Soul Food Restaurants in San Francisco

This restaurant offers a menu you might expect to find in New Orleans. You'll find delights like crawfish beignets, muffulettas, smoked pork rillettes, and catfish des allemands. Experience the southern culinary tradition of meat & three dinners, where diners choose one meat (or entrée) and three side dishes from a daily selection of down-home favorites. Options include fried chicken, BBQ spare ribs, country-fried steak, and sides like collard greens, cheese grits, and dirty rice. 

Eat At Brenda's

In the heart of Fisherman's Wharf is Brick & Beam, a restaurant that seamlessly blends a hip, West Coast aesthetic with the classic taste of comfort food. Brick & Beam touts their comfort food, but expect more American bar dishes than traditional southern fare, including calamari, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, and more. Don't skip dessert when you go; they have a cheesecake of the day that always wows.

Eat at Brick & Beam

The perfect spot for brunch or dinner, the food is classic southern soul food with a twist! Begin with their classic NOLA-style beignets, fried okra, and blue crab etouffee. Then, dig into their chicken and waffles, spicy shrimp & grits, pulled pork chilaquiles, and Stoner Stack (biscuit sandwich with fried chicken breast, fried egg, cheddar cheese, bacon & homemade sausage gravy). 

Eat at The Front Porch

Perhaps the most classic spot in San Francisco for soul food is Hard Knox Cafe. This restaurant has locations in Outer Richmond and Dogpatch. Inside both locations, the vibe is funky, fun, and casual. Bring the whole family or come for a fun night out—and have a cocktail, too. The menu features classics like fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and po'boys.

Eat at Hard Knox

Chicken and waffles are the star at Little Skillet, where you can order waffles with either two, three, or eight pieces of chicken (and side dishes). Expect classically southern sides like collard greens, biscuits, or mashed potatoes. There are other things on the menu at Little Skillet, including a "customize your own" bowl, po'boy, or plate, allowing you to choose from a selection of proteins and sides. The restaurant also has a weekend brunch that shines for its chicken and waffle benedict. Little Skillet is in SoMa and they also have an outpost in SFO's Terminal 1, so you can have one last bite on your way home.

Eat at Little Skillet

If you're looking for something easy, breezy, and no frills, check out The New Spot on Polk. This neighborhood cafe has become well known for serving a delightful menu of soul food options mixed with standard American fare. Their brunch is particularly popular. You'll find dishes like charbroiled pork chops, biscuits and gravy, and a crab po-boy.

Eat at The New Spot

This youth-run, jazz-themed supper club takes inspiration from traditional family recipes and transforms them into delicious and inspiring dishes. Start with the Bayview Shrimp Cocktail Louis before digging into Daniel's Gumbo and Jordan's Fried Chicken with irresistible sides like Mac & Cheese, Whipped Garlic Potatoes, and Braised Greens. Visit Old Skool Cafe and do good for your belly and the community. 

Eat at Old Skool Cafe

Palm House is a soul food restaurant with a creole twist. Harkening back to New Orleans and the Caribbean, Palm House has a menu that features dishes like Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Island Smoked Ribs, and Spam Fried Rice Musubi. It's a little bit exotic with a whole lot of comfort and soul. Palm House is bright and airy inside, with beachy influences in the decor, and the atmosphere is trendy and chic.

Eat at Palm House