16 soul food places in Richmond we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Richmond | Soul Food across every city.
Soul food and Southern cooking are central to Richmond's table, rooted in the Black neighborhoods where the city's food culture took shape. Jackson Ward, historically the heart of Black Richmond, holds Mama J's Kitchen on North 1st Street, known for its fried chicken and sides. Croaker's Spot works the same tradition in Manchester across the river, and The Roosevelt brings a refined Southern menu to Church Hill.
Lemaire ★ 4.7
downtown · 101 W Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Lemaire inside the Jefferson Hotel is named for Etienne Lemaire, Thomas Jefferson's maitre d'. Chef Patrick Willis since 2009; grande dame of RVA.
Mama J's Kitchen ★ 4.6
jackson-ward · 415 N 1st Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Velma Johnson's soul food kitchen on 1st Street in Jackson Ward, opened 2009 by her son. Sunday-dinner Southern cooking in the Harlem of the South.
The Roosevelt ★ 4.6
church-hill · 623 N 25th Street, Richmond, VA 23223
The Roosevelt in Church Hill cooks Southern food under Leah Branch, a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. Country ham biscuits, gravy.
Croaker's Spot ★ 4.3
manchester · 1020 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Croaker's Spot on Hull Street runs Black-owned soul-food and seafood since the 1990s. Generous Southern plates and fried-fish platters daily.
Sally Bell's Kitchen ★ 4.4
downtown · 2337 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. House-made cupcakes and deviled eggs daily.
Mama J's Kitchen ★ 4.6
jackson-ward · 415 N 1st Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Velma Johnson's soul food kitchen on 1st Street in Jackson Ward, opened 2009. Sunday-dinner Southern cooking in the heart of Richmond's Harlem of the South.
Croaker's Spot ★ 4.3
manchester · 1020 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Croaker's Spot on Hull Street runs Black-owned soul-food and seafood since the 1990s. Generous Southern plates and fried-fish platters across the river.
Sally Bell's Kitchen ★ 4.4
downtown · 2337 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. House-made cupcakes daily on Broad Street.
L'Opossum ★ 4.8
oregon-hill · 626 China Street, Richmond, VA 23220
L'Opossum in Oregon Hill is David Shannon's quirky French-Southern fine-dining room. James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist (2016) and Southern.
The Roosevelt ★ 4.6
church-hill · 623 N 25th Street, Richmond, VA 23223
Chef Leah Branch is a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic at The Roosevelt. Southern cuisine honoring Virginia culinarians.
Sally Bell's Kitchen ★ 4.4
downtown · 2337 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. Broad Street counter is easy to miss.
Sally Bell's Kitchen ★ 4.4
downtown · 2337 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924 for less than fifteen dollars. House-made sandwiches, cupcakes and deviled eggs daily on West Broad.
Mama J's Kitchen ★ 4.5
jackson-ward · 415 N 1st Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Mama J's runs a lunch plate of fried catfish, collard greens and mac for under fifteen dollars. Velma Johnson's Jackson Ward soul food standby.
Croaker's Spot ★ 4.2
manchester · 1020 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Croaker's Spot on Hull runs a generous fried-fish plate at under fifteen dollars. Black-owned soul-food and seafood across the river since the 1990s.
The Roosevelt ★ 4.6
church-hill · 623 N 25th Street, Richmond, VA 23223
The Roosevelt in Church Hill opens for Sunday brunch under chef Leah Branch, 2026 James Beard semifinalist. Southern cuisine, biscuits, deep menu.
Mama J's Kitchen ★ 4.5
jackson-ward · 415 N 1st Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Mama J's Sunday brunch in Jackson Ward serves soul food at the family-table volume. Velma Johnson's kitchen pours sweet tea, runs the standard plate.