Important Reminder:The Foursquare City Guide app officially sunset on December 15, 2024, with the web version following in early 2025. However, your check-in journey doesn’t end here! Join us on Swarm, where new adventures await.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)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
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.
__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
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
Melba’s is perfect when you’re craving American Soul Food. The Wine Braised Short Ribs are to die for.
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!
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.- 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.
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!
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!
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.
Alex RobertsonJanuary 18, 2021Really really good chicken and sides (mashed potatoes, collared greens)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Felicia KimbroughNovember 18, 2017The Fried chicken was cooked to perfection and had great taste! Just beware the drinks are strong
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.
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!
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.- 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.
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.
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.
Ryan GallagherMay 16, 2017Fried Chicken and Waffles are real good. Staff is very friendly. Good Southern Food.
Natalie LeMossFebruary 9, 2020Absolutely amazing food! Went for my bridal shower and the brunch was incredible!
NMarieApril 1, 2016Spring rolls are delicious! So were the catfish, tilapia and mac & cheese. Didn't care for the yams or spinach at all :-(
Make a reservation because there's always a wait on weekends. Food is always great once you sit down
amazing is an understatement. waiters are on their game, hostess is great, bartender is fabulous and the chef is simply divine.- Chris VierigJune 17, 2014Go on Tuesday nights for live music! Also, probably some of the best chicken and waffles ever.
Catfish, mac & cheese, sautéed spinach, white sangria ..... basically the entire menu is amazing
Indeed... The catfish is good and also short ribs . But service is really great ! I really love this place :)
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.
Lennon EnglishDecember 15, 2012The fish and chips and the turkey meatloaf were delicious. They make the perfect Sidecar!
The best soul food in NYC!!! You MUST get the Mac & Cheese!
RazorfishSeptember 19, 2011People come here for the Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles, a dish that beat one of Bobby Flay’s in a Food Network throw down. — Mamajo
Alyssa KeeneNovember 5, 2012Everything is so good I don't know what to recommend! However, Champ is the best waiter ever :)
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!
231 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Melba's Restaurant is a black-owned southern restaurant located in the Harlem borough of New York, NY.
Closed until Noon (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
You might also like
- 8.4
"The food was beyond delicious!!! If you're in the area you must visit and enjoy the food! Yumm-o!"
Jeaniene Simmons - 8.6
"Chicken and waffle, Mac and cheese were delicious. Oh and the cornbread too. Mmm."
Marianne N - 6.5
"Pancakes w/ blueberries are amazing! Bacon was overcooked :/ Overall good experience and great drinks...especially during Covid"
James Neal
Places people like to go after Melba's Restaurant
- 7.6
"Great pedple. Amazing food! Nice vibe on game nights and music nights. Try the gumbo!"
Lilit Kalachyan - 9.1
"The cookies are huge! They’re always warm & gooey. Get the classic chocolate chip cookies."
Kimmie Ohh - 8.7
"Scenic pathways, beautiful trees and very lush greenery in summer. It’s a very clean, well-kept park good for a walk, picnic."
Bailey
Appears on 487 lists
200 Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC
Created by Foursquare City Guide
261 items • 69 followers
Created by Tristan
29 items • 144 followers
