Delicious Southern comfort food in Harlem! Can handle both reservations for large groups and small groups. The art on the wall is beautiful. We were a large party and they accommodated us wonderfully. The food, portion size, and prices are top notch. Will be suggesting this spot for Sunday brunch for a long time
Heather Taylor
I love Melba's staff...I visited today with my church..the food was amazing and the staff was even more amazin..I be back...for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Catfish \u0026 Eggnog Waffles, Low Country Collard Greens, Melba's Hit - Harlem Iced Tea, Cake, Tres Mac \u0026 Cheese
Shannon Howell
Food was so amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Autumn Brown
My experience. We waited a while to be service. Then I noticed when a Asian patrons arrived they were immediately service by the male order waitress. So there is a little colorism there. I was visiting New York for Cancer Treatment at Proton. I wanted to get a taste of confront food or soul food in Harlem being a native from Mississippi. The catfish was fried crispy and the fish was very thin. It was like eating a fried potato chip. The macaroni and cheese was thick with macaroni with a layer of yellow substance. That I wouldn't call cheese it was thick and salty. The collard greens were sweet and salty at the same time. The meal was a disaster. You have Black people opening these restaurants calling it soul food or confront food and it's embarrassing and shameful. Nobody should feel eating out at a restaurant you're going to have an heart attack. All the Education and travels Melba has and doesn't stop by from time to time to taste her food that represents her or soul food. It's embarrassing that Black Americans can't actually go to restaurant and enjoy soul food. The sweet tea was like drinking a glass of syrup. It's sad. I wanted to order peas and rice. I saw it on another customer plate. I changed my mind. The rice and peas were broken up. Like they had dried up and busted opened. Shameful to call it confront food. Call it sugar diabetes and high blood pressure food last meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shamere
Melba's in Harlem is a fantastic spot for soul food. The ambience was great, the food was absolutely delicious, and everything felt warm and welcoming. Our server, Reggie, was friendly, attentive, and really made the experience even better. I'd definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.
Dianne Fabby
Friendly staff great tasting food variety on the menu and nice drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sarah featherston
Great vibe! Delicious food! We had the chicken & waffles and chicken & catfish. Absolutely amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mona M
Traveled from Maryland to come to Melba. Called ahead to be seated and was told it would be no wait. Got there and was told by young lady wait was 45 mins. Waited for over an hour, then realized she was not following the list and folks were seated by how she remembered their faces. Finally after being seated, service was extremely slow. Food quality was not good; very small portions. The Mac and cheese was just noodle with cheese on top; Cat fish was okay - one small piece with beans not fully soaked or soft with rice. The smothered chicken was okay. Beans were hard from rice and beans. Bar area near kitchen had a foul smell that penetrated the dining experience. Was very disappointed with overall experience and quality of food and price for what was given. Would not recommend as it was hyped up to be.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Marquis Totten
Me and wife had a great experience loved the food staff was very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marlene
I went on a rainy Saturday night before going to a Broadway show. We were seated promptly when we arrived, and once we ordered, the food came out quickly. This was good because we were watching the clock in order to get down to the theatre district on time for the show. I had the fried chicken which was delicious., and the garlic mashed potatoes were yummy. There was lively music playing in the background which made for a fun atmosphere. Definitely try this spot.
The food was amaaaaaazing and everything was seasoned well beyond what I expected. Greens are top, Chicken wings big, came to the table hot and great flavor. Waffle was great and I'd prefer regular butter but, that's me. Mac and Cheese was out of this world. Portions are HUUUUGE so it's not a problem to share the sides.
Latosha
My Food was Fantastic! Never had an Oxtail plate that was really worth it until Melba's. My mother ordered fried fish her complaint was her fish was soggy bc it was on the plate with the collards & the yams should have been served with caramelized sugars (taste ok but it appeared to have been cooked on top of stove not in oven so that's why there wasn't any caramelized sugar mixture) Recommend not putting vegetables on plate with fried food. My mom wouldn't go back but I certainly will.
