Melba’s Restaurant is taking a massive step for inclusivity.
The iconic Harlem comfort food destination just introduced Braille menus at its flagship location.
sitThis launch coincides perfectly with October’s Blindness Awareness Month.
Chef and Owner Melba Wilson wants to create a more independent dining experience for blind and low-vision guests.
Now, diners can review the restaurant’s offerings—like their famous Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles—without relying on a companion to read the menu aloud.
The menus are the result of a powerhouse collaboration.
Melba teamed up with David Rockwell and Rockwell Group to bring the accessible design to life. Production was spearheaded by Big Blind Ambition, with the costs fully underwritten by EmblemHealth.
“Having a Braille menu at Melba’s means inclusion, independence, and dignity,” Wilson shared. She noted that watching her older cousin lose her sight showed her exactly how much accessibility matters in everyday life.
Expanding the vision
The initial rollout began at the 300 West 114th Street location on October 1. A full inventory of both Braille and large-print menus will be available by mid-October.
The initiative won’t stop in Harlem. Melba’s plans to expand the Braille menus to its Grand Central location next.
They will also introduce the accessible menus at the upcoming Melba’s Newark location once it opens its doors.
Source / Melba’s
Since opening in 2005, Melba’s has been a true pillar of the Harlem community. Wilson has built her business on giving back.
She regularly donates meals to local schools and supports youth through mentorship. During the pandemic, she even helped provide meals to more than 200,000 seniors.
For Wilson, this new level of accessibility is simply another way to honor the community that has supported her for over two decades.
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Dining and Cooking