What better way to nourish your soul than with local soul food? North, east, south or west, Orlando offers southern style and Caribbean soul food any way you go. From grits and waffles for breakfast or creamy mac and cheese and crunchy yet juicy fried chicken, find your fit in Central Florida

Photo via Google Maps.

Southern Sweetness Soul Food 1360 Hesperides Rd Lake Wales, 863-949-6754 Just about six months open, this sweet brunch spot views cooking as its passion. Its soulful sides like fried okra and cornbread will complete your meal, and feel free to also ask about its vegan options. Photo via Southern Sweetness Soul Food/Facebook
Eat N Wash 1723 Rio Grande Ave, 407-413-5028 You can mark off “wash car” from your to-do list while eating seafood at this spot. Eat N Wash isn’t just a restaurant. It takes appointments to wash cars too. Photo via Mike M./Yelp
The Licking Orlando 4706 Millenia Plaza Way, 407-233-4794 The Licking will serve you your favorites like fried chicken and mac and cheese, or you can have something new like its red velvet waffles and mystery drink. Photo via Catharina L./Yelp
P & D Soulfood Kitchen 927 S Goldwyn Ave, 407-730-3486 P & D Soulfood is a carry-out restaurant, but it offers upstairs seating for larger parties if asked. P & D prides itself in fresh meats and vegetables – never canned – and food made from scratch. Photo via Randolph A./Yelp
Oley’s Kitchen & BBQ 2700 Rio Grande Ave, 407-841-8933 Looking for a new breakfast spot? This Jamaican casual eatery has a breakfast menu too, or you can try its Jamaican jerk burger. Photo via Just S./Yelp
Kook’n With Kim 307 West Kennedy Blvd, 407-683-0815 At Kook’n with Kim, a home cooked meal “isn’t hard to find” as Kim serves southern style meals with Asian influences at this family based company. Photo via William K./Yelp
Soul Food Fantasy 521 East Kennedy Blvd Eatonville, 321-972-3050 A real-life fantasy with good food and good feelings right in Eatonville. Pasta, seafood, wings, waffles and quesadillas are just a few of the large menu. Photo via Krissy G./Yelp
The Coop 610 W Morse Blvd, 407-843-2667 Celebrating the homestyle fare of the South, Chef and owner John Rivers offers classic southern foods made from scratch at Winter Park. Photo via The Coop/A Southern Affair
King of Soulfood 1208 Bruton Blvd, 407-290-2182 Peach cobbler, candy yams, yellow rice and ham – just some of the items you can find at this small business inside a convenience store in West Orlando. Photo via Terika T./Yelp
Uncle Tony’s Backyard BBQ 6807 S Orange Ave , 407-601-0068 Uncle Tony will take you back to hanging with family and friends in backyards with his traditional American barbecue. Photo via Uncle Tony’s Backyard BBQ/Yelp
Antille’s Cuisine Caribbean Restaurant 2798 Hiawsee Rd, 407-440-8428 Not just Haitian food – Antille’s Cuisine occasionally holds events with music for its customers. Photo via Antille’s Cuisine Caribbean Restaurant/Facebook
Big D’s Diner 906 S Ivey Ln, 407-730-8500 You can’t miss the pink building on Ivey Lane. Coffee comes with any purchase after you look at its breakfast, soul and a la carte menu. Photo via Big D’s Diner/Google
Nikki’s Place Southern Cuisine 742 Carter St, 407-425-5301 ”Southern Cuisine the way it used to be since 1999” is stamped on this restaurant’s sign. Near downtown Orlando, Chef Nick’s meals made with love will give you a heartfelt assurance that everything in life will be ok. Photo via
Rooted Garden 419 S Parramore Ave, 321-247-5999 If you’re looking for a deal, the Rooted Garden offers $5 daily specials for its Caribbean soul food. Photo via Rooted Garden/Yelp
Sunshine Soulfood Cafe 2528 W Colonial Drive, 407-758-3108 Sunshine Soulfood Cafe has got take-out dishes, but you can also stop for a sweet, a patty or breads at the bakeshop at cafe. Photo via Sunshine Soulfood Cafe/Facebook
Sister Soul Food 321-207-6283 Home-made food that is really made in a home. Sister Soul Food offers delivery through Doordash and UberEats or pickup when you call its number. Keep up with its social media to know what the menu is for the day. Photo via Sister Soul Food/Yelp
Alez Hangout Spot 810 W Colonial Drive, 407-219-6566 Established in 1999, a couple decided to make a hangout spot where they don’t have to worry about the kids. Live music from local DJs, bands and karaoke along with Haitian food can be found at Alez’s Hangout Spot, and keep an eye out for the “Krunk Karaoke” and “Hangout Fridays” events. Photo via Alez Hangout Spot/Yelp
Ladiezz First 407-721-8816 Keep an eye out for the Ladiezz First food truck in Orlando or contact Libby Whitlock for catering too. Photo via Ladiezz First/Facebook
Talk of the Town 4205 Curry Ford Rd, 803-999-2390 This food truck near downtown south will cook your food to order. Photo via Talk of the Town/Yelp