Sylvia's Restaurant

About the Business

Specialties

Located in Harlem, Sylvia's Restaurant offers the best in southern comfort food in a casual and inviting atmosphere. Enjoy happy hour? Come join us Monday through Friday for great drink specials at our full service bar. Craving a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Sylvia's has you covered, serving everything from fried chicken, mac and cheese, seafood entrees, and BBQ ribs to omelettes, waffles, corn beef hash, and so much more. We offer plenty of delicious side options including our famous collard greens, and provide brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Our menu is full of amazing soul food options that you won't be able to resist. With a charming ambiance, friendly service, and consistent flavors, Sylvia's has remained the locals' dining destination for comfort food with friends or family. You're sure to find something that will suit your appetite on our large menu. We hope to see you soon!

History

Established in 1962.

Sylvia Woods, the "Queen of Soulfood," was the founder and owner of the world famous Sylvia's Restaurant, located in the historical village of Harlem, since 1962. Sylvia, young and determined, received her beautician license at night while attending junior High School during the day. In 1944, Sylvia married Herbert and started her journey towards a brighter future. Harlem called, and Sylvia answered, as she became a waitress at Johnson's luncheonette. In 1962, Mr. Johnson recognized Sylvia's entrepreneurial spirit and sold her the luncheonette. Julia Pressley, Sylvia's mother, was a farmer and mid-wife, mortgaged her farm to loan her the money for the purchase. The then small luncheonette consisted of a counter and a few booths, has now flourished into a family owned enterprise which consist of Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, Sylvia's Also, a full-service catering hall, Sylvia's Catering Corp., a nation-wide line of Sylvia's Food Products, two deliciously amazing cookbooks, and ATOC.

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Sylvia W.

Business Owner

Sylvia Woods was lavished with numerous awards and accolades from her peers, community leaders, politicians, and the business world at large. In recognition of 40 years in business, on August 1, 2001 Sylvia rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.Sylvia Woods was also the proud recipient of several legacy awards. Her unwavering vision, hard work, and determination was shared by her husband, Herbert Woods, and was instilled in their four children, Van, Bedelia, Kenneth, and Crizette. Together, they managed this family enterprise. To-date, there are three generations of the Woods family working tirelessly, to ensure that their family's business continues to make strides over the next 43 years.