328 Malcolm X Blvd

The southern food is great. We visited Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024. Our waitress, Rain, was excellent. She was pleasant and attentive. I'm looking forward to the next time.

Sylvia's is the iconic Harlem restaurant for a reason. The meat on the smothered chicken and world-famous BBQ pork ribs fell off the bone, and all the sides were absolutely impeccable. (I did not know that collard greens could be THAT tasty in Canada, full of umami and flavours. Damn.) I deadass waited in line for two hours. It was worth it, though. Made some friends who are local jazz musicians while waiting, too. The vibe of the restaurant seemed to be great, with live music and all. I did takeout because it was too full (and I had to wait for two more hours....)

I doordashed from here. Their chicken is juicy. Their candied yams are sweet. And their macaroni and cheese is cheesy. Very good place. Ordering on Thanksgiving takes awhile tho

I was pleasantly pleased with my experience at Sylvia's! It definitely passed my southern taste buds test. Overall, the staff and food were great. There wasn't a wait time to be seated, as I was able to walk in and obtain a seat quickly during lunch hours. They also weren't busy during that time which I liked. They had very good menu variety and I tried the Fried Chicken, Black Eyed Peas, Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Tasty Carolina Style Fried Catfish, and Sweet Potatoes. The food is well portioned and I was able to make two meals out of this from having leftovers. Everything I had tasted really good. The restaurant gave the feel of a southern small town place although it was in a big city. I'm happy that this place was recommended to me!

Came here for lunch after visiting Top of the Rock and receiving a recommendation and great subway directions from one of the staff members. When we arrived we were quoted a 15 minute wait time which flew by pretty quickly as we enjoyed the weather on the benches outside. Once seated we ordered sweet tea and browsed the menu. I decided on the fried catfish with Mac and cheese and string beans. The cornbread muffins were yummy. Food came out within a good amount of time. Our waitress was great. Everything looked delicious and tasted equally so! The catfish was fried perfectly. The Mac and cheese was my favorite overall on my plate. The string beans were good too. This restaurant is super cozy. I would definitely return on another visit.

During my visit to New York, it was highly recommended that I go to Harlem to try Sylvia's...it was a quick subway ride from Manhattan. We were greeted and seated quickly upon arrival. Everything look so good on the menu! We started with the corn bread...it wasn't what im used to, but still good. It just didn't pair well with my greens. Other than that, the fish, chicken, mac and greens were everything!! I will definitely. Be back!

A local favorite and national treasure, and why not? Good atmosphere and decent service (our waitress needed reminding a few times during the meal) and the food will satisfy. Everything is a tad sweet, starting from the corn muffins all the way to the short ribs, so eventually the tastes all meld together. Not a place for distinctive food but certainly a place to enjoy a satisfying meal and experience a Harlem institution.

We made the journey to Harlem to try out the famous Sylvia's. We came on a Saturday afternoon and waited 30 minutes for a table of 5. We were seated right by the server area and heard them complaining the whole time about their tables. Our server "India" was covered up and that affected the service for sure. We asked for pepper sauce 3 times and never got it. Nevertheless, the food was delicious. The catfish and fried chicken were well battered and fried to perfection. The greens were slightly sweet which I didn't really like but they were still good. Cornbread was great too. There were pictures of dignitaries and celebs that have eaten at Sylvia's over the years. That was pretty cool. Cool vibe overall and definitely a staple in Harlem.

I brought my son here for his 13th birthday. What a treat! He got the fried chicken and waffles and I got the catfish. We got sides of green beans, Mac and cheese, and collards. The service was top notch, too. I was running low on battery for my phone and needed to borrow a charger so I could check in for my flight, and they quickly handled my unusual problem by plugging me in nearby. The staff even came out with a banana pudding and sang for my son. It was an absolute treat and I will be back next time I'm in town. Sylvia's is an institution and a must-do in Harlem. Plenty to do and see in the area after you stuff yourself silly!

