Only had an hour for lunch, and waiters were already busy. Sat down, no water, no cornbread, no waiter. Decided to order our food at the counter. The lady at the register totally understood the short time we had. Liz Marie, I hope I'm spelling your name right. She is AWESOME!!! Not only did she leave the register to bring our food to the table, she came back with our water, cornbread and extra gravy for those mashed potatoes. Got our delicious food, and excellent service from Lizmarie before our waiter even came to our table. Give that lady a raise! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

First time and the food was absolutely amazing. I’d also like to mention the wait staff and hospitality was impeccable. Tasha greeted us as we walked in and was very attentive through out our meal. I over heard her say she loves her job. Keep being the beautiful spirit you are inside and out. If I’m ever in Harlem again I’ll definitely comeback. Wish I could’ve visited one more time before heading back to Texas.

The food was delicious. I enjoyed the drinks the chicken and waffles (I got mines with wings), the collar greens (made with turkey), candied yams, and the salmon croquetas.

OMG THE FLAVORS!!!!! The tenderness of the pork ribs—I picked up the bone end, and the meat just slid off 🤤. The greens were tender, my wife had the fried chicken, and it was delectable! We grubbed out! The service was great and it was a very comfortable dining experience—and NOT just because we were super hungry! Lol. Can’t wait to visit again, so I can try something else on the menu!

It's Harlem guys! I went on Sunday and the thing I loved the most, besides the food of course, was the authenticity of this place, the only tourist was me, and it was amazing. The fried chicken... from another planet.

+2

Learned of Amy Ruth's from several food shows on YouTube and finally found some time to pay a visit. I ordered the "Rev. Al Sharpton" which includes 3 pieces of fried chicken and a waffle. Simple presentation with excellent taste! The service and dining atmosphere is also top notch. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

Delicious! The food is so damn good. Our server was super friendly. The atmosphere in the restaurant was a vibe! Had the honey fried chicken, ribs, and catfish all of which were amazing! The max & cheese and candied yams were my favorite sides. 100% will go back again!

Our server, Tasha, was extraordinary. Our food came out in records time and was absolutely delicious! Great atmosphere. The young man working the door was extremely kind to my sister & I. His kindness will never be forgotten!!

+1

Only found out about Amy Ruth’s through a tv show before our trip (can’t remember which one) and wow, my wife and I are so glad we went. One of the best food experiences we had in NYC. The food, the atmosphere and the service was unforgettable. I’d never tried grits before so our waitress brought out a little sample for us without needing to buy a whole bowl. So much fun. Honey fried chicken and mashed potatoes are a must

One of the greatest restaurants of all time for soul food. It’s an iconic soul food restaurant in Harlem with amazing service (shoutout to Tasha, she’s been my server most of the time and she’s absolutely wonderful), delicious food, and the BEST corn bread of all time. The basket in my photo comes with three pieces but I was too excited and ate one. Highly recommended

Amy Ruth’s is the epitome of authentic southern cuisine. The flavors of my meal constantly replay in my head and my mouth begins to water in response. If you are ever in the area… run… don’t walk! I promise you won’t regret it!

Great place and unique food. Plenty of options. Dishes are delicious and tasty and comes in big portions. They also serve free cornbread as starter. Highly recommended!

The food was good and service staff were kind, which is the key to a successful and longstanding restaurant. I hope they continue to take feedback from customers on food and atmosphere because I enjoyed my time here.Also the chicken and waffles was my favorite dish here.

Yesterday my friends and I dine at Amy Ruth’s. When I tell you that I had the best turkey wings I have ever eaten, I did. The potions of food were very satisfying. To top it off our waitress Latasha was top notch. If you visit New York, put this on your restaurant to go list. Request Latasha to be your waitress, tell her the ladies from Cleveland sent you.

I enjoyed dining at AR, the host was attentive and welcoming. This was a rare, true tall glass of orange juice. I enjoyed my chicken wings and waffles. This too is a rarity, each was cooked to perfection. These folks do make a real southern classic chicken and waffle. I highly recommend Amy Ruths for them. Check out the photos and you can see my professional photographs on Instagram @ronlouisphotos Thank you

+3

This was a 1st time visit to Amy Ruth's and I really enjoyed my food. The decor and menu is really cute! I ordered fried catfish, mac and cheese & grits. My Sis in Law ordered greens, fried Whiting, mac and cheese, candied yams and grits. That was honestly the best mac and cheese that I've had out in a while. Absolutely delicious! My catfish was fried perfectly but was on the salty side as far as seasoning goes. The yams were good and the grits were perfect! The staff was friendly and fast. I highly recommend trying Amy Ruth's you're sure to find something on the menu to please your palette! 👍🏽😍👌🏽 Lastly, I ordered the peach cobbler because I was being gluttonous 😔🤦🏽‍♀️ and they serving was huge. However, the 🍑🍑 weren't as soft as they should've been and it was seasoned with way too much Allspice and nutmeg. Those are 2 spices that I don't like because they overpower a dish if used heavily. So I did send that back, I was sad because I wanted to enjoy that when I got back to my hotel. Anyhow, I still highly recommend them. I'll certainly be going back when I'm in NYC again. 💯😉

+1

My mouth waters just thinking about eating here again. These workers appear truly caring. I always recommend this place to my friends! Amy Ruth's maintains high preparation standards. Everything we ordered was delicious!! I hope to be back quickly!

Jumbo fried shrimp with macaroni and cheese and yams. You'll love it, take my word. The peach mimosa was to die for as per my partner in crime, I had the sweet tea, can't go wrong. Tasha was our server and she was awesome. Cornbread came out first, but we asked to have the salmon croquettes brought out with the meal. Cornbread did not survive that long, use the butter!! Yummy!! Thanks again. I'll be back. It was my first time and my school is only 4 blocks away, so I feel cheated. But you won't, believe me. I took home some fried wings and waffles. Delicious.

