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MELBA'S

Last Updated: ~1 month ago

Phone: (212) 864-7777

Address: 300 WEST 114 STREET 10026

TLDR

Authentic Harlem soul food, famous for its legendary chicken and waffles and comforting Southern classics.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 23 Reddit comments)

61% Positive39% Neutral

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 13soul food 8southern 8fried chicken 6soul food 6chicken and waffles 2View All

Neighborhoods

Harlem

Instagram Posts References

Summary

Details

Step into a taste of Harlem's rich culinary heritage at this beloved soul food institution. Celebrated for its authentic Southern classics, the restaurant offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements its comforting dishes. It's the ideal spot to gather with friends and family and indulge in beloved favorites. The star of the show is undoubtedly the perfectly bronzed, sweet, and salty Southern fried chicken, famously paired with the restaurant's iconic eggnog waffles. Beyond the signature items, the menu also features delightful surprises like spring rolls packed with black-eyed peas, collards, and cheddar, and a lighter yet flavorful grilled vegetable Napoleon. Whether you're seeking a hearty meal or a taste of tradition, this restaurant delivers a memorable dining experience.

Food Overview

This establishment is celebrated for its authentic Southern and soul food, with a particular emphasis on its famous chicken and waffles and fried chicken. Other highly recommended dishes include oxtail and mac and cheese. Customers describe the food as delicious, comforting, and true to its roots. The cuisine is characterized by comforting, soul-warming flavors, making it a go-to spot for traditional American and Southern fare.

Highlights / Recommended

"Highly recommended dishes include the signature chicken and waffles, fried chicken, and oxtail. Customers also praise the mac and cheese and waffles."

Customer Sentiment

Customers overwhelmingly recommend this restaurant, particularly highlighting its authentic soul food and welcoming atmosphere. Many praise specific dishes like the chicken and waffles, fried chicken, and oxtail, often describing the food as delicious and comforting. The service is also noted as being friendly and nice. The restaurant is considered a must-try for experiencing Southern and soul food in NYC, especially in Harlem.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

A user shared an overwhelmingly positive experience at this restaurant, stating they had an amazing time.
This restaurant is highly recommended as a definitive soul food spot in NYC, known for its long-standing tradition and authentic Southern roots, particularly for its chicken and waffles.
The restaurant is strongly endorsed as a classic example of the 'meat & three' concept, offering a quintessential soul food experience.
This spot is recommended for its chicken and waffles, with an additional note that the waitstaff is consistently praised for being nice.
This restaurant is recommended for its African American and Soul Food cuisine, with specific mentions of comfort food, fried chicken, waffles, and mac and cheese.
While advising that fried chicken doesn't travel well, the comment specifically mentions this restaurant as a good option for it.
This restaurant is repeatedly recommended by users as a great place to get fried chicken.
The restaurant is listed as a highly recommended spot for Southern food in general.

Recent Mentions

From post: Going To Spend 2 Weeks In Ny In August Recs

"Melba's in Harlem is recommended for fried chicken."

Positive
Jul 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Tha Phraya 1553 2nd Ave

"The user had an amazing experience at Melba's."

Positive
Jul 14, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are The Most Touristy Restaurants Bakeries

"The commenter lists Melba's as a Harlem spot that tourists might consider."

Neutral
Jul 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Southern Food In The City Shrimp And Grits

"Melba's is listed as a recommended place for Southern food in the city."

Positive
Jun 14, 2025View Comment →

From post: Fried Chicken

"Melba's is recommended as a good spot for fried chicken."

Neutral
Jun 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Fried Chicken

"Melba's is listed as a recommendation for fried chicken, along with Peaches Hothouse."

Neutral
Jun 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Fried Chicken

"Melba's in Harlem is recommended for fried chicken."

Neutral
Jun 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Waffles Sans Chicken In Brooklyn Manhattan

"Melba's received a very strong endorsement as the definitive answer for waffles, implying its high quality and suitability for the original request."

Positive
Jun 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Have To Take A Southern Dignitary Out To Soul

"Melba's is now on the commenter's list of places to try for soul food."

Neutral
May 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Have To Take A Southern Dignitary Out To Soul

"Melba's in Harlem has a proud and long-standing food tradition with authentic Southern roots, being associated with the birthplace of chicken and waffles."

Positive
May 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Have To Take A Southern Dignitary Out To Soul

"Melba's is one of the few recommended sit-down soul food places in NYC, located in Harlem."

Neutral
May 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Greedy Pot

"The user mentioned that they visited Melba's last month as part of their efforts to explore Harlem's food scene, though no specific sentiment or detail was provided."

Neutral
May 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Does Meat Three Exist In Nyc

"The commenter suggests Melba's as a comfort food place that comes to mind, despite not being familiar with the specific "meat and three" concept."

Positive
May 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Does Meat Three Exist In Nyc

"The commenter suggests Melba's as a soul food restaurant in Metro NYC that fits the "meat & three" concept."

Positive
May 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Suggestions For Dairyfree Icons

"Recommends Melba's for oxtail."

Positive
Apr 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: Food That You Wont Find Anywhere Else In The World

"Recommends Melba’s in Harlem for African American / Soul Food."

Positive
Apr 18, 2025View Comment →

From post: Fried Chicken For Caviar

"Advises getting fried chicken from the closest place as it doesn't travel well, but notes that Melba's is good."

Positive
Apr 5, 2025View Comment →

From post: Pick 3 Restaurants For A Week

"Suggests Melba's or Peaches for visitors interested in experiencing American soul food."

Positive
Mar 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Restaurant Recs For My Sad Sis

"Melba's recommended"

Neutral
Mar 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Restaurant Recs For My Sad Sis

"Melba's recommended"

Neutral
Mar 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Restaurant Recs For My Sad Sis

"Melba’s is recommended for the chicken and waffles (and their waitstaff is always so nice)."

Positive
Mar 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Restaurant Recs For My Sad Sis

"Melba's is a favorite"

Positive
Mar 21, 2025View Comment →