"The standard" I've been wanting to try this for years, but never made the trek up here. So I had made reservations for a group dinner on Saturday and made the commitment. Ordered a full range of the food and while it wasn't bad, I'm not sure I will return anytime soon What's to cheer - Very good vibe, friendly people - Good, strong drinks. Possibly the strongest Long Island Ice Tea ever...it was nearly clear and all alcohol - Solid fried chicken - Mac & cheese was good - catfish fingers were ok What's to jeer - the liver wasn't bland - Ribs weren't seasoned very much - black eye peas were bland - Chitterlings smelled awful

We love a neighborhood staple! The staff and space is welcoming, friendly and high energy. R&B playin', smiles all around and great people. This is my 1st time back in over a decade and I appreciate the evolution. I had Salmon, M&C and Greens. All were flavorful yet my best was the Greens. I have to admit the BBQ on the Salmon I could have done without. I didn't see an option for plain grilled Salmon- I do hope it can be done going fwd. You have the option to sit in or out. Given the day you can dine with ppl around the way or a host of tourists. If you're a lover of soul food, wanna play it safe/too hungry to explore - this is your go to spot!

I love yams and they were so perfect. I can taste them writing this review, so sweet and nourishing. If I could fly to New York right now for more I would. Baby those fried pork chops I had was on point

I already had given Sylvia's 1 star (I wish I could've done 0) from my prior experience, but this time my mother went there for take out & can you believe a protein & 2 sides in the flat container was $28?!?!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! If I didn't have a cold today, I would've went up there & requested a refund! Are you serious?!? Not even the container that a small soup goes in, but the flat clear container?!?! How could you?!?? I already was never coming here again & I hope no one else I know does nor anyone else reading this review. They treat the take out orders like the red headed step child & the prices are exactly the same as those dining in. This is RIDICULOUS!

This place was recommended to us and we are so glad we came. First of all, service was excellent! We were greeted at the door and sat promptly. We had 2 servers and they made sure we had everything we needed. Amanda was one of our servers, talk about top notch!! Our table of 4 ordered, Chicken and Waffles, BBQ Salmon (greens and yams) and the fried chicken (Mac and Greens) everything came out hot and we didn't wait too long. Everything was tasty and flavorful. The place is full of photos throughout the years and is very inviting. We would def come back next time we're here.

It was just okay. The presentation was great!! The table agreed, the yams, Mac n cheese and greens were sweet. If you like sweet you're in luck, if not I suggest you don't order. I had the wings and they were just okay and the fish was fried soft great crunch, but lacked seasoning. That cornbread tho, AMAZING.

The chicken is so juicy and tender and it tastes so good. The cornbread that they bring to the table as soon as you get there is the best cornbread I had. I wish I can go there for Thanksgiving dinner but they're booked.

The food was great, smothered chicken was awesome! There was a band playing live music. The service was great as well! I love the down home feel. The waiter was very patient with my wife, as she needed more time but I didn't want him to leave our table yet. I'm going to come back every time I'm in town, as I have been for the last 20 years!

Sylvia's was very good. There were 6 of us and I called ahead for reservations which I highly recommend. I will note that you should specify if you want to sit indoors or out. We were seated outside and thankfully it wasn't that hot. I don't typically like eating outdoors in NYC if i have a choice. Wait staff was very nice and attentive. Be careful with that rum punch. It's and i would order it again!!! Everything was very good. The baked chicken was cooked well and it was super tender and tasty like they slow cooked it. Portions are very generous with sides. Others enjoyed the fried chicken and chicken and waffles. Cornbread was on point so we had two baskets. Your entrees come with it also. Looking forward to going againn

The personable & friendly greeting received immediately upon entering the restaurant was splendid and we were offered to take put our luggage into a side waiting area. That food was soooooo good! The service received from Tatiana was superb! The musicians sang & played so very beautifully and it was mostly gospel with a mix of R&B! Very nice touch! The star of the show was Tatiana & that fried chicken!!!

This brunch menu reminded me of my favorite place in Houston to brunch. The food was amazing and so was the service.

Congratulations, Syvia's, on your James Beard America's Classics Award! Well deserved! Sending you love and thanks for all that great food! As posted earlier, recommend you adding it to your bucket list, if you haven't been there already. While it's great anytime, make sure you at least check out the Gospel brunch, enjoyed best in the Dining Room. (Make a reservation for the Gospel Brunch, because that can get crowded.) The things I like to eat the most are Sylvia's BBQ Ribs (with the Original Sassy Sauce) & Fried Chicken Combo and alternatively the Fried Chicken, where I ask for it covered in that spectacular Sassy Sauce. (Fried Chicken normally comes without and Smothered Chicken comes with alternative brown sauce.) In fact, there are a lot of other traditional Soul/Southern recipes that I haven't tried, much because I long for that Sassy Sauce! I'm a huge fan! Entrees come with cornbread and two sides. My favorite sides are the Traditional Collard Greens (#1 to me) and Candied Yams, but I've also ordered the Baked Mac & Cheese in lieu of the Candied Yams. All's solid and prices are fair, considering the quality of the eats. When I've come alone, I've sat at the counter, which presently is under renovation. (During the pandemic, frequented there for Take Out, which is another option.) While the restaurant has pictures around of the famous people who have stopped by to enjoy Sylvia's, it really remains unpretentious. There's a reason Sylvia's has its outstanding reputation: the staff is friendly and focused on making sure you enjoy its wonderful cooking.