The food here was really good. I enjoy everything I ate, My only small tiny complaint was that the sweet tea taste like syrup, I know we love sweet sweet tea, but I had to dilute it with water. Beside that, it was great service and the food came out quick. The portion sizes are well worth the money.

Great place for soul food! Large and tasty servings. Service was quick too 😄 Featured is the fried chicken with waffle! But their desserts, specifically the carrot cake and banana cream pudding, are a must-try as well

Tears are coming to my eyes writing this review as the food is sooooooo gooood!! Well seasoned, tasty, huge portions for leftovers. I’m sure this food is made by the sweat and tears of our ancestors. The place can get packed pretty quickly but it’s worth the wait if there is one. I had the chicken and waffles with Mac and cheese which was delicious. My friends catfish was also yummy! I look forward to returning ASAP! Also Donald at the door is a great guy!

The best soul food. We definitely ordered too much. Delicious corn bread, mac n cheese, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits etc. can’t remember our server’s name but she was amazing!

+3

Sending much love from DALLAS, TX!! Ok, I will try to make this as short as possible but it’s extremely hard when this place is absolutely AMAZING!!! I visited this place on 1/14/23 while visiting NYC for the very first time. As a “down south” girl who LOVES southern home style cooking, this place DID NOT disappoint! Y’all, when I tell you I have NEVER tasted a waffle like this before, I kid you not! They put Ihop, Dennys, Waffle House, Pancake House, even Roscoes chicken and waffles to shame! I can’t even explain to you how good this waffle was. I got the chicken and waffle and my boyfriend got shrimp and waffle. Y’all……….umm umm umm I’m really just speechless! The chicken was fried to perfection and the shrimp also. The syrup that came along with it went so perfect together. Normally, when I’ve eaten chicken and waffles in the past at other places, I eat the chicken and waffle separate. But this dish just seem like you HAD to eat it together to get the whole experience. from the crispy outer texture of the waffle to the soft fluffy almost cornbread or cake like center, to the crispy fried chicken with the sweet syrup drizzled on top……they put their foot in this dish!! You don’t even need the butter for your waffle! Then the cornbread they serve as you wait for your food……smh….it’s definitely no Jiffy or Martha White baby, that’s all AMY RUTH! Then I looked around at other peoples dishes and saw huge helpings meat loaf, yams, mashed potato’s etc… they give you so much two peop could actually share one dish but the ish so good I PROMISE you will prefer your own plate! Staff was friendly, place was clean, and service was quick! I will definitely be going back! I want to catch a flight just to come get me a plate and come back to Dallas lol! I pray the business expand and y’all get a spot out here in Dallas one day. Thank you so much, it was my favorite meal I had eaten in NYC during my 4 day stay (Joes pizza was #2) instead of me calling it Amy Ruth’s, I’ll refer to it as “Ainee Ruth’s” because it taste like something your auntie hooked up when you came to visit! Y’all please drop by and show these peop some love! I promise you won’t be disappointed!

My friend and I came here for dinner. Basically loved everything (Catfish, Friend chicken, ribs, fried okra, Mac and cheese, sweet potato) except the collard greens. I loved the corn bread so much (Southerner living in NYC here). I thought prices were good for the portion size. Very fun restaurant and menu, our waiter was really great.

I’ve been coming here over 10 years and it’s been a minute with all my travels. As usual they are very consistent and since I’ve been there last remodeled! Everything comes out super hot, just like it was ordered! The renovations are wonderful and spacious! The service has always been on point. Charmaine served us with a smile and payed attention to detail! Like I said a staple in the community and the best soul food around!

Everything was seasoned really well!!!! Best waffle I’ve ever had!!!! Chicken wings were good. Mac and cheese and yams were excellent. Smothered chops were very good! Banana pudding was very good and large portion!!! Good decor and atmosphere. Overall, excellent!

+6

I thoroughly enjoyed everything served! Our group was served great cornbread and the food tasted amazing! On top of the good food, it was brought out very quickly. One thing is to leave a pitcher of water as we wanted more water than served but otherwise it was a great experience in a friendly atmosphere!

After a day of exploring NYC (from Illinois) we found Amy Ruth’s after a quick google search of the best soul food near us. The description held incredibly true. The cornbread was warm and moist, the kind that melts in your mouth. We tried the fried chicken (thigh and leg) and my brother said it was the best fried chicken he has had in his life. The greens and Mac and cheese would be hard to rival, they were both packed full of flavor and perfectly cooked. I was highly impressed with each of our tables meal. We also had help from 2 incredible staff members with a totally unrelated situation, the only way I can describe them is angels! Thank you for your hospitality.

We got cornbread on the house (super yummy). We got the OBAMA (chicken), fried catfish, and pork ribs. Can't go wrong with either but I was expecting more chicken. Entree (not waffle dish) came with 2 sides. As y'all can see, they're plentiful. I also love the athmosphere and the paintings are great!

EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS. Literally everyone loved their food at the table. First off, they start you off with some thicc cornbread & butter. The must haves, if you’re trying to be “healthy-ISH” in a soul food spot..get the salmon with cabbage and collard greens. If you’re there for a GREAT time (& have time for a nap after) order the honey dipped fried chicken (Reggie Harris) or the chicken wings (Ludacris) with the mac, collards and yams. Yes. Pay the price for the extra side. The only thing I will say is if you’re getting any of the fried seafood, understand that his is a soul spot so the batter is thicker instead of lightly fried.

