Best Soul Food Restaurants in Columbia SC | Soul Food Dishes & More

Exploring the Best Soul Food Restaurants in Columbia, SC

Known for its rich history and distinctive cuisine, soul food encapsulates the heart and soul of African American culture. From savory fried chicken to sweet potato pie, soul food dishes are meant to be shared and savored among friends and family. For those looking to experience authentic soul food in Columbia, South Carolina, this guide explores the most popular joints serving up hearty plates steeped in tradition.

What Exactly is Soul Food?

Soul food originates from the culinary ingenuity of African slaves in the American South. Tasked with making do with inexpensive or leftover ingredients like pork scraps, greens, and cornmeal, soul food dishes transformed scraps into beloved recipes passed down through generations.

Centered around comfort and community, soul food brings people together over flavorful dishes that showcase the resilience and creativity of African American cooks throughout history. From red beans and rice to mac and cheese, fried catfish to banana pudding, soul food encompasses the flavors, stories, and perseverance of the African American experience in the South.

Where to Find the Best Soul Food in Columbia, SC

Known as an emerging foodie destination in recent years, Columbia offers an array of soul food restaurants serving up specialties passed down for generations. Here are some of the most popular soul food establishments known for their authentic flavors:

1. Gourmet Soul Kitchen

Serving up soul food staples like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens, Gourmet Soul Kitchen offers homestyle favorites in a fast-casual setting. Diners rave over their juicy fried chicken wings and sweet potato cheesecake for a perfect meal showing the diversity of soul food.

2. Priority Soul Food Restaurant

A local favorite for over a decade, Priority Soul Food Restaurant offers soul food classics like smothered pork chops, oven-baked chicken, hoppin' john, and cornbread in a casual diner environment. Known for their scratch-made sides and desserts like bread pudding and red velvet cake, Priority encapsulates the comfort and care that soul food is meant to provide.

3. Mama Tz Southern Kitchen

Blending soul food favorites with a modern twist, Mama Tz Southern Kitchen prides itself on fresh, made-to-order takes on classics like shrimp and grits, chicken bog, and collard greens cooked with smoked meat. Featuring a weekly rotating menu, their innovative specials showcase lighter yet flavorful riffs on southern and soul food.

Columbia Soul Food Classics You Must Try

From fried green tomatoes to banana pudding, experiencing the most craveable soul food dishes is a must on any foodie’s Columbia itinerary. Here are some iconic soul food specialty dishes found across the city:

Fried Catfish

A southern staple, fried catfish encapsulates the innovation of frying fish in cornmeal to create a crispy, craveable dish. Served with traditional soul food sides, fried catfish remains a staple with its mild, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with hushpuppies and fried okra.

Mac and Cheese

Beloved for its creamy, cheesy goodness, mac and cheese brings comfort and joy with every bite. Columbia soul food spots serve up the classic baked version and amp it up with unique touches like crispy tops or mix-ins like lobster. Can’t miss soul food at its finest!

Collard Greens

A soul food staple, slow-cooked collard greens simmered with smoked meat transform the bitter green into a delicious, savory dish. Finding expertly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth collard greens cooked to perfection is a badge of honor for any soul food establishment.

Sweet Potato Pie

What meal is complete without something sweet? Sweet potato pie provides the perfect sweet ending with its velvety custard filling in a flaky, buttery crust. You can’t leave a soul food restaurant without a slice of sweet potato goodness.

The Heart and Soul of Southern Cuisine

More than just comfort food, soul food encapsulates the innovation and perseverance of African American cooks throughout history, even during slavery and oppression. The dishes tell a story of strength, resilience, and overcoming challenges with creativity and community.

Highlighting quality ingredients elevated by skillful seasoning, soul food continues to bring people together in its celebration of flavor, culture, and spirit. For an authentic soul food experience steeped in history and tradition, visit one of Columbia's local spots offering the staples along with new riffs on these iconic dishes.

FAQs

Where can I find the best fried chicken in Columbia?

Gourmet Soul Kitchen, Priority Soul Food, and Mama Tz Southern Kitchen are known for serving up delicious fried chicken in Columbia using secret seasoning blends and cooking methods passed down through generations.

What are the must-try soul food dishes in Columbia?

Fried catfish, mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato pie are iconic soul food dishes found at most soul food restaurants in Columbia, SC. Be sure to try them to experience the core flavors of soul food cuisine.

What makes soul food in South Carolina unique?

South Carolina soul food blends coastal seafood influences like shrimp and grits with southern classics like fried green tomatoes. Many Columbia soul spots also update classics with innovative twists on traditional recipes and cooking techniques.

What is the history of soul food?

Soul food originates from the resilient cooking of African American slaves in the South. Tasked with making do with leftovers and scraps, soul food dishes transformed inexpensive ingredients into the flavorful, comforting recipes still loved today across the South.