This was my first time trying soul food, and I had a lovely time. The service was fast, friendly, and efficient--it's clear why the celebrities and politicians framed on the restaurant walls came back here repeatedly. I ordered a smothered chicken leg with a side of mac and cheese. The portion sizes were *hefty*. I split the mac and cheese in half with a friend, and even then, I had enough food for lunch and dinner. The mac and cheese was unexpectedly sweet but still tasty. The meat on the chicken leg was tender and practically falling off the bone. A good, hearty meal! I may come back again :)

Food was outstanding! Saw some reviews that it took a while but for a Saturday night it really wasn't too bad of a wait. We loved the fried chicken. The mac and cheese was so so good. They also had a pick up window for to go food and that seemed like a great option too. Can't wait to go back.

Food was pretty good. Our waiter was great, but another waiter at the table next to us was not so kind. Was easy to get a table and easy to order. Music was a little loud so we had to really focus to hear each other conversing.

Wowwwwww is the first word that comes to mind. I decided to come here because of the rapper/Chef Action Bronson! The wait wasn't bad at all. The area is full of places to eat and shop so while I waited I went to shop a bit. I had ordered two of the fried chicken meals with two sides (garlic mash & mac/cheese). I got white meat(breast and wing) and I also ordered dark meat(thigh and leg). I have to say that was the best garlic mash I've ever had and I had to pause while eating because it was so good that I was eating so fast!! I had the cornbread for dessert because I was stuffed with the food! I would definitely like to dine in the next time and order something diff! I also would definitely recommend this restaurant. Great service & delicious food! Once you've taken a few bites you will know the food was made with love! Who doesn't want that feeling when eating?!

Some of the best soul food I have eaten in my life! Had it delivered and it arrived fresh and cooked to perfection. Collards, fried fish, Mac n' cheese seasoned well, portions generous. I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing with the first bite of those collards! Wow that food was good. Have I mentioned how good the food was? I am only sad I couldn't finish everything. But I will return the next time I am in New York!!

I couldn't wait to get to this iconic place in Harlem! I would like to read up on Sylvia's story, how she started, how she stayed afloat in hard times, the people she has met. It sounds fascinating. We came near dinner and but there were plenty of seats. It did get full later. I got a drink to start, a Sangria. A little oversweet but tasty. The small cornbread bites while we waited were great! There was a sweetness to them that reminded me of pumpkin. We got catfish, meatloaf, blackeyed peas, grilled salmon, fried fish and shrimp combo, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie for dessert. Everything was great, my palate is not picky enough to say it is unique to what we have here. I did think the greens were a little salty. I admit I loved the peach cobbler, similar to BJ's Market! I have to do a taste test to see which is better. Not so great: Our server was helpful and informative, but it was a little slow: apparently they were short, as he had to do double duty as a bartender. Also they put the bathroom down the hall near the kitchen! I was so nervous when I came out that I would collide with someone. I hope they can fix that interior issue, maybe have customers go downstairs? When I am back in NY I will see if I can go for brunch. That HAS to be the bomb!

came here on a line anniversary trip and considering I had it the night after red rooster it was lacking. The food was OK. Our server was an older lady, who was sweet as pie, but was taking care of a table of 12 by herself...so there was confusion and a long wait. the owner ended up gifting us all Trader Joe's quality wine (three buck Chuck), but we appreciated the gesture. 5/10

The food was great! The fried chicken was so crispy and the breading was very flavorful. The ribs were good, a little fatty. The bbq sauce on the ribs was very sweet and had no spice in it. I typically like a sweet and spicy bbq sauce. It doesn't taste like they are grilled, but maybe baked. The greens were so good, perfectly seasoned, and flavorful and the Mac n cheese was delicious. Next time, I will pass on the ribs and just do a fried chicken platter but I enjoyed everything in my plate. You get a lot of food, I had to leave behind half the Mac and I only ate 1 rib bone. I will be going back the next time I'm in Harlem. The service was great as well. Told the wait was 20 minutes and got sat in 5. Server came right away and brought out waters and cornbread, which was hot, soft, and sweet.

