The Most Delectable Soul Food in Charlotte

Vell's Soul Food with a Twist

★★★★☆ 3.7 (95) • $

"1st time visiting but not last when in the area. Good, hot, well seasoned, made to order variety soul food. Friendly staff. Very clean facility but dated. We ate in but noticed most people were ordering to go or through delivery services. My husband was dying for some banana pudding. They had run out on Saturday but were making some. I mentioned it was his birthday and that's what he wanted and since we were eating in, they gave him some when it was ready. He said it was absolutely delicious and worth the wait. We got to go a child's chicken finger plate. DD was very pleased and happy. It must of been good because she ate it before I could snap a pic."

Nana Morrison's Soul Food

★★★★☆ 4 (858) • $$

"Loved the smothered pork chops and smothered chicken. Curry chicken Rice was awesome. Ribs fell off the bone. Peach cobbler...so delicious!"

Queen's Soul Food

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (192) • $

"I love this place, the food is so good, fried chicken and pork chops are so delicious. I will come back here again."

United House of Prayer For All People-Third Ward

★★★★☆ 4.2 (21)

"I love the turkey wings here. Chile, they have oxtails on Thursday and fridays! I reccomend the following (not all at once):Turkey wings (reg and bbq)Fried fishOxtailsMac and cheeseLima beansCabbageGreensSuccotashRollsStrawberry shortcakeLemonde with a splash of unsweetened tea"

McClellan's at Monarch Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (17)

"I am so disappointed at those who speak on Spartanburg restaurants and don't bring up this place in the first three suggestions. I completely enjoyed my time from the food all the way down to the customer service! Our server Savannah made this experience worth while and the owner/chef was also very personable. Don't even get me started on how cheap the prices were for QUALITY FOOD! I highly recommend"

JJ's Mama's Soulfood & More

★★★★☆ 3.9 (35) • $$

"JJ's Mama Soul Food is one of those hidden gems that feels like stumbling upon a best-kept secret. This spot may be a small, unassuming hole-in-the-wall, but it serves up some of the most heartfelt, delicious food I've had in a long time. The owner is one of the kindest people you'll meet, welcoming each guest with warmth and a genuine desire to share her passion for soulful cooking. Her dedication to the community is evident in every aspect of this place, from the food to the friendly service.We ordered the Soul Bowl with a side of candied sweet potatoes, and every bite was a reminder of why comfort food exists. The Soul Bowl is a masterpiece, layered with love. At the very bottom, there's a hidden cornbread layer--a surprise of sweetness and texture that adds something truly special. On top of that, you've got perfectly seasoned collard greens, creamy mac and cheese, and your choice of protein, creating an ideal mix of flavors and textures. Each bite feels like pure comfort, with the richness of the mac and cheese balancing the slight bitterness of the greens, while the cornbread and candied yams provide a subtle sweetness. It's everything you want from soul food, done right.The atmosphere here is casual and relaxed, with a chilled vibe that makes you feel at home. This isn't a place for frills or pretense--it's about good food, good people, and a warm environment. There's ample parking available, making it easy to drop by whenever the craving for true soul food strikes.The service at JJ's Mama Soul Food is as genuine as the food. The owner clearly pours her heart into every dish, making sure each guest feels taken care of. Her kindness and passion shine through, and it's obvious she's committed to serving her community with food that warms the soul.If you're looking for a spot that serves authentic, delicious food with a whole lot of heart, JJ's Mama Soul Food is a must-visit. It's the kind of place that leaves you with a full belly and a warm feeling long after you've left."

