14 New York Soul Food Restaurants That Might Just Be Better Than Grandma’s But Don’t Tell Her
There’s something sacred about Grandma’s soul food – those recipes passed down through generations, cooked with love and a dash of magic.
But New York City harbors some incredible soul food joints that might just rival those family recipes.
I’ve spent years hunting down the most authentic, mouth-watering soul food spots in the Big Apple, and these 14 restaurants have me seriously questioning my loyalty to my grandmother’s kitchen.
1. Sylvia’s: The Queen Of Soul Food’s Legendary Kingdom
Last summer, I finally made the pilgrimage to this Harlem institution that’s been serving up comfort since 1962. The moment those candied yams touched my lips, I swear I heard angels singing!
Sylvia Woods’ legacy lives on in every bite of their crispy fried chicken and velvety mac and cheese. What makes this place special isn’t just the food – it’s the feeling of community that permeates the restaurant.
Celebrities and locals alike crowd into this hallowed space where the cornbread arrives warm and the service feels like family. The walls, decorated with photos of famous visitors, tell stories of a restaurant that’s fed everyone from presidents to music legends while remaining true to its soulful roots.
2. Melba’s: Where Comfort Food Gets A Delicious Makeover
Y’all, I nearly fell out of my chair when I tasted Melba’s eggnog waffles with fried chicken. Owner Melba Wilson learned her craft from her aunt – none other than Sylvia of the famous restaurant – before branching out to create her own soul food haven.
The spring rolls stuffed with black-eyed peas and collard greens? Pure genius! This Harlem hotspot manages to honor traditional recipes while adding just enough modern flair to keep things interesting.
What I love most about Melba’s is how she’s elevated soul food without losing its essence. The space feels cozy yet sophisticated, making it perfect for both family Sunday dinners and date nights when you want to impress someone with food that speaks to the soul.
3. Amy Ruth’s: Home Of The Rev. Al Sharpton Chicken And Waffles
My cousin dragged me here after church one Sunday, insisting I hadn’t lived until I’d tried their chicken and waffles. She wasn’t exaggerating! Named after the owner’s grandmother, this Harlem staple serves dishes named after famous African Americans.
The Rev. Al Sharpton (chicken and waffles) is their signature, but don’t sleep on The President Barack Obama (fried, smothered, baked, or barbecued chicken). The restaurant’s warm yellow walls and homey atmosphere instantly put you at ease.
What stands out most is how perfectly they nail the basics – their smothered pork chops fall off the bone, and their mac and cheese has that perfect crust on top that I try (and fail) to recreate at home. This is soul food that respects tradition while filling your belly and warming your heart.
4. Red Rooster Harlem: Marcus Samuelsson’s Soulful Symphony
Marcus Samuelsson’s culinary playground blew my mind with its brilliant fusion of soul food traditions and global influences. I stumbled in during a jazz brunch and ended up staying for hours, mesmerized by both the music and the food.
The yard bird (fried chicken) is marinated in buttermilk, coconut milk, and Ethiopian berbere spice – a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely sings on your palate. The cornbread comes with a honey butter that I may have smuggled home in my purse (don’t judge).
Beyond the incredible food, Red Rooster celebrates Harlem’s rich cultural heritage through art, music, and community engagement. The restaurant hums with energy, bringing together locals and tourists in a space that feels both sophisticated and welcoming – just like the neighborhood it calls home.
5. Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken: The Holy Grail Of Crispy Goodness
Finding Charles’ tiny spot in Harlem felt like discovering buried treasure. Chef Charles Gabriel cooks his legendary chicken the old-school way – in cast iron pans rather than deep fryers. The result? The crispiest, juiciest chicken that haunts my dreams.
The buffet-style setup lets you pile your plate with rotating daily specials like oxtails, turkey wings, and the creamiest black-eyed peas I’ve ever tasted. Charles learned to cook from his mother in North Carolina, and that authentic Southern influence shines through in every dish.
Don’t expect fancy digs – this place is all about the food. The modest surroundings only make the exceptional cooking more impressive. When I brought my picky father here, he ate in reverent silence before declaring it “almost as good as Grandma’s” – high praise indeed from a man who normally criticizes everything!
6. Jacob Restaurant Soul Food & Salad Bar: The All-You-Can-Eat Soul Food Paradise
My wallet and waistband have very different feelings about Jacob’s amazing buffet setup. With over 30 soul food items to choose from, I’ve never managed to try everything in one visit – though Lord knows I’ve tried!
The candied yams here taste exactly like my grandmother’s secret recipe (I’m convinced they stole it somehow). Their oxtails fall off the bone with barely a nudge from your fork, and the turkey wings are smothered in a gravy I would happily bathe in.
What makes Jacob’s special is the freedom to create your perfect soul food plate. Want three different kinds of mac and cheese? Go for it! Need to balance your fried chicken with some healthier collards? They’ve got you covered. The Harlem location buzzes with regulars who know they’re getting quality soul food at prices that won’t break the bank.
7. SpaHa Soul: East Harlem’s Hidden Gem
Tucked away in Spanish Harlem (SpaHa), this cozy spot saved me during a rainstorm when I ducked in seeking shelter and discovered culinary nirvana instead. Chef Artist’s shrimp and grits literally changed my understanding of what this classic dish could be.
The menu offers soul food classics with thoughtful, creative touches. Their catfish is the crispiest I’ve found in NYC, and somehow they’ve made brussels sprouts (yes, brussels sprouts!) addictive by cooking them with turkey bacon and a maple glaze.
The intimate space feels like being invited to a talented friend’s dinner party. What I appreciate most about SpaHa Soul is their commitment to freshness – nothing tastes like it’s been sitting under a heat lamp. Instead, each dish arrives piping hot and made with obvious care, proving that soul food can be both comforting and elevated.