Guy Luca
The restaurant was too cold.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Sande May
I didn’t actually eat here but I was quite disappointed with them as I was told that they didn’t sell Turkey Wings. Which Southern restaurant doesn’t sell Turkey wings 🤬✌🏾
WANDA WALKER
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 🤓
Delicious Southern comfort food in Harlem! Can handle both reservations for large groups and small groups. The art on the wall is beautiful. We were a large party and they accommodated us wonderfully. The food, portion size, and prices are top notch. Will be suggesting this spot for Sunday brunch for a long time
I love Melba's staff...I visited today with my church..the food was amazing and the staff was even more amazin..I be back...for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Catfish \u0026 Eggnog Waffles, Low Country Collard Greens, Melba's Hit - Harlem Iced Tea, Cake, Tres Mac \u0026 Cheese
Food was so amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My experience. We waited a while to be service. Then I noticed when a Asian patrons arrived they were immediately service by the male order waitress. So there is a little colorism there. I was visiting New York for Cancer Treatment at Proton. I wanted to get a taste of confront food or soul food in Harlem being a native from Mississippi. The catfish was fried crispy and the fish was very thin. It was like eating a fried potato chip. The macaroni and cheese was thick with macaroni with a layer of yellow substance. That I wouldn't call cheese it was thick and salty. The collard greens were sweet and salty at the same time. The meal was a disaster. You have Black people opening these restaurants calling it soul food or confront food and it's embarrassing and shameful. Nobody should feel eating out at a restaurant you're going to have an heart attack. All the Education and travels Melba has and doesn't stop by from time to time to taste her food that represents her or soul food. It's embarrassing that Black Americans can't actually go to restaurant and enjoy soul food. The sweet tea was like drinking a glass of syrup. It's sad. I wanted to order peas and rice. I saw it on another customer plate. I changed my mind. The rice and peas were broken up. Like they had dried up and busted opened. Shameful to call it confront food. Call it sugar diabetes and high blood pressure food last meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Melba's in Harlem is a fantastic spot for soul food. The ambience was great, the food was absolutely delicious, and everything felt warm and welcoming. Our server, Reggie, was friendly, attentive, and really made the experience even better. I'd definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.
Friendly staff great tasting food variety on the menu and nice drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great vibe! Delicious food! We had the chicken & waffles and chicken & catfish. Absolutely amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Traveled from Maryland to come to Melba.
Called ahead to be seated and was told it would be no wait. Got there and was told by young lady wait was 45 mins. Waited for over an hour, then realized she was not following the list and folks were seated by how she remembered their faces.
Finally after being seated, service was extremely slow.
Food quality was not good; very small portions. The Mac and cheese was just noodle with cheese on top; Cat fish was okay - one small piece with beans not fully soaked or soft with rice. The smothered chicken was okay. Beans were hard from rice and beans.
Bar area near kitchen had a foul smell that penetrated the dining experience.
Was very disappointed with overall experience and quality of food and price for what was given. Would not recommend as it was hyped up to be.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Me and wife had a great experience loved the food staff was very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went on a rainy Saturday night before going to a Broadway show. We were seated promptly when we arrived, and once we ordered, the food came out quickly. This was good because we were watching the clock in order to get down to the theatre district on time for the show. I had the fried chicken which was delicious., and the garlic mashed potatoes were yummy. There was lively music playing in the background which made for a fun atmosphere. Definitely try this spot.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was amaaaaaazing and everything was seasoned well beyond what I expected. Greens are top, Chicken wings big, came to the table hot and great flavor. Waffle was great and I'd prefer regular butter but, that's me. Mac and Cheese was out of this world. Portions are HUUUUGE so it's not a problem to share the sides.
My Food was Fantastic! Never had an Oxtail plate that was really worth it until Melba's. My mother ordered fried fish her complaint was her fish was soggy bc it was on the plate with the collards & the yams should have been served with caramelized sugars (taste ok but it appeared to have been cooked on top of stove not in oven so that's why there wasn't any caramelized sugar mixture) Recommend not putting vegetables on plate with fried food. My mom wouldn't go back but I certainly will.
The restaurant was too cold.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
I didn’t actually eat here but I was quite disappointed with them as I was told that they didn’t sell Turkey Wings. Which Southern restaurant doesn’t sell Turkey wings 🤬✌🏾
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 🤓
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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