Stepping into Home Sweet Harlem for brunch felt like stepping into a time machine. The aromas wafting from the kitchen instantly transported me back to my childhood in the Deep South. With the first bite of the salmon croquettes, a flood of warm memories washed over me: family cookouts filled with laughter, those long Sunday brunches after church, and the competitive spirit of spades games with my cousins and uncles. It wasn't just the delicious food that nourished my soul, it was the entire experience. The service was impeccable – our wait staff treated us like cherished guests, anticipating our needs and making us feel right at home. And the best part? We didn't have to wait for a table! If you're looking for authentic Southern comfort food served with genuine hospitality, Home Sweet Harlem is a must-visit.

The owner Donna/Home Sweet Harlem is phenomenal! From the moment of inquiry, Donna was responsive, very accommodating and flexible. Donna catered our office lunch for 80 people. Her and her staff were on time, professional and they did set up and break down and took care of all of the cleaning. The food was great, still warm and that chocolate cake was amazing! Definitely 10/10 recommend!

Wow! Visiting from LA and wanted some good brunch on our visit to Harlem. I’m so glad we found this spot because omg the food was great. The environment was so chill and comfortable. Tay made the visit that much better by offering recommendations and checking in on us. Brunch was Tay fun and would love to visit with him again. 🥹

This place is a little low key spot in the middle of the block on Amsterdam Ave. I am so thankful that I found it. This is my new go to brunch place- hands-down best grits with shrimp. Staff so kind, food delicious, atmosphere chill- everything spot on. My shrimp with grits and biscuit and eggs were delicious. I ate everything on my plate. My son got the fried chicken and waffles and he said it was the best waffles and chicken he ever had. Fresh soul food- It’s the real deal.! My only regret is that I didn’t find this gem sooner. If you’re reading this - go visit for brunch or lunch - food is delicious. Literally, I cannot wait to go back.

A MUST VISIT if you're ever in Harlem - a True Harlem staple. This was my second time stopping in for brunch and it did not disappoint! The portion sizes are beyond generous and the prices are fair. Both times I went, I ordered the homestyle breakfast - its SO good. The service and ambiance was great and I even got to chat with the owner, Bonnie, who is an absolute gem. You can really see how much love and care she puts in.

My mom and I accidentally stumbled upon this place and it was the best mistake we could have made. This is a nice, stress free brunch joint that has amazing food. My chicken and waffles were amazing. All the flavors blended well, and the food textures were just 😩. The staff were very kind and showed great hospitality towards me and my mom. Definitely 10/10 recommend to whoever wants to find an amazing brunch spot. This is a true hidden gem of New York!

Such a great experience! My mom and I enjoyed a nice lunch on a Sunday and it’s safe to say we’ll be back every time we come to Harlem!

As a Brooklynite, Home Sweet Harlem is amazing. I held my corporate event here and the food, hospitals ambiance was EXCELLENT

I visited Home Sweet, Harlem for my birthday trip from Louisiana and I loved it! It was a great experience. The service was quick; staff was very nice; owner was a sweetheart. The food was delicious. 5 Star for sure!!

A beautiful place with great company. Delicious food that is affordable. 10 out of 10 will recommend.

Came with friends and luggage for breakfast. They were so accommodating with no reservation. The people here make you feel so totally welcomed, its like you're visiting family. I would absolutely recommend this place. Food was delightful.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Home Sweet Harlem catering for a repast, and I am thrilled to share my wonderful experience. Not only did they provide delicious soul food, but they also delivered everything on time and in a professional manner. And the best part? They were surprisingly budget-friendly. Right from the beginning, the owner, Donna, showed care and dedication during a sensitive time as well as delivering excellent service. During the initial consultation, she listened attentively to our needs and worked with us to create a customized menu that fit within our budget. She made the entire planning process stress-free and enjoyable. On the day of the repast, the staff arrived promptly and set up the serving station. Now, let's talk about the food - it was absolutely outstanding. The soul food dishes were fresh, hot and cooked to perfection, with flavors that everyone raved about. From the classic southern fried chicken to the delectable mac and cheese, every dish was a delightful treat. But the stand out were the savory collard greens! Several of the guests called me afterwards to find out who cooked them! Overall, I cannot recommend Home Sweet Harlem enough to cater your next event. Their delicious soul food, professional service, and budget-friendly approach make them a standout choice. Home Sweet Harlem is a gem that you don't want to miss.

