7 Florida Soul Food Spots That Feel Like Sunday Dinner Every Night Of The Week
There’s something magical about Sunday dinner in the South—those steaming plates of comfort food that wrap you in a culinary hug.
Growing up, my grandma’s kitchen was where love got served alongside crispy fried chicken and collard greens.
Lucky for us Floridians, that Sunday feeling isn’t limited to weekends anymore.
From Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale, these soul food havens dish up home-cooked goodness that’ll transport you straight to grandma’s dining table any day of the week.
1. The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro (Jacksonville)
Holy mac and cheese, Batman! The first time I walked into Potter’s House, the aroma nearly brought me to my knees. This church-run establishment serves portions so generous they could feed a small congregation.
Their smothered pork chops fall off the bone with a gentle nudge, swimming in gravy that should be illegal in at least seven states. The cornbread? Sweeter than a deacon’s smile on collection day.
What makes this place truly special is watching the diverse crowd—suits and work boots side by side at communal tables, all bonding over plates of heavenly yams and collard greens. Come hungry and prepare to waddle out praising the culinary gospel they’re preaching in this Jacksonville gem.
2. Georgia Mae’s (West Palm Beach)
Georgia Mae’s feels like someone’s grandma hijacked a restaurant and started cooking like the world depends on it. The chicken and waffles here changed my life—crispy, juicy chicken paired with waffles so fluffy they practically float off the plate.
Last summer, I brought my Yankee friend who claimed he “doesn’t get” soul food. Three bites of Georgia Mae’s black-eyed peas later, the man was speaking with a Southern accent and calling everyone “honey child.”
The sweet tea comes in mason jars bigger than my head, and they don’t skimp on the sugar. A heads-up for first-timers: pace yourself! Their portions could feed a football team, and you’ll want to save room for the peach cobbler that’s baked fresh daily and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into all those cinnamon-y crevices.
3. Bud’s Chicken And Seafood (West Palm Beach)
Whoever said “you can’t please everyone” never ate at Bud’s. This West Palm Beach institution has been frying up happiness since 1957, and brother, it shows in every bite.
Their fried chicken has that perfect crackly crust that makes a sound when you bite into it—a sound I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home despite watching countless YouTube tutorials. The hush puppies are like little cornmeal grenades of joy exploding with flavor.
My personal obsession is their gizzards and livers. I know, I know—organ meat isn’t everyone’s jam. But these tender morsels converted me faster than a revival preacher. The seafood options shine equally bright, especially the fried shrimp that taste like they jumped from ocean to fryer to my mouth in record time. Six decades in business doesn’t lie—Bud’s is the real deal.
4. Lunch On Limoges (Dade City)
Y’all aren’t ready for this Dade City gem! Housed in a converted 1920s bank building, Lunch on Limoges serves soul food with a side of history. The old vault now stores their secret recipe file—talk about security!
Their tomato pie is legendary—a savory masterpiece layered with ripe tomatoes, herbs, and cheese that would make an Italian grandmother weep with joy. I accidentally moaned out loud while eating it, earning knowing nods from nearby diners who’d clearly been there before.
Don’t sleep on their daily blue plate specials. Wednesday’s country fried steak comes smothered in pepper gravy so good you’ll want to bottle it. The charm extends beyond the food—servers know regulars by name, and even first-timers get treated like returning family. Come for lunch, but don’t rush—the leisurely Southern pace here is part of the nourishment.
5. Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen (Winter Park & Altamonte Springs)
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Tibby’s brings NOLA-style soul to Central Florida with such authenticity you’ll check your GPS to make sure you haven’t teleported to Bourbon Street.
Their gumbo is thicker than Florida humidity—packed with andouille sausage, chicken, and enough spice to make your forehead glisten. I’ve watched first-timers take their inaugural spoonful and immediately order a second bowl before finishing the first!
The étouffée deserves its own parade, crawfish swimming in a roux-based sauce that took me straight back to my college road trip to Louisiana. The walls are decked with quirky New Orleans-inspired art and Mardi Gras beads, creating an atmosphere as lively as the food. Order the beignets for dessert—these pillowy fritters arrive under an avalanche of powdered sugar that’ll have you looking like Tony Montana by the last bite.
6. Soul De Cuba Cafe (Tampa)
Mambo meets soul food in this Tampa treasure that blends Cuban and Southern cooking into something truly transcendent. The first time I tasted their ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce), I briefly considered changing my name to something more Cuban-sounding out of respect.
The black beans and rice achieve that perfect consistency—not too soupy, not too dry—and come topped with diced raw onions that add just the right amount of sharpness. Their fried plantains (maduros) are caramelized to sweet perfection, creating a side dish that threatens to upstage the main event.
What makes Soul de Cuba special is the fusion—collard greens cooked with mojo, cornbread with a hint of guava, and a rum cake that’ll have you speaking Spanglish by dessert. The tiny space fills up fast, especially during their live music nights when the restaurant transforms into the hottest club in Tampa, minus the annoying velvet rope.
7. El Camino Mexican Soul Food (Fort Lauderdale)
Whoever said soul food has to be Southern never tasted the Mexican-inspired comfort coming out of El Camino’s kitchen. This Fort Lauderdale hotspot proves that soul is more about heart than geography.
Their short rib quesadilla changed my understanding of what a quesadilla could be—tender, slow-cooked meat with just enough cheese to complement, not overwhelm. The queso fundido arrives bubbling hot with housemade chorizo that adds the perfect spicy punch to gooey, stretchy cheese.
The real magic happens at their weekend brunch, where chilaquiles (crispy tortilla chips simmered in salsa, topped with eggs and crema) cure hangovers you didn’t even know you had. Wash it all down with their smoky mezcal margarita that balances sweet, sour, and earthy flavors better than a tightrope walker. The vibrant Day of the Dead decor creates an atmosphere that’s festive without crossing into theme-park territory.