Sylvia's is a classic spot, and one that I've always wanted to try being from Portland, OR. I've seen so many reviews and videos on this spot, and hyped it up in my head. I will say the crunch on their chicken is great. A classic, crunchy and crispy crust and juicy chicken. But the taste is very lackluster, especially compared to the other fried chicken spots in Harlem (like red rooster). It's definitely not the same spot that it's portrayed to be! I did take out so it was very fast. Service was nice and the spot in Harlem is iconic so I can't complain about the atmosphere. I just wish the chicken was better!

One of my friends mentioned this spot as one of the spots he wanted to try out, so that's how I ended up here. Queen of Soul Food, they advertise, so they're already setting the bar high for me. Known for their BBQ Ribs and Chicken & Waffles, that's what my group of three ordered. I ordered the Sylvia's World Famous BBQ Ribs ($24), which came with two sides. Ordered grits without cheese and potato salad. Both of my other friends ordered the Chicken & Waffles ($18.50), which did not come with sides. The BBQ Ribs were good, but did not meet expectations from the hype I've been reading. Nothing too special. The sauce tasted more like sweet ketchup than BBQ sauce. I also ordered a South Carolina Rum Punch ($20), which tasted like the Hurricane drink you get in New Orleans. I would order another one of these if I didn't need to worry about being functional. Service needs improvement. It appears that they're short staffed, until I saw eight of them come out to sing and chant happy birthday to various tables throughout the dining experience. Not really a formal greeting, just straight to asking for our orders. We had to ask for glasses of water when we noticed all of the other tables had them. Made zero effort to check up on us after we got our food. We had to chase the waitress down for stuff and eventually the check.

When I arrived in Harlem, my first thought was that I wanted to try Sylvia's and I was not disappointed. I read the reviews and opted for the smothered chicken and my friend ordered the fried whiting. The portions were large and the food was tasty. The potatoes had a couple of lumpy, but forgivable bits. My friend was enamored by her fish and mac & cheese. The service was good and the ambiance was beautiful with nice soul music at a good volume in the background.

Amazing food, mac and cheese was definitely the best. Service was great, shoutout to Raen who was super nice and convinced us to get another entree.

My friend had her birthday party here, the food was really good I was in love with the rice. That's some good rice!!!! Sylvia's is everything you've heard! Top notch in Harlem. God bless Mrs Sylvia soul. I love the decor, it's in prime time Harlem not too far from the Apollo. It's old school with a new twist. I definitely need to go back

Was very disappointed in our experience. I had the bbq salmon and my fiancé had the ribs. My salmon was obviously kept warm under a heat lamp and then drizzled with cold bbq sauce afterwards. My collard greens tasted metallic like it was from a can and way too salty. My fiancés ribs were dry and also cold. The lemonade he ordered was far too sweet. Overall, not a great experience for someplace that is historic. When we got home, we felt so bloated from all the added salt and had to drink so much water. Service was nice, but slow. Only one guy was working. Ambiance is casual.

The staff here is incredibly kind. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in and all throughout my visit. I'm also not mad about a place that plays Next while I'm eating a very good waffle and mashed potatoes.

Very cool, old school! Service was good. The food was delicious! Great corn bread. Catfish, chicken & waffles, chicken smothered in gravy & BBQ shrimp!

Sylvia's is all about the story more than how good the food taste. Don't get me wrong the food is very good especially the corn bread it's amazing. Mac and cheese it was just ok,traditional greens best I've ever tasted, chicken plump and juicy, ribs fall off the bone and the famous sauce is sweet and tasty. Service slow but friendly. Let's just say I had to go there and glad I did. Would I go back probably not, is it to die for no, but the history of the place is why I went. It's a must for foodies that like history.

we had amazing service and the food was delicious! Rein our server was the best and treated us very well. such a great and fun experience, will definitely be coming back!

We came on a Monday evening and still had to wait around 20 minutes for a table. In general, the menu features a combination of ribs, chicken, catfish, and shrimp, which you can choose to be grilled or fried. My friends and I split the seafood combo with grilled catfish and bbq shrimp, as well as the combo with ribs and fried chicken. You can also choose 2 sides with pretty much every entree. Highly recommend the candied yams! The food was yummy but definitely heavy. There aren't too many healthy options at this spot. However, it is a huge bang for your buck.

