The Woods Family and Staff look forward to serving you again when we reopen mid-October. Follow us on social media and check our website for updates. Sylvia's Restaurant, the "The Queen of Soul Food", was founded by Sylvia Woods, in 1962. Established in the historic village of Harlem, Sylvia's is a community favorite, known as the world's kitchen.
Serving authentic soul food for over 55 years, this icon remains a culinary must-visit for foodies. Gospel brunch Sundays, Live Music Wednesdays, and Daily Specials scream home-style cooking, within an at-home environment. Come visit for yourself, and experience why Presidents, celebrities, and Harlemites alike call Sylvia's home.
Serving authentic soul food for over 55 years, this icon remains a culinary must-visit for foodies. Gospel brunch Sundays, Live Music Wednesdays, and Daily Specials scream home-style cooking, within an at-home environment. Come visit for yourself, and experience why Presidents, celebrities, and Harlemites alike call Sylvia's home.
Services
The Woods Family and Staff look forward to serving you again when we reopen mid-October. Follow us on social media and check our website for updates. For almost sixty years, The Woods Family, owners of Sylvia's Restaurant, the Queen of Soul Food continues to nourish soul food enthusiasts from all over the globe.
Reviews (24)
Possofazer P.
Jan 24, 2022
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Everything here was ok/good. I didn't feel wowed but I also didn't feel any negative feelings either.
Staff were nice and accommodating. Highlight was cornbread and collard greens. While I had a reservation, there were also some walk ins and the host person was very attentive and accommodating to make sure everyone could get a seat :)
I think if I were served the same food at another random neighborhood restaurant I'd be less than impressed, but because it's Sylvias, I am gonna throw in the extra star.
Staff were nice and accommodating. Highlight was cornbread and collard greens. While I had a reservation, there were also some walk ins and the host person was very attentive and accommodating to make sure everyone could get a seat :)
I think if I were served the same food at another random neighborhood restaurant I'd be less than impressed, but because it's Sylvias, I am gonna throw in the extra star.
Lola Love Lola
Jan 19, 2022
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Everything about this place is amazing. To start you get delicious sweet cornbread.
The serving sizes are just right for the meals. The food is hot and very well seasoned. The drinks weren't to strong or to weak.
They ask for proof of vaccine and id
They try to not sit people close together. But it does start getting packed after 6pm.
They have outside dinning. Our server K, was just so polite I forgot I was in harlem. Great soul food spot.
The serving sizes are just right for the meals. The food is hot and very well seasoned. The drinks weren't to strong or to weak.
They ask for proof of vaccine and id
They try to not sit people close together. But it does start getting packed after 6pm.
They have outside dinning. Our server K, was just so polite I forgot I was in harlem. Great soul food spot.
Tony Rudy
Jan 17, 2022
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Maya Shae
Jan 10, 2022
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Andreas J.
Jan 09, 2022
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Sylvia's finally re opened and I was eager to try harlems most famous soul food joint.
I fortunately the reviews are right: it's very expensive (23-28$/plate) , the wait is long and it's just ok taste wise.
The fried chicken was alright, nothing special compared to kfc but nothing compared to willie maes scotch house in Nola.
The smothered pork chops were cooked well but not as tender as they could be (m&m in LA has you beat easily)
The collared greens were very good and that's why it's 2 stars honestly. The service was nice but very slow. First 20 minute wait
I fortunately the reviews are right: it's very expensive (23-28$/plate) , the wait is long and it's just ok taste wise.
The fried chicken was alright, nothing special compared to kfc but nothing compared to willie maes scotch house in Nola.
The smothered pork chops were cooked well but not as tender as they could be (m&m in LA has you beat easily)
The collared greens were very good and that's why it's 2 stars honestly. The service was nice but very slow. First 20 minute wait
Spuros H.
Jan 06, 2022
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What I can say about this restaurant . Everybody looks so happy in there I really like that , amazing service . One of the most clean restaurants on Manhattan. And the food is always amazing, never disappoints me. Today I got fried chicken white meet and I was expecting to be a little bit dry as usually the chicken breast are but no, not at Sylvia's. It was so perfectly cooked you can not imagine if you don't taste it is far gone from other fried chicken you gonna try at the city.
They have the name . They are clean . And they have the food. That restaurant for me it should be on the
They have the name . They are clean . And they have the food. That restaurant for me it should be on the
Judie Tran
Dec 28, 2021
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Joody B.
Dec 26, 2021
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Allen Bullard
Dec 15, 2021
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We were there for Thanksgiving dinner, and we choose the latter reservation, 6pm. There was no wait, as the rush came earlier 3pm. So we had one side of the restaurant to ourselves.
Service was fast, as waiters were assigned designated reservations. Only thing we did not like is the table for a party of 4 was extremely small. We had to push all drinks to the center when 4 entree plates and cornbread basket came.
Food was fresh and hot.
New renovations look good. They do offer outside seating with heat. They also offer take out.
I know they don’t require regularly for reservations, but for
Service was fast, as waiters were assigned designated reservations. Only thing we did not like is the table for a party of 4 was extremely small. We had to push all drinks to the center when 4 entree plates and cornbread basket came.