Hadn't had occasion to dine at Home Sweet Harlem in almost 10 years but last Sunday's impromptu brunch with a friend did not disappoint! Everything was delicious and exactly as I remembered especially the biscuits ... a bit crispy on the outside, but soft and warm on the inside. The owner, Donna, stopped by our table to chat making it feel like we had stepped into her home. Great experience! Let's spread the word and solicit this business. Keep HSH crowded! It's a Harlem gem!

The workers are the sweetest and most welcoming, the place truly feels like you’re at home. The chicken and waffles were so delicious. Definitely will be coming back😊

Home Sweet Harlem is a Sunday brunch must (and any other mealbas well). Even before you are seated, Donna makes you feel family! 3 words... Fish&Grits!!!!

Home Sweet Harlem is a small gem that is centered in the heart of Harlem right by City College. Its a quaint restaurant with a wait staff who are attentive and very friendly. Matthew was awesome!! We even talked to the owner who is really lovely. I recommend you order extra biscuits with your meal too (they’re made from scratch). I ordered the shrimp, grits, scrambled eggs & Turkey bacon. Delish!

This was definitely money well spent on a meal. The service was great and the food was absolutely delicious. Freshly made, tasty & the prices were reasonable. I'm very persnickety when it comes to restaurants & eating out but I would go back. My compliments to the chef.

The food was great excellent customer service.

Miguel was amazing ... Needs a raise. Atmosphere is very chill calm Wish there was alcohol but very much not needed .... Buzzed from vibes alone

"Too good to eat with a fork!" -Izzy on the Chicken & Waffles "Best brunch place in Harlem" - Alec

We were greeted by a wonderful young lady. The wonderful atmosphere was a welcome to the many other places where don't even look at you. The food was exceptional. High quality ingredients and presented by loving hands. We got to meet the owner and Chef Donna. Thank you Donna your touch of home. I will be retruning!!!

The food and service is very good. The cafe atmosphere is very open and calming. I am never disappointed when I visit this cafe.

+3

My party was quickly seated and attend to. Everything tasted amazing. Lovely atmosphere. Can't wait to come back!

+6

GET THE PANCAKES. They are by the best! So fluffy and delicate I do not know how they do it. They are always so friendly and kind in the restaurant as well. Next time you are in the area stop by for a lovely time :)

What I thought was going to be a normal brunch experience was anything but in all the best ways. The shrimp frittata was absolutely delightful. The service was exceptional and the best parts came afterward when the owner came out and personally checked on our experience and without being invasive engaged in conversation that is unparalleled in New York City dining. It was truly a homestyle meal in the in heart of Harlem that left me truly dumbfounded. In twenty years I’ve never experienced anything like this before. As if the service couldn’t get better at this point, I left my credit card at the restaurant. The restaurant added the personal touch to track me down the very next day and reached out to ensure that I was taken care. A great meal. A thankful heart. Good vibes. All the things I’m looking for from a neighborhood spot with delicious food and good service.

Food was delicious and EVERYTHING is made from scratch. That being said be patient with the wait. The owner Donna was amazing and came out to greet us. She is also the head cook and makes some of the best biscuits I have ever tasted. Definitely would recommend.

The service is great, the food is superb! Not overly crowded nor is there a long wait! This is my second time here and the food is just as amazing as the first time I came with a party of 10! The prices are very reasonable (not expensive for such quality food). The Chef is AMAA-ZINGG and very accommodating. He personally comes to the table to make sure everything is up to par! I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! (and I'm a very picky eater)😆🤗👏👏👏👏

Delicious food and amazing staff. It was decided last minute to come from Queens to Harlem for a New Year’s brunch and it was a great choice! Awesome way to start the year! Our waiter was lovely and so cheerful as the rest of the staff! Food was absolutely delicious! Thank you for making our first day of the year so special! We will definitely comeback!!

I hardly ever write reviews but I just have to say....... the shrimp and grits and the fish and grits are really good. I enjoyed the decor as well... Hands down an awesome experience 🙌🏽

I brought my mom here for her birthday 4 yrs ago..and the staff and food were absolutely amazing..I wanted to bring her back again but she's not able to move around like she wants to anymore..I want to order her some breakfast tomorrow but I don't see her fav on the breakfast menu...I'll be calling ❤️

Loved this establishment. The decor lifts you out of nyc and transfers you to an island, Bermuda perhaps. The food is exquisite!

My mom and I stopped by for Saturday brunch after exploring Hamilton Grange, and we loved it! Everything from the delicious food, to friendly service, to homey decor - it was a perfect place to spend the afternoon together :)

+1

It was my first time going go to this comfortable eatery. The staff was exceptionally friendly, very hospitable and constantly always checking in to see if I was okay or needed anything. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the shrimp and grits. The presentation was beautiful and the scenery was very cozy

their hospatality was great the owner was very kind treated me and my family with lots respect. she was very accomadating, making sure our expirence was overall great. she had a excekllent attention to detail and was very caring overall.