+1

When I visited NYC 10 years ago, this location had better reviews than Sylvia’s! 10 years later…it still holds true plus they’ve expanded! In 2012, Amy Ruth’s was a cozy location, in 2022, Amy Ruth’s have expanded considerably to include a catering hall. The food is still amazing!!! The Honey Dipped Chicken & the traditional sides, Greens, Mac & cheese & sweet potatoes are a must! No pork! An hour wait was actually 15 minutes! Our waitress, Natasha, was phenomenal! Simply phenomenal, quick & friendly with a touch of sass! Amy Ruth is a great stop for soul food! Period! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

+1

Great food and great service. I tried here for the first time and must say that the food was delicious I had the jerk chicken dish with potato salad that was the best I've ever had. The candied yams are so delicious you can eat it as a whole meal. I will definitely be visiting again in the future

+2

Good soul food in Harlem the menu has switched over the years but Im guessing it was to remove unpopular items (pictured chicken wings and pork chops macaroni greens yams and rice and peas) food was HOT and fresh btw

Just really lovely home style cooked food. Corn bread at the start is so fluffy and delicious. Waffles and fried chicken hit the spot, as do the Mac n cheese and whipped potatoes. Service is very attentive as well

I got the Obama special with baked chicken, collard greens, and Mac and cheese. The baked chicken was so juicy and tender it was practically falling off the bone. Collard greens a little sweet for me but the Mac and cheese was solid — not too salty. Definitely want to try their other sides. They gave me complimentary cornbread which was so sweet.

This was my first time in this place and also the first time I had the southern home cooking style and it was very good. I wanted to have my first ever soul food experience at Harlem and came to this place. The food was delicious: We had the pork ribs, honey chicken, fried catfish and several side orders and they were all very good. It’s a bit overpriced but at least the amount of food was decent for the price. Service a bit slow but its OK and good atmosphere. Fully recommend when you visit Harlem.

First time at Amy Ruth’s and it did not disappoint. We were immediately greeted and seated. The waitress was attentive and wonderful. We definitely didn’t feel rushed which was great. This way we could throughly enjoy the meal and also just our lunch conversation. Restaurant is so spacious that we had our privacy. Unlike a lot of NYC restaurants where tables are so close together. Most important the food. The food was well worth the trip from Jersey. It was the best fried chicken I’ve had. All the sides were a great enhancement to the meal. Really delicious. Of course we had to finish our meal with dessert. We selected two items made in-house and they did not disappoint. Only negative is that I’m not closer to the restaurant to eat there more often. Definitely worth the trip and highly recommended for a meal that just feels like comfort. Thank you to the staff and to the Chef for a wonderful experience!

I enjoy going here after the gym to eat some really good home cooked food. Love love love their meatloaf. I prolly go here at least 3-4 times a week 🤭🫣 no judgment lol.

The best soulfood in HARLEM!!!! QUICK and friendly service. If you haven't gone ,you are missing out on a treat ! Can't wait to host a party there . ENJOY

Best chicken and waffles I've ever had. Period. The chicken was crispy and moist, the waffle was fluffy and sweet. It was perfect. The place was very clean, and the service was excellent. Great music on the speakers too.

Emily McKenzie

Cozy vibe and very nice interior. Love the paintings. The customer service was really good. All the waiters were so kind. The food was superb. Also they did not come play when it came to the portion size. The wait time was very short, which is good. I recommend going to this spot when you’re craving southern food and don’t want to be disappointed.

David M Monastra

The food was amazing. I had the chicken and waffles which was great. I like the fact that it wasn't chicken tenders and real chicken pieces. I saw the smothered pork chops after I ordered and I'm getting that next time.

Pastor Xavier Williams

Look. I couldn’t finish it, so much food. And it was goooood. The Mac & cheese is spot on. The corn bread is wonderful. Cheesy grits hit the spot. And I had the salmon croquettes were really good. Would eat here again. Strongly recommend dining here.

Deso Marciano

My mother wanted to take me out to dinner at a restaurant and this is where she chose and I’m so glad she did. I had a wonderful time. The food was amazing. I ordered the ribs and chicken combo and I had two sides which were peas and rice and potato salad, which was amazing the cornbread they provided was amazing. I tasted my mothers food she had chicken and waffles. Amazing. The staff was welcoming The establishment was very clean. I would definitely recommend . It’s a staple in the community and defines “Soul Food” at its best

brian j

I expected there to be a long line and wait to be seated since it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. However, I was seated and served on quickly. The wait staff was quick and the head person in charge, Charlemagne ran a very friendly courtesy but most importantly effective operation. The food came out quickly and was hot, plentiful and tasty. Can't wait to eat my leftovers!

Ericka B

Harlem staple right here. Had some of the best meatloaf and mashed potatoes ever…perfect comfort food on a chilly day. still thinking about it. Casual, clean, friendly…in the heart of Harlem. Highly recommend.

Demetrice “DEE” Dunlap

My 1st visit, found them searching black owned restaurants in NYC. They appeared to be closed from outside bc it was dark & we almost left. So glad we came in. The younger man & older man whom we spoke to upon entering were a little rude & we were thinking about leaving but glad we didn't. The guy that brought out complimentary corn bread & water was nice. Our waitress Charmaine was great, good energy, nice & friendly. Let me tell y'all about this food... this food made up for any negative vibe I had at 1st. Complimentary cornbread was so good. I had fried shrimp, string beans & mashed potatoes w gravy. This was so delicious, my family members had barbecue ribs, shrimp & grits, meatloaf. The portion size is enough for 2 people. We ordered desserts to go, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, pineapple coconut cake & double chocolate cake, these were huge portions also. Everyone really enjoyed their food so much we're thinking about coming back to NY from MD at least once per year just to patronize this establishment. That's how good the food was.

