Harlem · Southern · Soul Food
Melba Wilson's Harlem dining room — chicken and waffles, eggnog waffles, and the neighborhood's warmest welcome
Melba Wilson grew up in Harlem and worked in New York restaurants for years before opening her own on 114th Street, and the room reflects both facts: it is professionally run and it feels like somebody's home. The signature is fried chicken with eggnog waffles, which sounds like a gimmick and turns out to be a genuinely good idea — the batter is spiced, the waffle is rich, and the two things need each other. The mac and cheese is the correct side. It is one of the more consistently welcoming rooms in the neighborhood, which is the reason regulars treat it as a default rather than an occasion.
Melba's is melba Wilson's Harlem dining room — chicken and waffles, eggnog waffles, and the neighborhood's warmest welcome. Regulars order southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles and mac and cheese.
Melba's is priced at $$ — approx. $20–$40 per person.
Melba's takes reservations by phone — call (212) 864-7777 to book.
Melba's is at 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026, in Harlem. Street parking on W 114th; garages on Frederick Douglass Blvd
Melba's is open Mon–Wed 11 AM–10 PM · Thu–Sun 11 AM–11 PM. Hours can change on holidays — confirm on Google Maps before a long drive.