Town House II

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (22) • $

"Townhouse II is an old school hangout that sports a line out the door at peak times. The locals have been coming here for generations to get their fill of southern, country grub. Expect inexpensive, gut busting fare delivered speedily with a few "sugars" and "honeys" thrown in for good measure.I was introduced here 25 years ago by a local who knew where to go. Over the years, it's always the same. Daily blue plates like stew beef-n-gravy over rice, with beans, a bread and sweet tea suggests its focus. If you want gourmet coffee, table clothes, gluten-free or vegan-based choices, well . . . you're SOL. Gravy, eggs, liver mush, hash browns, basic burgers, fried whatever, plus a 10+daily side of vegetables? Townhouse delivers. The owners at Townhouse have answered two critical questions for success in the restaurant business: who butters our bread and what rings the register? I say look for places with a full parking lot, and a long line at the counter. "Give 'em a whirl," and save some pennies, too. Credit cards accepted."

Tropical Goodies

★★★★☆ 3.7 (26)

"Please note, I went to tropical goodies 2, their smaller location. The menu was limited, compared to the main location.My order was jerk chicken, rice n' peas, cabbage, collard green, fried okra Mac n cheese, sweet plantain & coco bread. $32 total. Overall, the food was pretty good, and priced very fairly. However, I would argue that this is soul food over Jamaican .. . The jerk had a faint hint of barbecue. My tummy was very full and there were enough leftovers for the next day. I will return, but also continue my search for good Jamaican food in Charlotte."

Soul Towne Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (7)

"We decided to try this place this evening. Too tired to cook.‍We both ordered the wings and our sides were:Mac (not great) it was a little dry and tastelessGreens - they were great!Mashed potatoes and gravy - my husband enjoyed themCornbread- mediocre We would try them again. The food was very hot and fresh even after doing a pick up order."

Cuzzo's Cuisine University

★★★★☆ 3.5 (25) • $$

"With their expansion to the University area, Cuzzo's, a New Orleans-inspired cuisine, teases your taste buds like a proper bowl of shrimp and grits on Fat Tuesday. For my weekday visit, I ordered the Fish and 1/2 Lobster mac-n-cheese platter for lunch. While not exactly a bargain at $13 (plus about a 15-minute wait for it to be prepared) it was, nevertheless, worth it. Really, worth it. The fish is lightly breaded, and with a nice array of spices, allows the flounder to shine without piling on the heat. I like that. The lobster mac-n-cheese is flavorful and creamy, with the pasta cooked a perfect el dente. Although one can never have enough lobster, it was plentiful and tasty, too. So tasty, in fact, that on my next visit I will pre-order a vat of it and make it a Spa Day. Just heat it up and I'll jump in. Yeah, that good. Mmmm.Cuzzo's has other things I'm interested in, too. Wings, chicken, shrimp and grits, and more lobster mac-n-cheese, please. Others have noted they are working out the kinks of a new location. Let's hope they do 'cause they got my "Give 'em a whirl" meter just a humming. Looking for something a little more southern than Charlotte? Go here."

Southern Lunch

★★★★★ 4.5 (92) • $

"Always homey and welcoming. Usually seat yourself status. So many great options for a good southern meal. Recently opened back up for breakfast, but they seatve breakfast all day on Wednesday.Sweet customer service, family owned for 100 years! Not too big on the Salisbury steak, but the fried chicken or the chicken pie is comforting!"

Shell's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (7)

"Not sure if this is the official page for Shell's, but they definitely deserve more reviews and pictures. Shell's visited the Greensboro area and there was already a big line at opening time so I was excited. The Mac is so cheesy and creamy that I had to skip the fries and get double Mac!! Wings are cooked perfectly. Crispy and juicy at the same time! I ordered the special sauce, but they messed up on my order and tossed the wings in Buffalo sauce. Still yum. Can never go wrong with fried shrimp! The MVP is definitely the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls. They're very popular on the internet so it was fun to finally try them! I will be back for more of these next time Shell's is back in town!"

Sunset Soul Food

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (254) • $$

"2nd time eating here and I enjoyed it a lot both times! Today I had the feast for two, very yummy! Got it delivered UberEats and order was correct, hot, fresh. Pound cake is sweet and yummy and has a lemon undertone! very moist but it was more like a lemon pound cake, so if you don't like lemon don't get it."

