Soul Food Restaurants In Rochester NY: 12 Black-Owned Spots (2026)

Last updated on January 16, 2026 at 07:53 am

There’s something about Soul Food that literally hits your soul and brings ancestral whispers in your spirit. That’s how I feel. It feels like a warm hug and it’ll definitely stick to your bones. The southern flavors from the fried chicken to the cornbread and don’t me started on the collard greens, candied yams, and mac & cheese take you to another level.

Soul food is a cultural cuisine developed by Black formerly enslaved Americans with often what was left from the scraps or just unwanted. Of course all of those “unwanted scarps” are now known as “super foods” but Black folks are always ahead of the trend… in fact we literally are the trends but that discussion is for another day.

The next question you might have is how did Rochester, NY get to be a soul food mecca in the north? and the answer is simple: “The Great Migration”. The Great Migration was a time when Black folks were fleeing the South and its uncouth ways of living for the promise of the North. Of course, we know it was just different kind of uncouth here. Anyway this is about Soul Food restaurants in Rochester ny. Not a history lesson on the harms that still echo today.

Let’s get started!

In my very biased opinion, Cassie’s Citchen is the best one I’ve tried here in Rochester. It’s the only place I’ve been to over 3 times and with very few negative critiques so I’ll put them as number 1.

Cassie’s Citchen & Catering
📍 Location: 163 State St, Rochester, NY 14608
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 749-1024
🔗 Listing: Cassie’s Citchen & Catering
📝 Description: Black-owned restaurant and catering company in Rochester, NY…

The following are in no particular order and I honestly think you should try them all. Do a soul food crawl even. Due to the nature of Soul Food, there will be slight variations in family recipes and whatnot so no 2 restaurants will taste the same!

Nellie’s House of Soul
📍 Location: 402 Jefferson Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 730-7082
🔗 Listing: Nellie’s House of Soul
📝 Description: Black woman owned in soul food restaurant in Rochester NY.
Northern Nola – Restaurant & Catering
📍 Location: 222 Alexander St, Rochester, NY 14607
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 466-0688
🔗 Listing: Northern Nola – Restaurant & Catering
📝 Description: Northern Nola is a Black Woman-owned authentic New Orleans-style restaurant company based in Rochester, NY. They are currently serving out of Legendary Beans Cafe.
The French Quarter – Authentic Cajun Creole Restaurant
📍 Location: 630 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14615
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 987-6432
🔗 Listing: The French Quarter – Authentic Cajun Creole Restaurant
📝 Description: Black-owned authentic Cajun & Creole restaurant in Rochester NY.
Grill Kingz
📍 Location: 447 North St, Rochester, NY 14605
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 281-3593
💵 Price Range: Not specified
🔗 Listing: Grill Kingz
📝 Description: Black owned soul food restaurant in Rochester, NY.
Hooked Fish Market
📍 Location: 333 Driving Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14613
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 448-3736
🔗 Listing: Hooked Fish Market
📝 Description: Black-owned seafood restaurant and fish market in Rochester NY.
Dinner & Dessert – Seafood & Soul Food Shack
📍 Location: 1280 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14609
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 270-8805
🔗 Listing: Dinner & Dessert – Seafood & Soul Food Shack
📝 Description: Momma Mildred is redefining neighborhood takeout Simple, fresh & delicious! Dinner & Dessert’s Seafood & Soulfood Shack is the best around.
Soulfood Sistas – Soul Food Restaurant
📍 Location: 675 Maple St, Rochester, NY 14611
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 355-4090
🔗 Listing: Soulfood Sistas – Soul Food Restaurant
📝 Description: Black woman owned soul food takeout restaurant in Rochester, NY.
Tangie’s Kitchen
📍 Location: 165 E Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14621
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 254-1640
🔗 Listing: Tangie’s Kitchen
📝 Description: Black Owned Soul Food restaurant in Rochester NY.
Exclusively Members Only – EMO
📍 Location: 17 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14614,
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 474-6774
🔗 Listing: Exclusively Members Only – EMO
📝 Description: Black women owned restaurant and lounge in rochester, ny. It’s members only.
Cassan’s Catering & Restaurant
📍 Location: 626 W Main St, Rochester, NY 14611,
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 286-9318
🔗 Listing: Cassan’s Catering & Restaurant
📝 Description: Black owned soul food take out restaurant and catering.
Mamacita’s Place – Soul Food
📍 Location: 544 W Main St, Rochester, NY 14608
📞 Phone: tel:(585) 319-4588
🔗 Listing: Mamacita’s Place – Soul Food
📝 Description: Black woman owned soul food restaurant in Rochester, NY.

There you have it. The 12 Soul Food restaurants in Rochester, NY here for your delicious trials. Want a list like this with ALL of the places to eat and drink subscribe to our newsletter. You’ll receive the guide in the first email and our newsletter weekly!