I found myself thinking about this food days later. This restaurant creates dishes with notable refinement. The staff maintains reliable customer care. Though compact, Home Sweet Harlem provides a clean and cozy experience. This spot is worth the visit - I'm glad I discovered it.

This place is very inviting inside and the owner is friendly. Their menu is full of delicious, flavorful, fairly healthy dishes. The menu is fairly gluten allergy friendly, free from red meat and pork. They have a very nice juice/smoothie menu also. Great for any meal, a quick bite, and a drink to go.

+1

As you can see its all gone. Superb meal. We are visiting from Atlanta Ga and we ordered the fish and grits (full)with a side shrimp and potatoes. The shrimp and grits are their number one seller for a reason. The flavors were crazy good. The chef came spoke to us, and even shared with the family story and it connection to how she cook a the shrimp sauce. the staff was attentive and made sure were served well our enitire visit. We will definitely come back!

Exceptional customer service. Owner was nice. The server was accommodating and professional. I felt welcomed and like eating at home. I recommend to any one visiting to check out this one of kind restaurant.

Hosted a baby shower brunch this past weekend. It was classy, great service and the food was really good. The owner Donna is a sweetheart! To say i felt at home is an understatement. I will be going back for brunch/lunch really soon!

Shrimp & Grits was amazing. I would’ve posted a pic, but my plate was finished before putting this review LOL. Ms. Donna is fantastic, she’s very generous and such a sweetheart. The space is intimate and calm. Will definitely come back.

Loved it here! What a treat! Home Sweet Harlem is very cute, has great service, and delicious food! I had the shrimp and grits which was great. The biscuits are extra extra amazing. Everyone was very kind and friendly as well. I can't wait to come back!

The food was Great. The atmosphere was small but great you should give Miguel a raise he is great at his job.

First of all the food is great, the service is warm and welcoming and the drinks are just right. What else do you need to know?!? It is a good weekend brunch spot for friends and families alike. It has the all important one-hour bottomless mimosas and Bellinis that we go to brunch for. It’s been written up in Oprah magazine with a shout out from Gayle King. The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxed, it’s not crowded, there wasn’t any wait when I went and we did not feel rushed (5 hour brunch anyone?). Love this place will definitely be coming back. It was great to see Donna and the staff again since her original spot on 135th street and Frederick Douglass BLVD in Central Harlem closed. I remember spending hours reading and studying in that window seat. Back then it was the one and only healthy eat-in restaurant in Harlem at the time. Great to see Home Sweet Harlem back and better than ever!

True home cooked meal. Felt like my grandma's house. Well seasoned, soul food. Excellent attentive service

Was invited for a brunch on a Sunday and it was very pleasant. Owner tends her business like her home. Very nice comfy restaurant, great for Harlem. Food is tasty too but it felt like I waited forever to get some coffee and a sandwich that would've taken 5 minutes at a deli.

Nice spot, very good food, nice vibe. . I have been here a few times for the shrimp and grits but this weekend I mixed it up a little and had the grits and fried fish with two eggs over easy and it was probably the best brunch I’ve had all year . Fish was Crispy outside moist flaky inside. Grits creamy, but not mushy with a fat pat of salted butter. Flaky biscuit Husband had the shrimp in tomato and garlic sauce also good. We are too fast to take pictures of the food. So we will be back. After we checked out Hamilton Terrace and the Grange a.k.a. Alexander Hamilton’s summer home (free! Run by the national park service ) all in all a really nice afternoon.

Meep Cheese

The grilled cheese and chicken soup were fantastic. Service was of course was great as always. Thank you, Donna and the staff!

Nyakio

We arrived at the restaurant before it opened, but they let us in. The staff was amazing! The shrimp and grits were very flavorful as well as the fried fish and grits. The salmon cakes hit the spot. The decor makes you feel at home. It is warm and inviting.

Danny santander

Great food great service and amazing playlist . No complaints can't wait to go back .

Jane Clinger

Home Sweet Harlem catered a community Thanksgiving for the non-profit where I work and I only have positive things to say!! We were blown away by how delicious every part of the meal was (and there were no shortage of parts to the meal!!). Dark meat, light meat, cornbread stuffing, collard greens, green beans, candied yams, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, apple pie.... The list goes on! And all of it was SO good! We were very impressed, especially since we needed 100 meals. Donna was so wonderful to work with- easy to communicate with and put a lot of care into making sure we were well taken care of. Our whole community has requested we get catering from HSH again next year and it seems like the obvious choice to me. We definitely will be back! Highly recommend for your catering needs!!