Londa's Place

★★★★☆ 4.1 (154) • $

"I'm stretched out on my mom's sofa in a food coma. That's it; that's the review.I ordered oxtail, mac & cheese, and cabbage. It came with jalapeño cheddar cornbread. The oxtail, of course, came with gravy over rice. I managed to eat one of the three oxtail and a few bites each of my sides. The meat was tender and falling off the bone. The gravy paired perfectly with it and complemented the rice. The cabbage was cooked perfectly; not mushy and overcooked, well-seasoned. My mac & cheese had a nice, golden cheesy crust. The jalapeño cheese cornbread was golden with crispy brown edges and huge chunks of the pepper. Everything was perfect. I rarely say that about a meal but seriously it was perfect. I have more than enough left for dinner and possibly a late night snack. Londa's gives you plentiful portions for a great value. I also tried a little of my nephew's broccoli casserole. It was some of the best I've ever had, period. My next visit, I'm definitely getting some casserole. I can't wait to try other entrees but I'm hard pressed to get past anything other than oxtail. I'm determined to try though."

Catch 21 Boiling Seafood & Fried Chicken

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (13)

"The service was great! I was greeted as soon as I walked in. The prices were great. It was about $16 for fried shrimp, fries,coleslaw, and roll and a canned soda. The food was honestly okay. It was not the best seafood that I've had but it filled the hunger spot. If you want something hot and quick, it will be good for you."

Annas Cuisine

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Anna's Cuisine food truck is a solid spot, and I believe it's only established in Charlotte, North Carolina. These ladies have clearly been in business for a good while, and it shows in their cooking. I had the fried fish and fries, and let me tell you, the fish was fried to perfection--good southern-style fish done right!One of my colleagues mentioned the greens weren't seasoned as well as expected, though. From what I understand, the ladies toned down the seasoning because they were serving at a rehab hospital. To be honest, since they're only serving employees and not the patients, they could probably go all out with the flavor.Overall, their food is soulful and satisfying, and I'd recommend giving them a try if you're in the area!"

Brewton’s Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (9)

"I've never in my life had no Birria tacos and noodles that taste like the ones Chef makes! I literally have the biggest attitude when he doesn't have those on the menu. Must try!!!!!"

Nana Morrison’s Soul Food

★★★★☆ 3.9 (86) • $$

"Lived in Charlotte 4 years and just found Nana Morrison's!!! So good. Brought me right back to our roots. Great soul food. Had Fried pork chop, cabbage and collards. Only thing better was the banana pudding. Do yourself a favor and go try it."

Gourmet Soul

★★★★☆ 4.1 (15)

"I've been a fan of this place since they've opened their doors for business! I've tried the fried ribs, fried chicken and jerk chicken and rice!! Mac and cheese and collard greens are great as well!! Whenever they do have banana pudding you MUST try it. I've loved everything I've ever tried out here. Customer service is good and they're always helpful and nice. Definitely try them out you won't be disappointed"

King’s Kitchen Breakfast Bar & Scratch Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (13)

"First off... this is a HIDDEN GEM on the downtown strip of Camden, South Carolina... The breakfast selections AND servings range from the best plates from Grandma's house to gut busting deliciousness from other big name eateries... I must admit.. I have been here before, and the food was good - but not to the point where I'd drive TWELVE city miles for it... on a regular basis... WelpYelp... let's just say - that will be changing - today I had the SHRIMP & GRITS and it was EVERYTHING... The grits perfectly cooked, seasoned with just the right amount of cheese and I DID NOT NEED TO ADD ANY SALT!! WHAT??? I feel like there was more than the typical 5 Shrimp you get at most places.. I lost count! I'm personally not a fan of the spicy Tasso gravy most places serve - so I was happy to see the meaty buttery sautéed goodness over my grits and It comes with the best piece of buttered toast I've had in a VERY long time!The owner Ms K, was so inviting and though the indoor seating is VERY limited & a few seats outside, Many of the regulars ordered to-go. The business is REgrowing fast & Ms K may be in a bigger spot soon - so call ahead to see about seats... Another impressive view.. customers came in looking for a seat, and asked for a recommendation to go elsewhere & Ms K - NAMED ANOTHER SMALL BUSINESS (with great classic breakfast), and gave directions!! I absolutely loved that!! i will definitely make this drive more often & if you read this far - YOU SHOULD TOO!"

