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Enjoy Some of the Best Authentic Soul Food in the Queen City!

Explore Black-owned soul food restaurants in Cincinnati, including food trucks, brick-and-mortar spots, and places with outdoor seating. Deeply rooted in Southern culinary traditions, discover where to savor dishes like fried chicken, fish, cornbread, collard greens, yams, and mac and cheese. Learn how these establishments enrich the community and support local Black-owned businesses! 

This article is as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information before acting.   

Cincinnati Black-Owned Soul Food Restaurants 

Catherine’s Good Eats 

Dine-in, Takeout 
122 W Wyoming Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215 (Lockland) 
513-873-4521 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Catherine’s Good Eats is friendly and inviting, perfect for family meals or casual dining with friends. The menu offers meatloaf, yams, chili, steak, bread rolls, and homemade soups for lunch or dinner. Dinner platter specials and desserts like banana pudding, cake, and cheesecake are also available to order. Only open on Sundays, the eatery is the perfect place to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner.  

Catherine's Good Eats soul food sandwich

Chef Nem Kitchen 

Takeout, Delivery 
3305 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229 (Avondale) 
513-602-8082 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Chef Nem Kitchen’s vast menu includes shrimp, lamb chops, salmon, pasta, specialty fries, and specials like Fish Fry Fridays. On Saturdays, the eatery collaborates with No Pork on My Fork to bring customers soulful breakfast options. Don’t forget to check out the ‘Nemonade’ drinks, which come in several flavors! 

Chef Nem Soul food

Divine Appetite Cafe 

Dine-in, Takeout 
8982 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester, OH 45069 (West Chester) 
513-777-2111 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Although Divine Appetite Cafe is known for its delicious African dishes, the eatery specializes in fried chicken, fish, corn, rice and peas, and cabbage. Appetizers like chicken wings and meat pies are also available. The restaurant offers a casual dining experience and has a TV that always shows a sports game! 

Divine Appetite Soul food

 Related Article: The Best Black-Owned BBQ Restaurants in Cincinnati  

Just Cookin BBQ 

Dine-in, Takeout 
1144 California Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45237 (Bond Hill) 
513-641-3663 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
With over eight years of dedicated service, Just Cookin BBQ offers a variety of delectable dishes. The menu features ribs, salmon croquettes, spaghetti, chicken, smoked meats, and sides like mashed potatoes, rice, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Dessert options include strawberry shortcake, chess pie, lemon cookies, and cream.  

Just Cookin Soul Food menus

Mama Jo’s Soul Eatery

Dine-in, Takeout 
2132 Losantiville Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45237 (Golf Manor)
513-376-6109
Yelp Reviews

Mama Jo’s Soul Eatery is a restaurant specializing in comfort meals such as fried fish, oxtails, wings, meatloaf, shrimp, ribs, and sides such as greens, mac and cheese, and black-eyed peas. community. Every meal is made “with love” and crafted to evoke home-style cooking and Southern comfort vibes

Mama Jo's soul

Related Article: Best Burgers at Cincinnati Black-Owned Restaurants  

Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery

Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery
669 Justice Court, Loveland, OH 45140 (Loveland)
513-965-9000
Yelp Reviews
Facebook Reviews

Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery offers wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and sides like fries, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. Established as a go-to destination for barbecue lovers, the restaurant provides a casual setting where guests can enjoy flavorful dishes and a welcoming atmosphere.

Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery

Millie’s Place

Takeout, Delivery
5923 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227 (Madisonville)
513-527-4075
Yelp Reviews
Millie’s place is a soul food restaurant specializing in dishes such as meatloaf, whiting fish, collard greens, cornbread pancake, yams, and peach cobbler. The eatery commits to welcoming service that helps create an inviting atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy a sense of belonging.

Millies Place Soul food

Mz Jade’s Soul Food Station

Dine-in, Takeout
11119 Reading Road, Sharonville, OH 45241 (Sharonville)
513-571-1150
Yelp Reviews

Mz. Jade’s is a soul food restaurant renowned for the fresh, homemade Southern dishes. Located in Sharonville and Dayton, the eatery has soul food favorites, including ribs, seafood, smothered pork chops, fresh homemade side dishes, desserts, and more.