+7

I Am Sharon

I have been eating at Amy Ruth's for over 20 years. It is a classic part of my routine New York City experience. Every time I am in the city, I stop here for some classic soul food. ALWAYS! Food: I am a creature of habit, so I always get the President Obama special - fried chicken with macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. Sometimes, I'll add potato salad and usually treat myself to banana pudding. The banana pudding is deadly, no sinful. Location: It is in the heart of Harlem (uptown) on 116th and Malcolm X Blvd. Short walk from the 2/3 (green line Express) trains. If you're driving, there's usually plenty of parking on Malcolm X Blvd. Dining Options: Over the years, the inside dining has changed. Where takeout is now located used to have dine-in tables, but that all changed years ago. They also used to have upstairs dining, although I don't think that's no longer an option. If you get seated on the left side of the restaurant and there's small children there, BEWARE!! There is an echo on that part of the restaurant, so fussy children yelling and/or screaming can easily become unbearable if you're trying to enjoy your meal with some sort of peace. Its like they have a microphone. Restaurant: The restaurant is one big artistic mural full of many popular and renowned black artists, mostly performers, but some politicians. Menu: The menu is broken down in homage to some of the black community's greats. For example: Barack Obama's name is how they identify the fried chicken dinner. Amenities: I am funny about public restrooms. I typically never use them, holding my bladder until I can get to a restroom that I trust and know (preferably at home), but the bathrooms here are always kept very clean. I usually stop here on my way back home from NYC, so I stop in the bathroom to freshen up before the long drive back. Now, its an old Harlem building, so keep that in mind, but you can expect a very well stocked and cleaned bathroom experience. Competition: I don't fool with the other soul food restaurants in Harlem. No, ma'am. Only Amy Ruth's. Its been tried-and-true since Day 1. I love this place and the staple waitresses who have been working here for years. If you want good soul food, go to Amy Ruth's.

+4

Sofia C

Some of the best tasting food I’ve had in a while. I loved everything from the food to the walls filled with icons. It wasn’t fancy, just straight up soul food. Big portions, great service, great food. I never leave reviews but hours later I’m still thinking about how good it is!! Even my leftovers held up!

Lindsey B

I didn't know what I could say other than it was amazing. I loved the food here. This place was the highlight of my good experience and it came on a whim. Staff was great, Kool aid was great. We both got "The Ludacris" which was wings, and two sides. Let me tell you, you are getting your money's worth here.

+1

Matthew Miceli

Excellent service, awesome staff! Great vibes in here, beautiful decor, felt so at home. Their house made sweet tea was out of this world! Had the Reggie bush, fried chicken dunked in honey, choice of white or dark meat, I went white. Very juice, very crispy, seasoning was so damn good, and the honey made it perfect! Comes with 2 sides. I had collared greens, first I've ever had and they were out of this world , and the candied yams were delicious! Can't wait to go back. Complimentary corn bread was delicious!

Alon Grinshpoon

This place is a great soul food restaurant! 🍴 Amy Ruth's in Harlem 🗽 serves an wide selection of delicious 🤤 dishes 🍽️ such as fried chicken 🍗, waffles 🧇, sandwiches 🥪, salads 🥗, and more all named after historic American 🇺🇲 figures. Definitely try the Honey 🍯 Glazed Chicken 🐔 Sandwich with Fries 🍟 and get a side of Mac and Cheese! 🧀 They also start you off with free cornbread! 🍞 Staff 👨‍🍳 and friendly,. service is quick ⏲️, and they have lots of indoor seating.🪑 Recommended that you arrive early ⏰ to avoid waiting in line. 👥 I wish I came here more often!

+5

Xiaohan Wu

I came here because of the recommendation from a YouTuber. The fried chicken is REALLY GOOD!!! The flavor is just right, not too salty at all compared to a lot of fried chicken places. At first I thought they baked or roasted the chicken before frying it because of the color and the texture inside, but they told me it’s just raw chicken fried. Very interesting! It’s not the juicy kind of fried chicken that I’m used to, but it’s not dry at all. And I really enjoyed it with maple syrup — this is the first time I eat fried chicken in this way! The collard greens really amazed me — I’ve never had this kind of flavor before! Now I understand why I never liked southern American food before I came to Amy Ruth’s… it’s only because I’ve never had such good southern American food before! Corn bread also tastes pretty interesting. I guess they put brown sugar in it? Next time I’m in NYC I really want to try the chicken and waffle and honey dipped chicken.

360 MAGAZINE

Amy Ruth's is one of Harlem's last treasures. Genuinely southern and delightful. Easily the East Coast version of Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Mac, yams and greens are the best sides. The fish is fried to a crisp but they also offer oven-cooked versions. One of the best atmospheres with no embellishments. Great place for a celebration and/or large parties. In addition, the list of beers and wines is at a reasonable price and the starter servings are generous—you can share them. On the whole, the staff is friendly, fun and fabulous. Really glad we could rediscover this place. I can't wait to bring our LA cohorts here. KUDOS to the management for running a tight ship from front to back.

+3

Food is super good service amazing cozy ambiance \nThank you for the hospitality we will be back!!!

food is super good service amazing cozy ambiance \nThank you for the hospitality we will be back!!!

Food is super good service amazing cozy ambiance \nThank you for the hospitality we will be back!!!

Food is super good service amazing cozy ambiance \nThank you for the hospitality we will be back!!!

