As we continue highlighting iconic Black-owned businesses in New York City, we’ve decided to take a step back to honor the pioneers this Black History Month.
Nestled in the heart of Harlem is the uptown gem, Sylvia’s Restaurant, opened by Sylvia Woods over 60 years ago. Since opening its doors in 1962, this family-owned and operated restaurant has fed locals and travelers and has had some notable diners like Barack Obama, Al Sharpton, Liza Minnelli, Kelly Rowland, and more!
We took a trip uptown and met with Sylvia’s very own son Kenneth Woods, the restaurant’s current owner, and learned that while the family is proud to be the oldest Black-owned business in the city, they recognize that it’s more than an accomplishment, but a responsibility.
“What I’m proud of and really happy about is that it [Sylvia’s] has staying power because it has held true to this tradition: serve with love and treat everyone like you’re bringing them into your own home. You know, and for Black businesses especially, it is so important because I always say that we don’t have hundreds of years where we were able to own our own businesses or our own traditions. So, the importance of having traditions that we can pass for years and years, 50 years and 100 years, is important, especially to the Black community. It’s an honor, but it’s more of a responsibility for Sylvias to continue to strive because it gives concrete evidence that we can have a business that can last for generations and generations to come.”
And the food has stood the test of time! With keeping the business in the family, in the kitchen is executive chef Marcus Woods, Sylvia’s grandson. Every day, Chef Marcus heads to the restaurant to keep his grandmother’s memory alive through food by leading with love first. And take our word for it, you can taste the generations of love through the food.
He told us a brief history of how Sylvia’s came to be:
“Sylvia was a part of a generation of people that migrated up to New York at a time when there weren’t too many opportunities for us over here. And somehow, they all made it happen in one way or another. Now she has a business That’s been here for sixty years.”
The Fried Chicken is crispy and flavorful and pairs perfectly with their waffle or traditional southern sides. We also had some amazing BBQ Short Ribs that were basted with their official in-house, Sylvia’s Original Sassy Sauce, and you’ll want to order every single side. We had the Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Candied Yams, and Traditional Collard Greens that showed us exactly why Sylvia Woods is known as the Queen of Soul Food!
The restaurant is six decades now, and Sylvia’s has managed to keep up with the times by staying socially aware and tweaking the recipes over the years while staying true to the traditions their matriarch brought up from the south.
“When health became an issue, we added items that were more healthy, but basically, the recipes have not changed much over the 60 years. We used to cook with a lot of fat… we reduced fat and reduced sugar. So, over the years, it has evolved, but it’s traditional, and the main thing that we haven’t got rid of is love,” Kenneth told us. “You have to love what you’re doing and you have to make sure that it is included in your dishes and recipes.”
Since arriving in Harlem, Sylvia Woods always maintained a sense of community at the restaurant. She was known for her generosity and would never shy away from giving away food to those who were hungry just because they might not be able to afford a meal — a tradition that lives on through her business to this day.
So the next time you’re in the mood for some of the most authentic Soul Food that you’ve ever tasted, head uptown to Sylvia’s. Tell ’em that we sent you!
📍: 328 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem