Melba's Restaurant Introduce
Welcome to the heart of Harlem, where culinary tradition meets vibrant community spirit at Melba's Restaurant. More than just a place to eat, Melba's is a true New York institution, celebrated for its warm hospitality and a menu that pays homage to classic American, Southern, and soul food cuisines. Since its inception, this establishment has become a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike, seeking an authentic and deeply satisfying dining experience. Known for its generous portions, flavorful dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere, Melba’s stands out as a beacon of comfort food excellence in the city that never sleeps. It's a place where every meal feels like a special occasion, and every visitor is treated like family. From its legendary fried chicken to its delectable sides and inventive cocktails, Melba's offers a taste of the South right here in New York City.
The restaurant's reputation extends beyond its food. It's a place that embodies the rich cultural fabric of its neighborhood, serving as a hub for gathering and connection. Melba’s is the kind of spot that people talk about, the one they recommend to out-of-town guests, and the one they return to for life’s big and small moments. It's a testament to the power of good food and great company, creating a dining experience that is both memorable and uniquely New York. Whether you're looking for a leisurely brunch, a comforting dinner, or a lively night out, Melba's delivers on all fronts, consistently exceeding expectations with its quality, service, and undeniable charm.
Melba's Restaurant is conveniently located at 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026, USA. Situated in the historic and culturally rich neighborhood of Harlem, the restaurant is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. For those traveling by subway, several lines serve the area, making it a simple journey from different parts of the city. The location also offers options for both free and paid street parking, which can be a significant convenience for those driving in. The neighborhood itself is vibrant and walkable, inviting visitors to explore the surrounding area before or after their meal. The restaurant's position in Harlem makes it a fantastic starting point for a day of exploring the local culture, music, and art that define this iconic part of New York.
Accessibility is a key feature of Melba's, ensuring a welcoming environment for all guests. The establishment boasts a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, making it a comfortable and inclusive dining destination. This commitment to accessibility reflects the restaurant’s core value of hospitality, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the warm atmosphere and delicious food without any barriers.
Melba's Restaurant offers a wide range of services designed to accommodate every diner’s needs and preferences.
- Curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout options are available, providing flexibility for those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home.
- Dine-in service is offered for a full restaurant experience, complete with table service.
- The menu caters to various dining times, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
- Catering services are available for special events and gatherings, bringing Melba's delicious food to your next party.
- Reservations are highly recommended, especially for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as the restaurant is known to be very popular and often has a wait. This helps ensure a smooth dining experience.
Melba's Restaurant is distinguished by several features and highlights that make it a standout destination in the New York dining scene.
Exceptional Cuisine: The menu is a celebration of Southern and soul food, with standout dishes like the Signature Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles, Jumbo Crab Cakes, and the BBQ Braised Beef Short Rib. The food is consistently praised for its rich flavors and generous portions, ensuring a deeply satisfying meal. The menu also includes delicious vegetarian options like the Vegan Mushroom, Sweet Potato & Spinach Pot Pie, and a variety of small plates and comfortizers.
Great Drinks: Melba's is celebrated for its beverage program, which includes an extensive wine list and a selection of great cocktails. Specialty cocktails such as the "Sexy Sangria" and "Strawberry Henney" are fan favorites, and the restaurant is a popular spot for happy hour drinks.
Lively Atmosphere: The ambiance is described as casual, cozy, and trendy, creating a fun and lively environment perfect for groups and solo diners alike. It’s a place where the community gathers, and the energy is palpable, even when it gets a little loud. The staff is known for being warm and welcoming, adding to the overall positive "vibe."
Black-Owned and Women-Owned: Melba's proudly identifies as both a Black-owned and women-owned business, representing a significant pillar of the local community and contributing to the rich cultural heritage of Harlem.
Speed and Quality: Despite often being busy, the restaurant is known for its fast service, ensuring that guests are attended to promptly. This efficiency, combined with the high quality of the food, is a key reason for its popularity.
For reservations or inquiries, you can contact Melba's Restaurant using the following information:
Address: 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026, USA
Phone: (212) 864-7777
Melba's Restaurant offers a truly unique and memorable dining experience that goes beyond the food itself. It’s a place worth choosing for several key reasons. The first is the sheer quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The menu is not just a list of dishes; it’s a tribute to the rich traditions of American, Southern, and soul food. The portions are famously generous, making every meal a great value and often providing leftovers for later. From the savory Southern Fried Chicken to the flavorful Jamaican Oxtails, each dish is prepared with care and precision, offering a taste that feels both familiar and exceptional.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere is a major draw. Melba's has managed to create a space that feels both trendy and deeply communal. The friendly and welcoming staff, combined with the lively crowd, makes for a dining experience that feels like a gathering of friends and family. It's a place where people feel comfortable and can truly relax and enjoy themselves. The restaurant’s status as a Black-owned and women-owned business also adds to its appeal, as patrons can feel good about supporting a business that is an integral part of its community. The reviews from real customers speak volumes about the quality and experience. One diner noted that "the food portions are HUGE" and praised the flavors, despite some dishes being a bit salty—a common and authentic trait of Southern comfort food. Another visitor, who made a special trip to the restaurant, highlighted the warm and welcoming staff and the beautiful plating of the food, saying they were "eating with my eyes before it even touched my lips." This kind of genuine praise from patrons underscores the fact that Melba's is not just a restaurant but a cherished destination.