A consistent neighborhood staple with amazing food, service, portions and prices. You can never go wrong with stopping in here for a homey comfort meal whether with a group or solo. They run a pret…

A consistent neighborhood staple with amazing food, service, portions and prices. You can never go wrong with stopping in here for a homey comfort meal whether with a group or solo. They run a pret…

This place has the best fried chicken, and I've eaten a LOT of fried chicken, even in the southern states. It's very well seasoned, crunchy on the outside with a juicy, fall off the bone inte…

Had dinner here recently and the meal was fabulous. A long wait-but well worth it. Great service and clientele made it a fun experience.

Had dinner here recently and the meal was fabulous. A long wait-but well worth it. Great service and clientele made it a fun experience.

Was visiting and had the pleasure to eat some of this yummy soul food. Can i just say the mash potato's were the fluffiest and butteriest i've ever had. The seasoning on the chicken was delicious t…

Great size portions, excellent service, reasonable prices! A great place for lunch or dinner! I've eaten here several times and they are very consistent!

Best fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato pie I've ever had! Wonderful service and I love all of the murals.

Very nice and hospitable while also joking and around with you to make you feel comfortable, I also loved the music and setting of the restaurant was extremely peaceful. Also the food felt like it …

We came about 10 years ago, on our previous trip to New York, and we came back last week: the quality has remained unchanged, the place is bigger and better organized. The service was courteous and…

We were greeted with 10/10 hospitality and the single most amazing cornbread. Our waitress Tasha, was friendly, just like a family member welcoming you for a Sunday meal. The food !! Chicken and …

Stopped in for dinner before going to the Apollo Theater. Food was very tasty with friendly service. I do recommend the vegetable plate with cornbread.

Great service and amazing food. We had the chicken and waffles and the BBQ ribs and chicken - both were cooked to perfection. Can’t fault anything and highly recommend!

The food was amazing. It was hot and fresh. The complimentary corn bread with the smooth butter was nice to have while we waited for the main course. It’s conveniently located a half a block from t…

Had lunch at Amy Ruth’s, even though it is located quite far from the town but it is worth to come. We ordered bbq pork rib and chicken combo, they were served with 2 side dishes, the portion was so big and the bbq source was so good, a bit sweet but good. Anoth Merry er friend of mine ordered waffle with chicken, he said the waffle was good and chicken was well-cooked and crispy.

Really nice atmosphere. The live band was awesome. I visited this place for their Sunday brunch and had the spicy chicken and waffles. It was not hot when it arrived. The syrup was not warmed and that was a bit of a let down but the food itself was good otherwise. I ate half and took the other half home and ate it later and the chicken was still good and better rewarmed. It was extremely crispy, hard fried but tasty and not so spicy.

Hadn't been to Amy Ruth's in a while, but had a taste for it. Ordered takeout and service was pretty good and quick. In fact, the restaurant was emptier than I'd EVER seen it. I'm a little concerned an hope they're okay. We can't lose Amy Ruth's!

Came here with a friend for dinner. We were seated in the newer extension of the restaurant. Wait on a Saturday night for two wasn’t bad, 10ish minutes. There was hot sauce at the table already. +10 pts. We were given plates, forks and water pretty quickly, but the waitress took a minute. It was fine cause we didn’t know what we wanted, but it took forever for her to come back. Once we did everything that came was delicious. Got fried catfish and salmon croquettes, both were wonderful. Sangria was good, nice buzz. I got the honey chicken dish, the Reggie Harris with potato salad and Mac and cheese as my sides. I thought the potato salad was a little sweet but I have no complaints other than that. My friend ordered the chicken wings, the Ludacris. She got potato salad and collards, and she loved everything. The serving sizes were big, as both of us took leftovers home! We skipped on desserts cause we were so full. I see why this spot get so much love. Will be back 😍

+3

Unassuming place. Prompt service. Started with cornbread. It was REALLY good. My beverage was a half and half. Really good but super sweet. I then ordered the Friday Fisherman Platter special. Massive portions. Very tasty. The fish was amazing. The shrimp was great. The crab cake was awesome. Sides of mashed potatoes, okra and black eyed peas were very tasty. Eating here is an absolute necessity.

The food was seasoned well and flav orful. The greens and the candy yams were delicious. The fried chicken was decent. Nice portions were served. Overall the food was good. It is worth going back to try their chicken and waffles. Can't forget the staff was nice and attentive to our needs.

Our first traditional southern cuisine, and we were pleasantly impressed. We ordered fried chicken with waffles, Mac & cheese, bbq chicken, and it comes with a basket of (corn?) bread. The maple syrup goes well with waffles and chicken, a good mix of sweet and savoury.

+4

Service was a little slow and they did not acknowledge our birthdays although they were notified in advance and while we we were there. Two other birthdays were acknowledged. Cocktails were good. The chicken (chicken and waffles) was dry.

It was a nice first experience. A harlemite brought me there and I liked it. We went on a Sunday around noon and the lineup wasn’t too bad. That place is a whole vibe. Love the decor, and the fact that it’s black owned is great. We got the chicken and waffles and it was good. I’ll try something different next time; will definitely go back when I visit New York again

+1

Came with a large party during lunch right before they got really busy. Causal mom and pop kind of vibe. We got there around 12pm and there was no line and we were seated in the back. We had plenty for room. The plates were huge. Everyone had food to take home. Our server was fast and helpful with our orders. You get a lot for what you pay for. Some of the entrees come with two sides. I don’t eat meat so I just had some sides. The fried okra was good with some Red Hot. Their rice and beans was good too. For those that are vegan, expect that this is a soul food restaurant. Lots of meat. I was told that the okra and the rice and beans were the only things that had no butter. I had a few people in my party who didn’t eat pork. The server was more than patient with them. There’s an 18% gratuity for large parties that’s included in the bill. There’s no outside dining, but plenty of seating if you get before the lunch hour rush. Thanks for accommodating our big group.