Soul Central

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (51)

"I placed a large order over the phone with two weeks notice. We ordered the Baked Chicken, Meatloaf, and our sides were collard greens, Mac and cheese, and bread option was corn bread. The general consensus of the food from our team was "it was alright". Speaking from a customer service perspective, it felt disorganized. The food arrived 30 minutes early, which was an issue due to not being set up, not having our truck drivers available for food, as we scheduled runs around the delivery time window... and it was an $80 delivery charge. I would hope for next time we would get better communication. We asked for cornbread and got half dinner rolls and half cornbread. Not many people were happy with the rest of the bread being dinner rolls, as we have plates reserved for people, and I wish the menu mentioned it was "bone in" baked chicken. That is an important aspect as, this was a work place luncheon, we really care about the ease of eating while we work. Collard greens could use some work, Mac and cheese everyone had mixed reviews. Meatloaf everyone seemed to like more than the baked chicken."

Floyd's III

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (79) • $

"This was my first visit to this location. It has been on my list for years, and I was finally able to try them out. I order the two piece dark meat with macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The young lady that took my order was patient and helpful. Her kindness was appreciated. After a short wait, I received my order. The chicken, although cooked a little harder than I like, was still crispy and delicious. The macaroni and sweet potatoes were very tasty and went well with the cornbread. All in all, it was a good visit. I look forward to coming back and bringing my parents next time they are in town."

TruGrits Food Truck

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Delicious food - the ribs were phenomenal! These guys are super nice and their food hits the spot! Thanks for coming to Birdsong!"

The Godmother of Soul Food Restaurant And Catering Service

★★★★☆ 4 (28) • $$

"The food here is absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!! Nuff said. I wish I could get some more of those turkey wings. Please!!! Keep cooking. Everything is from scratch and this lady cooks from the soul."

Cuzzo’s Cuisine

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (57)

"I've ordered from here for lunch and dinner so many times. Weekends usually require about a 45 minute wait but lunch isn't bad. So they are my go to for: fish and also waffles. Consider it a fast food spot but they do have seating in the restaurant. I eat a lot of seafood so typical fast food spots for lunch don't work for me but the fish at Cuzzo's??? MAN! Sooooo good. My husband loves the bbq fish which I haven't had. But check this out. They have a peach waffle. Yep I said it. Peaches are cooked right into the waffle and drizzled with cream cheese frosting. So the fish and waffles don't come together but I often order them both just cause I love them and I do t eat chicken. Please oh please cuzzos consider making it a combo...Btw my family has ordered pretty much everything off of the menu. Yep. Delicious. Try the cauliflower mambo wings!"

Mert's Heart And Soul

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Yup! Mert's was it!!! Food came out in like 3 minutes smoking! It was Restaurant definitely fits the food.Service was quick and efficient!"

