It's definitely a must try! I had the Oxtails (extremely tender) with peas n' rice, collards & the A$AP yams (ode to A$AP Rocky), My wife had the chicken & waffles, which she overly enjoyed. The collard green spring rolls....if you don't try, you wasted a date. Unbelievably awesome. Everything we had was flavorfully delicious!
The staff here has made not only my visit to NYC but my birthday weekend amazing ! I enjoyed the artwork, food, along with the old school R&B jams. My server was "GREAT" !!!!! He made my brother and I feel comfortable and was very courteous along with accommodating. Last but not least, the staff along with the other guests sang their hearts out as they wished me a "Happy Birthday". I look forward to visiting this establishment in the near future. Thanks for all that you do and heads off to your great staff !
Have eaten Melba's cuisine food dozen of times always delicious! First time inside of her restaurant and vibe was everything. So glad we could come to eat in a Sunday everything else was overbooked. They have a wait area, inside covered dining and great staff. A few ppl celebrating birthdays and it is a big deal & a family affair at Melba's. So warm and inviting like a hug from her to you.
My only opinion ( biased) how food is served in a bowl rather than a plate all on top of each other. The near would need to be extra crispy to withstand the wet of ( mash potatoes or yams)
Otherwise food was extremely good I ate all it was just different. Also food that eaten prior was always takeout tray. Still very delicious. Come , eat, celebrate and enjoy southern comfort in NYC
Lovely example of a southern US food - tasty, a bit sweet, but also a bit surprising (in a nice way) largely due to the combination of spices. We tried some of the signature dishes, e.g., the chicken tenders, beef short rib sliders, Melba's spring rolls and the hamburger. All are delicious but if you shouldn't miss one, it's the sliders - juicy and rich in taste. The service was perfect - explaining patiently but also was swift and helpful.
(Non New Yoker Review)
If you like live loud music, and want the New York experience this is it. They also had a party in the middle of the street. The art was very nice and all for the culture.
Dessert prices are a little high but everything we had was reasonably priced for the portions. I received 3 very large wings a good amount of Mac & cheese and a smaller but still good portion of yams.
My wife had the country fried catfish with Jamaican styled rice & peas & potato salad. My wife said the rice was a tad dry but good. My wife e joyed the potato salad and said it was good.
We left full and well served.
Everyone at Melba's was so nice. I felt like I was part of their family. The coconut and pineapple cake is one of the best cakes I've tasted. Eating here was the highlight of my visit to NYC.
Lively atmosphere a favorite brunch and dinner spot in the neighborhood. Oxtail nice and tender, but the sauce was way too salty for my taste. Fried catfish nice and crispy. Need to go back and try more of the dishes and specials! Service a bit slow, but that goes with the feel of the place well.
Great vibes, good service and the food was DELICIOUS!!!! My family was in New York to celebrate my mom’s birthday and we were looking for a soul food spot in the city. Being that my family is from Texas, Melba’s restaurant was recommended by a local for a taste of down south soul food and they did not disappoint!!! Staff was very accommodating for our party of 7 with no reservation. We visited on a Saturday evening and they were extremely busy, but we only had to wait about 20 min to get a table. We enjoyed drinks at the bar while we waited and the bartender was awesome!!!
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Visited to celebrate 21st wedding anniversary because the hubs wanted smothered chicken and Miss Melba did not disappoint! The food was hot, fresh and delicious. The only dish I wasn't crazy about was the potato salad - tasted more like a deli style than a down home southern version. The oxtail was tender, the Mac n cheese was very cheesy and the yams were a nice compliment to the greens which turned out to be the dish I loved the most! The strawberry Henny (punch?) beverage was smooth and also complimented the food we ate. We were surprised by our AMAZING server Brian with two glasses of champagne to celebrate. Brian is the reason I decided to post this review - customer service is a major component in the dining experience and he went above and beyond to give us suggestions, answer our questions, give us time to eat in peace, to place our order (my husband is sooo slow when ordering) and he made sure to be available without being noticed. The staff worked as a team and were also welcoming and attentive. When we took the wrappers off our straws and put them on the table we looked down after our sips and they were gone - that's how attentive they were to our table! We went on a Friday afternoon at four and the crowd was moderate. I'm sure they get busy, but since they encourage reservations it was nice not to have to wait 20 mins for a table. Highly recommend. If you plan to drive there -We parked on a side street, about a five minute walk from the restaurant but there's metered street parking, arrive earlier than your reservation in case you gotta find a spot.
Melba's Restaurant in Harlem is a real gem! Even though it's a trek from Brooklyn, it's totally worth it. Their catfish and eggnog waffles are amazing, hitting all the right flavors. And don't miss out on their rum punch—it's a winner!
But what really makes Melba's shine is their service. The staff is super friendly and goes out of their way to make you feel at home. They're just so nice and accommodating, making the whole dining experience even better.
Overall, Melba's is more than just a restaurant—it's a place where great food meets great service. Whether you're a local or making the trip, this spot nails both authentic soul food eats and a welcoming atmosphere that'll keep you coming back for more.
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