6 Florida Soul‑Food Shacks Dishing Comfort That Tourists Totally Miss

Florida’s culinary scene stretches far beyond the seafood joints and Cuban cafes that tourists flock to.

Hidden in neighborhoods where locals gather, soul food restaurants serve up plates that tell stories of Southern tradition and family recipes passed down through generations.

While visitors line up for key lime pie and conch fritters, these humble eateries dish out the kind of comfort food that warms both belly and spirit.

Let me take you on a tour of my favorite under-the-radar soul food spots that most Florida vacationers never discover.

1. Nikki’s Place: Orlando’s Soul Food Sanctuary

Last summer, I stumbled upon Nikki’s Place while trying to escape the theme park crowds. The aromatic cloud of fried chicken and collard greens pulled me through the door like a cartoon character floating toward pie on a windowsill.

Housed in a modest building in Orlando’s Parramore district, this family-owned treasure has been serving authentic Southern cuisine since 1949. The oxtails fall off the bone with barely a nudge from your fork, and their cornbread might actually change your life.

What makes Nikki’s special isn’t just the food, it’s watching Miss Nikki herself moving between tables, checking on regulars, and treating first-timers like returning friends. The sweet tea comes in mason jars, naturally, and portions are generous enough to guarantee leftovers.

2. Big John’s Eatery: West Palm Beach’s Hidden Gem

“You ain’t had sweet potato pie until you’ve had Big John’s,” my taxi driver insisted when I asked for local food recommendations in West Palm Beach. Boy, was he right!

Tucked away on a side street where tourists rarely venture, Big John’s Eatery looks unassuming from the outside. The interior feels like walking into someone’s dining room, complete with mismatched chairs and family photos on wood-paneled walls.

Their smothered pork chops have a cult following among locals, swimming in gravy that could make a vegetarian reconsider life choices. The mac and cheese uses five different cheeses (I tried to get the recipe and was politely but firmly denied). Cash only and closed Mondays write that down if you plan to visit!

3. The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro: Jacksonville’s Spiritual Feast

My first bite of fried catfish at The Potter’s House made me want to stand up and testify! This Jacksonville institution, connected to a local church, proves that food made with faith just tastes better.

Unlike many hole-in-the-wall spots, Potter’s House is spacious and modern, with sunlight streaming through large windows. What hasn’t changed is the dedication to soul-satisfying classics. Their Sunday after-church rush is legendary—arrive early or prepare to wait alongside families in their Sunday best.

The turkey wings are fall-apart tender, and the yams taste like they’ve been blessed individually. My personal addiction? Their banana pudding, which somehow manages to be both light and decadently rich. Even during busy times, servers remember regulars’ orders and deliver Southern hospitality alongside heaping plates.

4. Josiah’s Southern Cooking: Panama City’s Flavor Laboratory

“This ain’t your grandma’s soul food unless your grandma was a culinary genius with a wild streak!” That’s what Chef Josiah told me when I asked about his unique take on classic Southern dishes in his Panama City kitchen.

Housed in a converted gas station with colorful murals adorning the walls, Josiah’s serves traditional soul food with unexpected twists. The gumbo changes daily based on what looks good at the seafood market, and their fried green tomatoes come stacked with pimento cheese and bacon jam.

During the off-season, locals pack the place for Thursday night special events where Josiah experiments with fusion dishes like Korean BBQ collard greens and jerk-spiced catfish. The banana pudding cheesecake squares sell out within hours of being posted on their Instagram—I’ve set alerts just to grab some!

5. Skeebo’s Soul Food Kitchen: Palm Bay’s Flavor Paradise

“The first time you taste my grandmother’s recipes, you’ll understand why I quit my engineering job to open this place,” Skeebo told me while sliding a plate of the most beautiful fried chicken I’ve ever seen across the counter.

Located in a strip mall in Palm Bay, Skeebo’s doesn’t look special from outside. Step inside, though, and the tantalizing aromas hit you like a warm hug. The menu is written on a chalkboard and changes based on what’s fresh and what Skeebo feels like cooking.

The oxtail stew simmers for 12 hours, resulting in meat so tender you barely need teeth. Their black-eyed peas have converted many a pea-hater, and the sweet potato pie should be classified as a controlled substance. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays because, as Skeebo says, “Even soul food chefs need to rest their souls sometimes.”

6. Underground Kitchen: Dunnellon’s Worst-Kept Secret

I nearly drove past Underground Kitchen three times before spotting the faded sign on what looks like someone’s house. Locals call it “Angie B’s” after the owner, though the official name remains a mystery even to regulars.

This Dunnellon gem operates in a converted garage with just six tables. No website, no phone number—just word-of-mouth and the occasional handwritten sign announcing special dishes. On Fridays, people line up at 11 AM for Angie’s smoked ribs that fall off the bone if you so much as look at them sideways.

The collard greens have a peppery kick that’ll clear your sinuses, and the mac and cheese arrives bubbling in individual cast iron skillets. Cash only, no reservations, and be prepared to share a table with strangers who’ll likely become friends over shared bites of Angie’s legendary peach cobbler.