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Best Soul Food in Houston: 8 Black-Owned Restaurants (2026)
By Online African Shop Team · Updated September 2026
Looking for the best soul food in Houston? 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 Independence Heights, Midtown, Museum District and Brays Oaks. Our top picks are The Breakfast Klub, Lucille's and Mikki's Soul Food Cafe.
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 Houston
8 places-
Soul food
Top pick
Midtown
1.The Breakfast Klub
Must tryWings & waffles or katfish & gritsMarcus Davis opened this Midtown breakfast spot in 2001, and it is still one of Houston's most-loved Black-owned restaurants. There are no reservations and the line...
3711 Travis St, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Top pick
Museum District
2.Lucille's
Must tryChili biscuits and braised oxtailsChef Chris Williams named this Southern restaurant in a restored Museum District house after his great-grandmother, the culinary pioneer Lucille B. Smith. It is closed Mondays...
5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Top pick
Brays Oaks
3.Mikki's Soul Food Cafe
Must tryOxtails, or the Sunday fried fish dinnerThis family-run cafeteria has served soul food for more than 25 years, and in October 2025 it added a Third Ward location in the former This...
10500 W Bellfort Ave #100, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Independence Heights
4.Esther's Cajun Cafe & Soul Food
Must tryHoney-dipped fried chicken with candied yamsChef Esther Lewis-Bernard has run this family restaurant since 2008, serving Louisiana Cajun dishes alongside soul food. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8...
5007 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Independence Heights
5.Gatlin's Fins & Feathers
Must tryFried chicken and gumboChef Greg Gatlin, of Gatlin's BBQ, runs this fried chicken and Gulf seafood restaurant, which The New York Times included on its 2023 Restaurant List. It...
302 W Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Third Ward
6.Soul Food Vegan
Must tryOyster mushroom po'boyChef Taliek Terry serves plant-based Southern and Creole comfort food at this counter-service spot near Emancipation Park.
2901 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX
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Soul food
Pearland
7.The Greasy Spoon Soulfood Bistro
Must trySmoked oxtails with gravy and mashed potatoesMax Bozeman II started this soul food bistro in Cypress and opened the Pearland location in 2022. It is known for large plates and turkey legs...
10009 Broadway St, Pearland, TX
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Soul food
Downtown
8.Taste Kitchen + Bar
Must tryChicken and waffles (jerk, Nashville or Cajun)Owner and chef Don Bowie serves updated Southern dishes downtown, including lobster mac and cheese and jerk lamb chops. A second location opened in Sugar Land...
420 Main St, Houston, TX
FAQ
What is the best soul food restaurant in Houston?
For breakfast, The Breakfast Klub in Midtown is a Houston classic. For a sit-down Southern dinner, try Lucille's in the Museum District, and for cafeteria-style plates, Mikki's Soul Food Cafe.
Which Houston neighborhoods have the most spots on this list?
Independence Heights, Midtown, Museum District and Brays Oaks 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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