Mz Jade's Soul Food Station

No Pork on My Fork 

Takeout 
513-915-3156 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Track the location and hours 
No Pork on My Fork is open only for breakfast and brunch. The eatery offers Southern classics like grits in all forms, shrimp, grilled salmon, and Bacon. The food trailer collaborates with Chef Nem Kitchen to bring the best-tasting Breakfast to Cincinnati.

No Pork on My Fork

Ollie’s Trolley 

Takeout 
1607 Central Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214 (West End) 
513-381-6100 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Ollie’s Trolley features a casual, counter-service style rather than traditional table service. During the summer, customers can enjoy outdoor seating. The eatery’s menu features soul food classics like fish dinners and fried chicken and sides like mac and cheese, greens, cabbage, and okra.   

Ollie's Trolley soul

Pluto’s Café 

Dine-in, Takeout 
1817 West Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45239 (North College Hill) 
513-817-7142 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Pluto’s Café’s homestyle foods include fried chicken, fish, and meatloaf for lunch or dinner. Customers can also order homemade sweet tea. The restaurant strives to deliver a delicious culinary experience with every carefully selected and excellently prepared appetizer, dinner, dessert and side. 

Plutos Cafe

Richie’s Chicken and Soul

Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery
110 Woolper Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220 (Clifton)
513-832-8347

Yelp Reviews
Richie’s Chicken and Soul is an eatery specializing in Southern comfort favorites such as fried chicken, corn bread, okra, and mac and cheese. The eateries’ mission is to brighten everyone’s day through down-home cooking and soulful hospitality.

Richies Soul

Rasheeda’s Cafe

Dine-in, Takeout
5922 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224 (College Hill)
513-351-1129

Yelp Reviews
Rasheeda’s Cafe is a soul food eatery specializing in dishes like cheese steaks, fish, fried chicken, chili dogs, and wings. Known for comforting flavors and warm hospitality, the cafe blends classic Southern-inspired soul food with American breakfast and brunch favorites. 

Rasheedas Cafe

Soul Secrets 

Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery 
1434 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Downtown/Over-the-Rhine) 
513-721-7685 
Google Reviews 
Yelp Reviews 
Soul Secrets serves traditional Southern dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese. The menu includes seafood dishes, BBQ sandwiches, and house-made salads. For dessert, remember to try the famous peach cobbler. Table service is provided, and several cocktails are available to order. 

Soul Secrets

The Night Kap

Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery
6966 Plainfield Road, Silverton, OH 45236 (Silverton)
513-888-4001
Yelp Reviews

Order with Toast
The Night Kap menu includes a variety of southern-style favorites, including fried fish, chicken, burgers, and wings. Side options include mac and cheese, yams, greens, and cornbread. Desserts such as peach cobbler, pound cake, butter pound cake, and chocolate turtle cake are also available to order.

night kap soul food

Related Article: African and Caribbean Restaurants: Discover Cincinnati Gems  

These restaurants not only offer delicious cuisine but also contribute to the cultural fabric of our community. Whether wanting classic comfort foods or seeking a place to gather with loved ones, Cincinnati’s Black-owned soul food restaurants provide a warm welcome and a taste of tradition.  

Black-owned soul food restaurants in Cincinnati proudly offer some of the finest cuisines in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Dine, celebrate, and support these integral establishments that embody the spirit of soul food and community in the city. 

All restaurants are subject to an Ohio health inspection. Health inspections are periodic check-ins to ensure restaurants are running safely and clean for guests. Food safety certifications are given to restaurants that meet the current food safety standards. 

The businesses featured in this article are listed in The Voice of Black Cincinnati’s database and meet all submission criteria. Business owners interested in being considered for this or future articles must submit to the database. The Voice of Black Cincinnati is excited to highlight more Black-owned eateries.

The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.

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Written by Dana Ghanem

Dana Ghanem, a writer at The Voice of Black Cincinnati, specializes in business-related topics. Dana's insightful reporting helps local entrepreneurs and businesses gain visibility while providing readers with the latest trends and opportunities in Cincinnati's business landscape. Her articles are a testament to her commitment to fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship within the Black community. Connect with Dana on LinkedIn to discover her professional insights and contributions.