Food was fresh and hot.
New renovations look good. They do offer outside seating with heat. They also offer take out.
I know they don’t require regularly for reservations, but for
Kori White
Sep 14, 2021
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Went in mid-July. Very busy at the time but it took well over an hour to receive my to go order. After checking several times at the pick up window, a guy handed my order from a table where it was sitting for at least 10 minutes. Nonetheless, I was stoked to try the food after having read several reviews about the yams, Mac & cheese, and fried chicken. I was sorely disappointed. I'm from New Orleans so I am picky about my food. The chicken was OK. Not well seasoned. The yams were sweet mush. I needed potato chunks or slivers and the taste of cinnamon/nutmeg/butter/vanilla...something. The Mac
Archana K.
Sep 04, 2021
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You haven't been to Harlem if you've never eaten at Sylvias, or it's sister restaurant Melbas. Sylvias is historic in this community, pretty sure Obama ate here during his time at Columbia and while campaigning for president in 08!
The food does NOT miss. Sylvias fried chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and so juicy and flavorful on the inside. Mashed potatos are delicious and the Mac and cheese is great too, just be prepared to wait a bit for your food! Everything is so fresh and everytime I've been here for takeout I've had to wait a bit. They have a nice outdoor
The food does NOT miss. Sylvias fried chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and so juicy and flavorful on the inside. Mashed potatos are delicious and the Mac and cheese is great too, just be prepared to wait a bit for your food! Everything is so fresh and everytime I've been here for takeout I've had to wait a bit. They have a nice outdoor
Mark Orebiyi
Aug 27, 2021
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I planned this reservation about two months ago because they get booked pretty fast. Overall my experience was OK. They say us outside which I was kind of confused about but let it pass because I thought they weren’t seating people inside. Come to find out they had plenty space inside and the guests that were inside were served on actual plates. The guests that were outside were served on Tupperware. The cornbread was phenomenal. The chicken and waffles were OK. I ask for maple syrup in a server handed me Kraft syrup. I felt like I wasn’t served. Not the best experience.
Ingrid F.
Aug 20, 2021
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Sylvias is an institution for a reason- it's the best Friday chicken on the East Coast! I grew up in Louisiana and often miss the delicious comfort food I grew up with. Sylvias brings me back to that wonderful nostalgia. My go-to order is always- ALWAYS the fried chicken, leg and thigh with mac and cheese, and sometimes I mix up the other sides. The mashed potatoes, the collard greens, black eyed peas- all amazing. Keep in mind there is most always a wait here, this is because of how yummy the food is here! They take their time in seating/serving you- which I do not mind at all. Going here
Kezia Luckey
Aug 19, 2021
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Alain JesTravels
Aug 12, 2021
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I had the chicken and waffles on a trip here with my wife and two friends, but it seems like I was the only one who enjoyed my food. Everyone else had some issue with their food, but my chicken and waffles was one of the best ones I've had in a while at a restaurant. The chicken was really crispy and the waffles tasted pretty good, but my wife's grits looked and tasted bland and unseasoned. I feel incline to give them a 4 star for now despite the issues with the other others, but I think it was good enough. I really like how the food came in closed container with utensils coming in sealed plastics
Grant Harper R.
Aug 05, 2021
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Sylvia's Free Community Breakfast. Oh Yeah! I usually order either the delicious Spare Ribs, Greens, Corn Bread and if they have it the Dirty (Spanish flavored) Rice or the wonderful Fried Crispy Chicken. But when it's Free you can't look a Gift-Horse in the mouth. We were served Smothered Chicken, Grits, and Southern styled Biscuits. Wonderful!
Emmett G.
Jul 15, 2021
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This place is supposedly a big deal. A group of us went to dine in for dinner (there was a long line for take out). There were some minor issues with the service (one particular waiter seemed to take issue with a lot of things). Our dinner was great. We tried one of the desserts, not so great. Overall, this place deserves a return visit.
Makela M.
Jul 04, 2021
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Post-COVID
Came to this restaurant during my trip to NYC. I did an app order. The wait time and service were good. The food was okay. For one of my meals the Mac n cheese I ordered was substituted for rice which was not cleared with me first. I should have been given the option of choosing another side if they were out of Mac n cheese. The chicken, ribs, cornbread and the Mac that I did receive for one order was good. I would not recommend the black eyed peas or garlic mashed potatoes. They were very bland in flavor. The black rated peas were basically peas in water it had absolutely no flavor
Came to this restaurant during my trip to NYC. I did an app order. The wait time and service were good. The food was okay. For one of my meals the Mac n cheese I ordered was substituted for rice which was not cleared with me first. I should have been given the option of choosing another side if they were out of Mac n cheese. The chicken, ribs, cornbread and the Mac that I did receive for one order was good. I would not recommend the black eyed peas or garlic mashed potatoes. They were very bland in flavor. The black rated peas were basically peas in water it had absolutely no flavor
Regina J.