Chung Lee

Thank you Donna! The catering that you provided for my son's party was out of this world!!! The fried chicken was so juicy and tasty. My mistake was not ordering enough... The salmon was a hot. I couldn't recommend enough! I can't wait to try the chicken sausages as everyone raves about them too. Great staple to the neighborhood.

Casey Mayfield

Excellent everything. I have no pictures because I was too busy eating. Everyone is so friendly and accommodating. Specific standouts are the turkey sausage and the hot sauce, but our entire table was enjoying everything that we ordered.

CISA MACK

I just love it here at Home Sweet Harlem (HSH). My mom loved the food too. She was 89 when she passed this year. The owner Donna was so gracious and allowed us to have the repass at HSH. It was such a warm and familiar space and I know my mom was smiling as we ate all her favorites. What a lovely tribute and everyone really enjoyed the food.

Kadriye Buyuk

Me and my husband hosted our wedding reception at home Sweet Harlem. We love that we got the warm feeling of home and love when we walked into the space. Plus the aesthetic in that space is so nostalgic, black and powerful. It was very fitting for us as a Renaissance couple. Donna is such a wonderful person and her staff have great costumer service. I suggest y’all book your next event at home sweet Harlem God bless this lucrative business🙏🏾😘🌻

Sebastian

Sundays are our pancake days! And today I have discovered this place, which made my Sunday more memorable. Pancakes were soft, the chicken was properly seasoned and the addition of strawberries and syrup was amazing! Something that I like was not only the cozy vibes but the staff!! They adjusted my order however I wanted and gave me and extra pancake!! They are really social and charming, I’ll be coming back for sure! Please give a try to the chicken and cakes!!

Jenna Mayfield

Awesome place! Amazing food with a cozy atmosphere. The food was phenomenal- I had an omelet with grits and a biscuit, all of which was perfect. I went with a party of 7 people and they said the chicken sausages were delicious. I also have to note that their hot sauce was super tasty. All the staff is lovely and welcoming. Highly recommend coming here!

Natesha Felton

Home Sweet Harlem holds a special place in my heart. I wanted the perfect venue to host my best friend’s Baby Shower and since we are Harlem natives, it was serendipitous that we found a place that took us back to our roots. We were able to rent the entire venue after hours on a Saturday and Ms. Donna and her staff were absolutely excellent! We had a full buffet brunch menu, complete with chicken, fish, shrimp, sausage, waffles, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, assorted drinks etc.- the entire spread was excellent. From the onset of the first call Ms. Donna was accommodating and organized. We discussed the seating capacity, the desired menu items, and add-ons. Prior to the event my sister and I went to brunch and sampled the menu in person. The food was so good that we decided to add on items! Ms. Donna had great communication via phone and email, which made for a very smooth event. On the day of the Baby Shower we were greeted by her staff and graciously allowed to enter early for the balloon artist to begin decorating. Her staff pre-arranged the tables to my specifications and cleaned and mopped as we were setting up to ensure that no unsightly florals were on the ground during the set-up process. We greatly appreciated the use her sound system to play our curated playlist as it saved us on musician/DJ fees. Her staff provided individualized drink service throughout the event and everyone noted how personable and kind they were-shout out to Tay, William, and Julian- you are jewels! The buffet was well organized and was served table by table for efficiency. I appreciate that she allowed outside food and beverage to compliment the included food package, and she even provided to-go containers for the remaining cupcakes for the guests to take. Having attended Home Sweet Harlem for both brunch and hosting for a catered event, I can attest that your experience will be top notch. At Home Sweet Harlem we truly felt at home and will be returning “home” very soon!

+5

LaBaeNa LLC

I walked in and the name of this restaurant really lives up to its name! I really felt as if I went to Harlem and was in someone’s home eating brunch haha! My mom and I walked in and was welcomed by our waiter Tay who was very attentive and delivered amazing service the entire time. We asked for a specific meal we saw on their Instagram page, and said we wanted “that exact picture”! LET ME TELL YA’ll!!!!! The chef/owner did not disappoint! The food was flavorful and cooked to perfection. We got exactly what we asked for, and was very satisfied after our meal. She did what needed to be done & I highly recommend trying this brunch spot if you’re in Harlem! You won’t be disappointed!!

sophonia freeman

This place food was AMAZING!! Me and my daughter stumbled pass here. Everything taste homemade like your mom/aunt/grandma was in the kitchen. The orange juice was fresh squeezed whipped cream homemade. Just goodness! Our server was very nice. Donna(I think that was her name) was sooo sweet. She is the owner and is the one in the kitchen cooking. She talked to us for a few. If you're in the area you should stop by.

