The Yummiest Soul Food in New York

Jamaica Breeze Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (110) • $$

"So we actually chose the wrong location but ended up just staying here to eat. They make you wear plastic gloves to grab the food at the buffet. First problem I had, considering it was my first time visiting was there was no labels or names for the food on the buffet except for the oxtails so it's like they expected you to know the Jamaica cuisine. It wasn't much on there I wanted and they didn't even have plantains. Plus the pricing was different for different things on the buffet also super confusing . I checked out up front and they weigh the food and I grabbed a water and a fruit juice . Remind you there was no pricing for those items . My juice ended up being $5 but wasn't worth it in my opinion. Wouldn't visit here again if in the area ."

Ma-N-Pop Soul Food

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (178) • $

"The ambiance is nostalgic. It reminds me small of an old school diner. I got the Breakfast special with coffee, home fries. eggs and bacon. The coffee was cold. They didn't cook my eggs the way I asked. The rest of the food was ok. I do feel like it was good for the price. I wish the meal would have came with toast. I would give them another chance."

Mr. Fulton

★★★★☆ 4.2 (9)

"I'm still not entirely sure who Mr. Fulton is, but whatever he's serving is almost always a welcome sight whenever I'm in this part of downtown BK. Is it the healthiest fare ever? Not at all. But is it cheap, filling, and occasionally delicious? Definitely.Mr. Fulton has the block's lunch crowd on lock. I've waited in line for a plate and the aroma of the food nearly permeates the entire block. The comfort food options are vast with nearly everything that could be considered heavy, food coma inducing, and just *a tad* too greasy. The prices will range by container from $3-9. The mac and cheese is one of their mainstays, as is their fried chicken. Everything else seems like it simply depends on the day. One day there could be meat loaf and another day it's jerk chicken and vegetable rice. Everything is a random combo / hodgepodge at the end of the day and the guys working here really know how to stuff a bowl to the brim. Even $5 will get one a hearty meal here.I'm not sure if they take credit card but cash is always easier in places like this. The line moves quickly during peak times and for those who hate lines, come during their off hours (3-5pm especially!). They tend to close in the early evening or whenever the food runs out."

Wangs

★★★★☆ 4 (331) • $$

"Alright so I stumbled upon Wangs by complete accident but the scent of their kitchen lured it's way to my nose and instantly get my attention. I felt like one of those cartoons that just got lured somewhere from the scent of something delicious. I crossed my fingers in the hopes that it would taste as good as it smelled and it did NOT disappoint! Wangs serves up some delicious wings, amazing cornbread, and great potato salad! I wish I lived closer so I could get it more frequently! But I'll be back!"

Rockaway Fish House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (207) • $$

"I stayed at local hotel for an early morning flight out of JFK.I asked the front desk if there was anywhere I could walk to .... They quickly said no. Not knowing the area I brought up Yelp and saw this was less than a mile away. Well after a quick 10 minute walk I found it! Upon arrival I questioned my decision, I am not gonna lie...the place does not look overwhelmingly inviting. Inam glad I walked in.The woman behind the counter was awesome. She walked me through and let taste local favorites. I loved everything...but there really is no fish. Haha.They have great baked, bbq and jerked chicken. They have the same options for ribs along with an amazing beef rib. I went with the baked chicken and jerked pork ribs. A side of rice with the beef gravy and some Mac n cheese.After getting back to the room, I ate like a king while watching some old episodes of Seinfeld on Netflix! Thanks to whoever was working that evening .... She made this out of town guy feel welcome and put together a great meal!!!"

Fusion East

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (300) • $$

"This was my choice of the 1st place to eat upon returning home to NYC. It's in my mother's neighborhood, so I wanted to see what has become of Brooklyn, NY. All she told me was that there was a carribbean fusion spot blocks away. So instantly, I said, "Let's roll. Upon walking up to the restaurant, a person greeted us from outside and sat us. Inside was a straight vibe from jump. The energy was high, the music was playing, and you could smell the food cooking in the back. There is a nice size bar and dj in the front of the place. There is plenty of seating inside for any size group. I had the jerk chicken w/ rice & peas and collard greens. The food came out in a reasonable time. My mother had the chicken & Waffles. That was good I tried it the Waffles were thin and nice. There was like a slight spicy brine for the chicken. My brother had the whole Snapper that was also really good he said he really enjoyed it. I will return here w/ my sister because she would love the vibes here w/ her friends. Maybe we will return for brunch one day. This place reminds me of a place called 4Play w/ the nice music and energy. The server was very knowledgeable and fast! If you want good food and great vibes while in the gateway area of Brooklyn you must stop in. You won't be disappointed!!!"