Freshwaters

★★★★☆ 3.9 (197) • $$

"Old soul...Freshwaters is the definition of tradition, from the "Mrs. Freshwater will come greet you" to the lack of substitution/creativity you can have with the menu (because the chef doesn't make it "like that"). These are not slights to the restaurant, just observations of what feels like a much older establishment. Let's start with the ambiance, which feels like classic after church dinner, but also we just took over this Chinese buffet dining room. The only thing missing is a dragon sculpture and water fountain. While the interior can be a bit confusing considering they are serving traditional cajun mixed with soul food fare. It doesn't hinder what the owners are trying to deliver, which is southern hospitality and homemade simple dishes. Some of those simple dishes include, catfish, fried chicken, ribs, and a lot of delicious sides. So many in fact I had a plate of just sides that included collard greens, yams, mac and cheese, and cabbage. The cabbage was a stand out and paired perfectly with my fried fish. While you are trying to settle on a particular dish, there are cornbread muffins with a side of butter delivered promptly to your table. Overall I thought the Swai was very meaty and "unfishy" which may seem strange but thats the only fish I'll eat. Some of your other options are rainbow trout and catfish.Freshwaters is in a great location near the music factory by Graham street. The parking lot is large and you don't have to pay to park, that's a relief consider it's still so close to uptown. With such a great location, wonderful food and customer service...that makes it a bit of a Charlotte sleeper when it comes to people's favorites in the Queen City.Customer service was superb! Our host Devin was not only knowledgeable, but was very open and honest about her favorites menu items. She was personable and friendly, I felt very confident with my food choices and they turned out incredible. If you go, ask for Devin if she's not busy being awesome somewhere else.Pro Tip: Tell them it's your first time! Mrs. Freshwater herself will greet you and give you something of a secret menu (chef specials and such). I personally think thats a great touch, but also what Freshwaters is...good people and great good."

Bestfood Cafeteria

★★★★☆ 4 (38)

"After being on the road all day, we popped in for dinner. The cafeteria has a cute shop in the front that you can browse through before you get to the cafeteria in the back. We got there close to closing time and most of the food was almost gone.I got the chicken pot pie, baked potato, and corn with blackeye peas. Don't judge the picture too much since it looks like someone threw up on my plate. All of it was very good and I couldn't finish all of it since it was a lot.It has been a long time since I have ate in a cafeteria. It was a bit of a throwback for me reminiscing the experience. The staff was friendly and got our plates filled up with what we wanted."

Magnolia 23

★★★★★ 4.7 (198) • $$

"Today we found ourselves in the Asheboro area and my wife did a quick search of our Yelp bookmarks and remembered she had bookmarked Magnolia 23 at one time. She quickly looked at their hours and saw they open at 11am on Sunday's (closed Saturday's, and Monday-Wednesday). She remembered all the love Magnolia 23 receives so she called even though it was before 11am to see if reservations were required. Lucky for us someone answered and he confirmed they do not take reservations and tables are seated first come, first serve.Our directions told us we would arrive within 5 minutes of opening, so we made our way there. We easily found 2-hour street parking available and later learned there is a parking lot immediately out the back door (which is actually the preferred entrance). Once we parked we headed to the entrance on South Fayetteville St. The building itself is very cozy and charming from the outside and my wife quickly showed me the outdoor area which is equally as charming and feels very southern. We walked in through the door and were immediately greeted by the owner, Don. He was welcoming and gracious even though we later saw a sign on the front door requesting that guests use the back door for entering and exiting. We suspect this allows for people seated at the front of the restaurant not to be crowded or interrupted by guests arriving and exiting. At the rear entrance there are restrooms and a small hallway which is out of the way of the customers seated.Don pointed us to the back of the restaurant and asked us to check in with another gentleman. The restaurant is long and narrow and we could easily make our way to the gentleman. As we walked to the back we could see most of the tables were occupied and they had just opened. We told him we had a party of two and he took us to a small table. We immediately fell in love with the place, it was comfortable, cozy and you could tell that for most people they were very familiar with Don, Doris and their team. We saw chalkboard menus at three locations throughout the restaurant and when our server arrived to take our drink orders we inquired and she told us their full menu was on the chalkboards. Today they offered five entrees, fried chicken with either white or dark meat, baked tenderloin with dressing and gravy, chuck roast, stew beef and Kansas City ribs. All meals are served with your choice of two sides (collards, cabbage, green beans, black eye peas, crowder peas, mashed potatoes, potato salad, mac and cheese, basked apples, rice, slaw, pintos, limas, yams and fatback) and either a roll or corn bread. We intended to take a picture of one of the boards but when we stood up to leave there was a large line of people and we couldn't easily stop and take a picture. We later found a picture of the menu on their Facebook page so we are including that as well. Our server stopped back in with our drink orders and asked us if we were ready to order. My wife decided on the fried chicken with white meat, and chose green beans and yams for her sides with a corn muffin. I decided on the stew beef with green beans, mac n cheese and a roll.We commented to each other that their concept of offering a smaller menu with a handful of entree choices and 10-15 sides along with a handful of desserts is brilliant. Don stopped in at our table and we enjoyed chatting with him. He told us that Magnolia 23 has been in business since 2009. My wife commented she had seen the article in Our State magazine and he was quick to point us to a picture on the wall which showed them featured in Southern Living and other magazines as well. It is clear he is proud of what he and his wife has done and it shows. The interior of the restaurant including the bathrooms is neat and clean and we noticed a sanitation rating of 95.5. Our meals arrived in a timely manner and looked incredible. They were piping hot and we dug in.We enjoyed each and every bite, it was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The town of Asheboro looks to be a special place and Magnolia 23 is a staple within the community. We also decided to order a fried apple pie served warm and our server offered us ice cream with it to which we quickly replied, "yes". It also arrived in a timely manner and tasted delicious. Like we said, when we left there was a large line of people waiting to be seated and we believe we overheard an estimated 30 minute wait. We lucked out today and timed it just right. We will absolutely be back and wish Don and Doris and their team continued success."

