Chicago is known for its diverse culinary scene, offering a plethora of dining experiences. Among these, soul food is known as a comforting and satisfying cuisine.
The restaurants ensure that you will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds. So, let's see some of the 20 top restaurants that specialize in serving authentic and delicious soul food.
This restaurant serves home-style Southern cuisine. Located five minutes away from downtown Chicago, Pearl's Place offers a relaxing and casual environment to enjoy classic comfort food prepared by expert chefs.
It also provides catering services either within the lavish and spacious dining room or offsite at conventions, showers, and other events.
Address: 3901 S Michigan Ave, Douglas
Splyt \N/ Half Kitchen caters to various tastes with four distinct food brands. Evey's Keto Corner offers fine dining tailored to assist with weight loss, providing a sophisticated experience.
On the lighter side, Evey's Soups, Salads, and Wraps focus on low-calorie meals, emphasizing freshness and flavor. Likewise, its Crunchy Chicken and Fish can satisfy those enjoying comforting classics.
Address: 5815 W Madison St, South Austin
Soul Prime is a soul food gem that delivers delectable fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, and dishes generously smothered in gravy.
The baked chicken is so tender that it practically falls off the bone at a glance. Everything is cooked to order, so if you plan to dine here, be prepared for a leisurely experience.
Address: 1969 N Halsted St, Lincoln Park
Daley's Restaurant specializes in breakfast and brunch offerings and is popular among patrons. You can create your omelet, homemade salmon patties, and French toast.
It also features various skillets, including the Southside and Spicy Denver, and hearty dinner options such as Oven Baked Chicken and Homemade Vienna Style Meatloaf.
Address: 6257 S Cottage Grove Ave, Woodlawn
CheSa’s Bistro & Bar combines Creole and contemporary American tastes in an elegant setting. The 1800-square-foot bar and bistro presents a menu entirely free of gluten.
You can begin your meal with charbroiled oysters, enjoy main courses like chicken pasta with creamy roux mix tortellini, and finish with desserts like deep-fried cinnamon rolls.
Address: 3235 W Addison St Suite C, Bucktown / Wicker Park
Soulé, a cozy Creole-infused soul food restaurant in the heart of Chicago's West Town offers a modern twist on soul and Creole cuisine.
Their menu features delightful soul food options such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and peach cobbler. It also serves you beverages for a small fee in a relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 3615 W Roosevelt Rd, West Town
This Soul Cafe is known for its top-notch comfort food, offering a menu that spans traditional soul food favorites to modern takes on those classics.
Their grilled salmon stands out as the best you'll ever taste, and the fried chicken is irresistibly crunchy and delicious. The smothered wings feature only the finest cuts of chicken, and the pork chops are bursting with flavor.
Address: 1160 W Grand Ave, West Town
It is an Up-SouthPo-boy shop that showcases the vibrancy of New Orleans through its most sold and classic sandwich, fun colors, and music.
The eatery carries its Louisiana roots and passion for good food, and it tries to change the way customers see Cajun and Creole meals. It is a fantastic spot for Chicago soul food with a New Orleans-inspired twist.
Address: 5215 S Harper Ave, Hyde Park
This restaurant prides itself on providing top-notch delectable food options where you can come in and sit down to enjoy your meal.
Their menu features various hearty dishes including Smothered Pork Chops, Baked Chicken, and Fried Chicken, each served with two-sided and cornbread muffins.
Address: 148 W 79th St, South Side
Located in downtown Hyde Park, It stands out as an "Elegant Southern" gem among soul food restaurants in Chicago. The spacious and open design includes a generous dining room and a separate bar area, perfect for post-dinner drinks.
Virtue offers delights like fried green tomatoes, tangy remoulade-coated jumbo shrimp, and seafood dishes with cornmeal-fried tomato.
Address: 1462 E 53rd St, Hyde Park
They offer a Southern-inspired menu featuring a variety of hearty dishes. Guests can enjoy favorites such as Fried Chicken, Crawfish Etouffee, and Shrimp and Grits.
Popular among patrons are Macaroni and Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits and Skillet Cornbread, which are often ordered together.
Address: 5347 N Clark St, Andersonville
It is a Chicago Original, Independent family-owned restaurant serving Southern comfort and cocktails in Chicago's West Loop. They provide friendly service, affordable menu options, all-day breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch.
It is also known for its popular prices and the most diverse patrons in the midwest, crossing income, race, ethnic, and straight lines. Also, it is a popular neighborhood area on the Northside and very famous among families.
Address: 161 N Jefferson St, West Side
You can enjoy their signature smoked meats and sides in a sun-filled dining room or on a riverside patio. They also provide alcoholic beverages including a glass of wine or a handcrafted cocktail to accompany every bite.
This restaurant has craved a dining room for guests to sit, savor, and socialize. Their meats are smoked, fresh every day and the BBQ tastes better with friends.
Address: 3057 N Rockwell St, Avondale
The restaurant here believes their guests should not only be treated to excellent food, but they should feel good about where food comes from.
It only uses free-range chickens free of chemicals and antibiotics, with ingredients gathered from farmers, and provides more healthily. They also provide numerous side dishes, desserts, and kids menus available.
Address: 3361 N Elston Ave, Avondale
Ina Mae Tavern is a family-friendly eatery with live music and a dog-friendly patio, offering a taste of New Orleans.
Their menu offers Southern and Creole delights, including fried chicken, po'boys, beignets, alligator sausage, char-grilled oysters, seafood, fried catfish, hushpuppies, buttermilk drop biscuits, and gumbo.
Address: 1415 N Wood St, Wicker Park
Peach's Restaurant is among the places with the best breakfast in Chicago, with a laid-back dinner atmosphere with genuine Southside charm and hospitality.
Indulge in a delightful menu featuring Shrimp and grits, Chicken and toast, Salmon Croquettes, Pancakes, and French Toast with Peach Bourbon compote, among other delicious options.
Address: 4652 S King Dr, Grand Boulevard
This restaurant provides an intimate soul food experience where you create the atmosphere to soulfully connect through savory dishes, a mocktail BYOB experience, and genuine conversations.
It is all about creating an ambiance that's top-tier as their souls align through good vibes. They also provide some of the crowd favorites while introducing new additions to the menu.
Address: 1931 W Chicago Ave
This place has been a pillar in the community for more than 30 years in the neighborhood of Chatham.
Their buffet offers delicious fried chicken, fried catfish, collard greens, lima beans, dressing, candied yams, green salad, potato salad, pickled beets, peach cobbler, and ice cream
Address: 436 E 79th St, Chatham
St. Rest No 2 Country Kitchen, a venerable establishment serving the Chatman community for over 50 years, stands as one of the oldest and best soul food in Chicago place.
Known for classic dishes like Smothered Pork Chops, Dressing, and Oxtails, the Country Kitchen adds even more to its offerings with extended hours, brunch, and breakfast.
Address: 727 E 87th St, Chatham
This premium casual restaurant and outdoor patio serves a globally inspired menu using fresh and high-quality ingredients.
They cater to every leisurely weekend brunch from a vibrant weekday lunch, and an enticing happy hour from Monday to Friday, to an exquisite dinner service.
Address: 311 N Morgan St, Chicago