Rib Shack

★★★☆☆ 3 (148) • $$

"Classic local soul food spot. Good for catering. Lots of choices to choose from. Fried Fish is made fresh to order. Good spot to go to for a soul food fix. It's take out-not a sit in restaurant. Go in, pick your entree and sides which are on display for choosing and take it out. Very reasonable pricing for catering as well."

Cornbread Brooklyn

★★★★☆ 4.2 (431) • $$

"I've been seeing this Resturant pop up on IG all the time and just so happen I was in the area and dropped in. The ambiance is very causal, take out or sit down. (Get your order and sit down ) The food was great! Fresh and delicious. I tried the fried chicken, Mac and cheese, cornbread and the twang drink. All very good. Service was decent. I'd certainly come back to try the fish and some additional sides."

Soul Food Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (100) • $$

"This is one of my go to spots in Brooklyn for some good soul food. I love that they have a large selection of different meats and sides to choose from. I usually try to order something different each time. However, my staple side dishes usually wind up being mac and cheese and collard greens. I've never been disappointed with any of my food choices. The prices are fair and you get a nice full sized plate which my greedy self loves. LolThe staff are cool and keep the lines moving. This spot id mostly a take out spot but there are few tables and chairs on the side. They look look they could have outdoor seating when it's warm. This is definitely a spot to check out to get your soul food fix. They sell a selection of sliced cakes and pies. Im not a fan of their cakes though. They also deliver in certain parts in Brooklyn when they have a driver."

Bed-Stuy Fish Fry

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (7)

"One of my go to places. Ordered multiple buy one get one deals for a scheduled pick up. Can be ordered on Uber eats or in store by scanning the bar code. Chose the whiting meal with Mac n cheese and string beans, oxtail meal with Mac n cheese and spinach (one of them came with rice instead) not sure why, the salmon meal with sweet chilli sauce, candied yams and collard greens And the fried chicken with mask potatoes (absolute fave) And broccoli. Everything was ready on time, packaged well. Food was fresh and tasty. My one critique is, I'm not a fan of their oxtails, very fatty, the sauce is very oily."

Xcellent Soul Food

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (89) • $$

"Xecllent Soul Food is like a hole in wall moms and pops soul food aunty cooking style food.Food: my goodness the chicken is is juicy and seasoned, the TURKEY wings is seasoned, baked well, the Mac & cheese is baked and cheeses, and the canned yams is perfectly sweeting and cooked well.Service: the service was fast, smiles, and provided great insight of what to eat based on tasting. Everyone was quick, efficient, and very sanitary. Ambiance: it places gives to go and open setting to see the food. I would say the place for potential to look more upscale.The overall taste of the food is really good 4.8/5"

Sea Island Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.6 (35)

"After my order was canceled online I just had to make my way there as I have been looking for some good seafood. The food isn't bad however the crab boil lacked seasoning. The fried crab legs were great but to much work in my opinion. The collard greens were bland . The cabbage was great . I will give them another shot just next time I want the seasoning for the fried crab on my crab boil . Also it's a small space , call ahead . They do offer discounts for city employees. Overall everyone was pleasant and it was a good experience."

Mothers Seafood & More

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Ordered spicy fried shrimp, corn,red potatoes and honey garlic wings for delivery. Everything was great and exactly what we were craving! We'll be returning customers."

Take31

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"First of all, Take31 was accommodating when I made multiple changes with my reservations including when two people in our party were running 20 minutes late, but seated us right when the full party arrived. As a large party, they allocated 2 hours for us but never had us check out even when we stayed longer. To start off, we had two carafes of the homemade signature makgulli (Korean rice wine) ($17.95) --one in white peach and one in chestnut flavor. The flavors were very light that you hardly taste it, but they were refreshing and easy to drink. Note that they are ice shaved, so they have more of a smoothie consistency. All tables also had complimentary tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), which was great when you're hungry before the food arrives.Between the 7 of us, we ordered the Chicken Gizzard with Honey Garlic Butter ($15.95), Crispy Corn Pancake ($15.95), Pork Belly Rice Crepe Wraps ($25.95), Cod Roe Seafood Udon ($23.95), Shortrib Chapaguri ($20.95), Spicy Galbi Stew ($32.95). This was the perfect amount for us to each have a few bites. The favorites were definitely the noodle dishes and the stew. The rest of the appetizers were still good, but would try some other items next time. The rice crepe was a bit grainy though, which was interesting.This is a great spot for big parties to share, but be sure to make reservations for Friday and Saturay nights. We ended up spending under $35pp, which is such a great deal for delicious Korean food."