Melba's Restaurant Menu
Specialty Cocktails
- Sexy Sangria $19.50
- Strawberry Henney $20.80
- Rum Punch $20.80
- Margarita $18.20
- Very Sexy Sangria $20.80
- HIT - Harlem Iced Tea $20.80
- Mojito $18.20
Flo Fair
- Taste Of Melbas FOOD ONLY $15.60
- Arnold Palmer $6.50
- Melba's Spring Rolls $6.50
- Grandma's Sweet Potato Pie $9.10
Soft Drinks
- Lemonade $3.90
- Martingale Cognac $20.80
- Call Me D-Nice $23.40
- Sweet Tea $3.90
Entrees
- Southern Fried Chicken $26.00
- Jumbo Crab Cakes $37.64
3 pieces.
- BBQ Turkey Meatloaf $36.40
- Honey Glazed Atlantic Salmon $45.50
Cooked in lemon garlic butter sauce.
- Jamaican Oxtails $46.80
- Signature Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles $33.80
Served with strawberry butter and maple syrup.
- Smothered Chicken $26.00
Southern fried chicken topped in a savory homestyle chicken gravy
- Country Catfish $35.10
Sauteed or Fried.
- BBQ Braised Beef Short Rib $49.40
Beef short rib braised in our house BBQ sauce.
- Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass $50.70
- Fried Catfish & Eggnog Waffles $33.80
- Vegan Mushroom, Sweet Potato & Spinach Pot Pie $32.50
Served with Mushroom Gravy
Hand Helds
- Signature Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich $26.00
Harissa Hot Honey, Cucumber
- Melba's "DGB" Darn Good Burger $23.40
Plant based burger, Baby Arugula, Tomato.
- Crispy Catfish Sandwich $28.60
Slaw, Chipotle Mayo
Appetizers
- Southern Caesar Salad $0.00
- Spring Rolls $0.00
Rice, Black Eyed Peas, Collard Green and Cheddar Cheese stuffed in a Spring Roll
Soft Drinks
- Ocean Sprary Cranberry Juice $6.29
- Dole Pineapple Juice - Fountain $4.84
The whole fruit taste you love from a name you trust. Dole Juices.
- Diet Pepsi - Fountain $4.84
A crisp tasting, refreshing pop of sweet, fizzy bubbles without calories
- Pepsi - Fountain $4.84
The bold, refreshing, robust cola
- Homemade Lemonade $6.29
- Club Soda $7.86
- Homemade Sweet Tea $6.29
- Arnold Palmer $6.29
- Schweppes Ginger Ale - Fountain $4.84
A refreshing carbonated beverage with bold, ginger flavor and lively bubbles
- Tropicana Orange Juice - Fountain $4.84
A juice drink with the delicious orange taste you love and the vitamin C nutrition you need.
Dessert
- Grandma's Sweet Potato Pie $13.00
- Carrot Cake $13.00
- Coconut Pineapple Layer Cake $13.00
- Red Velvet Cake $13.00
- Yellow Cake, Chocolate Frosting $13.00
Comfortizers
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (2 Pcs) $24.70
Served with green house salad and Tartar Sauce
- Melba's Signature Dry Rub Wings $20.80
Blue Cheese
- Melba's Spring Rolls $16.90
Pease $ Rice, Cheddar Cheese, Collard Greens w/a side of Melba's Chili Sauce.
- Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad $19.50
Goat Cheese Bonbons, Pumpkin Seeds
- Chicken Tenders $19.50
Tender strips of white meat fried and tossed in Hot Honey.
- Hamburger Sliders $19.50
Cheddar Cheese, Melba's Burger Sauce
- Melba's Hand Cut Sweet Potato Wedges $15.60
Tossed in Melba's Maple Syrup
- Southern Caesar Salad $20.80
Romaine, Cornbread Croutons, Caesar Dressing
- Country Catfish Strips $23.40
Catfish strips seasoned with our own spice blend then fried to perfection. Served with homemade chipotle dipping sauce.
- Cornmeal Dusted Deviled Eggs $15.60
Stuffed with Pimento Cheese
- Charleston Fried Shrimp $24.70
Chipotle Dipping Sauce
- Crispy Fried Calamari $20.80
Hand cut calamari seasoned with our spice blend then lightly fried. Served with homemade marinara sauce.