31 Flavors Soul Food Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (3)

"Food is amazing! Best soul food spot in Charlotte and I've tried MANY!!! I wanted to try everything on the menu!"

Soul Central

★★★★☆ 3.9 (248) • $

"I'm so thankful a coworker brought me here for lunch. A true hidden gem located along central on the outskirts of plaza midwood this place may not look like much on the outside but don't let appearances fool you they serve up some excellent soul food. I got the fried chicken while my coworkers got the smothered pork chops and the meatloaf. All served with very generous portions and the chicken is fried to order so you get it fresh. For sides I got mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese both I enjoyed tremendously. There is no seating inside so you will need to take it to go, but if you are in the mood for some good old fashioned no frills southern food then come on in and pick up a to go plate. Also I meant to get a picture of my food but it smelled so good I had to dive in before I remembered to snap one."

Clinton Inn

★★★☆☆ 3 (4)

"This review is for the restaurant inside and not the hotel. If you want a variety of soul food options this is the place for you. Please note... I said SOUL food and southern. Her food feeds the soul baby! Take out or buffet available. They are safe and have a staff that serves. The public does not touch the bar. They also have great desserts!"

Wayside Family Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (22) • $

"We love to eat Chicken Salad from Wayside. My Son has grown up asking to go here for it. They have a great selection of food that has always been good to eat. Daily specials for main dish and dessert. Friendly staff. Good for the family."

EJ's Soul Food and Vegan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (53)

"My jeep club and I had the pleasure of dining here after a hike at Crowders this weekend! Ms. Dara the owner is super sweet! We met, sat and ate with her mom too!Hospitality was beautiful and the food was SOOO good!! This will be our spot after hikes for sure :)The place is very spacious and clean! There's also an outside patio! Looking forward to visiting again!Thanks, Ms. Dara!! We enjoyed everything!"

Sophies Soulfood

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (11) • $

"Trinty church off providence has food truck fridays i believe 5-9 . I meet my friend there for dinner an found Sophie's soul food now my first question when I saw Shrimp po boy ?? I have been to new Orleans an had a real shrimp po boy how does it compare The gentlemen said it was awesome so Thats what I ordered. He did not tell a lie lol It was a hoagie roll large shrimp an pickles an a sweet sauce . Shrimp was cooked perfect It was getting a little messy but thats when its the best lol Fries were my side an a bottled water 12 not bad at all. I will be looking out for this food truck again they had a pound cake i wish i would have tried. If you see this food truck you gotta get a bite to eat"