Haley Holmes

Miguel was incredible. So kind, welcoming, and truly made us feel at home. As a Southerner, I’m suuuper picky about my shrimp and grits, and these were top notch. Same goes for the biscuit and you should snag one to go. Our turkey bacon wasn’t too crispy, griddle cakes reminiscent of waffle house, and the music (whoever was on aux⚡️) made our first perfect. Thank you for a great start to our weekend <3

Klavar

Very welcoming Staff, Food is top tier my new favorite breakfast spot. I got the Chicken and waffles with a Side of Grits. I haven’t had Grits in 10 yrs and this place made the wait so worth it, Great amount of salt and butter. The Waffles were fluffy and savory.

S C

Home Sweet Harlem is a wonderful place for gatherings. Last Friday, we used this hidden gem space for a wedding reception. The owner, Donna, and her staff were very helpful and kind. The space fit the theme of the wedding reception. The restaurant was clean and spacious family and friends were comfortable and delighted with the decor of the space. The restaurant is very accessible. I highly recommend this space for various events. And I will be sure to go back in the near future. Thank you so much, Donna and your great staff, for the amazing hospitality and for making our event memorable and beautiful at your restaurant.

Lovely homey vibe and atmosphere. Our server Kat was amazing, and constantly checked in on us, making our experience even greater! The food was fresh, served hot, I can tell the chef took their time. Catfish & grits was really good and well seasoned. The chicken was a bit small but still packed flavor. I will definitely be back!

Tanya Whitaker

The atmosphere, the food and the service was amazing. Kat was lovely very attentive and pleasant. My husband and I was able to have a friendly conversation with the chef and owner which made us feel at home. We will definitely be back again.

It was my birthday and bc my bf knew the waiter personally his customer service was on point. They have a lunch and dinner menu. Unlimited drinks $15-20 extra if u order something from the lunch menu whether $15 or $24 dish.

Comfortable and low-key the food is excellent and the staff are super friendly. The cooks really try to please everyone so I would recommend is you want southern comfort food with a twist. It's a small place but not crowded and brunch is excellent.

Entering this restaurant you could immediately tell you were going to get a nice home atmosphere. It was empty for a Sunday but that was probably because college was out, this place is very close to city college. Me and my friend sat down and admired the exposed brick and plants the had in the space. We then ordered our food. I ended up getting the chicken and waffle plate. When my food came out I was happy about the portion I had received! The waffle was delicious, the chicken left more to be desired. The plate also came with 2 eggs and your choice of meat, I got the turkey sausage. To tell you the truth the meal could have done without the chicken and would have been perfect. The price for the two meals was good and wouldn't break anyone's wallet. I definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting to eat in a homie atmosphere.

My brother and I was in town to attend a funeral and was in need of some food lol. I looked up restaurants and this one came up. The restaurant is small and quaint. The antique furniture was a nice touch. I ordered fish and grits and the fish was delicious! I also loved the biscuits so much that I ordered another. As a chef/baker/foodie I can appreciate a good biscuit and delicious food period. The owner was so nice to us. She came out and chatted with us for a while. We will be going back

Stopped by on a Sunday for brunch and we were literally the only ones there. We were quickly sat and able to order. I ordered the shrimp and grits full. This came with sautéed shrimp over grits, a salmon croquette, 2 eggs, a biscuit, and fresh squeezed orange juice. Everything was really tasty, I just wish the sauce for the shrimp didn’t have so many tomatoes in it. My friends and I also shared an order of the Challah French Toast and I was not a fan at all. If you like crunchy French toast then this is the dish for you. If you’re like me and like it soft, I would recommend asking for it to be prepared soft or just skipping it altogether. Also, when we were ready to leave we were one of 3 occupied tables and our server went missing for a long time. We eventually had to just go stand at the bar and wait to check out. I wish the server was more attentive during our visit. Besides this small issue, I do think this place is worth trying.

+2

The food was pretty lovely and delicious! However service was a bit slow (although it was July 4th weekend, there were only 2 tables of customers, including us) and I saw a cockroach on the restaurants corner. It was disturbing, but other than that I liked the place. Mixture of old and new. Foot was great!

