Melba's Restaurant
Southern Food Restaurant and Fried Chicken Joint$$$$
Central Harlem, New York
The experts at Food Network and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
"Also, probably some of the best chicken and waffles ever."(22 Tips)
"Some of the best soul food in Harlem."(11 Tips)
"The waffles (as in fried chicken and eggnog waffles) are AMAZING!"(4 Tips)
"The Catfish Diner is amazing...and the side selection is very good."(14 Tips)
127 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Southern food
- chicken & waffles
- soul food
- collard greens
- red velvet desserts
- (15 more)
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ZenFoodsterMay 12, 2018S. Fried Ckn+Eggnog Waffles: a Bobby Flay “Throwdown” winner! Also try Spring Rolls, Short ribs, collard greens, pancakes, Shrimp & Grits, homemade Apple sorbet. Sat-Sun brunch 12-3pm. Make a ressie!
SiettahJanuary 25, 2015Loved the Fried Chicken and Eggnog waffles! Have a mango mimosa with brunch - not to sweet but not too bubbly. The people are very friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming.
Upvoted 3 weeks ago
__TR3VJune 5, 2013Sunday brunch is pretty good. I had my usual, french toast and an omelet. Nothing special, but definitely good. The white sangria is a MUST try. Popular spot w/ limited seating so get there early
Melba’s is perfect when you’re craving American Soul Food. The Wine Braised Short Ribs are to die for.
Food NetworkAugust 4, 2014Her crowd-pleasing Tres Mac and Cheese blends pepper Jack, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses together for a dish that goes hand in hand with comforting classics of collard greens and black-eyed peas. Read more
Eyal GoldwergerApril 10, 2013Terrific soul food. The chicken & waffle with strawberry butter is a classic. Tuesday night live band music was incredible R&B, great singer and keyboard. Local crowd, Greta atmosphere, great service!
Sarah ColvinApril 18, 2012The place is small, so make a reservation well in advance. Tuesday nights are awesome for good Soul Food, Live Music (jam session), a Killin DJ, and Dancing over dinner. A top 10 thing to do in NYC!- Akiko BombitaSeptember 13, 2014Some of the best soul food in Harlem. Can get a bit noisy with the acoustics but the food is always a win. Peach cobbler is bomb. Great service and lovely decor.
CL BurkeMarch 10, 2013Short rib sliders = fantastic. Tilapia, mac and cheese (the best!!!), and garlic mashed - very good. Chicken and waffles - amazing, but want MORE chicken!!! It's that good! Skip the fries.
Santia ValerioOctober 22, 2016The waffles were the highlight of the chicken & waffles. And my friends loved the short ribs. The sides dishes were ok. Our waitress was friendly and attentive which was much appreciated!
Harlem AmbassadorMarch 26, 2013Melba has been on Food Network. On Fat Chef. It may be from indulgence in the Egg-Nog Waffles with strawberry butter. Shortribs will knock 'em dead always. Management seems to have their own agenda.
The Corcoran GroupNovember 4, 2011It’s kind of a secret, but Melba’s has the best soul food around. This tiny and friendly place serves awesome Chicken & Waffles, Mac n’ Cheese and Candied Yams.
Caroline WhiteNovember 10, 2012Staff is very professional & accommodating. Had one little quirk with my food and they immediately gave me a new plate and took care of my bill. Food and drinks are amazing.
Alex RobertsonJanuary 18, 2021Really really good chicken and sides (mashed potatoes, collared greens)
Kerwin PJuly 5, 2015The smothered chicken and waffles is good. But be prepared to wait. The place is incredibly small and gets full in the blink of an eye. Service could use some refresher courses.
Make sure you get the hot sauce w/ your chicken. Best I've ever had. And the strawberry better is so yummy! I would put it on almost anything.
Naomi TolsonDecember 31, 2014Chicken n waffles = heaven. Make sure to come early or make a reservation since it's a small space. Worth every penny!
DLeeAugust 12, 2012This might just be the best soul food in Harlem. Went here with a party of 12 and almost everything was amazing. Their candied yams are to die for.
AngieMay 21, 2018BBQ turkey meatloaf was good (huge portion!), 2 sides: garlic mash & mac & cheese. I loved the mac, the mash was bland. Coconut cake for dessert was too sweet; it tasted like it came from a box.
NMarieApril 1, 2016Spring rolls are delicious! So were the catfish, tilapia and mac & cheese. Didn't care for the yams or spinach at all :-(
George LakeApril 1, 2011Banging food (i recommend the braised short ribs or catfish), and the music is always on point. Don't want to sound mean but please refrain from bringing infants and their huge accessories.
Felicia KimbroughNovember 18, 2017The Fried chicken was cooked to perfection and had great taste! Just beware the drinks are strong
Make a reservation because there's always a wait on weekends. Food is always great once you sit down
William HAugust 23, 2014Just get the chicken and waffles - don't waste your time trying to figure out what magic flavoring is going on in the waffle. It's just going to blow your mind and there's nothing you can do about it.- Chris VierigJune 17, 2014Go on Tuesday nights for live music! Also, probably some of the best chicken and waffles ever.
amazing is an understatement. waiters are on their game, hostess is great, bartender is fabulous and the chef is simply divine.
Ryan GallagherMay 16, 2017Fried Chicken and Waffles are real good. Staff is very friendly. Good Southern Food.
Indeed... The catfish is good and also short ribs . But service is really great ! I really love this place :)
Erika Lopez GarciaJune 7, 2014Get the wine braised short ribs with the candied yams and mac and cheese. Just do it. You won't regret it.
Natalie LeMossFebruary 9, 2020Absolutely amazing food! Went for my bridal shower and the brunch was incredible!
Catfish, mac & cheese, sautéed spinach, white sangria ..... basically the entire menu is amazing
Lennon EnglishDecember 15, 2012The fish and chips and the turkey meatloaf were delicious. They make the perfect Sidecar!- Laurie D.November 6, 2013Believe every good word you read about Melba's within these 4sq tips. It's the truth! This place has set the bar pretty high, in my opinion.
The best soul food in NYC!!! You MUST get the Mac & Cheese!
Alyssa KeeneNovember 5, 2012Everything is so good I don't know what to recommend! However, Champ is the best waiter ever :)
Calvin C.May 30, 2013First time eating Chicken/Waffle, now I'm hook. You can get a good meal and drink and feel grown about it.
amNewYorkSeptember 29, 2011Melba's opened in 2005 and quickly earned a dedicated following for its rewarding updates of Southern classics served in a pretty and sophisticated room.
Chris VolinskyDecember 9, 2011Catfish and collard greens were amazing. But be aware that they did not honor the foursquare 10 bucks off deal.
Kat Javier LaureanoMay 3, 2012The chicken & waffles are great and so are the mac & cheese, salmon, & mashed potatoes!
Fadia KaderNovember 19, 2012truthfully - some of the best soul food , good enough for this southern girl!
Pecan encrusted tilapia is everything! And the best appetizer is the spinach empenadas
Justin MashiaJune 19, 2011The food is amazing and mix that with a great environment and good music = best dining experience ever!
HIT, take a few sips, then add some more coke and really mix it up, also despite what the bill holders say, they don't accept Amex.
227 Photos
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Melba's Restaurant is a black-owned southern restaurant located in the Harlem borough of New York, NY.
Open until Midnight (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- Noon–Midnight
(212) 864-7777
View menu on https://www.melbasrestaurant.com/#menus
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Music
Live Music
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Happy Hour
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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"New location for one of my favorite spots in Harlem. You MUST make a reservation unless you want to play yourself and wait 90 mins. The food is so good and the service is superb."
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