Entrees
- Grits & Carolina Shrimp $46.32
- Chicken & Eggnog Waffle $46.32
Your choice of Chicken Breast, Qtr Thigh or 3 Jumbo Fried Chicken Wings
- Grits & Smothered Chicken $46.32
- Grits & BBQ Mushroom $46.32
- Grits & Country Catfish $46.32
Dessert
- Sweet Potato Pie $0.00
- Carrot $0.00
- Coconut Pineapple $0.00
- Red Velvet $0.00
Sides
- Side Salmon $23.40
- Low Country Collard Greens $11.70
- 1 Wing $7.48
- Sauteed Spinach $11.70
- Tres Mac & Cheese $15.60
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes $11.70
- Side Catfish $19.50
- Momma's Potato Salad $10.40
- A$AP Yams $11.70
In honor of a$ap (steve rodriguez) yams
- Down Home Peas & Rice $10.40
- Side Of Wings (3) $20.80
- Eggnog Waffle $18.20
Melba's Restaurant Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Melba's Restaurant Photos










Melba's Restaurant Location
Melba's Restaurant
300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026, USA
Melba's Restaurant Reviews
spring rollsrice and peasstrawberry buttersweet potato piesmothered chickencalamarijamaican oxtailgarlic mashed potatoesturkey meatloafchilean sea bass
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1For our trip to see Gypsy, I started thinking about what else we could do while in the city. Attractions, food spots, something memorable. Only there for 24 hours, our options were limited. Then I remembered Melba’s. When I mentioned it to my mom, she was immediately on board - especially once she recalled that Sherri Shepherd has raved about Melba’s more than once on her talk show. Just like that, one stop was locked in for this whirlwind trip.Thank goodness I made a reservation for Saturday lunch. Traffic wasn’t too bad, and parking wasn’t difficult either. Even better, we didn’t have to walk far, which made both me and my mom extra happy.From the outside, Melba’s looks like a regular smegular spot. But the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with community and culture - it’s a vibe. The staff were warm and welcoming, and even the other diners felt like family.For our meal, I ordered the Chilean sea bass with mac and A$AP yams. So good. Honestly, I was eating with my eyes before it even touched my lips because the plating was beautiful. My mom went with the fried catfish, collards, and A$AP yams. She loves catfish, and this plate didn’t disappoint - she was more than satisfied with both the portion size and the flavor.The food was generous, and we couldn’t finish it all, so takeaway trays were a must. No complaints though - it definitely didn’t go to waste.
August 17 · CathyFirst off, the food portions are HUGE. Each entree comes with two sides. I got the country catfish (I'd rate it 7.5/10) and my sides were mac and cheese and collard greens. The country catfish was pretty good but a bit salty. The sides were also delicious but the collard greens were pretty salty. The smothered chicken (dark meat, I'd rate it 6.5/10) was also good. The meat wasn't dry and there was a lot of gravy. The garlic mashed potatoes were very flavorful but quite salty. I lived in Atlanta for a few years and most of the comfort food down there was pretty salty too. We got the a$ap sugared yams which was probably my favorite. They were so sweet and very moist.This is such a fun and lively place to eat at. It does get a little loud at times but not so loud that I couldn't converse. The service was also great even though it was pretty packed inside.
August 11 · JaeHee KwakWent here with my parents, we’re all born and raised in the South (Georgia). That being said, this meal felt like a southern inspired dining experience perhaps rather than a dip into soul food. Nothing was bad! Don’t get me wrong; but many of the dishes left more to be desired. First off, love the mac n cheese, they ate with that. Second, the sweet potato pie was pretty spot on. The crab cakes were confusing. They were a little bland. The fried chicken wings were also okay. The fries were unfortunately below average but I’m guessing most people don’t come for those. My catfish was solid overall and the collard greens were cooked and seasoned nicely. If you’re a new Yorker looking to dip your toes in southern cuisine, Id definitely recommend this spot, however, theres a lil southern spark missing. But ultimately it does give american comfort. Im American and I did feel comforted by this meal ☺️
June 12 · Madison PowellNestled in the heart of Harlem, Melba’s Restaurant is a top destination for authentic Southern comfort food in New York City. On a bustling Saturday evening, the restaurant was filled with energy, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.The meal started with the fried catfish appetizer, which was expertly prepared. The fish was exceptionally tender, encased in a crisp, well-seasoned batter that delivered on both texture and flavor. For the main course, Melba’s signature chicken and waffles showcased a perfect harmony of sweet and savory, with crispy, flavorful fried chicken complementing the soft, syrup-kissed waffle.Beyond the food, the service was attentive and warm, adding to the overall dining experience. Melba’s is a must-visit for those seeking soulful, expertly crafted Southern cuisine in the city.
March 08 · Jimmy ShenI was genuinely looking forward to trying this spot, but unfortunately, my experience fell short. Service was quite slow—we waited nearly 25 minutes before a server even approached our table.We ordered the short ribs with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese, the fried chicken, burger sliders, and collard greens. The food came out surprisingly fast, which made me question the freshness of some items. The sliders were dry and lacked seasoning, and the fried chicken had an unpleasant aftertaste, possibly from being cooked in old oil. That said, the short ribs and sides were decent.While I might’ve overlooked the service and food quality, I felt compelled to leave a review because I became very sick later that evening. 🤢😵💫 Something clearly did not sit well with my stomach, which was alarming.Sadly, this was my first and last visit. I hope the restaurant takes this as constructive feedback to reassess some of their food handling and service standards.
May 17 · lady lordess
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