Jun 17, 2021
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On a trip to Harlem, stopped here on a recommendation from friends. Got the fried chicken, candied yams, and mac n cheese. This spot is a must for authentic soul food. I wish we had a Sylvia's in Dallas. There was a bit of a wait from the time I ordered my food, but sitting on the patio made for great people watching. The food was worth the wait and did not disappoint. They are currently only doing outside dining or to go orders.
Paul K.
May 13, 2021
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Sylvia's is a legend in Harlem and the food is the star of the show.
Due to Covid, we had to order online and eat outside so we missed seeing the inside of this iconic restaurant but we did get some great food!
My wife had the Salmon Croquettes and a side of Baked Mac n Cheese. I had the World Famous BBQ Ribs and Fried Chicken and the mac n cheese and Traditional Collard Greens for my sides. We each had a drink (Sweet Iced Tea and Syvia's Uptown - Arnold Palmer style).
My wife loved her salmon croquettes and the mac n cheese. Delicious! I loved my ribs and the fried chicken and ate
Due to Covid, we had to order online and eat outside so we missed seeing the inside of this iconic restaurant but we did get some great food!
My wife had the Salmon Croquettes and a side of Baked Mac n Cheese. I had the World Famous BBQ Ribs and Fried Chicken and the mac n cheese and Traditional Collard Greens for my sides. We each had a drink (Sweet Iced Tea and Syvia's Uptown - Arnold Palmer style).
My wife loved her salmon croquettes and the mac n cheese. Delicious! I loved my ribs and the fried chicken and ate
Christopher M.
Apr 29, 2021
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I used to be so mad at myself for saying year after year "I GOTTA hit up Sylvia's! It's an institution!" And, no matter what, you have GOT to give props to any business that has survived as long as Sylvia's, let alone become a well-known name in the soul food game nationwide. Respect!
Howsomever...for this dude who 1) knows how to burn and put both feet and an elbow up in some soul food when he gets goin' in the kitchen, and 2) has a strong preference for more savory soul food? I'm no longer mad that it took me 15 years of being a New Yorker to stop on by
Howsomever...for this dude who 1) knows how to burn and put both feet and an elbow up in some soul food when he gets goin' in the kitchen, and 2) has a strong preference for more savory soul food? I'm no longer mad that it took me 15 years of being a New Yorker to stop on by
Michelle C.
Apr 20, 2021
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We were feeling peckish so we stopped at Sylvia's.
There is outdoor dining only.
Parking is tough. Take public transportation or walk.
If you'd looking for well seasoned, tasty, fried chicken, this is the spot. It was consumed in minutes. We also had peach cobbler, banana pudding and red velvet cake (and lemonade and half and half) which were all tasty and what was expected.
Official names
Sylvia's Down Home Fried Or Smothered Chicken, Southern Style Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Red Velvet Cake
There is outdoor dining only.
Parking is tough. Take public transportation or walk.
If you'd looking for well seasoned, tasty, fried chicken, this is the spot. It was consumed in minutes. We also had peach cobbler, banana pudding and red velvet cake (and lemonade and half and half) which were all tasty and what was expected.
Official names
Sylvia's Down Home Fried Or Smothered Chicken, Southern Style Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Red Velvet Cake
Jaimee A.
Mar 01, 2021
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Still amazing!!!
We were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to reward ourselves with Sylvia's amazing food (takeout).
And what a reward it was!!
Where other restaurant's quality has deteriorated during the pandemic (no shade, no blame, just a fact I have observed), not Sylvia's!!!
We had:
- Ribs - delicious, the hubby wouldn't share
- Fried Chicken - amazing, the best
- Fried Chicken with Waffles - my daughter is officially addicted
- Mac n Cheese - so good
- Candied Yams - this is so good it could literally be dessert
- Grits - the hubby said as good as
We were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to reward ourselves with Sylvia's amazing food (takeout).
And what a reward it was!!
Where other restaurant's quality has deteriorated during the pandemic (no shade, no blame, just a fact I have observed), not Sylvia's!!!
We had:
- Ribs - delicious, the hubby wouldn't share
- Fried Chicken - amazing, the best
- Fried Chicken with Waffles - my daughter is officially addicted
- Mac n Cheese - so good
- Candied Yams - this is so good it could literally be dessert
- Grits - the hubby said as good as
Laura S.
Jan 19, 2021
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This is for a delivery order during the pandemic. So happy I finally got to try this nyc landmark and Harlem favorite.
For two people, I got the bbq ribs with baked macaroni & cheese and potato salad and fried chicken with green beans and collard greens. I originally ordered the catfish, but they ran out so substituted it with the chicken. Not a problem as everything was delicious, but just a note to try to order early just in case! The bbq sauce on the ribs was amazing! I'm from Texas so I usually love Texas style bbq, but the Carolina sauce on these ribs were super good. The baked Mac
For two people, I got the bbq ribs with baked macaroni & cheese and potato salad and fried chicken with green beans and collard greens. I originally ordered the catfish, but they ran out so substituted it with the chicken. Not a problem as everything was delicious, but just a note to try to order early just in case! The bbq sauce on the ribs was amazing! I'm from Texas so I usually love Texas style bbq, but the Carolina sauce on these ribs were super good. The baked Mac