Home Sweet Harlem definitely has a homey vibe, and so does the food. If you don't feel like cooking and want to grab a bite, this is a great place. However, for the price you pay, the last thing I want is just a home-cooked meal, which was the biggest issue. For just two people, the total cost came to a whopping $75, with each of us having only one meal. Here is the run down on my food and experience. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal, which came with three sides: a salmon croquette, two eggs, and a biscuit. 1. Lumpy Grits: Although the flavor of the grits was great, they were lumpy. Some of the lumps were so large that the centers were practically uncooked, which was disappointing. The salmon croquette had great flavor but was made from canned salmon with the soft bones still inside. It was also a bit dry. 2. Biscuit: The biscuit was flat with the consistency of an overdone scone. 3. Eggs: The eggs were cooked to perfection! Yum! 4. Shrimp: The shrimp was precooked frozen shrimp so it distracted from the delicious sauce that it was in. 5. Service: The super-friendly staff made the subpar food experience worth the visit. GG was especially sweet and attentive. There was a very long wait, which was hard to bear since there was only one other party, and they had already finished their food. Maybe they should serve something while people wait. 6. Atmosphere: The atmosphere had a grandma’s house vibe, which added to its charm. However, due to the summer heat and low air conditioning, the doors were kept open, which allowed some flies in. My husband had no issues with his food but agreed it was not worth what we paid. All of the cons could have easily been overlooked at a diner or somewhere where high-quality food is not expected. But with a final sticker price of $85.00, which included a mandatory 7% tip for parties of over one, Home Sweet Harlem cannot get a pass on lumpy grits no matter how wonderful the staff is.

Food was ok. Restaurant is NOT accessible. A wooden ramp that the bar boy brings out upon request, that does not meet the door threshold is NOT accessible and clearly does not meet code. Funny the apartment building next door has a ramp, which we first hought was the restaurant entrance. The entrance to the restaurant is accessed by a very high step. Family members with canes, found the entrance challenging as there is no handrail. It is unfortunate that businesses do not take accessibility seriously. I don't take any pleasure in writing this review but a perfectly good day can be ruined when a member of your party in a wheel chair is humiliated because they can not gain access to an eating establishment.

I walked very far to get here. Lover of all things soul food have tried several places in the area. I was excited to try this one out. Menu only via QR code on phone. Sorry but no phone today so I didn't get the pleasure of seeing what they had ...or the prices. Ordered a basic breakfast Grand Slam style and the waitress said $50 for everything. NO, so I cut out one or two items to make it $34 and it was still a rip job IMO. They also charge a service charge. Bottom line is food looked good and yes my egg white omelette was decent but for $34 I left hungry. I had to go from here and actually find myself more food to fill up. The meal before left me wanting. Found Harlem Breakfast Club on Adam Clayton for $13 and had a great bkfst there. Food coming out looked good and the waitress was very nice. Sorry to not tip but I had to use that money to buy bkfst since $34 didn't cover it and that was WITHOUT a tip. That's just crazy in this economy. I won't be returning here.

Went there for lunch a few weeks ago. The owner was very friendly, but the guy behind the bar had a very bad attitude, and not friendly at all. The food was okay.

Delicious pancakes🤌🏽, chef’s recipe! 😋 Not a perfect experience, but at least the pancakes were AMAZING 🤤 !!!

I visited this restaurant for the first time this weekend hoping to find a new breakfast place in the area. The food was decent and the place was fine, but unfortunately the service is what made me give 3 stars. We sat ourselves at the table, and it took about 15-20 minutes for our drink order to be taken. About another 20 minutes went by with no water, and I had to get up and ask for it myself. We waited about an hour for our food and were even asked by the server if he had already taken our food order. The server was nice, but never came to the table unless we flagged him down, even for water refills. There is also a service charge regardless of the party size. Overall, the service is what ruined my experience here which is disappointing.

Food: 3 Service: 2 Atmosphere: 2.5 Party of 2 sat for brunch. Our server was also working the front counter. After 15 minutes, we had to walk up to them to ASK for water, which was lukewarm, and again for refills. A party of 6 that came in shortly after us received ice-cold water immediately. The wait for the food (chicken + waffles & frittata) was an additional 25+ minutes, during which time no other food was brought to the other tables ahead of us, and few tables even had food. Our server at one point even asked if we had ordered yet, even though we ordered with them. The food was average at best, and the kitchen seemed small, considering that party of 6 still didn't get any food or drink by the time we left (nearly an hour later). I'm sure my fellow reviewers received better food and service, but I cannot recommend this place. Edit: There was also a 9% service charge for "parties of 1 or larger".

