13 Soul Food Restaurants In Maryland Locals Think Could Outshine Grandma’s

Maryland’s soul food scene is brimming with flavors that comfort and delight, and some spots claim to rival even grandma’s cooking.

From perfectly seasoned fried chicken to savory sides that taste like home, these restaurants capture the heart and soul of Southern cuisine.

Locals swear by the dishes, praising recipes that honor tradition while adding a unique twist. Each visit offers a delicious reminder that soul food is all about love, flavor, and community.

1. The Land of Kush

Vegans rejoice! This Baltimore hotspot flips the soul food script with plant-based versions of classics that carnivores line up for too. Their “chicken” drumsticks have fooled many a meat-eater.

Founded by Naijha Wright-Brown and Gregory Brown, this award-winning spot proves soul food doesn’t need animal products to feed your spirit.

The BBQ ribs and mac ‘n cheese have converted countless skeptics since opening in 2011.

2. Southern Blues Restaurant

Walking into Southern Blues feels like teleporting straight to a Louisiana backporch. The smell hits you first – spicy, smoky goodness that makes your stomach growl immediately.

Family-owned since 2003, this Randallstown treasure serves up catfish so crispy and flaky it should be illegal.

Their secret? A generations-old cornmeal breading recipe and cooks who understand that patience is the secret ingredient in perfect soul food.

3. Taste This

Celebrity chef Keisha Pinder turned her food truck fame into this brick-and-mortar success story.

Food Network fans might recognize her from cooking competitions, but locals know her for life-changing shrimp and grits.

Taste This operates on a simple philosophy: massive portions, bold flavors, and zero shortcuts.

The crab mac ‘n cheese deserves its own fan club, loaded with lump crabmeat and a five-cheese blend that creates the perfect creamy-to-crusty ratio.

4. Creole Soul Restaurant

Louisiana meets Maryland in this flavor-packed fusion spot. The jambalaya arrives steaming hot with a perfect kick – spicy enough to make you notice but not so hot you can’t taste the complex flavors.

Owner Marcus Johnson spent years perfecting his roux before opening in 2015.

His dedication shows in every dish, especially the gumbo, which simmers for hours before serving. The cornbread arrives warm, slightly sweet, with honey butter that melts instantly.

5. Next Phaze Cafe & Lounge

Soul food meets nightlife at this Baltimore hotspot where the party doesn’t start until the plates are clean. The smothered pork chops fall right off the bone and swim in gravy so good you’ll want to drink it.

Weekend brunches bring crowds for their famous chicken and red velvet waffles.

By night, the space transforms with live music and craft cocktails named after soul legends. Their sweet potato pie shots have become Instagram famous for good reason.

6. Connie’s Chicken and Waffles

Brothers Khari and Shawn Parker named this Baltimore favorite after their mom, whose recipe inspired their now-famous chicken.

The secret lies in a 24-hour brine that keeps every bite juicy under that perfectly crunchy coating. Their red velvet waffle has spawned countless imitators across the state.

The contrast between savory, crispy chicken and sweet, fluffy waffles creates flavor magic that’s earned them spots in multiple food halls across Maryland.

7. Miss Shirley’s Cafe

Brunch gets the Southern treatment at this beloved Maryland institution. Their signature dish? Chicken and waffles topped with black-eyed pea succotash and spicy aioli that creates flavor fireworks in your mouth.

Founded as a tribute to a beloved Baltimore cook known for her soulful breakfast creations, Miss Shirley’s has expanded to multiple locations without losing quality.

The shrimp and grits comes loaded with Andouille sausage and enough cheese to make Wisconsin jealous.

8. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen

From food truck sensation to brick-and-mortar success, Miss Toya’s journey mirrors the soul food she serves – authentic, resilient, and full of heart. Her oxtails fall off the bone with barely a nudge from your fork.

Located in a cozy Riverdale Park spot, regulars come for the fried whiting but stay for the sides.

The candied yams taste like Thanksgiving memories, while the mac and cheese has converted many who swore by their mama’s recipe.

9. ELife Restaurant (Everlasting Life)

Proving vegan soul food isn’t an oxymoron, ELife has been changing minds one plant-based plate at a time. Their mac ‘n cheese creates creamy magic without a drop of dairy.

The “chicken” drumsticks have a crispy exterior and tender inside that rivals any poultry version.

Health-conscious diners appreciate that nothing’s deep-fried, yet somehow the collard greens and kale still deliver that down-home flavor without a ham hock in sight.

10. Georgia Peach

Grandma Ruby’s recipes star at this Cockeysville gem where the fried chicken gets a 12-hour buttermilk bath before meeting its crispy fate.

First-timers often gasp at the portion sizes – the phrase “eyes bigger than stomach” was invented for places like this.

Their peach cobbler lives up to the restaurant’s name with fresh fruit and a buttery crust that manages to stay crisp under a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. Regulars know to arrive early on Sundays before the cobbler sells out.

11. Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill

Founder Lance London brought his grandmother’s recipes from North Carolina to Maryland, creating a soul food empire that locals can’t get enough of.

The restaurant’s signature dish? Country fried steak smothered in gravy that would make any Southern grandmother nod in approval.

Their cornbread arrives in cast iron skillets, piping hot with honey butter melting into every crevice.

The collard greens strike that perfect balance between tender and toothsome, with pot liquor so flavorful people ask for it in to-go cups.

12. Keith & Sons Soul Food Cafe

Three generations of family recipes shine at this Hyattsville institution where everything’s made from scratch daily.

The turkey wings fall off the bone after slow-cooking in a secret blend of herbs and spices. Owner Keith Garner learned cooking from his grandmother, who insisted on fresh ingredients and patience.

That philosophy shows in their famous yams, which cook for hours to develop complex sweetness. The potato salad has ended family arguments about whose recipe reigns supreme.

13. Ruby’s Southern Comfort Kitchen

Ruby herself still oversees the kitchen at 82 years young, ensuring every plate meets her exacting standards.

Her salmon cakes have earned legendary status among Marylanders who appreciate the perfect crisp exterior giving way to flaky fish inside.

Located in a converted house in Silver Spring, the restaurant feels like dining in someone’s home.

The banana pudding arrives in mason jars layered with fresh-made vanilla custard and cookies that somehow stay crisp. Sunday dinners often sell out by 2pm.