PROS: Its my first time here at amy ruth, snd the food was AMAZING!!!! From the chicken to the sides. My husband had the beef ribs bbq and it was perfect!! Not too sweet and the potato Salad was chunky just like how i want it, the coleslaw was also fresh, cabbage were crunchy and not too sweet ad well, they were all just perfectly seasoned. The chicken wings were also great! And the mac and cheese and thr fried shrimp, the cornbread were so yummy, warm and soft, we also had the banana pudding just a little too sweet to my liking , but basically they were all perfect!!! (We didnt get the chance to take a photo of the wings and fried shrimp- i think it was just 6-8pcs) CONS: the service was slow, its pricey for the portion size, yes its delicious but definitely Pricey. I was disappointed with the leg quarter size, it was definitely too small.

Okay had both Sylvia's and Amy Ruth's. Amy Ruth's fried chicken is way better. It's crispier skin and has spices & seasonings. Definitely better fried chicken than Sylvia's. Sylvia's chiken has no seasoning and bland. The fried okra was delicious here.

Rudy de los Reyes

The fried chicken was stupendously good. Crispy outside and soft inside. The ribs were very good too. The corn bread was fantastic. The walls are plastered with famous black icons. A bit dark inside though and could use a little more lighting.

Edgar Faure

The Tommy Tomita, fried chicken wings on a waffle was pretty unique and tasty when ate them with maple syrup. But the core value of this restaurant was warm atmosphere filled with friendliness of people (both staff and customers). I felt as if I had a glimpse of Harlem culture through the short lunch time.

walumweya waluka

It was vibe was there in 25th august on holiday for my nieces 10th birthday to NYC from London so thought it be good chance to try soul food. The waitress was so lovely very patient with us given that we hadn’t tried it before well authentic american soul food that is. Forgot her name but she’s a star Enjoyed candied yams (uk orange sweet potato basically) very tasty it was a little bit too sweet for me but that’s the points i guess either way it complemented my smothered turkey wings which was full flavour very savoury . I find turkey to be a bit drier than chicken but for me i was able to enjoy so thats a plus. Sister loves vegetables so enjoyed the Okra They are not stingy the chef wants to feed you because our plates were full , you might feel overwhelmed but you won’t complain about the portion sizes. My niece couldn’t finish her plate , it’s funny coz it looked like she didn’t eat it and unfortunately we couldn’t take it back because we had no microwave at the hotel otherwise that would have got waxed down for breakfast. It’s a shame there was no kids menu coz that was a waste of food but thats fine because it seems like a more mature / adult setting . I did like there interior of seeing influential black people on the walls. Overall great experience , great food. I would come back Lol love corn bread carried that back to the london🤣

My best friend and I visited on a cold Saturday night and were promptly seated. We called in advance to ensure that there was no wait. The food came out pretty quickly and the restaurant was pretty q…

My best friend and I visited on a cold Saturday night and were promptly seated. We called in advance to ensure that there was no wait. The food came out pretty quickly and the restaurant was pretty…

My best friend and I visited on a cold Saturday night and were promptly seated. We called in advance to ensure that there was no wait. The food came out pretty quickly and the restaurant was pret…

I tried to give Amy Ruth's another chance but I wish I would have saved my money. I ordered the fried shrimp with potato salad and Mac + cheese. No No No. The shrimp has a strange after taste. …

I tried to give Amy Ruth's another chance but I wish I would have saved my money. I ordered the fried shrimp with potato salad and Mac + cheese. No No No. The shrimp has a strange after taste. The …

It pains me to write this, but it needs to be said. My daughter and I have been coming to Amy Ruth’s every Thanksgiving for six years. We made the trip when we lived on Staten Island and we continued…

We had the fried chicken in honey which was absolutely fantastic, as was the candied yams. The catfish was good, and the chicken wings just enormous and good. The cheese & macaroni was over…

We had the fried chicken in honey which was absolutely fantastic, as was the candied yams. The catfish was good, and the chicken wings just enormous and good. The cheese & macaroni was overwh…

We had the fried chicken in honey which was absolutely fantastic, as was the candied yams. The catfish was good, and the chicken wings just enormous and good. The cheese & macaroni was overwhelmi…

On a trip to NYC we popped over to Harlem to try some local soul food. We were not disappointed and the food was just what we'd hoped for. The smothered chicken & waffles was great, as was the ma…

Reviews are a bit of hit-and-miss, it seems, but for us at lunchtime, all was well. Tables quite socially distanced, and some nice murals but mostly a diner-like atmosphere but come here for the f…

We ordered a take out late one Sunday afternoon. The online was inaccurate and outdated. The 20 minute wait turned into 40 minutes. My ribs were undercooked and did not fall away from the bone l…

Disappointed with my first lunch experience here as I was very excited to try this historic Harlem’s restaurant. My chicken was very dry and together with gravy barely hot. Tasted like chicken from the day before. The only thing I really liked was the warm corn bread!

+3

It pains me to give such a low score. I’ve eaten here before and it was fantastic (~1 year ago). Today, however, it was a huge disappointment. Something has changed here. This place used to have amazing soulful Mac and cheese. Today, I was served a brick of dry, cold, flavorless velveeta and pasta. The salmon croquettes were good, the cornbread was good, chicken and waffles were good, collard greens were good. But if a soul food place can’t make decent mac and cheese, that’s a problem.