I was happy and surprised to find the restaurant practically empty save for 2 tables (one finished and one still eating). My disappointment started immediately when 2 or 3 staff people passed by (one young man came by twice with his hands up as though he was scrubbed in to perform surgery) a time or 2 without acknowledging us in any way. After about 5 minutes a young lady asked for our vaccine verification and instructed us to seat ourselves. The young lady took our drink order and quickly brought the water and told us to use the QR code for the menu. About 5 minutes after getting the water, 2 gentlemen sat themselves (prior to showing proof of vaccination) and left about 10 minutes later when no one had come to their table. A few minutes later we heard someone say, "they left?". we let another 5 - 10 minutes pass before reminding the staff that we were still waiting to place an order. A nice young lady finally took our order and 20 minutes later we still had no food nor had anyone checked on us which would be easy as we were still the only people in the restaurant. I did notice LOTS of delivery drivers come and go as we waited for our food. About 5 minutes after asking for our food a young man came to say, "we just waiting for the biscuits to come out of the oven". Remember, THERE ARE NO OTHER CUSTOMERS IN THE RESTAURANT. There's more but I'm tired. The food was good except for the scrambled eggs I ordered without cheese that came with cheese and inedible (see photo). I tried to tell the young man that if we were told upfront that even though the place was empty, we would not get food for an hour we could have made an informed decision to come another time or be prepared for the wait. I also mentioned that they should have comped us the salmon cake appetizer ($6) we ordered as a gesture of good will. Unfortunately, as it stands now this is a place I don't want to return to or recommend.

Okay so it was empty which is a red flag 🚩 because NYC brunch is a whole vibe. We actually leaving to head over to Amy Ruth’s and we not coming back no more. The food some parts are undercooked some are burnt. The grits had no taste, the fish burnt, potatoes burnt. They took 20% off and the waiter said “stuff happens” we good on here. If you want to play Russian roulette with your food come here.

Toni Fuller

A cute cozy spot in west Harlem, the food was tasty, but the service was terrible. First, they didn’t have any menus or a QR code and the server didn’t tell me until they came to take my order and asked for the menu. So I had to pull up the website menu myself (not a big deal, but would’ve been nice to know right when I sat down). Then, when I was ready to order the server let me know they had a catering order they were trying to finish and weren’t completing restaurant orders until that was done. Expected 10-20 min wait. I said ok and asked if they could bring me some toast (easy enough to get out in the middle of a big order) as I was in the verge of hangry. Toast never came, but it showed up on my check later. 🙄 The food eventually came, but I still did not have my coffee. The server did bring it upon asking when the food was dropped and they did come around to ask how it was pretty quickly after. But that was the last I really saw of them at my table the whole time I was there. When I finished eating, I waited almost 10 minutes to ask for a box, check, and to go cup for my coffee (it was too hot to drink, so I barely had any of it). The box and cup never came, and the check came but it was the wrong one. When she brought the correct one, the toast I ordered and never got was on there. I waited for her to come back to adjust but didn’t wait long bc at that point I was tired of waiting so I went up to the counter. She gave a $5 discount (for the cost of the toast), but did not remove the toast from the ticket, so I’m pretty sure I still paid sales tax on it. And there was a 9% service charge that was not disclosed ahead of time. I have no idea what it was for. I’m disappointed bc it’s a cute spot and the food was good, plus it’s walking distance from my new place, but I doubt I’ll be back with service that terrible.

Pamela Nanton

Very sad about this place Really was hoping after the long walk this black owned restaurant was good. She took our order. And she repeated out order. And she brought the wrong dish to my husband. She should have stopped it from the kitchen and knew that he wanted shrimp and not fish. And his fish had some uncooked parts. No AC! It was so hot in here even with the ceiling fans. Our table was wobbly and had an uneven table top. The chef came out way late after the incorrect order and the raw fish. She should have come out much earlier to address the issue. Oh and the chicken sausage does not look good at all.

I would not recommend this restaurant if you value your time. I came in on a Sunday morning. There were only two tables occupied so not busy at all. One table was at the end of their meal and the other was a single woman who had not yet ordered. I placed my order with the server very quickly but I don’t know if she actually put it in. I waited 45 minutes (during my wait the other woman got her food, ate her food, paid her check, used the bathroom and left and I stilllllll had no food) when my food had still not arrived I ultimately left because the way they handled the situation was incompetent. I asked to speak to the owner to give feedback about operational failures but was told the owner was also the cook and she was busy cooking. (At that point a 4 top came in while I was still waiting so maybe she was cooking for them and couldn’t be bothered) Maybe hire a cook so you can manage the establishment? No clear communication was given through the server about whether she was going to come up and talk to me or not. She either did not care, or the servers were not relaying the situation clearly to her. Either way this is why everyone has a job to do and different people need to be doing them. The restaurant also had a very odd smell and seemed neglected in terms of cleanliness. I won’t be back. Sad bc I live two blocks away. Zero stars.

