Detroit, Michigan’s Best Soul Food Spots Everyone Is Talking About
Soul food in Detroit isn’t just a meal—it’s a celebration of culture, history, and community.
When I first moved to the Motor City, finding authentic southern cooking became my delicious mission.
From crispy fried chicken to smoky collard greens and sweet potato pie that’ll make you call your mama, Detroit’s soul food scene is bursting with flavor.
These ten spots represent the heart and soul of Detroit’s comfort food landscape, each with its own special recipe for keeping customers coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
Beans & Cornbread
My taste buds did a happy dance the first time I sampled Beans & Cornbread’s award-winning macaroni and cheese. This Southfield staple has been dishing up soul-satisfying comfort food since 1997, earning national recognition from the Food Network and Travel Channel.
The restaurant’s warm brick walls and family photos create an atmosphere that feels like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. I love watching first-timers’ faces light up when their heaping plates arrive.
Their signature cornbread arrives warm and crumbly with a hint of sweetness that perfectly complements their spicy collard greens. Don’t leave without trying their peach cobbler—the cinnamon-sugar crust alone is worth the trip across town!
Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles
Former NFL player Ron Bartell returned to his Detroit roots to create Kuzzo’s, and boy am I glad he did! The chicken here has a perfectly seasoned crust that shatters with each bite, revealing juicy meat underneath. Paired with fluffy Belgian waffles and house-made syrup, it’s a combination that keeps the Avenue of Fashion location packed.
Last summer, I waited 45 minutes for a table and didn’t regret a single minute once my Bella’s Delight (three wings and a waffle) arrived. The restaurant’s bright, modern interior buzzes with energy and conversation.
Beyond the signature dish, their catfish, black-eyed peas, and candied yams transport me straight to my aunt’s Mississippi kitchen. Their sweet tea is the perfect balance of sweetness and refreshment!
Detroit Soul
“Y’all better come hungry!” That’s what the cashier told me my first time at Detroit Soul, and those words ring true with every visit. Brothers Jerome and Samuel Brown turned their family recipes into this east side gem that serves up some of the most generous portions in the city.
The smothered pork chops fall apart with just a fork, swimming in gravy that demands an extra side of cornbread for sopping. My cousin from Atlanta swears their collard greens rival his grandmother’s—fighting words in the South!
What makes Detroit Soul special isn’t just the food—it’s their commitment to the neighborhood. They hire locally and source ingredients from Detroit urban farms when possible. With two locations now, they’re spreading soul food love across the city.
Savannah Blue
Hidden in a second-floor downtown space, Savannah Blue feels like a delicious secret you’ve discovered. Jazz music floats through the air while bartenders shake up creative cocktails named after Motown legends. The upscale atmosphere elevates soul food classics to new heights.
Chef Christopher McClendon’s shrimp and grits changed my life! Plump Gulf shrimp rest on creamy stone-ground grits, all surrounded by a spicy tomato broth that I could drink by the gallon. My birthday dinner here last year ended with their bourbon bread pudding that had me scraping the plate clean.
Unlike many soul food spots, Savannah Blue offers a date-night worthy experience with mood lighting and an impressive wine list. Reservations are essential on weekends when the after-theater crowd packs in for late-night comfort food with a sophisticated twist.
Flood’s Bar & Grille
Flood’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a Detroit institution! For over 30 years, this family-owned spot has been the meeting place where city politicians, celebrities, and everyday folks break bread together. The first time I walked in, I spotted a local news anchor and Pistons player enjoying catfish at neighboring tables.
Their Sunday brunch buffet is legendary, with a line that forms before the doors even open. Worth every minute of waiting! The crispy fried chicken wings have a peppery kick that pairs perfectly with their sweet honey cornbread muffins.
Live music several nights a week turns dinner into an event, with local R&B and jazz artists creating the soundtrack for your meal. I’ve made some of my best Detroit friends at Flood’s long communal tables, bonding over shared plates and second helpings of their famous peach cobbler.