Katie O Soul

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (124) • $$

"It took the restaurant 60 minutes to deliver an order to me 10 minutes away. Minus that I ordered a Shrimp Po'Boy. When I got my order the sandwich was on regular sandwich bread. I've never seen a Po'Boy on sandwich bread...always a hero. To be overpriced and terrible order service, I'm extremely disappointed because the flavor and food are good but not worth the jip I feel. At least call and say hey I ran out of the traditional bread for Po'Boy rather than serving this. I hope they improve in this area but I definitely won't be ordering for a while if ever. This isn't my first time having issues. I always come back because the food is good but presentation, customer service and delivery can do better for the way they are pricing. My delivery guy was nice so no fault to himUpdate...cornbread was staler than Kristen Stewart's personality. I don't know if because my order was late but the cornbread had no flavor and was a crumbly dry mess"

Jamaican Flavors

★★★★☆ 4.1 (145) • $

"I work near this location in Jamaica ave, I come in for lunch maybe once or twice a month and get a large jerk chicken with rice and peas. The large or is to save for dinner. However the consistency is not the same with all servers. The service is good, but you need to know that it's make your order and go. It's a standard Jamaica flavors spot, and will keep coming back"

Mitchell's Soul Food

★★★★☆ 3.7 (217) • $

"Are the portions good? Yes.Good service? Sure. (They made a mistake, but gave me the wrong item for free) But that unfortunately doesn't make up for the quality. If you've never had soul food before, then you won't know what you're missing (like enough seasoning, for example). But those with an experienced palate and knowledge that fried fish should be crispy are in for a big disappointment. The prices are cheap, but unfortunately you get what you pay for."

Memphis Seoul

★★★★☆ 3.6 (120) • $$

"Recently visited this place with a friend to grab some dinner. We ordered catfish buns, kimchi slaw, wings and the mane! medley. The bad: This restaurant is woefully understaffed. If you're going to cook food to order you need more than one employee and a bigger frier. We waited over 30 minutes for our food. The good: the women behind the counter was kind and courteous even though she was obviously overwhelmed with orders. She apologized for our long wait and gave us free drinks and a dessert for our trouble. The food was delicious. Memphis Seoul, please consider adding more staff on weeknight evenings and give Lee (the cook/counterperson) a raise and promotion!!"

Exotic Eats Nyc

★★★★☆ 3.7 (10)

"Overall Review 3.5.I ordered after watching TikToker SadeintheCity's review. Ordered the 6 wings platter with collard greens and mac and cheese and 4 garlic butter shrimp add in. Overall the plate was packed. I definitely feel like I got my monies worth. The only reason I am removing 1.5 stars is due to the salt. Everything was overly salty except the wings. It made me regret not getting the candied yams for balance. Nonetheless, every restaurant is entitled to an off day or a chef that may be salt happy (every once in a while lol). More than happy to try again and update my review."

Bed Stuy Fish Fry

★★☆☆☆ 2.2 (182) • $$

"The mobile bike delivery guys hovering at the front of the counter is annoying. I wish they had a better system for them to pick up and separate the walk in customers from them. You have to ask them to move so you can see the food display.My fish was cooked to order so it took about 20 minutes. The servers were nice and accommodating.They have a buy 1 meal get 1 feee special that can't be beat. The food is a solid 4/5. The fish is seasoned and fried crunchy to perfection. The mac & cheese was a little dry but it was seasoned well, the collard greens were too sweet and I don't like sugary greens. The candied yams were good. They use a soft broken up cake or biscuits as a crust instead of pie crust for the peach cobbler. The serving I got was mostly of that cake/biscuit mixture and hardly any peaches. 0/5 would not recommend. The cakes on display looked good so I played myself getting that nasty peach cobblerThe serving portion was huge and enough to share. I'll be back whenever I craved fried fish."

Red Bamboo

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"This is a great vegan restaurant I've been coming here for years. They have an extensive menu and a small but really well curated beer and wine menu. The staff are friendly. My only wish is that there were more soy free options on the menu. But it's a great restaurant to check out. You will find something for everyone in your group on the menu."

