I'm excited to stop and support a black owned business every time I come to NYC. Today is Melba's. This visit happened during Covid and I went on the late night but experience was still energizing and the food was great. I'm glad Melba you've been here since 2005 and still going!

Came here for Sunday dinner a 5:00PM dinner reservation. The restaurant didn t open on time and opened at 5:15PM instead and had people waiting outside in the summer heat. My bf and I both ordered oxtail, Mac and cheese and greens. I felt like I could taste the fact that they were running behind all throughout my food. Everything was just OK. I also ended up having metal in my greens which was wild. The waiter was very graceful in handling the situation and gave me a new plate and free dessert.

It was a great place to have dinner. The food was really, really good and I enjoy everything. I had the short beef ribs, collar greens, and potato salad. I also had a Arnold palmer which was good. I will be going back for sure. Pleasantly amazed by the food.

My 1st and definitely not the last,food was excellent!!!

Live right across the street from Melba's. The best fried chicken you can find in Harlem. The price is reasonable and the staff is very well mannered and respectful. You will likely run into public figures at Melba's, which makes the dining experience even more memorable.

The french toast was superb! I will be coming back!

Food was good. No bread served with meal but good none the less

Great cozy ambiance. The service was great!! The waiter went above and beyond to please my 3 y/o daughter with chocolate milk. The food was awesome!! The best catfish I have ever had since I am in NYC. I am from the Caribbean and I am very picky and particular with the seafood. They surpassed my expectations. Pancakes were awesome. They taste like homemade. My family enjoyed our time there. Love the place. We will definitely come back.

Love the food, the service. As a Harlem girl with Southern roots, this reminds me of home.

Food was good. Seating a little tight, but overall we had a nice time.

Great atmosphere. Recommended highly and was told that I made a mistake by eating at Sylvia's, so looking forward to what's to come.

Service was incredible, food was amazing great atmosphere, I love this place and I will be going back for a long time

Delicious food. Very smart way to deal with the current health situation. I will be back soon.

Oh my god. The chicken just totally rejuvenated my body mind and soul. Candied yams are amazing. It s all so good

Food is good and so is the ambiance. The place is a bit small, but the staff is accommodating. This is a soul food spot, but dont expect cornbread and certain dishes you would want to find...the chicken and eggnog waffles is worth the visit in itself. I will come back again but with cash...my card was double charged.

Very nice semi-upscale urban restaurant. Music was on point, food was good too.

Ordered takeout.
Everyone really polite. Quick service.
Fried chicken, Mac n Cheese, Collard Greens.
De-Lis-Cious

It was a great place food really really good service excellent will definitely be back when I come back in to town

Food is AWESOME!!! I've had the chicken & waffles yams mac & cheese crab cakes... just to name a few... Band on Tuesdays Choclatt Jared singing, drumming. Open Mic..

Melba's catfish,potato salad, and greens are delicious. Love it there.

The food, staff and atmosphere was awesome. If you want some good eating food child go to Melba's. I am going again real soon. Peach cobbler oh so good.

Southern Comfort food. Tasty. Not cheap. Not super friendly but ok

I just want to say, "The food is Very, very, Very tasty"
The first time i ate here at Melba's Restaurant I couldnt get up after I finished eating the catfish; collar greens, mac & cheese, yams and potates salad and a slice of chocolate cake! I was so full, I was ready to sleep!
Great place, staff friendly, and very catering to your needs while you eating. I loved i!!!!

Was recommended by a friend. This was my first visit. Ordered grilled jumbo shrimp with sauteed spinach and tres mac & cheese. My shrimp size was large and overcooked. Cozy intimate atmosphere, good location, and personable staff.

We had a large party of 17. I called and made reservations the day before. The day of when I got there half my party had been seated and when others came in they were directed to our table. The service was excellent, the food was excellent, and it was a great ambiance. Great drinks by the bartender. Good Vibes.

Service was good but I had higher expectations for the food quality

Unbeliavable!!!! The service here has gone to the pig pen since there is now what seems to be a new service crew....service is unattentive, bar is out of named brand vodka, not an ounce of apology offered and the manager/maitre'd is disshovelled, unempathetic and blantently rude. Sorry Melba but you have just lost 5 of your Wednesday 'humpday' regulars.

I met Ms. Melba and she's really hands on with her restaurant. The food was good. Just get rid of those plants that cause that smell. Very nice establishment.

So I finally made it to Melbas after hearing so much great things about the establishment the food was good drinks (strawberry henny) was refreshing my only thing I didn t like was the food came out in to go containers so the food wasn t hot at all and the greens were to sweet to my liking but everything else I ordered was pretty good I loved the strawberry butter also the catfish was fried just right I will definitely be back

Incredible food but the service is lacking. Our drinks took forever. So long my vodka was watered down from the melted ice. The bus boys hover over you to grab your plate making you feel rushed. Shame because our meals really were great.

One of my favorite go to brunch places when I lived in NY. I visited this weekend and had breakfast Sunday morning. My favorite bartender was there and brought over a mocktail for my son. Always great service and food. Chicken + eggnog waffles or the shrimp & grits, you won't be disappointed.

We had the best waitress, who went out of her way to accommodate us. There was a bit of a wait for the food, but who cares when the music, art, and food were so good!!! We went for brunch and will definitely be back!!!

I had the catfish, collard greens & egg nog waffles with strawberry butter. The food was amazing & we didn't have to long to be seated even though we didn't make a reservation.

They're very busy so I would encourage others to make reservations.

Management needs to know you cant let white folks run out your regualr paying customer's. SMH I will think twice before eating here again.

GREAT Food. If you didn't grow up to experience or be exposed to classic Soul Food this is your true "Blast from the Past" culinary experience The historic paintings.. the general ambiance.. and again.... THE FOOD.. SCRUMPTIOUS
I'm sorry but this has taken my Top 3 List if Soul Food NYC Restaurants.
Hi check them out and try to leave room for Their Peach Cobbler at the end...

Really good food and great staff the portions are a bit small however

Omg! Melba s is the spot to go if you re wanting some good ol soul food. I tried the fried chicken, collard greens, yams, and Mac & cheese I must say I felt like a kid in a candy store. My last day in NY I wanted to eat there again, but got the news that business hours are at 5pm during weekdays. Staff was nice and short wait time.

The food was hot upon arrival and the atmosphere was clean. The waiter was pleasant and gave his attention to each individual (it was a larger party).

Gret time.. Great people.. Rich bomb bartender .. Catfish immaculate!!!

The smothered chicken and waffle was one of the best brunches I have ever eaten.

I want to say that Ms. Melba is the Hostess with the mostest. This is my 2nd or 3rd review, years in between though. My dinner party was lovely. Ms. Melbas food was great, the drinks were great. The host, too, was friendly and polite. All in all things were lovely. It's like each time I visit Ms. Melba's restaurant, the better it gets.

Oxtail and crabcake were bomb. Went on a Saturday night it was packed!

Loved it as usual! Got together for a socially distant Brunch with my girls. The food, the service and the atmosphere were all on point. Thanks Melba!!