Steve’s Soul Food
“Get here early or go hungry!” That’s the unofficial motto at Steve’s, where daily specials often sell out before closing time. This no-frills spot has been feeding Detroit for over 30 years with a cafeteria-style service that keeps the line moving and the food piping hot.
Wednesday’s oxtails swimming in rich gravy convinced me to call in “sick” to work more than once! The meat falls off the bone with barely a nudge from your fork. Paired with their buttery mashed potatoes, it’s the ultimate comfort meal.
What Steve’s lacks in fancy decor, it makes up for in flavor and authenticity. The walls are covered with photos of famous visitors and neighborhood heroes alike. Owner Steve Radcliff still greets regulars by name, remembering their usual orders and family updates—a true Detroit treasure serving food that feeds both body and soul.
Motor City Soul Food
Located in a converted gas station on the west side, Motor City Soul Food proves great things come in unexpected packages! The first time my GPS led me here, I almost drove past thinking it was a mistake—until I spotted the line of people stretching around the building.
Their turkey legs are the stuff of legend—smoky, tender meat that practically falls off the bone. I’ve converted at least five friends into devoted fans with just one bite of these mammoth portions. The yams deserve their own fan club, swimming in a buttery brown sugar glaze that’ll make you close your eyes in pure bliss.
Despite the constant crowds, owners George and Martha Clay treat everyone like family. They’ve been known to slip extra cornbread to regular customers and first-timers alike. Cash only and worth every dollar—just be prepared to eat in your car or take it home!
Sweetwater Tavern
Sweetwater’s wings changed my relationship status to “committed.” Their secret 24-hour marinade creates chicken so flavorful that I’ve contemplated moving to an apartment closer to their downtown location just to reduce my delivery time!
While not strictly a soul food restaurant, Sweetwater earns its place on this list with southern-inspired dishes that capture the essence of comfort cooking. The black-eyed pea salad provides a fresh counterpoint to their hearty entrées, and their mac and cheese arrives bubbling in its own cast-iron skillet.
The historic brick building creates a cozy atmosphere that’s equally perfect for watching Lions games or having heart-to-heart conversations over sweet potato pie. I’ve celebrated job promotions, breakups, and random Tuesdays here—Sweetwater’s consistent quality makes any occasion better. Their friendly staff remembers regular customers, making this downtown spot feel like a neighborhood hangout.
They Say Restaurant
“They say” you haven’t experienced Detroit soul food until you’ve visited this eastern market area favorite! The restaurant’s name comes from the owners’ grandparents who would respond to compliments about their cooking with a modest “they say it’s good.”
My first bite of their smothered chicken nearly brought tears to my eyes—tender meat swimming in savory gravy that demands to be soaked up with their flaky biscuits. Live jazz on weekends creates the perfect soundtrack for savoring their crispy catfish that’s cornmeal-crusted to perfection.
The restaurant’s walls showcase local art celebrating Detroit’s rich cultural heritage. I appreciate how They Say balances traditional recipes with modern presentation. Their cocktail menu features Detroit-inspired drinks like the Eastern Market Mule—the perfect complement to their decadent banana pudding that’s topped with fresh whipped cream and vanilla wafers.
Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails
Ivy Kitchen brings a modern twist to soul food classics in a sleek, Instagram-worthy space on Detroit’s east side. Owner Nya Marshall returned to her childhood neighborhood to create this upscale spot that proves comfort food can be both traditional and innovative.
Their blackened salmon with stone-ground grits converted me from a grits-skeptic to a true believer! The smoky cajun seasoning creates the perfect crust while preserving the fish’s delicate texture. During happy hour, I love sipping their bourbon peach tea while munching on black-eyed pea fritters—a creative appetizer that honors traditional ingredients.
Unlike the casual vibe of many soul food joints, Ivy offers white tablecloth service without pretension. The plant-filled interior creates a fresh, contemporary atmosphere that attracts a diverse crowd. Their Sunday brunch features live DJs spinning neo-soul while servers deliver chicken and red velvet waffles that taste as good as they look.