Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Best Soul Food Spots That Locals Swear By
In Philadelphia, soul food isn’t just comfort—it’s culture.
From smoky oxtails and gravy-soaked chicken to cornbread that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen, these spots serve more than meals; they serve community, history, and love.
After years of tasting my way across the city, I’ve found the restaurants locals swear by—places where recipes are guarded like family heirlooms and every plate feels like a warm embrace.
Butter’s Soul Food To Go – The Takeout Champion
Last month, I stumbled upon Butter’s after a long day at work, and my taste buds still haven’t recovered from the joy! The tiny storefront might fool you, but the massive flavors won’t.
Their fried chicken has that perfect crackly skin that practically sings when you bite into it. The secret? A 24-hour brine that the owner’s grandmother perfected during the Great Depression.
Don’t sleep on their candied yams—sweet enough to make you close your eyes and hum with pleasure but balanced with just the right amount of spice. Since they focus on takeout, everything’s packaged to maintain heat and crispness all the way home. Just be prepared to join the line that often stretches down the block!
SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club – Soulful Sounds And Savory Bites
“Y’all ain’t lived until you’ve had cornbread with a side of saxophone,” my grandma used to say, and SOUTH proves her right every single night. The moment you walk in, the scent of butter and spices mingles with smooth jazz notes floating through the air.
Their shrimp and grits would make any Southerner proud—creamy, cheesy grits topped with plump shrimp sautéed in a sauce that somehow balances spicy, tangy, and savory all at once. The catfish is another showstopper, with a cornmeal crust so light it might float off your plate if not for the weight of deliciousness.
Between sets from local jazz musicians, servers bring out slices of sweet potato pie that’ll make you want to slap somebody (in the nicest way possible, of course).
BlackHen – Farm-Fresh Soul With Modern Twists
BlackHen changed my whole perspective on collard greens! My first visit happened during a thunderstorm, and I still remember how the rain-soaked dash inside led to the coziest meal of my life.
Owner Chef Malik sources ingredients from urban farms within city limits, giving traditional soul dishes an incredible freshness you can taste in every bite. Their smothered pork chops arrive tender enough to cut with a spoon, swimming in gravy that’s rich with caramelized onions and herbs picked that morning.
The mac and cheese doesn’t just have one cheese but FOUR different kinds, creating a complex flavor that’s simultaneously nostalgic and sophisticated. My personal addiction? Their hot water cornbread—crispy outside, steamy inside, and drizzled with local honey that’ll make you forget every other bread you’ve ever eaten.
Soul Greedy – Where Portion Sizes Match The Flavor
The name doesn’t lie—one visit to Soul Greedy and you’ll find yourself craving their food at random hours of the night! My cousin dragged me here after months of raving, and I nearly wept when I tasted their oxtails.
Fall-off-the-bone tender and swimming in a gravy so rich it should pay taxes, these oxtails have caused family feuds over who gets the last one. Their sides deserve equal billing—especially the black-eyed peas cooked with smoked turkey and enough garlic to keep vampires away from Philadelphia forever.
What really sets Soul Greedy apart is the hospitality. Miss Patrice, the owner, remembers everyone’s name and often sends out complimentary corn muffins to first-timers. The portions are enormous—I’ve never finished a plate in one sitting, which means tomorrow’s lunch is always sorted!
Sheba’s Soul Plate – Grandma’s Kitchen Away From Home
Walking into Sheba’s feels like teleporting straight into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen! The floral wallpaper might be stuck in 1975, but that’s exactly what makes this place special.
My first time here, I ordered the smothered chicken, and I swear I heard angels singing with each bite. The meat practically falls off the bone, and the gravy—oh, that gravy!—is velvety smooth with hints of thyme and black pepper that dance across your tongue. Their greens have that perfect pot liquor that I’ve been known to drink straight from the bowl when nobody’s looking.
What really stole my heart was their peach cobbler, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into all those buttery nooks and crannies. The crust achieves that mythical balance between flaky and tender that’s caused many failed attempts in my own kitchen.
