Top 10 Soul Food Restaurants in the U.S.

A Culinary Journey Through Black Excellence

Soul food is Sunday dinner after a morning of praising God at church or a cookout orchestrated within the community—summoning togetherness, with food as the conduit. Across the U.S., Black-owned restaurants are preserving rich culinary traditions while also reinventing them for a new generation. Whether you’re savoring crispy fried chicken, smothered pork chops, or mouthwatering mac and cheese, these soul food spots offer more than just good eats—they feed the soul. 💫

Here are 10 soul food restaurants you need to visit in 2025—each offering a personal touch of heritage, culture, and community pride. 🌍🍴

10 Taste of Heaven – Brooklyn, NY

A love story turned restaurant

Tony and Melody Vegara turned retirement into a soulful business—offering BBQ chicken, salmon, cornbread, and divine desserts like German chocolate cake.

💖 “Retirement tastes like a warm embrace.”

9 Henry’s Soul Café – Washington, D.C.

Sweet potato pie royalty since 1968

Founded by Henry E. Smith, Henry’s is famous for its legendary pie, fine Southern eats, and a long-standing legacy in the DMV.

📜 “Where sweet meets soulful history.”

8 Fixins Soul Kitchen – Sacramento & Los Angeles, CA

Where community meets comfort food

Owned by former NBA star Kevin Johnson and his wife Michelle Johnson, Fixins redefines soul food for the modern era—fried chicken, shrimp & grits, and Black excellence on every plate.

🎉 “Come for the food, stay for the culture.”

7 Angie’s Soul Café – Cleveland, OH

A Southern taste born in Ohio kitchens

Started by Angie Jeter in the late ’70s and carried on by her son, this café serves fried catfish, mac & cheese, and more—all made from scratch.

🏡 “Hospitality and heritage in every forkful.”

6 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Memphis, TN

National Fried Chicken Festival Champion

Founded in 1973 by Napoleon “Na” Vanderbilt and his wife, Maggie, Gus’s serves up spicy-crispy fried chicken that now flies coast to coast (and soon, to China!). With over 30 locations, this Memphis icon is still flying high.

✈️ “Eating at Gus’s is worth the trip.”

5 Smoke Soul Kitchen – San Francisco, CA

Launched in 2025 by Vanessa Lee

Born from backyard BBQ battles and family funerals, this restaurant is community-powered and purpose-driven. Think slow-smoked meats, homemade desserts, and a whole lot of heart.

💡 “Food is where healing begins.”

4 Stevie’s Creole Café – Los Angeles, CA

New Orleans soul, Hollywood legacy

Founded by child actor Stephen Perry in 1986 and now run by his daughter Lauren, this café is a Creole dream with standout gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.

🔥 “Rooted in the past. Reimagined for today.”

3 Granny Dee’s Kitchen – Spring, TX

Hidden gem beside a Phillips 66 gas station

Chef Delores Hutching’s soulful plates—oxtails, smothered pork chops, caramelized meatloaf—prove that great food doesn’t need a fancy address.

💬 “Every bite feels like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s.”

2 Sylvia’s Restaurant – Harlem, NY

Founded by the “Queen of Soul Food,” Sylvia Woods

Since 1962, Sylvia’s has dished up classics like smothered pork chops, collard greens, and gospel brunches. A pillar of Harlem’s Black community for over 60 years.

🎶 Legacy tastes like Sylvia’s.

1 Burdell – Oakland, CA

Food & Wine’s 2024 Restaurant of the Year

Chef Geoff Davis named Burdell after his grandmother, channeling her warmth into every detail—from nostalgic ’70s living room décor to dishes like chicken liver mousse on cornmeal waffles. It’s a love letter to Black farming, family, and flavor.

👵🏾 “It’s not just a restaurant—it’s an archive of love and legacy.”