11 Ohio Soul Food Spots That Serve Sunday Dinner Comfort Any Day You Crave It

There’s nothing quite like the hug you get from a plate of true soul food – warm, satisfying, and straight to the heart.

In Ohio, you’ll find kitchens where creamy mac and cheese cozies up to slow-cooked greens, and golden fried chicken is treated like royalty.

No matter if it’s the start of a rough week or the kick-off to the weekend, these spots bring that Sunday supper magic to the table every single day.

1. Angie’s Soul Café – Cleveland’s Comfort Queen

Smothered pork chops here don’t just sit on your plate; they command attention with gravy so rich it could solve world problems.

Located on Carnegie Avenue with additional spots on Harvard and Superior, this Cleveland staple knows how to make chicken and waffles sing in perfect harmony.

Their collard greens pack enough flavor to make your grandmother proud, while the atmosphere feels like stepping into someone’s beloved kitchen.

Open daily for lunch through dinner, you’ll find counter service that moves fast but never rushes the love.

2. Zanzibar Soul Fusion – Downtown’s Creative Twist

Soul Rolls might sound like a dance move, but they’re actually this restaurant’s genius fusion creation that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about comfort food.

Located on Prospect Avenue downtown with a second spot in Shaker Square, Zanzibar elevates traditional soul food with creative flair.

Turkey chops here get the royal treatment they deserve, while their chicken and waffles maintain that perfect balance of crispy and fluffy.

Open 11 am to 10 pm daily, this full-service spot proves innovation and tradition can share the same delicious plate.

3. Pearl’s Kitchen – MidTown’s Elevated Comfort

Fast-casual meets fine dining at this Midtown gem where fried green tomatoes arrive like little golden treasures on your tray.

Located in the MidTown Collaboration Center on East 66th Street, Pearl’s transforms traditional comfort food into something beautifully refined yet completely approachable.

I remember my first visit here, watching them prepare chicken and waffles with the precision of artists but the warmth of family cooks.

4. Open Pitt Bar-B-Que – Glenville’s Smoky Legend

Rib tips here don’t mess around, arriving with smoke rings that tell stories of patience and proper pit mastering.

This St. Clair Avenue institution has been serving Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood with the kind of barbecue that makes people drive across town just for dinner.

Wings come perfectly charred on the outside while staying juicy within, and their dinner plates satisfy even the most demanding appetites.

5. Mama Joyce’s Soul Food – Cleveland Heights Comeback Story

Homestyle plates here feel like receiving a warm hug from someone who actually cares about your well-being.

Located on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, this beloved spot made a triumphant return that had the entire community celebrating like their favorite relative moved back to town.

Fried chicken arrives with that perfect crunch that only comes from years of perfecting technique, while mac and cheese achieves that ideal balance of creamy and slightly crispy edges.

Open Tuesday through Sunday with shorter Sunday hours, their candied yams alone justify the trip.

6. V’s Gourmet Chicken – North Collinwood’s Cult Classic

Cult-favorite status doesn’t happen by accident, and one bite of their fried chicken explains why people make pilgrimages to Lake Shore Boulevard. This North Collinwood spot has achieved that rare combination of crispy exterior and impossibly juicy interior that makes other restaurants weep with envy.

Catfish here gets treated with the same reverence, arriving perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection.

Open Monday through Sunday with varying hours, this takeout-friendly spot proves that sometimes the best things come from the most unassuming places in Cleveland.

7. Soul 2 Go – Columbus’s Late-Night Savior

Late-night cravings meet their match at this Columbus institution, where fried chicken doesn’t judge your dinner timing. With locations downtown on East Lynn Street and in the University District on Essex Avenue, this spot understands that comfort food emergencies can strike at any hour.

Mac and cheese here achieves that perfect consistency that makes you question why anyone ever invented other side dishes.

The downtown location stays open until midnight on weekends, while DJs and events some nights turn dinner into an experience that feeds both body and soul.

8. Peggy’s Soul Food Kitchen – Reynoldsburg’s Entertainment Hub

Wings here don’t just satisfy hunger; they provide the perfect fuel for evening entertainment that ranges from watch parties to comedy nights.

Located on Brice Road in Reynoldsburg, this spot combines excellent food with a bar vibe that makes every visit feel like a celebration waiting to happen.

Catfish arrives with seasoning that tells stories, while full dinners provide enough comfort to make you forget whatever stress brought you through the door.

9. Soul Secrets – Cincinnati’s OTR Comfort Zone

Southern platters here arrive with the kind of presentation that makes you pause before taking that first bite, not from hesitation but from pure appreciation.

Located on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine, this cozy sit-down spot serves breakfast until noon for those who understand that comfort food doesn’t follow conventional scheduling.

Fried chicken maintains that perfect balance of seasoning and technique, while mac and cheese achieves creamy perfection that makes other versions seem like practice rounds.

Open Tuesday through Sunday with Monday rest days, their intimate atmosphere encourages savoring both food and company.

10. Alabama Fish Bar – Cincinnati’s Fried Fish Institution

Freshly fried whiting, cod, and perch here achieve that magical combination of crispy exterior and flaky interior that makes complicated cooking seem unnecessary.

Located near Findlay Market on Race Street, this Cincinnati institution proves that sometimes perfection comes from doing simple things exceptionally well.

Fries and slaw complete every order with the kind of straightforward excellence that never goes out of style.

11. Mz Jade’s Soul Food – Cincinnati’s Generous Portions Paradise

Smothered chicken here arrives under blankets of gravy so generous you might need GPS to find the meat underneath, but that’s exactly the point at this Sharonville location.

Fried catfish gets similar royal treatment, while yams achieve that perfect balance of sweet and savory that makes vegetables taste like dessert.

Greens simmer with enough flavor to make carnivores reconsider their life choices, and portions arrive large enough to feed small armies or provide tomorrow’s lunch.

Open daily for lunch and dinner with both dine-in and takeout options, this spot on Reading Road proves that bigger really can be better.