African American Soul Food
in Washington, D.C.
D.C.'s soul-food tradition brings together fried chicken, smothered pork chops, catfish, greens, mac and cheese, candied yams, cornbread, and sweet potato pie. It is deeply connected to Black family cooking, neighborhood restaurants, and the city's U Street and Shaw history.
Did you know?
Soul food is not one fixed menu: D.C. restaurants reflect Southern regional traditions while adding local history, family recipes, and the city's own carryout culture.
Where to Find It
3 places to try African American Soul Food in Washington, D.C.
Florida Avenue Grill
$$$$U Street
A historic U Street soul-food institution known for all-day breakfast, grits, fried chicken, pork chops, greens, candied yams, and cornbread.
Henry's Soul Cafe
$$$$U Street
A long-running Black-owned U Street carryout and soul-food institution, known for fried wings and the kind of neighborhood cooking that pairs naturally with D.C. mumbo sauce.
Oohh's & Aahh's
$$$$U Street
A D.C. soul-food favorite serving comfort-food plates, wings, sandwiches, and brunch from the U Street neighborhood where the restaurant began.
