12 Must-Try New York Soul Food Spots That Taste Just Like Sunday Dinner
There’s something magical about soul food that brings back memories of family gatherings and Sunday afternoons filled with laughter.
New York City might be known for pizza and bagels, but hidden throughout the boroughs are restaurants serving up fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens that’ll transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.
Whether you’re craving comfort food or want to experience authentic Southern cooking, these spots deliver flavors that feel like a warm hug on a plate.
1. Sylvia’s Restaurant of Harlem
Walking into Sylvia’s feels like stepping into a piece of history. Since 1962, this legendary Harlem institution has been serving up soul food that’s earned its title as the “Queen of Soul Food.” The walls are covered with photos of celebrities and politicians who’ve made the pilgrimage for a taste of authentic Southern cooking.
Their fried chicken is crispy perfection, and the smothered pork chops practically melt in your mouth. Don’t skip the candied yams—they’re sweet enough to be dessert but savory enough to pair with your entrée.
Sylvia’s still offers its famous weekend gospel brunch, featuring live music and classic breakfast dishes that fill the dining room with energy and soul.
2. Melba’s Restaurant
Named after owner Melba Wilson, this Harlem gem brings upscale soul food to the neighborhood without losing that homestyle charm. Melba herself is often there greeting guests, making everyone feel like family from the moment they walk through the door. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between casual comfort and special-occasion worthy.
Melba’s signature chicken and waffles have become an NYC classic, with perfectly seasoned fried chicken served atop fluffy waffles and drizzled with syrup. The Eggnog French Toast is a year-round favorite that tastes like Christmas morning.
Portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
3. Shaw-naé’s House
Staten Island’s best-kept secret sits tucked away in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where Chef Shaw-naé serves meals that taste exactly like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house. The intimate space only seats about twenty people, creating a cozy atmosphere that encourages conversation between tables. Reservations are practically mandatory because word has spread about the incredible food coming out of this tiny kitchen.
The oxtails are fall-off-the-bone tender, braised in a rich gravy that begs to be soaked up with cornbread. Mac and cheese comes baked with a golden crust that adds the perfect crunch.
Everything is made fresh to order, so patience pays off deliciously.
4. Katie O’s Soul Food
Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Katie O’s is known for generous portions of homestyle comfort food served cafeteria-style. This no-frills establishment focuses on what matters most—filling plates with honest, delicious soul food at prices that won’t empty your wallet. The cafeteria-style setup lets you see all your options before committing, which makes decision-making both easier and harder at the same time.
Their turkey wings are criminally underrated, seasoned to perfection and falling off the bone. The collard greens have just the right amount of smokiness, cooked low and slow the traditional way.
Grab extra cornbread because you’ll want it to soak up every last drop of pot liquor.
5. Amy Ruth’s
Politicians, celebrities, and everyday folks line up outside this Harlem favorite, famous for naming dishes after notable figures. The “Rev. Al Sharpton” (chicken and waffles) and “Barack Obama” (chicken and waffles with hot sauce) are menu standouts that live up to their namesakes. Floor-to-ceiling windows let natural light flood the space, making it feel bright and welcoming even during the lunch rush.
What sets Amy Ruth’s apart is their homemade waffle batter, which creates impossibly fluffy waffles with crispy edges. The fried chicken is brined overnight, resulting in juicy meat with a perfectly seasoned crust.
Save room for sweet potato pie—it’s worth loosening your belt for.
6. Charles Pan Fried Chicken
Forget everything you think you know about fried chicken until you’ve tried Charles’ version. This Harlem counter-service spot has perfected the art of pan-frying chicken in cast iron skillets, creating a crust that shatters with each bite. Owner Charles Gabriel learned his craft from generations of family recipes, and it shows in every perfectly cooked piece.
The chicken takes about twenty minutes because it’s made to order, but watching it sizzle in those skillets makes the wait feel like part of the experience. Sides rotate daily, but the candied yams and string beans are always solid choices.
7. The Soul Spot
Red Hook’s answer to soul food cravings comes in the form of this unassuming storefront that punches way above its weight class. The owners treat every customer like a regular, remembering orders and asking about your day while plating up generous portions. Bright murals on the walls add pops of color to the small dining area, creating an upbeat vibe that matches the food.
Their fried fish is outstanding—crispy cornmeal coating giving way to flaky, perfectly seasoned fish inside. The macaroni salad has a cult following among locals who swear it’s the best in Brooklyn.
Thursday special features oxtails that sell out by early afternoon, so plan accordingly.
8. Suga Foot’s Soul Kitchen
Crown Heights is beloved statewide for its authentic family recipes and Southern-style hospitality. The name comes from the owner’s grandmother’s nickname, and her spirit lives on in every dish that leaves the kitchen. Vintage soul and R&B play softly in the background, setting a relaxed mood that encourages you to slow down and savor your meal.
Smothered chicken here is legendary—tender meat swimming in rich onion gravy that deserves its own spotlight. The string beans are cooked Southern-style with smoked turkey, adding depth without overwhelming the vegetables.
Banana pudding for dessert isn’t optional; it’s a requirement for the full experience.
9. BLVD Bistro
Harlem’s BLVD Bistro elevates soul food to fine dining status without sacrificing the comfort factor that makes it special. Exposed brick walls, modern light fixtures, and white tablecloths create an atmosphere that works equally well for date night or catching up with friends.
Their short ribs are braised until they practically dissolve on your tongue, served over creamy grits that soak up every drop of sauce. Brussels sprouts get the soul food treatment with bacon and a touch of sweetness.
Brunch service includes bottomless mimosas that make Sundays even better.
10. Mom’s Kitchen & Bar
Mom’s Kitchen & Bar operates two locations in New York City, one in Midtown Manhattan and one in Astoria, Queens, and offers a creative comfort-food menu with a Southern twist.
The owner literally treats the restaurant like an extension of her home kitchen, often experimenting with new recipes and asking diners for feedback. Framed family photos line the walls, reinforcing the feeling that you’re eating in someone’s actual dining room.
Fried pork chops here are thick-cut and juicy, with a peppery breading that adds just enough kick. The potato salad strikes that perfect balance between creamy and tangy that’s surprisingly hard to find.
Weekend specials often feature dishes from the owner’s childhood that aren’t on the regular menu.
11. SpaHa Soul
Spanish Harlem’s contribution to the soul food scene brings a slight Latin influence to traditional dishes without straying too far from the classics. The fusion happens naturally in a neighborhood where cultures have been mixing for generations, resulting in flavors that feel both familiar and excitingly different. Large windows offer prime people-watching opportunities while you dig into your meal.
Their pernil-spiced fried chicken is a revelation, combining Puerto Rican seasoning techniques with Southern frying methods. Black beans appear alongside traditional sides, offering a delicious alternative to the usual options.
The flan-sweet potato pie hybrid dessert sounds weird but tastes like genius on a plate.
12. Taste Of Heaven
In the heart of Brooklyn, Taste of Heaven Soul Food lives up to its name with plates so good they’ll make you close your eyes after the first bite. This family-owned gem keeps things simple, generous portions, friendly service, and recipes that taste like they’ve been perfected over generations.
The vibe is easy and unpretentious, with the smell of fried chicken and cornbread greeting you the second you walk in.Their fried whiting and smothered pork chops are local favorites, served with sides like creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, and buttery candied yams.
Save room for dessert, the peach cobbler and banana pudding are as soulful as it gets. Whether you grab a takeout plate or sit down to eat, you’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.