The Best Florida Soul Food Spots For A Taste Of Home, Every Day

Florida isn’t just beaches and theme parks, it’s also home to some seriously incredible soul food that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting at grandma’s table.

Whether you’re craving fried chicken, collard greens, or mac and cheese that sticks to your ribs, the Sunshine State has spots that deliver comfort on every plate.

These restaurants serve up the kind of food that warms your soul and reminds you why home-cooked meals matter. Get ready to discover where Florida keeps its most delicious secrets.

1. The Front Porch, Jacksonville

This spot feels like stepping onto your grandmother’s actual porch, minus the mosquitoes and judgmental stares. The Front Porch in Jacksonville serves up fried chicken that’s been brined, seasoned, and fried to golden perfection. You’ll want to lick your fingers and apologize to nobody.

Their cornbread is sweet without being cake, crumbly without falling apart. Yams come candied just right, not drowning in sugar like some places do. It’s soul food that respects tradition while making your taste buds do backflips.

2. Big Daddy’s Soul Food, Orlando

When you need food that sticks to your ribs and makes you forget your troubles, Big Daddy’s got you covered. Big Daddy’s Soul Food in Orlando doesn’t mess around with portion sizes or flavor intensity. Their smothered pork chops swim in gravy so rich it should require a warning label.

Rice soaks up every drop of that gravy like it was born for the job. Green beans are cooked down with ham hocks until they’re tender and smoky. This is the kind of meal that makes you loosen your belt and thank the heavens.

3. Lilly’s Soul Food, Tampa

Are you ready for food that makes you want to call your mama and apologize for every meal you skipped? Lilly’s Soul Food in Tampa serves fried chicken wings so perfectly seasoned they could win awards. The skin shatters under your teeth, revealing juicy meat that’s been marinated in love.

Candied yams are sweet, buttery, and dangerously addictive. Black-eyed peas come seasoned with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Lilly’s doesn’t just feed you, it reminds you what real comfort tastes like.

4. Jerk Shack, St. Petersburg

Though soul food and Caribbean flavors might seem like distant cousins, Jerk Shack proves they’re actually best friends. Jerk Shack in St. Petersburg brings spicy jerk chicken that’s charred, smoky, and packed with heat that sneaks up on you. Rice and peas absorb all those incredible juices.

Fried plantains arrive sweet and caramelized, balancing out the spice perfectly. Cabbage slaw adds crunch and freshness to every forkful. This fusion spot respects both traditions while creating something entirely its own and utterly delicious.

5. World Famous House Of Mac, Miami

World Famous House of Mac in Miami is a soul food lover’s paradise, where comfort food takes center stage with a twist. Specializing in mac and cheese, they elevate the classic dish into a culinary masterpiece with rich, creamy layers and unique, mouthwatering add-ins like lobster, chicken, and bacon.

But the menu doesn’t stop at mac and cheese, this spot serves up a full array of soul food staples, from juicy fried chicken to savory ribs and tender collard greens.

Whether you’re indulging in their signature mac combos or savoring their Southern-style sides, each bite feels like a taste of home. It’s bringing that warm, nostalgic feeling of Sunday dinner, no matter the day of the week.

6. Eloise & Earnestine Soul Food, Miami

This soul food spot in Miami is a hidden diamond that brings authentic Southern comfort food with a personal touch. Named after the founders’ beloved grandmothers, this soul food spot serves up a delicious, home-cooked experience that feels like dining at grandma’s house.

The menu features mouthwatering classics like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, oxtails, and tender collard greens, all made with love and the kind of flavors that warm your soul. Their cornbread is a fan favorite, perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Every dish at Eloise & Earnestine is a celebration of Southern heritage, with hearty portions and fresh ingredients that transport you straight to the heart of soul food tradition.

7. Mr. Jack’s Soul On The Go, Miami

This is the ultimate spot for enjoying authentic, mouthwatering soul food with the convenience of quick service. Known for its flavors and hearty portions, this food truck-style operation brings the comfort of Southern classics straight to you.

Whether you’re grabbing a plate of crispy fried chicken, tender oxtails, or flavorful shrimp and grits, each dish is crafted with care and served hot and fresh. Mr. Jack’s isn’t just about great food; it’s about a great experience, offering soulful comfort in every bite.

With their signature sides like collard greens, cornbread, and mac and cheese, it’s no wonder this spot has become a local favorite for anyone craving that homemade Southern goodness on the go.

8. Leah’s Kitchen, Gainesville

Where home cooking meets restaurant quality, you’ll find Leah working her magic daily. Leah’s Kitchen in Gainesville serves meatloaf that’s moist, flavorful, and topped with a glaze that makes you want to lick the plate.

Mashed potatoes are whipped smooth and drenched in brown gravy that tastes like Sunday dinner. Green beans are cooked down southern-style with bacon until they’re soft and savory.

Biscuits arrive hot, flaky, and buttery enough to make you forget store-bought exists. Leah’s proves that simple food done right beats fancy any day of the week.

9. Jackson Soul Food, Miami

Hence the name, this place follows one simple rule, make BBQ so good people keep coming back for decades. The Golden Rule BBQ in Tallahassee has been smoking meats since forever, and their pulled pork is tender, smoky, and sauced to perfection.

Baked beans are sweet, tangy, and loaded with bits of meat. Potato salad is creamy, tangy, and exactly what BBQ needs as a sidekick.

White bread comes on the side to soak up sauce and make impromptu sandwiches. This legendary spot proves tradition and quality never go out of style.

10. The Crab Trap, Destin

Nestled along the picturesque beaches of Destin, The Crab Trap is more than just a seafood haven. Its soul food offerings, infused with Southern charm, draw diners from near and far. Imagine biting into crispy fried chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese, a testament to comforting flavors.

The casual beachfront setting adds to the relaxed atmosphere, where laughter and the scent of the sea blend harmoniously. This spot’s legacy of hospitality ensures every guest feels like family.

Did you know? The Crab Trap has been a beloved destination for over 20 years, celebrated for its fusion of seafood and soul food delights.