11 Ohio Soul Food Restaurants That Locals Swear Are The Real Deal
Let’s be clear: there is ‘good’ soul food, and then there is soul-saving soul food.
The kind that stops conversations, makes you forget your manners, and demands a nap afterwards.
To claim a restaurant serves the real deal is a declaration of war on blandness, a statement that only the truest, most seasoned cooks can earn.
We bypassed the internet ratings and went straight to the toughest critics: the locals.
These 11 Ohio establishments are the ones they whisper about-the places where the cooks still use lard, the greens take all day, and the lemonade is made from scratch.
If you think you know Ohio’s best, prepare to have your loyalty tested.
1. La Glory’s Soulfood Café
Columbus residents know that real soul food doesn’t need fancy decorations or celebrity chefs.
La Glory’s Soulfood Café on the city’s east side proves that authentic flavors speak louder than Instagram-worthy plates.
The menu reads like a love letter to Southern cooking traditions, featuring crispy fried catfish, tender oxtails, and cornbread so good you might ask for seconds before your main course arrives.
What sets this spot apart is the consistency-every visit delivers the same soul-satisfying experience that keeps regulars coming back weekly.
The collard greens simmer with just the right amount of seasoning, never too salty or bland.
Sweet potato pie here tastes like someone’s beloved grandmother spent all afternoon perfecting it.
Portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
The staff treats everyone like family, remembering your name and your favorite sides after just a couple visits.
Located at 1200 S Hamilton Rd, Columbus, this café represents everything soul food should be—honest, hearty, and made with care.
2. Zanzibar Soul Fusion
Cleveland’s culinary scene gets a flavorful twist at Zanzibar Soul Fusion, where traditional meets contemporary in the most delicious way possible.
This restaurant takes grandma’s recipes and gives them a modern makeover without losing the soul that makes comfort food so comforting.
The fusion approach means you might find jerk chicken sitting next to classic fried chicken, creating a menu that celebrates African diaspora cuisine broadly.
Yams get elevated with unexpected seasonings that somehow make them taste even better than the traditional version.
The mac and cheese incorporates creative cheese blends that would make purists pause, then immediately ask for the recipe.
Located at 2902 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, Zanzibar proves that respecting tradition doesn’t mean you can’t experiment.
The atmosphere feels upscale without being stuffy, making it perfect for date nights or celebrations.
Regular customers appreciate how the chef balances innovation with authenticity, never straying so far that dishes lose their soul food identity.
The collard greens maintain their Southern roots while incorporating global flavors that add depth without overwhelming.
3. Angie’s Soul Café
Walking into Angie’s Soul Café feels like stepping into your favorite aunt’s kitchen during the holidays.
This Cleveland gem on Kinsman Road has been feeding the community with honest, no-frills soul food that hits every comfort note.
The fried chicken comes out golden and crispy, with meat so juicy it practically falls off the bone.
I remember visiting on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, feeling absolutely miserable from a rough week.
One plate of their smothered pork chops with rice and gravy later, and suddenly life didn’t seem so terrible anymore.
That’s the power of real soul food-it feeds more than just your stomach.
The green beans are cooked down perfectly, seasoned with care and probably a secret ingredient that Angie will never reveal.
Cornbread here is slightly sweet, crumbly in all the right ways, and pairs beautifully with their pot roast.
Located at 8814 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland, this café represents neighborhood soul food at its finest.
Prices stay reasonable, portions stay generous, and the quality never wavers.
4. Soul Secrets
Cincinnati’s soul food scene wouldn’t be complete without Soul Secrets, a restaurant that lives up to its mysterious name by serving dishes that taste like closely guarded family recipes.
The kitchen clearly knows something special about seasoning because every bite bursts with flavor that makes you wonder what magical combination of spices they’re using.
Fried chicken here achieves that perfect balance between crispy coating and tender meat that so many places struggle to master.
The candied yams strike the right sweetness level, never crossing into dessert territory while still satisfying that comfort food craving.
Macaroni and cheese comes out creamy and rich, with a golden top layer that provides textural contrast.
What makes Soul Secrets stand out is attention to detail-sides aren’t afterthoughts but carefully prepared components that complement the main dishes perfectly.
The cabbage is tender but not mushy, seasoned thoughtfully without overwhelming the vegetable’s natural flavor.
Located at 4601 Paddock Rd, Cincinnati, this restaurant has earned its loyal following through consistent quality and genuine hospitality that makes every customer feel valued.
5. CJ’s Soul Food
Suburban soul food can be tricky to find, which makes CJ’s Soul Food in Lewis Center such a treasure for north Columbus residents.
This restaurant brings authentic Southern cooking to an area that desperately needed it, filling plates and hearts with comfort classics done right.
The menu covers all the essential bases-fried chicken, catfish, meatloaf, pork chops-without trying to be everything to everyone.
Focus stays on executing traditional dishes with skill and consistency that builds trust with customers.
The dressing tastes exactly like Thanksgiving at your grandmother’s table, savory and perfectly moistened.
Black-eyed peas come seasoned just right, neither too plain nor overpoweringly spiced.
What really impresses regulars is how CJ’s maintains quality even during busy weekend rushes when many restaurants let standards slip.
The peach cobbler deserves special mention, arriving warm with a crust that’s both flaky and substantial enough to hold up to the sweet fruit filling.
Located at 8655 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, CJ’s proves that soul food belongs everywhere, not just in urban neighborhoods.
Families appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and kid-friendly service.
6. Side Piece Soul Café
The name alone makes Side Piece Soul Café one of Dayton’s most talked-about restaurants, but the food backs up the clever branding.