Rochdale Chicken And Fish

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (157) • $$

"I wanted some soul food so badly tonight and no other places looked appetizing so I was hoping I hit my good luck charm by ordering from here because reviews were sketchy and I'm so glad I gave them a chance. I I ordered via Uber eats not realizing this location is an hour away from me. So a huge Thank You to my delivery driver for getting the food here during the expected time frame given. I ordered the rib dinner plate with macaroni and cheese and collard greens. I ordered a side of potato salad, yams and strawberry cake. All of it was so delicious. The collard greens were a little spicy but I was able to eat it all. The macaroni and cheese was very flavorful and the ribs were decent. I could try a different meat next time because the ribs were small and a bit chewy portion for the $16 plate. The strawberry cake was sooooooo delicious. I'm sorry I had to emphasize that a little or maybe a lot? Ha! The yams and potato salad also a huge hit. I'll definitely order from here again. Prices are good and food is amazing."

Grandma's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (37)

"I ordered from here a few times! And I absolutely love my food but today? Today my food was elite! Everything Errieee!! and the service is alway superb! You might even get a few laughs!"

Cooklyn Eats

★★★★☆ 3.7 (21)

"Cooklyn Eats serves up street-smart soul food with just the right touch of thoughtfulness. It's the kind of meal that doesn't apologize for its richness, embracing the unapologetically fatty decadence soul food lovers know and crave. My $25 shrimp platter delivered exactly what it promised: eight jumbo shrimp, a generous heap of rice, a side of greens, and a sauce--all substantial enough to stretch into two helpings. For the truly hungry, upgrades like adding oxtail to your mac and cheese for $8 feel both indulgent and entirely reasonable.The Uber Eats delivery to my girl's Crown Heights/Brownsville home was smooth--no delays or mix-ups--but the food arrived warm at best, not the piping-hot temperature that makes soul food shine. Room-temperature shrimp and greens miss the mark, and reheating in a microwave would only diminish the experience, turning the feast into something that feels like leftovers. If this is a recurring delivery issue, the restaurant might want to invest in better containers to preserve heat for those who can't dine in.That said, the flavors held their own. The jumbo shrimp were buttery, bouncy, and packed with a garlicky punch that made them unforgettable. The rice provided a satisfying carb base, hearty without being overbearing, and the side of greens was well-salted and comforting, a classic done right. It's the kind of meal that, when delivered in its prime, could rival the best soul food spots in the area.Cooklyn Eats isn't flawless, but it's earnest and filling--a feast worth trying, especially for those who appreciate the care and craft that go into a good soul food spread. Just plan to eat it immediately or be prepared to do some pan-frying if the delivery gods aren't on your side. Either way, it's a meal I'd gladly return for, and one I'd recommend to anyone with a soft spot for soul food that doesn't cut corners."

Healthy Henry's

★★★★☆ 3.6 (8) • $

"Just left a meeting in Jamaica, Queens and was hungry. So many places had no place to sit. Good old YELP help me find Healthy Henry's. The Jamaica Market is filled with several small restaurants - mostly ethnic - and is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy a meal. I chose the "small plate" which was actually a styrofoam clamshell. I ordered the rosemary baked chicken, cabbage, a corn muffin, and pomegranate limeade. The first thing I noticed and was pleased with was that the chicken pieces did not appear to grown on steroids. The pieces (drumstick and piece of breast) were well seasoned and tender. The breast piece was particularly savory when I bit into the skin and the flavors exploded in my mouth. I'm sure I heard the Hallelujah Chorus. The cabbage was outstanding - cooked with a few carrots, garlic and other seasonings. It was a perfect accompaniment to the chicken. The corn muffin was also very good - the right amount of sweetness and a nice crispy crust. Topped off with the Pomegranate Limeade (unsweetened), I enjoyed a meal which couldn't be beat for quality, flavor, and price. Who said NY is expensive? This fine meal set me back $6.50! Sorry I won't be in the area another day. I would definitely return and sample some of their other offerings."

Mothers Seafood & More

★★★★☆ 3.7 (242) • $$

"I went to Mothers because the restaurant I wanted to go to was closed and I was starving and I had limited time. I was pleasantly surprised. They must've changed the cook because the food was really good. I got the naked wings, greens, candied yams and fried whiting sandwich. I will return."

