Sylvia's, a Harlem soul food landmark since 1962, serves hearty Southern comfort classics like fried chicken, ribs, cornbread, and mac & cheese in a warm, lively spot.
"This Harlem soul food institution is so iconic that a street at the end of the sprawling restaurant’s block is named after its founder. Try to get an indoor seat, so you can admire the framed photos of everyone from Obama and Clinton to Grandmaster Flash while devouring a basket of their warm cornbread. It’s really more about the vibe than the food here—though the waffles topped with chicken or fried catfish are excellent—and the very liveliest time to visit is on Sundays during gospel brunch. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait. Free cornbread, waffle with fried chicken, bbq pork ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese" - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, bryan kim, sonal shah
"The best part of gospel brunch (or any meal) at Sylvia’s in Harlem is the basket of warm little corn muffins on your table. They’re a bit crunchy on the outside, not overly sweet, and best spread with butter and a small dab of Sylvia’s hot sauce." - bryan kim, neha talreja, sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman
"Leaving Sylvia’s off this guide would be like making a list of the all-time best singers without Aretha Franklin. For soul food, you can’t find a more famous place in Harlem—and for good reason. They’ve been open since 1962, and achieved NYC Institution status long ago. If you haven’t already eaten here, their gospel brunch on Sunday is the perfect introduction. It features a live band backing singers who weave between tables. Get some catfish, ribs, or fried chicken with a side of mac and cheese. Bring lots of friends because the space is huge, making this one of the better options on this list for big groups." - bryan kim, neha talreja, kenny yang, will hartman, willa moore
"You’ve heard of Sylvia’s. It’s famous, and you’ll undoubtedly see tourists here, but you’ll also see people from the neighborhood who recognize the fact that Sylvia’s is good at just about everything. Fresh, warm cornbread? Check. Thick waffles and chicken so crispy that you could shoot an ASMR video? Also check. And don’t forget the mac and cheese that comes with a thick cap of melted cheddar. The huge space hosts a gospel brunch every Sunday, so bring all your live music-loving friends." - neha talreja, will hartman, bryan kim, kenny yang
"Dubbed “the Queen of Soul Food,” Sylvia Woods opened the doors on Sylvia’s Restaurant in 1962, bringing generous servings of Southern comfort food to Harlem. The neighborhood restaurant is world-famous for its timeless cooking and Southern charm, which still endures decades after opening. While Woods died in 2012, her family continues to run the restaurant. The restaurant won an America’s Classics Award from James Beard for 2024." - Eater Staff
