14 New York Soul Food Spots So Good, Grandma Might Get Jealous

New York City isn’t just about pizza and bagels, it’s also home to some of the most mouthwatering soul food you’ll ever taste.

From crispy fried chicken to collard greens that melt in your mouth, these restaurants serve up comfort on a plate.

Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or just visiting, these spots will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

1. Sylvia’s Restaurant

Harlem’s legendary queen of soul food has been serving up love on a plate since 1962. Sylvia’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a piece of living history where every bite tells a story.

The fried chicken here is crispy perfection, seasoned with a secret blend that’s been guarded for generations. Pair it with their famous candied yams or mac and cheese, and you’ll understand why people line up around the block.

Sunday brunch brings live gospel music and Southern favorites; note that the buffet format varies seasonally. Sylvia’s proves that some traditions never go out of style, especially when they taste this good.

2. Melba’s Restaurant

Named after Melba Wilson, this Harlem gem brings grandmother-level cooking to the table with a modern twist. Walking through the doors feels like entering a family reunion where everyone’s invited.

Their chicken and waffles deserve their own fan club—crispy, juicy chicken perched atop fluffy waffles drizzled with maple syrup. The eggnog waffles during holiday season are basically edible Christmas magic.

Don’t skip the collard greens, slow-cooked with just enough smokiness to make you close your eyes and smile. Melba’s proves you can honor tradition while adding your own special flavor to the mix.

3. Amy Ruth’s

Chicken and waffles reach legendary status at this Harlem institution where dishes are named after famous folks. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Barack Obama have their own menu items—talk about presidential eating!

Their fluffy waffles come topped with perfectly fried chicken that’s seasoned so well, it could win awards. The honey butter adds sweetness that balances the savory crunch in ways that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Weekend brunch means expect a wait, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. Amy Ruth’s has mastered the art of comfort food that hugs you from the inside out.

4. Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken

Forget everything you think you know about fried chicken until you’ve tried Charles’ version. This no-frills Harlem spot has been pan-frying perfection for decades, founded by Charles Gabriel and now located at 2461 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

The chicken is cooked to order in cast-iron skillets, creating a crust that’s shatteringly crispy while keeping the meat incredibly juicy. Each piece is seasoned with a spice blend that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly.

The sides are equally impressive—creamy mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw, and cornbread that crumbles just right. Charles proves that sometimes the simplest approach creates the most unforgettable flavors.

5. BLVD Bistro

Soul food gets a sophisticated makeover at this Harlem hotspot where elegance meets down-home cooking. BLVD Bistro proves comfort food can be fancy without losing its heart.

Their shrimp and grits feature plump, perfectly seasoned shrimp over creamy stone-ground grits that’ll transport you straight to the South. The oxtails are braised until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, swimming in rich gravy that demands a second helping.

Weekend brunch features hearty portions (live jazz is occasional, not nightly). BLVD shows that soul food belongs everywhere, including on white tablecloths.

6. Shaw-nae’s House

Located on Staten Island at 381 Van Duzer St, eating at Shaw-nae’s feels exactly like dining at your favorite aunt’s house—if your aunt happened to be an incredible cook. This cozy spot serves portions so generous, you’ll definitely need a to-go box.

The smothered pork chops are fork-tender and swimming in gravy that’s perfect for soaking up with their fluffy biscuits. Their string beans are cooked low and slow with turkey, creating that authentic Southern taste.

The sweet potato pie here rivals any grandmother’s secret recipe, with a filling that’s smooth, spiced just right, and utterly addictive. Shaw-nae’s reminds us that the best meals come with extra love baked in.

7. Red Rooster Harlem

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson brings global flavors to Harlem’s soul food scene at this buzzing hotspot. Red Rooster celebrates the neighborhood’s rich cultural history while pushing culinary boundaries.

Their fried yard bird is legendary—crispy skin hiding impossibly juicy meat that’s been brined in buttermilk and herbs. The cornbread is studded with jalapeños and honey butter, adding unexpected kicks to familiar comfort.

Live music fills the space on select nights, turning dinner into an experience that feeds both body and soul. Red Rooster proves innovation and tradition can dance together beautifully on the same plate.

8. Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too

Upper West Side residents don’t have to trek to Harlem for authentic soul food, thanks to Miss Mamie’s. This cheerful spot brings Southern hospitality and cooking to a neighborhood better known for bagels.

The namesake spoonbread is a cornmeal-based side that’s somewhere between cornbread and pudding—soft, slightly sweet, and dangerously addictive. Their fried catfish arrives golden and flaky, seasoned with just the right amount of heat.

The blackened catfish offers a spicier alternative that’ll wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them. Miss Mamie’s shows soul food belongs in every New York neighborhood, not just one.

9. The Soul Spot

Sometimes the best food comes from the most unassuming places, and The Soul Spot proves this theory deliciously. This neighborhood favorite keeps things simple: great ingredients, time-tested recipes, and portions that respect your appetite.

Their baked chicken falls off the bone without any effort, bathed in a sauce that balances tangy and savory perfectly. The candied yams are sweet without being cloying, with just enough butter to make them irresistible.

The banana pudding here has developed a cult following—layers of vanilla wafers, creamy pudding, and fresh bananas that disappear fast. The Soul Spot reminds us that soul food doesn’t need fancy presentation when flavor does all the talking.

10. 95 South Soul Food Restaurant

Named after Interstate 95 that connects New York to the South, this restaurant brings authentic Southern cooking up north. Every dish tastes like it traveled straight from a Carolina kitchen.

Their turkey wings are massive, tender, and seasoned so perfectly you’ll wonder why more places don’t serve them. The mac and cheese is baked with multiple cheese varieties, creating that crispy top layer everyone fights over.

The peach cobbler arrives warm with a buttery crust that shatters at the first spoonful, revealing fruit filling that tastes like summer. 95 South proves you don’t need a road trip when the South comes to you.

11. SI Fish And More

Staten Island’s best-kept secret serves soul food with a serious seafood focus. SI Fish And More brings coastal Southern cooking to the often-overlooked borough with spectacular results.

Their fried whiting is perfectly crispy, seasoned with a blend that makes each bite better than the last. The shrimp basket comes overflowing with plump, golden shrimp that snap with freshness.

Don’t overlook their crab cakes—packed with real crab meat and minimal filler, they’re proof that quality ingredients need little embellishment. SI Fish And More shows that soul food and seafood are a match made in culinary heaven.

12. A Taste Of Seafood

When soul food meets the sea, magic happens at this beloved spot. A Taste Of Seafood combines two great traditions—Southern cooking and fresh seafood—into one unforgettable menu.

Their catfish nuggets are bite-sized pieces of heaven, fried to golden perfection with a cornmeal crust that adds satisfying crunch. The salmon croquettes are crispy outside and flaky inside, seasoned with herbs that complement rather than overpower.

The hush puppies here deserve special mention—sweet, savory, and addictive little balls of fried cornbread that disappear before your main course arrives. A Taste Of Seafood proves variety truly is the spice of life.

13. Peaches Restaurant

Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood houses this sunny spot where Southern comfort meets New York cool. Peaches brings a youthful energy to traditional soul food without sacrificing authenticity.

Their hot fried chicken sandwich packs serious heat—crispy chicken doused in hot sauce between soft buns with cooling pickles. The shrimp po’boy is equally impressive, stuffed with fried shrimp and dressed with tangy remoulade.

Brunch here means boozy sweet tea and chicken biscuits that’ll cure any hangover or bad mood. Peaches shows the next generation of soul food lovers how tradition evolves while staying delicious.

14. Tatiana By Kwame Onwuachi

Lincoln Center’s most exciting restaurant brings Afro-Caribbean flavors to the soul food conversation. Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Tatiana reimagines comfort food through a multicultural lens that’s both innovative and deeply personal.

The suya-spiced short rib combines West African seasonings with Southern braising techniques, creating something entirely new yet familiar. Their jollof rice side dish is perfectly seasoned, each grain separate and flavorful.

The rum cake for dessert is boozy, moist, and utterly decadent—a sweet ending that honors Caribbean traditions. Tatiana proves soul food is a living, evolving cuisine that welcomes new voices and flavors.