Soulful D’Lites – Healthy Soul Food That Doesn’t Sacrifice Flavor
“Healthy soul food” sounds like an oxymoron, but Soulful D’Lites proves it’s possible! After my doctor read me the riot act about my cholesterol, I thought my soul food days were over until I discovered this gem.
Chef Darnell uses smoked turkey instead of pork in his greens, bakes instead of fries when possible, and somehow makes it all taste sinfully delicious. The turkey meatloaf—usually a sad substitute for the real thing—is so moist and flavorful here that I’ve converted several beef-loving friends.
Their sweet potato casserole uses just enough brown sugar and pecans to satisfy your sweet tooth without sending your blood sugar through the roof. The best part? I can leave feeling full and satisfied but not like I need to be rolled out the door. Who knew eating right could taste this good?
Tyemeka’s Soul Food Restaurant – The Hidden Neighborhood Treasure
Tucked away on a quiet residential street, finding Tyemeka’s feels like discovering buried treasure! I only learned about it when my barber whispered the location like he was sharing state secrets.
The dining room has just six tables in what was clearly once someone’s living room, but what Tyemeka’s lacks in size, it makes up for in flavor. Their fried whiting sandwich on thick-cut white bread with hot sauce and pickles has ruined all other fish sandwiches for me forever. The crispy cornmeal coating stays crunchy even under the tangy sauce.
Don’t miss their potato salad—a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet with bits of pickle and hard-boiled egg throughout. Cash only, no reservations, and they close when they run out of food—which happens almost daily. Some secrets are too delicious to stay hidden for long!
Lavish – Soul Food With An Upscale Twist
Champagne with your chicken and waffles? At Lavish, that’s just how they roll! For my 30th birthday dinner, I wanted something special but still soulful, and this place delivered beyond my wildest expectations.
White tablecloths and mood lighting set the stage for elevated soul classics like their lobster mac and cheese—a decadent creation with three cheeses, chunks of buttery lobster, and a crisp panko topping that provides the perfect textural contrast. Their short ribs braised in red wine fall apart at the mere suggestion of your fork, nestled on a bed of the creamiest grits I’ve ever tasted.
Despite the fancy setting, portions remain generous enough to satisfy any soul food lover. The cocktail menu deserves special mention—try the Brown Sugar Old Fashioned that comes with a smoked cinnamon stick. Worth every penny of the splurge!
Ma Lessie’s Chicken & Waffles – Breakfast-For-Dinner Champions
3 AM cravings have met their match at Ma Lessie’s! After a night out dancing, my friends and I stumbled in here, and it’s become our traditional late-night spot ever since.
Open 24 hours on weekends, this place serves the most perfect chicken and waffles in the city. The chicken has a peppery, crunchy coating that somehow stays crisp even when drizzled with their house-made maple hot sauce (a sweet-spicy concoction that should be bottled and sold nationwide). The waffles achieve that magical state of being crisp on the outside while remaining fluffy inside.
Beyond the signature dish, their salmon croquettes and grits make a case for breakfast food at any hour. The coffee is strong enough to bring you back to life, and the staff treats you like family even when you’re not at your most coherent. Hangover prevention never tasted so good!
Y’all See It Country Cookin’ – The Soul Food Buffet Experience
“Come hungry, leave happy” should be the motto at Y’all See It! My first Sunday after moving to Philly, I joined the post-church crowd here and gained five pounds in one sitting—worth every ounce!
The all-you-can-eat buffet stretches longer than my patience on a Monday morning, featuring every soul food classic imaginable. Their fried chicken gizzards—a dish many places don’t even attempt—are tender little flavor bombs that convert even the most offal-averse diners. The rotating selection of cobblers (peach, blackberry, and my favorite, the rarely-seen pineapple) makes choosing dessert the hardest decision of your day.
What makes this place special is how they refresh the buffet constantly, ensuring nothing sits too long. Bring stretchy pants and prepare to need a nap afterward—this is comfort food in its purest, most abundant form!