8. Mitchell’s Soul Food: Brooklyn’s Time-Honored Treasure
When my Brooklyn friends bragged about Mitchell’s, I rolled my eyes – until I actually ate there. This unassuming Prospect Heights institution has been serving no-nonsense soul food since 1969, and they’ve perfected every single recipe.
The smothered pork chops come drowning in a gravy so good I wanted to drink it with a straw. Their potato salad (a dish I’m normally picky about) struck that perfect balance between creamy and tangy with just the right amount of relish.
Mitchell’s feels like stepping back in time in the best possible way. The wood-paneled walls, formica tables, and cash-only policy might seem old-school, but they’re part of the charm. The portions are generous, the prices reasonable, and the flavors authentic – soul food fundamentals executed flawlessly without any unnecessary frills or modern twists.
9. A Taste Of Seafood: Soul Food From The Ocean
Confession time: I once ate here three days in a row because I couldn’t stop thinking about their fried whiting sandwich. This Harlem spot specializes in seafood with soul, and they’ve mastered the art of the perfect fry.
The whiting sandwich comes on white bread with hot sauce and tartar sauce – simple but absolutely transcendent. Their fried shrimp are plump and juicy inside that perfect golden coating, and the hush puppies have ruined me for all other versions.
Don’t expect fancy ambiance – it’s a tiny place with limited seating where you order at the counter. What you get instead is some of the freshest, most perfectly prepared seafood in the city at prices that seem impossible for New York. The line often stretches out the door, but trust me when I say these seafood treasures are worth every minute of the wait.
10. Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too: Upper West Side Soul
Finding authentic soul food on the Upper West Side seemed impossible until I stumbled upon Miss Mamie’s. Named after the owner’s mother, this cozy spot serves Southern classics that transported me straight to my childhood visits to Alabama.
Their signature spoonbread (a custardy cornbread soufflé) is worth the trip alone. The fried chicken achieves that mythical balance – shatteringly crisp outside, juicy inside – and their collard greens have that perfect pot likker that I sop up with cornbread.
What makes Miss Mamie’s special is how they’ve maintained authentic flavors while adapting to their Upper West Side location. The space is more polished than some soul food joints, making it accessible to newcomers without sacrificing any flavor. When my Manhattan friends claim they can’t find good soul food without heading to Brooklyn or Harlem, Miss Mamie’s is my secret weapon.
11. Café Camellia: Queens’ Soul Food Revelation
My first bite of Café Camellia’s smothered turkey wings nearly brought tears to my eyes – they tasted exactly like my late grandmother’s recipe. This Queens gem serves up soul food that feels truly homemade, down to the slight variations that tell you someone’s cooking from memory rather than a strict recipe.
Their mac and cheese has that perfect crispy top layer that we all fight over at family dinners. The candied yams strike that ideal balance between sweet and savory, and their cornbread muffins arrive warm with honey butter that melts on contact.
The dining room feels like someone’s well-loved home, with family photos on the walls and servers who remember your name after just one visit. What keeps me coming back (besides the incredible food) is the feeling that I’m not just a customer but a welcome guest at a family gathering where everyone happens to cook like a dream.
12. Tatiana By Kwame Onwuachi: Lincoln Center’s Afro-Caribbean Soul
When I heard Top Chef alum Kwame Onwuachi was opening a restaurant at Lincoln Center, I wondered if it would feel too fancy for proper soul food. I needn’t have worried – Tatiana brilliantly bridges the gap between fine dining and soulful comfort.
Named after his sister, Onwuachi’s restaurant blends soul food with Caribbean and West African influences. The braised oxtails come with rice and pigeon peas that transport me straight to my cousin’s kitchen in Trinidad. Their cornbread arrives with a life-changing brown butter that’s infused with warm spices.
Yes, the setting is more upscale than traditional soul food joints, with its Lincoln Center location and elegant decor. But Onwuachi hasn’t sacrificed an ounce of flavor or authenticity. Instead, he’s created a space where soul food gets the fine-dining respect it deserves while remaining true to its roots – proving that our culinary traditions belong in every setting.
13. Kennedy Fried Chicken: The Late-Night Soul Food Savior
I know what you’re thinking – a chicken chain on a soul food list? Trust me on this one. Kennedy Fried Chicken spots (scattered throughout NYC) have saved my soul during many late-night cravings when everything else was closed.
Unlike the national chains, these locally-owned spots serve chicken that’s actually seasoned properly. The crispy coating has that perfect peppery kick, and many locations offer soul food sides like collard greens and mac and cheese that would make any grandmother proud.
Each Kennedy has its own character – some are bare-bones takeout counters while others offer seating and expanded menus. What unites them is surprisingly good, affordable soul food available when most restaurants have long closed their doors. My favorite Kennedy in Bed-Stuy makes a sweet potato pie that’s so good I’ve been known to order it for breakfast the next morning (don’t judge me).
14. Bossman La’Tk: The Underground Soul Food Legend
Finding Bossman La’Tk feels like joining a delicious secret society. This underground soul food operation doesn’t have a storefront – you order through Instagram and pick up your food from a designated location in Harlem or Brooklyn.
Bossman’s smoked turkey legs are the stuff of legend – massive, juicy, and infused with a secret spice blend that I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home. His seafood mac and cheese, loaded with crab and shrimp, is worth every penny of its premium price tag.
What makes Bossman special is the personal touch – he often delivers the food himself and remembers his regulars’ preferences. The presentation in branded containers makes you feel like you’re getting something exclusive. When my bougie cousin from LA visited and turned up her nose at “Instagram food,” one bite of Bossman’s banana pudding changed her mind completely. This is soul food entrepreneurship at its finest.