Flatbush, Brooklyn — Since 1992
Home-Cooked
Comfort Food
Made With Love
Three generations of family recipes. Famous meatloaf, Sunday brunch pancakes, and the best fried chicken in Brooklyn.
Our Story
A Family Tradition
On the Corner
Melanie's has been a Flatbush cornerstone since 1992. What started as Grandma Eleanor's dream of sharing her Sunday suppers with the neighborhood has grown into a beloved Brooklyn institution.
For over three decades, we've been serving home-cooked American food made from scratch using recipes passed down through three generations. Our meatloaf, fried chicken, and mac & cheese are legendary — not because of fancy techniques, but because they're made with love, real ingredients, and decades of family know-how.
At the corner of Flatbush & Foster, just steps from the 2/5 train, we're your neighborhood spot for a hearty meal, a Sunday brunch, or a catered family gathering. Pull up a chair — you're family here.
Our Heritage
A Flatbush
Institution
30+
Years in Brooklyn
3
Generations of Family Recipes
500K+
Meals Served
4.8
Average Rating
Menu Highlights
Customer
Favorites
Grandma Eleanor's Meatloaf
$18.95Our legendary signature dish. Three-generation recipe with our secret glaze, served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Sunday Brunch Pancakes
$14.95Fluffy buttermilk pancakes stacked high, topped with fresh berries and real maple syrup. A Brooklyn brunch tradition.
Southern Fried Chicken
$19.95Buttermilk-marinated, hand-breaded, and fried to golden perfection. Served with honey butter and collard greens.
Homestyle Mac & Cheese
$12.95Creamy three-cheese blend with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Baked in-house daily. The ultimate comfort side.
Full Menu
Everything
We Serve
Mains
Secret glaze, mashed potatoes, seasonal veg
Buttermilk marinated, honey butter, collard greens
8oz angus beef, cheddar, house sauce, fries
Lemon herb crust, wild rice, asparagus
Cream gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans
Sides & Starters
Three-cheese blend, breadcrumb top
Beer-battered, served with ranch
Smoked turkey, slow-cooked
Honey butter, served warm (4 pcs)
Bacon, cheddar, sour cream, chives
Sunday Brunch
Fresh berries, real maple syrup
Fried chicken, Belgian waffle, honey butter
Biscuit, pulled pork, poached eggs, hollandaise
Brioche, cinnamon, caramelized bananas
Desserts
Warm, vanilla ice cream on top
Grandma's recipe, whipped cream
Rich fudge frosting
Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, vanilla cream
All prices subject to change. Tax and gratuity not included. Ask about our daily specials!
Signature Dishes
What We're
Known For
From $18.95
Grandma Eleanor's Famous Meatloaf
The dish that put us on the map. Made from a recipe passed down from our founder's grandmother, this isn't your average meatloaf. A blend of premium ground beef and pork, seasoned with a secret mix of herbs and spices, topped with our signature sweet-tangy tomato glaze. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. One taste and you'll understand why people come from all over Brooklyn for it.
Make a Reservation
From $14.95+
Our Famous Sunday Brunch
Every Sunday, Flatbush comes to Melanie's for brunch. Our buttermilk pancakes are legendary — light, fluffy, and taller than a stack of classic novels. Topped with fresh seasonal berries and real maple syrup from Vermont. Pair them with our chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, or a classic Southern breakfast. Come hungry, leave happy. Brunch is served 9 AM to 3 PM every Sunday.
Make a ReservationQuality First
Fresh Ingredients,
Honest Cooking
Premium Meats
We source our beef, pork, and poultry from local farms. No hormones, no antibiotics — just quality protein that tastes like it should.
Farm-Fresh Produce
Our vegetables arrive daily from regional farms. Seasonal, hand-selected, and prepared within hours of delivery.
Made From Scratch
No pre-mixes, no shortcuts. Our cornbread, biscuits, pie crusts, and salad dressings are all made in-house daily.
Local Dairy & Eggs
We use fresh dairy from Upstate New York farms. Our eggs are free-range, our butter is European-style, our cream is heavy.
Why Choose Us
Why Brooklyn
Keeps Coming Back
Family Recipes
Three generations of home-cooked recipes, preserved and perfected. Every dish tells a story.
Since 1992Brooklyn Quality
We use only the freshest local ingredients. No freezers, no preservatives, no shortcuts.
Farm to TableFast, Friendly Service
Our team treats every guest like family. Hot meals served promptly in our cozy dining room.
Dine-In & TakeoutCommunity Rooted
We've been part of Flatbush for over 30 years. We cater your celebrations, big and small.
Catering AvailableGallery
A Look Inside
Our Kitchen & Dining Room
Testimonials
What Our
Guests Say
“The meatloaf is absolutely incredible — I drive across Brooklyn for it. It tastes exactly like my grandmother used to make. The staff treats you like family. This place is a gem.”
Sarah M.
Flatbush, Brooklyn · Google
“Best Sunday brunch in Brooklyn. The pancakes are legendary — light, fluffy, and the portions are generous. The chicken and waffles are a must-try. Been coming here for years.”
James T.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens · Yelp
“Melanie's catered our family reunion and it was perfect. Everyone raved about the mac and cheese and fried chicken. Professional, affordable, and the food was incredible.”
Maya K.
Crown Heights · Google
“Real home cooking in a city that's losing it. The fried chicken is the best I've had north of the Mason-Dixon. Collard greens are perfect too. A true Brooklyn treasure.”
David L.
Park Slope · TripAdvisor
Location & Hours
Find Us at
Flatbush & Foster
Address
785 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Corner of Flatbush Ave & Foster Ave
Hours
Getting Here
2/5 Trainto Flatbush Ave – Brooklyn College station. Steps from the exit.
Street parking available on Foster Ave and side streets.
Get In Touch
We'd Love to
Hear From You
Phone
(718) 282-0399
hello@melaniesbrooklyn.com
Address
785 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Hours
Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM / Sun 9AM-9PM
For party reservations, catering inquiries, or general questions, give us a call or stop by. We'd love to meet you!
Send Us a Message
Catering
Let Melanie's
Cater Your Event
From intimate family dinners to large celebrations, we bring the taste of home to your table. Our catering team handles everything so you can enjoy your event.
Family Meal
Perfect for small gatherings and weeknight dinners
- Choice of 2 entrees
- 2 family-style sides
- Cornbread muffins (dozen)
- Serves 6-10 people
- Takeout or delivery
Celebration
Ideal for birthdays, reunions, and special occasions
- Choice of 3 entrees
- 3 chef-selected sides
- House salad & cornbread
- Dessert platter
- Serves 10-20 people
- Setup & serving available
Grand Feast
Our full catering experience for your biggest events
- Full menu selection
- All signature sides
- Dessert bar
- Beverage service
- Serves 20-50+ people
- Full-service staff
- Custom menu consultation
Reservations
Ready to Join Us
for Dinner?
Whether it's a Sunday brunch with friends, a date night, or a family celebration, we're saving you a table. Give us a call or stop by — we're at the corner of Flatbush & Foster.