Brooklyn Chckn N Lbstr

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (18)

"I love everything about their food. Love their Mac N Cheese and the Rasta Pasta and the Yams and the Corn Bread and omg The Jerk Chicken is amazing! Yummy! I'm team Brooklyn Chckn N Lbstr"

The Soul Spot

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (385) • $$

"One of my favorite soul food spots in NYC period. Food is always hot and fresh and portion sizes are great. I wish there was more seating to be able to enjoy the food right away though, maybe they'll expand one day."

Father and Son Soul Food Catering

★★★★☆ 3.8 (63) • $$

"Came in for lunch during my break because my coworker vouched for it. It was my first time there and in the area, so I didn't know how ordering worked. She just told me to go in and say I'm new, so I can get a "welcome" sample. Speaking to the guy behind the register, being welcomed was not what I felt. I asked nervously about the sample, and he replied, "Don't worry about it because we have to take your order first. We'll excuse me for not knowing. It made sense to me to have the "sample" first just in case I don't like it. But the process is to order first, then get the sample; okay. I ordered the sweet chili wings with Mac n cheese, which took a while. I didn't get a sample as they were not ready; at that point, I didn't care. The wings are sweet, but there's no kick with the chili part, but good. Mac and cheese was also good with the sauce on it. I didn't taste any unique flavors in the wings or Mac. But for 7 bucks, lunch special, it's good enough."

Blossom’s Soul Food Fusion

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (50) • $$

"I was having a really lousy day, when a friend decided to snatch me up for food and drinks at Blossom's. She's been there several times to my first time experience and it was a great choice.We stepped inside and immediately I was warmed up by the homey, beautiful old school, decor. I felt like I was about to sit down inside of my grandparents' home. We were welcomed by Sekou, the most wonderful bartender ever. He offered me a sample of frozen rum punch after hearing about my miserable day. We arrived just after 530PM and immediately got into some of everything. I started my night with a full order of the frozen rum punch. My friend had a mango cocktail. Both were sooo frosty and good. Next, my friend and I both ordered the lobster biscuits. I ordered a main course of crispy fried snapper with mashed potatoes and string beans. While I was munching, I asked about the games that were stacked up on the bar where we were sitting. Before you know it, I was tipsy and engaged in lively conversation with everyone at the bar. Bartender Sekou and I, got into a few rounds of Jenga with another patron. Two hours in, Sekou was taking song requests to play for us on the big screen. Lisa, one of the owners, along with her husband, were in the kitchen cheffing it up. They both came out periodically to ask how we liked the food. I kept drinking and became interested in an order of empanadas listed on the Happy Hour menu. I went with the shrimp alfredo type. Sekou kept the shots and fun going and at the end of our time there, Lisa offered my friend and I a slice of bourbon chocolate cake with whipped cream topping, on the house. I had a wonderful time at Blossom's. It truly was like being at game night with my favorite cousins. I'll be going back for sure!"

Harlem Seafood Soul

★★★★☆ 3.8 (87) • $$

"They know how to make the fry fish. The fish is not over burnt, it's light, not a a lot of batter like some other places. The Mac and Cheese is slamming and the customer service is good."

Taste of Heaven

★★★★★ 4.7 (303) • $$

"We stumbled into this place around lunch time on a Thursday. It was funny that they actually have a doorman (wait I know I'm in hipster-land, Door-person is prob pc)controlling the crowds. We waited about 15 months until til we were granted access. It's a small place without any interior tables so the crowd control made sense. My co-worker and I both grabbed a small lunch plate (1 meat, 2 sides $13), he got the Jack Daniels chicken w/ collard greens and mac and cheese. I got jerk ribs w/ mac and cheese and rice and beans. We managed to grab an exterior table and we dug in. Boy oh boy was is all so good. My ribs were nose running soicy and tender. The best compliment I can give to the sides is I couldn't stop eating them. I had to pull myself away. Same goes for my co-worker, his chicken looked tender and flavorful. He too couldn't stop eating. Great service, all was delish, give it a try."

Bed Stuy Fish Fry

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (68)

"This Bed-Stuy Fish Fry is the best of the bunch in my opinion. Go when it first opens. Food is super hot, well seasoned and delicious. This is a business district and I believe the chefs here go the extra mile with their food preparation to serve the famished City Employees. The staff is almost pleasant, might I say, nearly nice. Today I ordered pickup online- a BOGO order of salmon and shrimp bites over fried rice. I got there early and I was tempted to add to my order because all the dishes looked sooo good. I ended up getting an order of the crab cakes. These crab cakes are perfectly made with REAL lump crab meat and they're big! I could eat here for lunch every day. Looks like take out only for now. Good stuff!"