Sylvia's overall was amazing, great food and amazing service I had India and she was very kind to my family, and very attentive

I was pretty excited to eat here but honestly I was a bit let down. I got the ribs, mac and cheese, smothered chicken, collared greens, and a peach cobbler. The ribs were sweet and very tender, but super small to say the least. The Mac and cheese was very disappointing and dry with only a hard top layer of cheese. The smothered chicken was a bland, gelatinous, and cold. The collared greens were alright, except a bit bitter and a tad undercooked. The peach cobbler wasn't worth the $8.50. Not at all. And idk if you could even call this corn bread. At least the food came out fast. Maybe it would taste better in the restaurant rather than to go, which is what I did, but I doubt I'll be back.

Overrated to me. And I understand taste is subjective. We got there at 3:15pm. We didn't have a reservation. We were told 30-45 min. The restaurant looked empty but I understand that it's no point in seating ppl if you don't have enough servers to cover the tables. I can't confirm if they were short staffed but that's the only thing that makes sense. We were seated at 4:20. Funny thing is, lunch was over at 4pm. So we missed out on that. It was a bunch of us so we ordered lots of food. I didn't try the fried fish but everyone who got it said it was good! There was a collective agreement on the cornbread muffins. Very tasty. Everyone also enjoyed the yams. We agreed that the chicken was lacking. It was bland. No flavor at all. The mac and cheese was super salty. None of us could eat it. I got the chitterlings, yams, mac and cheese with a side of fried chicken. The chitterlings were delicious. Round of applause. They were tender and flavorful. 10/10. I'm glad I was able to experience a Harlem staple. I wouldn't come again though.

What an amazing experience! And our service was out of this world! Raen was phenomenal with the best energy and personality I have experienced in a long time. She will go a long way! All around perfection! Delicious!!

I can't tell you about the wait or ambiance. I can only tell you about the food. My family visited from Michigan and had heard so much about this place that I had to try it. The catfish was great it tasted just right nothing set it apart from any other good catfish I've had but it was good and nothing was wrong. It was crisp and fresh. The Mac and cheese was a little too sweet and not seasoned thoroughly. It was yes worse Mac and cheese but it was a distance from the best. The cornbread is what made this meal 4 stars, it is different and delicious, I honestly wish I'd had more.

While in NY we made it a point to come to Harlem for this particular restaurant because of all the hype. I have to say I was disappointed. The flavor was very bland, candied yams were canned and then glazed , smothered chicken gravy need seasoning... living in the south you are spoiled by real soul food. Ambiance was nice with the live singer , she has a stunning voice .

TOURIST TRAP! I have had much better "Southern Cuisine" in my hometown and for a lot less money (I am from the South). There is a lot of hype about this place, but the food was not to my liking. The place has been in Harlem for a long time and is a pillar in the community, many politicians and famous people have come to experience this "divine" soul food. You will find many pictures posted of those that visited and you will read many reviews of how great the food is. I ordered a veggie plate (beets, yams, Mac&cheese and traditional collards). The beets tasted like "Auntie Nellie's" store brand beets, candied "yams" tasted like they were from a can and nothing candied about them, collards...meh, Mac and cheese was decent. My friends ordered fried chicken, whiting fish, and a salad. The piece of fish I tasted was "fishy" and according to one friend, the chicken was no better than KFC. Overall, I can say I visited and tried common menu items, but the flavor was lacking for me.

Sylvia's in Harlem is a famous soul food establishment serving hearty dishes like fried chicken and waffles, ribs and all the sides. We got the smothered chicken and ribs combo alongside fried chicken and waffles, a basket of still-warm cornbread, and sides of mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese and collared greens. We left Sylvia's with our hearts full and pants unbuckled and are ready to do it all again soon

I had been to Sylvia's before in 2017 and I had high expectations. I loved the food again this time around. I think this is an iconic place to eat soul food in NYC. Although as much as I enjoyed my experience this time, I waited 45 mins for my order of one fried catfish (main course) and shrimps (appetizer). And I had already waited 30 mins to be seated, which was expected. The added wait time made the experience not as pleasant as I was hyping myself up for. The food was great, great vibes, friendly staff, but I do think they may be short-staffed which is causing the delays.