"Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed that the host was seated on a stool with his back to the entrance. In my opinion, this was unwelcoming, as hosts should be positioned to face the door and greet guests as they arrive. The main dining room was fairly busy, so we were seated in a secondary dining area. Unfortunately, this room was nearly empty and noticeably drafty, which detracted from the overall dining experience. Our server appeared to be new but was polite and attentive. However, there was an error with our order. My uncle specifically requested grilled catfish but was instead served fried catfish. I ordered fried chicken with mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The chicken was extremely dry, and the mashed potatoes lacked flavor. The mac and cheese, however, had a pleasant texture and was the highlight of my meal. The bill was reasonable for an establishment that is often quite busy on weekends. That said, I would not consider this one of the best soul food restaurants available. It seems that, as with many restaurants that start strong and gain popularity, the quality of the food has declined. This is not a restaurant I would prioritize when recommending places to visitors, as there are better options in the area."

"I had an amazing time at Melba's. It was my second time coming time coming to this restaurant, and I enjoyed myself with my friends. The food was delicious. The service was great. I loved the vibe and the soul/R&B music that was playing. I usually don't go to Harlem as much, but going to this place in Harlem is definitely worth it. I will indeed come again, and tell more people about it."

"Nice restaurant, not too big or small. There were two sides, both had seating area but one side had a bar. I tried the jerk oxtails which were small, but seasoned very well and I received a good portion. My son enjoyed the chicken and waffles, which was probably our favorite. The short ribs were also seasoned well, but overcooked. Overall, I enjoyed and would go again."

"We love Melba’s. We’ve been there 5 times in the past 5 months even though we don’t live close by. The fried chicken and the sides are to die for. I’ve tried the fried catfish and that was great too but the chicken is fantastic - maybe they brine it before frying but it just falls off the bone tender. All the sides are great as well but the Mac and cheese is our favorite. Service is always quick and food comes out fast. Love the staff there too everyone is always so welcoming and friendly."

"Melba’s was indeed amazing. We came all the way from Venezuela and it didn’t disappoint. Great ambiance, it’s sleek and cozy. The signature dish is a must-have. There’s attention to detail and the staff was impressive. Props to Tuquan, who was friendly and even made the miracle of getting us a slice of the recommended cake despite not having it per se today."