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Best Soul Food in New Orleans: 8 Black-Owned Restaurants (2026)
By Online African Shop Team · Updated September 2026
Looking for the best soul food in New Orleans? These 8 Black-owned restaurants cover everything from gumbo, fried chicken and po'boys to Creole plate lunches and brunch. You'll find them in Treme, Esplanade Ridge, Mid-City and Central City. Our top picks are Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Willie Mae's Scotch House and Li'l Dizzy's 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 New Orleans
7 places-
Soul food
Top pick
Treme
1.Dooky Chase's Restaurant
Must tryGumbo and fried chicken; stuffed shrimpCreole soul food institution opened in 1941 and made famous by the late chef Leah Chase. The Chase family still runs it.
2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
-
Soul food
Top pick
Treme (6th Ward)
2.Willie Mae's Scotch House
Must tryFried chicken (dark meat) with red beans and riceJames Beard America's Classic winner famous for its fried chicken. Run by Kerry Seaton Stewart, great-granddaughter of founder Willie Mae Seaton. Open Monday to Saturday, 10...
898 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70113
-
Soul food
Top pick
Esplanade Ridge / Treme
3.Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
Must tryCatfish Jourdain; gumbo; the lunch buffetFamily-run Creole soul food spot owned by Wayne Baquet, from a long line of New Orleans restaurateurs. Serves breakfast and lunch only.
1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
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Soul food
Mid-City
4.Neyow's Creole Cafe
Must tryChargrilled oysters and file gumboTanya Dubuclet's busy Mid-City Creole cafe, known for big portions and seafood platters. It has since expanded to Atlanta.
3332 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119
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Soul food
Central City
5.Heard Dat Kitchen
Must tryGumbo combo (file gumbo, grilled cheese and potato salad)Chef Jeffery Heard's family-run Southern kitchen, opened in 2015. Mostly takeout; seating is almost all outdoor picnic tables.
2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113
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Soul food
7th Ward
6.Vaucresson's Creole Cafe & Deli
Must tryCreole hot sausage po'boyDeli from the Vaucresson family, which has made sausage since 1899 and is the last original Jazz Fest food vendor. Vance Vaucresson reopened the cafe in...
1800 St Bernard Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
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Soul food
Central Business District
7.Chapter IV
Must tryDark-roux seafood gumbo; squid ink seafood linguineModern Creole breakfast, brunch and lunch spot from the Dooky Chase family, led by chef Edgar "Dook" Chase IV.
1301 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70112
FAQ
What is the best soul food restaurant in New Orleans?
Dooky Chase's in Treme is the legendary pick for Creole food and gumbo. Willie Mae's Scotch House is famous for fried chicken, and Li'l Dizzy's Cafe is a neighborhood favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Which New Orleans neighborhoods have the most spots on this list?
Treme, Esplanade Ridge, Mid-City and Central City 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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