This spot understands that soul food can have personality and humor while still respecting culinary traditions that matter.
The menu playfully categorizes dishes in ways that make ordering fun without being confusing or gimmicky.
Fried chicken wings come perfectly seasoned with a coating that stays crispy even after sitting for a few minutes.
The turkey wings are fall-apart tender, swimming in rich gravy that demands to be soaked up with cornbread or dinner rolls.
Macaroni and cheese here leans creamy rather than baked-crusty, appealing to those who prefer smooth, velvety cheese sauce.
Green beans maintain some snap while still being thoroughly cooked and seasoned in the soul food tradition.
Located at 4870 Burkhardt Rd, Dayton,Side Piece has quickly built a reputation for quality that matches its memorable name.
The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for quick lunches or relaxed dinners when you want comfort without formality.
Prices remain accessible for regular visits rather than special occasions only.
7. Soul Food Carryout
Sometimes the best soul food comes from the most unassuming places, and Soul Food Carryout on West Third Street proves this rule perfectly.
This Dayton institution doesn’t waste money on fancy decor or elaborate presentations-every dollar goes into ingredients and cooking that speaks for itself.
The carryout format means you can grab authentic soul food on your way home from work without the wait time of full-service dining.
My cousin introduced me to this place years ago, insisting their fried fish was worth the drive across town. She wasn’t exaggerating-the coating stays incredibly crispy while the fish inside remains moist and flaky.
The hot sauce selection lets you customize heat levels to your preference, from mild to make-your-eyes-water spicy.
Collard greens here taste like someone’s grandmother is in the back kitchen, slow-cooking them with patience and proper seasoning.
Cornbread comes dense and satisfying, perfect for soaking up pot liquor or gravy.
Located at 1347 W Third St, Dayton.
8. Carbry’s BBQ & Soul Food
Carbry’s BBQ & Soul Food combines two of America’s greatest culinary traditions under one roof in Cleveland, creating a menu that makes decision-making deliciously difficult.
The barbecue side brings smoky, tender ribs that pull cleanly from the bone without falling apart into mush.
The soul food side delivers classics like smothered chicken, baked mac and cheese, and greens that taste like Sunday dinner.
What makes Carbry’s special is how both cuisines complement each other rather than competing for attention on your plate.
You can order ribs with collard greens and cornbread, creating the ultimate comfort food combination.
The sauce options range from tangy vinegar-based to thick and sweet, letting customers customize their barbecue experience.
Potato salad here leans creamy with just enough mustard to add tang without overwhelming the potatoes.
Baked beans incorporate bits of meat that add savory depth to the sweet bean base.
Located at 14704 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland, Carbry’s has built a loyal following among people who refuse to choose between barbecue and soul food.
The casual atmosphere welcomes families, groups, and solo diners equally.
9. CMB Soul Food
CMB Soul Food represents Cleveland’s commitment to preserving authentic soul food traditions while serving a new generation of hungry customers.
This restaurant focuses on doing the basics exceptionally well rather than trying to reinvent dishes that don’t need fixing.
The fried chicken achieves that golden-brown perfection that makes your mouth water before you even take a bite.
Oxtails come braised until the meat practically melts off the bone, sitting in gravy so good you’ll want to drink it with a spoon.
The yams balance sweetness with the vegetable’s natural earthiness, never crossing into candy territory.
Cornbread here has a slightly crispy edge while maintaining a moist, tender center that crumbles perfectly.
What keeps regulars coming back is the consistency, CMB delivers the same quality whether you visit on a slow Tuesday or a packed Saturday.
The portions justify the prices, often providing enough food for leftovers that taste just as good reheated the next day.
Located at 10916 Euclid Ave, Cleveland.
10. Mz. Jade’s Soul Food
Middletown residents consider themselves lucky to have Mz. Jade’s Soul Food bringing authentic Southern cooking to the Cincinnati region.
This restaurant fills a need in an area where soul food options were previously limited, serving dishes that remind transplanted Southerners of home.
The menu reads like a greatest hits collection of comfort classics, from fried chicken and catfish to meatloaf and pork chops.
Macaroni and cheese here comes baked with a golden top layer that adds textural interest to the creamy interior.
The green beans are cooked tender with seasoning that enhances rather than masks the vegetable flavor.
Cornbread strikes that perfect balance between sweet and savory, moist enough to enjoy alone but sturdy enough for soaking up gravy.
What makes Mz. Jade’s special is the personal touch-you can tell someone who truly cares about the food is running the kitchen.
The peach cobbler arrives warm with a crust that’s both flaky and substantial.
Located at 3235 Roosevelt Blvd, Middletown.
11. Rasheedah’s Cafe
Rasheedah’s Cafe rounds out Cincinnati’s soul food scene with cooking that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
This restaurant prioritizes flavor and hospitality over trendy presentations or social media-worthy plating, focusing on what really matters-food that satisfies.
The fried chicken comes out hot and crispy, seasoned so well that it doesn’t need sauce, though several tasty options are available.
Smothered pork chops arrive tender and swimming in rich onion gravy that makes plain white rice taste like a gourmet side dish.
The collard greens simmer with proper seasoning and cooking time, resulting in tender leaves without that bitter edge undercooked greens sometimes have.
Candied yams here taste like Thanksgiving, sweetened just enough to feel special without becoming cloying.
What regulars appreciate most is how Rasheedah’s maintains consistent quality and generous portions that make every visit worthwhile.
The sweet potato pie deserves its reputation as one of the area’s best, with smooth filling and flaky crust. Located at 4601 Paddock Rd, Cincinnati.