Stopped by here during my second time visiting from Texas. Overall, the meal was rather disappointing. We ordered The Ludacris. Chicken was fantastic, but the Mac and cheese was overly salted and dry. The potato salad was sweet. The cornbread had decent flavor but was dry. Very big serving sizes. I split this with my mom; couldn’t imagine eating this all myself! The hand squeezed lemonade was wonderful. Our service was exceptional. Food came out fast. Loved the various hand painted murals of famous black figures in history. Lots of seating. Also enjoyed the different names of all the food items. Great selection of food to choose from. I likely wouldn’t return with how disappointing the sides were, would rather try another soul food restaurant honestly.

I’ve no idea why this restaurant is popular 😅 The food itself is just okay but the Mac and cheese was horrible （ wasted my 10 dollars for this frozen trash)

The cornbread was very good, tasted fresh and a little buttery. Then the fried chicken was yummy. Crispy outside and juicy inside. Then the positive experience stopped there. The BBQ ribs were bad. The meat was way overly cured — VERY dry and very salty, and too much sauce. The vegetables were overcooked. Not a very healthy meal. It’s ok if you want to stop by for an occasional experience. But eating this a lot will get you killed. Did you know, even the previous owner has come out and told people how unhealthy their cooking is? I hope Amy Ruth will adapt with the times and make delicious, yet healthier, food for the community.

+3

It was good but the gravy is very very salty. It's my 3rd time having it and I'll just stay away from smothered anything. It's no need for all that salt. The greens were ok. The mac and potato salad was really tasty... Not expensive $20 with my drink is what I believe I paid.

+1

First time visiting, was not impressed. The waitress was very nice. The service was relatively quick. The food was not the greatest. Amongst the table, we ordered: Chicken and Ribs plate, Jerk Shrimp, Turkey Wings, Vegan Burger and the Smothered Pork Chops. Sides: Salad, Mac and Cheese, Greens, Rice and Gravy, French Fries, Yams and Cheesy Grits. The bbq ribs were good, the fried chicken wasn’t bad, the turkey wings were decent (however, it does not come with rice and you have to order it as a side. The gravy they put on the rice is different from the turkey wing gravy). The jerk shrimp tasted like a gravy with sautéed veggies. Wouldn’t say that’s a jerk dish. The Pork Chops were a hit. The greens were sweet, but flavorful. The dressing for the salad was most interesting. I wouldn’t recommend the Cheesy Grits. No flavor. The Mac and Cheese wasn’t bad, a little seasoning and cheese sauce would have really made it worth while. No one really cared for the cornbread. It was hard in some places and dry. Considering how they give it to you in a basket for free, should say something. it is over priced to lack so much. I couldn’t call it soul food because I feel it was lacking the “umph.” Not an absolute ‘No,’ just an acquired taste. But love to support a black-owned business.

+1

My first time visiting Amy Ruth's. The service was very good and the server paid attention to detail. The food came out pretty fast, the cornbread was good. The other items we ordered were okay, a little above average. The prices are not bad for a restaurant in the city.

+6

Classic Soul Food Specifically And ONLY Do I Recommend Chicken & Waffles… Needs To Be Renovated Need Better Tables And Chairs Customer Service Is

Andrew Hodges

Great reputation, but sort of a tourist trap vibe. Overpriced, slow service, better than average food. Probably one and done.

Lisa Kim

We tried the waffle with catfish and the smothered chicken with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes at Amy Ruth’s. The food was flavorful and satisfying, and the waitstaff were friendly and attentive. However, the experience was dampened by an unpleasant smell on the floor, which reminded us of a toilet. It was a bit off-putting and detracted from an otherwise enjoyable meal. They might be doing renovations.

+6

FIVE STARS FOR SHARMAINE. Sharmaine was friendly and patient. She truly treated me as a guest. Unfortunately, back of house was another thing altogether. I ordered the pork rib/fried …

It pains me to write this, but it needs to be said. My daughter and I have been coming to Amy Ruth’s every Thanksgiving for six years. We made the trip when we lived on Staten Island and we continued to come even after moving to Westchester. There used to be a line out the door, and we’d gladly wait an hour or more because the food was worth it. This year was different. When we arrived, the crowd fit inside the restaurant. No line outside. Maybe the new downtown location spread people out, or maybe it was a sign of what we were about to experience. We were lucky to have a server greet us within ten minutes. Other tables waited twenty minutes just to get water, and one guest even went to get drinks himself. When our server finally came, we learned they were already out of potato salad, collard greens, and other staples. It wasn’t even 5 p.m. yet. Later after we had our food, we heard them telling other patrons they ran out of candied yams and peach cobbler. Peach cobbler is one of 2 dessert choices that is supposed to be included with the $46 Thanksgiving menu. All of these issues represent poor planning for a holiday service. We waited about 45 minutes to an hour for our food to get to us. The fried shrimp and mac and cheese were solid, but the rest missed the mark. The yams we received were plain yams with barely any sugar, spice, or vanilla . The fried okra was salty. The cabbage and turkey were just okay. The cornbread stuffing wasn’t stuffing at all. It was dry crumbled cornbread with a hint of cream of mushroom, tucked under the turkey like we wouldn’t notice. They later found peach cobbler for me after they said they ran out, but it was cold like it came straight from a refrigerator, not the freshly made dessert I'm expecting. If we weren’t longtime customers, maybe we wouldn’t have recognized the decline. But we know what the food at Amy Ruth’s used to taste like. I don’t know if this is a sign the Harlem location is quietly being deprioritized in favor of downtown, but the difference was obvious. Our bill was $112 before tip for two people, and nothing on that plate gave the southern soul food experience we’ve driven over an hour for every year. The line that used to stretch down the block wasn’t there for a reason. Sadly, Thanksgiving 2025 marks the end of our tradition of coming to Amy Ruth’s for dinner.

