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Best Soul Food in Baltimore: 8 Black-Owned Restaurants (2026)
By Online African Shop Team · Updated September 2026
Looking for the best soul food in Baltimore? These 8 Black-owned restaurants cover everything from chicken and waffles, turkey wings and Creole jambalaya to vegan soul food and oyster bars. You'll find them in Downtown, Seton Hill, Hampden and Upper Fells Point. Our top picks are Connie's Chicken and Waffles, The Land of Kush and The Urban Oyster.
Every business here was named as Black-owned by a trusted local source (listed at the bottom). Hours and locations change, so call or check the website before you go.
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Black-owned soul food restaurants in Baltimore
8 places-
Soul food
Top pick
Downtown (Lexington Market)
1.Connie's Chicken and Waffles
Must tryFried chicken on a buttermilk, cinnamon, red velvet or Oreo waffleRun by brothers Shawn and Khari Parker and named for their mother, Connie's opened in Lexington Market in 2016 and also operates a Charles Plaza location...
Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201
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Soul food
Top pick
Seton Hill / Bromo Arts District
2.The Land of Kush
Must tryVegan crab cakes and BBQ ribsVegan soul food restaurant run by Naijha Wright-Brown and chef Gregory Brown since 2011, serving plant-based versions of crab cakes, barbecue ribs and curry dishes.
840 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, MD 21201
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Soul food
Top pick
Hampden
3.The Urban Oyster
Must tryChargrilled oystersChef Jasmine Norton's oyster bar, billed as the first Black- and female-owned oyster bar in the U.S., serves chargrilled and raw oysters alongside dishes such as...
914 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211
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Soul food
Upper Fells Point
4.Water for Chocolate
Must tryBarbecue shrimp and gritsComfort-food brunch and dinner spot from owner and executive chef Sean Guy, open since 2006. Known for Southern-leaning dishes such as barbecue shrimp and grits and...
1841 E. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21231
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Soul food
Belair-Edison
5.Bertha's Soul Food Bar & Grill
Must tryTurkey wing dinner with collard greens, mac and cheese and candied yamsNeighborhood soul food bar and grill on Belair Road that serves turkey wings, fried fish, wings and classic Southern sides.
4201 Belair Rd., Baltimore, MD 21206
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Soul food
Northwood
6.Miss Toya's Creole House
Must tryJambalayaBaltimore location of a Black-, family- and woman-owned Creole and Cajun restaurant group, located at Northwood Commons near Morgan State University. The menu includes jambalaya, crawfish...
1500 Havenwood Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218
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Soul food
Little Italy / Harbor East
7.RYMKS Bar and Grille
Soul food restaurant and sports bar near the Inner Harbor that also serves Sunday brunch and hosts weekly events.
819 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
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Soul food
Downtown (Lexington Market)
8.SweetPeaz Southern Kitchen
Must tryFried chicken with mac and cheese and collard greensSouthern soul food stall in Lexington Market that serves fried chicken, fried fish, yams, cornbread, peach cobbler and sweet potato pound cake.
Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201
FAQ
What is the best soul food restaurant in Baltimore?
Connie's Chicken and Waffles at Lexington Market is the best-known stop for chicken and waffles. The Land of Kush in Seton Hill is the pick for vegan soul food, and The Urban Oyster in Hampden is known for chargrilled oysters.
Which Baltimore neighborhoods have the most spots on this list?
Downtown, Seton Hill, Hampden and Upper Fells Point each have places on this list.
How was this list made?
We only include businesses named as Black-owned by trusted local sources, such as city tourism boards, local news and food writers. The sources are listed below. We check the list regularly, but always confirm hours before you go.
Can I suggest a business?
Yes. Email youronlineafricanshop@gmail.com with the business name, address and a link.
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Sources
- African American-Owned Restaurants in Baltimore (Visit Baltimore)
- The Dish: Where to eat this Black History Month (The Baltimore Banner)
- 11 Black-Owned Restaurants To Try In Baltimore (Black Restaurant Week)
- D.C. restaurants coming to Baltimore (WMAR-2 News)
- Black Owned Businesses on Baltimore's Waterfront (Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore)
- Baltimore's Black-Owned Restaurants (VisitMaryland.org)