10 Florida Soul Food Spots That Bring Sunday Dinner Vibes Every Night
In Florida, some restaurants capture the warmth and comfort of Sunday dinner every single night.
These ten soul food spots serve up dishes that feel like a family gathering, from crispy fried chicken and buttery cornbread to savory sides that hit all the right notes.
Locals return again and again for the familiar flavors and cozy atmosphere, and visitors quickly understand why. Each meal offers a taste of home, no matter the day of the week.
1. Jackson Soul Food (Miami)
Walk into Jackson Soul Food and you’ll swear someone’s grandmother just waved you inside. This Miami gem has been feeding hungry souls since 1946, making it one of the oldest Black-owned restaurants in the city.
Their oxtails fall off the bone like butter, and the candied yams could make a grown person weep with joy.
The mac and cheese is creamy perfection, baked with that golden crust on top that’s worth fighting your cousin over.
2. Nikki’s Place (Orlando)
Nestled in Orlando’s Parramore district, Nikki’s Place serves comfort on every plate. Owner Nikki’s recipes come straight from her childhood kitchen, where food meant family and love meant seconds.
The smothered pork chops swim in gravy so rich you’ll want to bottle it. Their collard greens simmer all day with smoked turkey, creating flavors that dance on your tongue.
Don’t skip the peach cobbler because regret tastes way worse than fullness.
3. Olean’s Café (Tallahassee)
Olean’s Café has been Tallahassee’s best-kept secret since 2006, though locals wish it would stay that way. This family-run spot dishes out portions so generous you’ll need a to-go box and possibly a nap.
Their fried chicken is crispy, juicy, and seasoned like Sunday morning church bells. The lima beans taste like someone’s meemaw stirred them with a wooden spoon for hours.
Sweet tea flows freely, because what’s soul food without liquid sugar to wash it down?
4. Earley’s Kitchen (Tallahassee)
Chef Earley doesn’t play around when it comes to flavor. His Tallahassee kitchen cranks out dishes that make you close your eyes and hum with each bite, which happens more often than you’d think.
The turkey wings are fall-apart tender and swimming in savory gravy that deserves its own fan club.
His black-eyed peas come seasoned perfectly, with just enough kick to keep things interesting. Banana pudding here isn’t dessert, it’s a religious experience with vanilla wafers.
5. Five Sisters Blues Café (Pensacola)
Music and food collide beautifully at Five Sisters Blues Café, where your meal comes with a side of live blues.
Located in Pensacola’s historic Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, this spot feeds your stomach and your soul simultaneously.
Their fried catfish is crispy perfection, paired with hush puppies that disappear faster than opening acts. The red beans and rice pack enough flavor to make New Orleans jealous.
Thursday nights bring live music, turning dinner into a full-blown experience worth canceling plans for.
6. Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant (Tampa)
Mama doesn’t mess around in Tampa. Her restaurant serves the kind of food that makes you loosen your belt and contemplate ordering seconds before finishing firsts.
The fried chicken here is legendary, with a crust that crunches loud enough to announce your happiness.
Potato salad comes loaded with eggs, pickles, and enough mustard to give it that perfect tang. Her dinner rolls arrive warm and buttery, basically edible clouds that soak up gravy like champions.
7. Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que & Soul Food (Tampa)
Al wasn’t kidding about the finger-licking part. This Tampa institution combines smoky barbecue with classic soul food, creating a menu that covers all your cravings in one delicious stop.
Ribs come slathered in tangy sauce that’ll have you gnawing bones like it’s your job. The baked beans are sweet, smoky, and packed with chunks of meat that make them a meal themselves.
Cornbread arrives hot and crumbly, perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce.
8. Angel’s Soul Food & BBQ (Sanford)
Angel’s brings heaven to Sanford, one plate at a time. This family-owned joint serves food so good you’ll forget your manners and start eating with your hands, which is perfectly acceptable here.
Pulled pork melts in your mouth like savory cotton candy, while collard greens come seasoned with enough soul to make you emotional.
Their cornbread is slightly sweet, perfectly dense, and disappears before you realize you’ve eaten half the pan. Peach cobbler finishes things off with warm, fruity goodness.
9. Shantell’s Just Until (Sanford)
Shantell’s name might sound temporary, but her food creates permanent memories. This Sanford spot serves up home cooking so authentic you’ll check the kitchen for your actual grandmother.
Meatloaf here is moist, flavorful, and topped with a tomato glaze that adds just the right tang. Green beans simmer low and slow with bacon, creating that perfect tender texture without turning mushy.
Mashed potatoes come whipped smooth and drowning in brown gravy that could solve world problems if given the chance.
10. Kinfolks Cafe (Daytona Beach)
Kinfolks Cafe lives up to its name by treating every customer like family, which means generous portions and lots of love stirred into every pot. Daytona Beach locals guard this spot like a precious secret.
Their fried fish comes out golden and flaky, with seasoning that makes you wonder what magic spices they’re hiding.
Cheese grits are creamy, rich, and comforting enough to cure bad days. The turnip greens pack a peppery punch that wakes up your taste buds without overwhelming them.