We celebrated a successful gymnastics competition in Harlem with a visit to Amy Ruth's! 😋 Customer service was top-notch, and the food was flavorful - loved the cornbread and my chicken and waffles. However, my daughter had a rough go with the beef ribs (sour taste, ended up throwing up). Sides were hot and fresh, but suspect the ribs might've been off. Thankfully, she's recovering after 24 hours of rest. Appreciated the hospitality and congratulatory vibes 🏆. Not sure if we'll be back, but glad we got to try it.

I'malwayssunnyevenwhenitrains

Somebody burnt the cornbread Visited on christmas eve. Loved all the artists/famous contributions to our culture. Great old school music was playing but it was so low i could barely hear it and couldnt get into the vibe. This was a huge reason why the atsmophere was rated so low. I forgot the names of the order because this restaurant has a unique way to advertise what it sells. Everything is associated with a famous person. The green beans i ordered were mushy and obviously canned. They didnt offer butter with the cornbread but that didnt really matter since it was severly overcooked anyway. It was a very disappointing experience, but i still had a great time with my boyfriend. I ordered some glazed chicken that was good but mostly bones. He orded whiting that had no flavor to me. He put hotsauce on it. We just joked about the food and talked about the famous people painted on the walls. Maybe in its heyday it was awesome, but now its just sad.

Salmon was Dry (NO SAUCE) as it states , Mac & Cheese (NASTY) as was other sides...\nCatfish wasn't cooked right , Shrimp was overcooked & crab cake was black & hard...ALL OF $80 very disappointed NE…

salmon was Dry (NO sauce) as it states , Mac & Cheese (NASTY) as was other sides...\nCatfish wasn't cooked right , shrimp was overcooked & crab cake was black & hard...ALL OF $80 very dis…

salmon was Dry (NO SAUCE) as it states , Mac & Cheese (NASTY) as was other sides...\nCatfish wasn't cooked right , shrimp was overcooked & crab cake was black & hard...ALL OF $80 very disappointe…

0/10. we waited for 4 whole hours !!! very unprofessional. wouldn't recommend going to. they ran out of half of what was on the menu. to be specific the Mac and Cheese , String beans , Rice , Turke…

EEEEEEYUCK! I spent $130 and regret it so bad. Our first day in New York and six of us ate at Amy Ruth's Downtown. I had the fried catfish, macaroni and collard greens. It was the nastiest soul f…

They feel wayyyyy off the cliff! This used to be the spot! No more. Food is mediocre, one young man did not speak English, the place no longer has that "at home" ambience. Waitresses were nice thou…

Some friends and I visited on the 3rd there was no ambiance the man that seated us was rude it took forever to get our food and the food was just mediocre . Will not go there again. The restaurant wa…

Some friends and I visited on the 3rd there was no ambiance the man that seated us was rude it took forever to get our food and the food was just mediocre . Will not go there again. The restauran…

Some friends and I visited on the 3rd there was no ambiance the man that seated us was rude it took forever to get our food and the food was just mediocre . Will not go there again. The restaurant …

ate here & the music & ambience is great but the food isn't. i actually ended up with food poisoning 8 hours after i finished eating from here. one & done for me.

Slop food. Being a Southern bell, I lean into finding soul food places serving up traditional soulful delicacies as it reminds me of home. I ordered this plate of meatloaf with fried okra and I was utterly disgusted in the quality. I ended up throwing it in the trash. Meatloaf is supposed to be made with real ground beef. Instead, the meatloaf was made with artificial processed meat, similar to what you find in McDonald's and White Castle burgers. I've ordered the fried chicken wings plate and the wings taste like hormone infested wings from the Chinese restaurant. No seasoning, no crisp, just plain dry fried meat. They should be ashamed of themselves.

I’ve eaten here before and had a good experience, but today was disappointing. The mac and cheese wasn’t fresh and had a baby-food texture, and the collards were overly minced and tasted canned. Unfortunately, this experience makes it unlikely I’ll return.

This food was disgusting. The fish was so hard and tasted fishy. The cornbread was hard and tasted how mothballs smell. I also had fried okra and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was the best thing we ordered. My husband had Turkey wings with collard greens and potato salad. The potato salad has so much relish it was like eating the bottle. I would never go there again. $50 worth of garbage. Don’t even waste your time going.

I went to Amy Ruth’s in Harlem today. A young man named Ethan took my order. When I got home the order was WRONG. When I called the restaurant to inform him about it, he aid it wasn’t his fault and blamed the kitchen staff. I asked to speak to a manager and he said he wasn’t there. On top of me being stuck with the food, it was TRASH. The smothered pork chops were tough t eat, the Mac and cheese was dry and the collard greens had absolutely no flavor. Not sure if the restaurant has new owners or just new cooks but they have to do better. The food is not cheap so as a returning customer I shouldn’t have had to deaj with this.

I stopped in today to get some Turkey Wings. I didn’t enjoy it. I had smothered Turkey Wings with Mac and cheese and corn. I ordered corn on the cob but I got canned corn yuck. The wings were not seasoned just bland and even the Mac and cheese tasted like leftovers. The cornbread was hard. I would not recommend this place as a person from the South, just tasteless ✌🏾

This place is not one my favorite places to be anymore. I order the chicken and waffle and the waffle was horrible. I couldn’t eat it. I showed the male waiter, who is sweet by the way the waffle and how it’s wasn’t good to taste and I asked if they can adjust the price since I already ate the fried chicken. Manager basically said it cannot work and this was order after 8PM. The waiter was great but the manager is horrible for not understanding what was served to me. I will not offer my money and time ever again. No stars