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Best Soul Food in Dallas: 8 Black-Owned Restaurants (2026)
By Online African Shop Team · Updated September 2026
Looking for the best soul food in Dallas? These 8 Black-owned restaurants cover everything from fried chicken, catfish and smothered chops to brunch spots and modern Southern kitchens. You'll find them in South Dallas, Oak Cliff, Downtown and Love Field. Our top picks are Sweet Georgia Brown, Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley and Kendall Karsen's Upscale Soul Food.
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 Dallas
8 places-
Soul food
Top pick
South Dallas
1.Sweet Georgia Brown
Must tryBeef tips, fried catfish and peach cobblerLong-running South Dallas soul food and barbecue cafeteria founded by Walt Williams about 30 years ago. Known for ribs, hot links, rotating plate specials and homemade...
2840 E Ledbetter Dr, Dallas, TX 75216
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Soul food
Top pick
Downtown
2.Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley
Must tryChicken and mini waffles; Caribbean jerk lamb chopsUpscale Southern comfort food and cocktails from restaurateur Kevin Kelley in the downtown Hart Building. Opens at 10 a.m. for brunch on weekends.
1933 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75201
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Soul food
Top pick
Oak Cliff
3.Kendall Karsen's Upscale Soul Food
Must tryOkra gumbo (his late mother's recipe), fried catfish with greens and mac and cheeseOwner Kevin Winston serves cooked-to-order soul food plates that regularly sell out. It has appeared on the Dallas Observer's Top 100 restaurants list.
3939 S Polk St, Dallas, TX 75224
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Soul food
Love Field / Northwest Dallas
4.Smokey John's Bar-B-Que & Home Cooking
Must tryBrisket and the Big Red Chicken BreadFamily barbecue and home-cooking spot founded in 1976 by the late John Reaves and now run by his sons Juan and Brent Reaves. It came back...
1820 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75235
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Soul food
South Dallas
5.Aunt Irene's Kitchen
Must tryThe Black Box (crab, shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes) with crack sauceDresha Harrison's Cajun-leaning seafood and soul food kitchen, known for seafood boils and a vinegar, honey and mustard dipping sauce.
2802 Lagow St, Dallas, TX 75210
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Soul food
Oak Cliff
6.Catfish Floyd's
Must trySeasoned fried catfish with hush puppies; Cajun fried turkey legSeafood and fish-fry spot with a drive-thru. Known for its fried catfish plates.
710 E Ann Arbor Ave, Dallas, TX 75216
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Soul food
The Cedars
7.Baby Back Shak
Must trySmoked pork ribs; chicken drummiesClarence Cohens' blue-collar barbecue joint on South Akard, with a pink pig on the side of the building. It reopened in July 2024 after a fire.
S Akard St at Beaumont St, Dallas, TX 75215
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Soul food
Southwest Dallas (Camp Wisdom)
8.The Breakfast Brothers
Must tryCatfish and red velvet waffles; chicken and wafflesSouthern-style breakfast and brunch group with a Dallas location and two in Arlington. Its founders started the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards.
3704 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Suite 110, Dallas, TX 75237
FAQ
What is the best soul food restaurant in Dallas?
Sweet Georgia Brown in South Dallas is the classic cafeteria-style pick. For a night out, book Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley downtown, and for upscale plates in Oak Cliff, try Kendall Karsen's Upscale Soul Food.
Which Dallas neighborhoods have the most spots on this list?
South Dallas, Oak Cliff, Downtown and Love Field 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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