No Beef or Pork sold. I asked for ice for my O.J. they said they don't have ice. Lady had the audacity to say who puts ice in O.J. I asked for a straw and she said they ran out of them. Waitress had an attitude. I wouldn't eat here again. And who puts lettuce on grits? They wanna be upscale but ghetto as hell and the food wasn't bad considering what they don't serve. But never again.

I won’t say I will recommend this restaurant to anyone nor return for them to change my mind. I was totally bewildered when my wife and I ordered Fish and Grits full brunch meal. Each plates returned with 3 fried Gorton Fish Fillets and lumpy grits and a salmon crochet. I should have asked if the fish was Whiting or Catfish my fault. I made the best of a bad situation by adding hot sauce to my fish fillet. The promise of free refill on the coffee and tea wasn’t worth it. I will conclude with they had the nerve to add a 7% service charge for more than one patron. Very dissatisfied with our overall experience at Home Sweet Harlem, it wasn’t at all what we expected.

After reading a few good reviews and a couple of mediocre reviews we opted to try this restaurant. Upon entry my first thought was that everything inside looked very aged an unkept. We were told we could sit anywhere then realized the table we chose was dirty (with crumbs). The table next to us also had crumbs on it. After ordereing sweet tea, the server suggested I try the sweet tea mixed with lemonade. Sure, why not!? It took about 15 minutes to come and clearly the lemon on the rim of the glass was old as was the taste of the juice. So old that I could not drink it. I had read good reviews on the fish and grits so I ordered this and he ordered the salmon cakes & grits. They asked if I wanted the full size as opposed to simple (which I did not see on the menu). They said it included eggs, a salmon cake (or turkey bacon/sausage), and toast. The fish was definitely cooked in old grease and likely re-cooked. It was not fresh at all. It was visibly old. The salmon cake was cooked in the same grease and was nothing to write home about. The grits were luke warm at best. The mound of butter nor the cheese on it would melt. (Had they been hot they may have been good.) Not sure what kind of toast it was but it was hard and let's just say "different". I had high hopes but unfortunately my palette will not let me return to give a second chance, as I normally would prior to giving a not so great review. Our bill was $57.73 which included an 18% service charge + tax. Even 18% was not deserved in this case and I'm not sure of how things were tallied up on the bill but it seemed as if things that were "incuded" actually had up charges. I really don't even want to give 1 star.

I waited 45 mins for salon croquettes egg and roasted potatoes I live 4 mins away and the food was cold and old the potatoes was very dried the croquettes I believe was made the day before you can tell it didn’t just come out the hot grease.this place is a little slow and the servers also they need a greeter at the door at all times pay attention when customers are walking in to their place of business

Breakfast took over 45 mins after ordering to arrive even though we were the first customers and alone for over 20 mins in restaurant, eggs supposed to be “over medium” came out almost raw, runny whites and yellows broken and eggs piled on top of each other, coming 10 mins after the rest of the meal. Out of several ingredients upon opening for brunch, including sausage and cheese.

They made the pancakes with corn scratch the cook told us this herself They had to take the mcgriddle off the meal. my friend stomach started hurting right after that . Please do better .the lightskin waitress was giving a little attitude also when we asked about salt and pepper with the eggs getting cooked

Just walked 20 mins up hella stairs to come to this place for it to be closed by the health department. First time in nyc was excited to try won’t be back. Should definitely say closed online

Marissa Robles

We would’ve loved to enjoy the cozy restaurant, but unfortunately, we were very disappointed. They did not have many ingredients for items on the menu. The server had to literally run to the store for hot sauce and we had to use Mexican hot sauce for grits. The grits were bland and not even salt or Valentina hot sauce helped. We had to ask and physically stand up for a straw and maple syrup, which was a key ingredient for our griddle cakes and chicken and waffles. A very small amount of chicken was given and the biscuits were hard. The drinks were brought out after the meal arrived and the banana, peanut butter, almond milk drink was soo watery and arrived literally after we asked for the bill. We walked out because we were so ready to leave and the drink was so disgusting that it had to be thrown out. The server was very kind and trying to help, but he was only working with what he was given, which was not much. Will not return. Btw it was 1:45pm on a Saturday and the restaurant was empty..