Unearth The Voyage
Virginia’s soul food scene runs deeper than most people realize. Tucked away in neighborhoods from Richmond to Norfolk, family-run kitchens serve up recipes passed down through generations – fried chicken that crackles just right, greens simmered for hours, and cornbread so good it doesn’t need butter. These aren’t the places you’ll find on every tourist map, but ask a local where to eat, and these names come up every time.
1. Mama J’s Kitchen — Richmond, VA
Richmond’s Jackson Ward has produced legends, and Mama J’s stands among them. This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a gathering place where neighbors become family over plates piled high with fried catfish and smothered pork chops.
The candied yams glisten like amber jewels, and the mac and cheese stretches with every forkful. Regulars know the drill: arrive early or be ready to wait, especially on weekends when the line snakes out the door.
Service here feels personal, like someone’s auntie checking to make sure you ate enough. Community ties run deep at Mama J’s, making every meal feel like a homecoming you didn’t know you needed.
2. Croaker’s Spot — Richmond, VA
Foodies whisper about Croaker’s, but plenty of visitors still miss it entirely. Founded by Neverett Eggleston III in Jackson Ward, this spot carries a motto worth remembering: “Food for the Soul.”
The star here is the whole fried croaker fish, drowning in gravy so good you’ll want to lick the plate. Seafood influences mix seamlessly with soul food traditions, creating combinations you won’t find anywhere else.
The atmosphere hums with local energy—conversations flow freely between tables, and regulars greet the staff by name. It’s the kind of place where strangers leave as friends, bonded over crispy fish and shared appreciation for cooking done right.
3. Southern Kitchen — Richmond, VA
No flashy signs announce Southern Kitchen—you find it by following locals who know better. Worn booths hold stories from decades of Sunday dinners, and ceiling fans turn lazily overhead, stirring the scent of biscuits baking.
Chicken and dumplings arrive steaming, the kind that stick to your ribs in the best way. Sweet potato pie tastes like autumn condensed into one perfect slice. But those biscuits? Locals swear they taste like Sunday mornings wrapped in butter.
Servers call everyone “honey” or “sugar,” and they mean it. This is home-style cooking in its purest form, understated and unapologetic, the way grandmothers have been doing it for generations.
4. Ms. Girlee’s Kitchen — Portsmouth, VA
Near the Elizabeth River, Ms. Girlee’s brings the coast to your plate. Carolyn Guyton learned to cook from her grandmother, and every dish carries that legacy forward with pride and precision.
The crab cakes here have reached legendary status—lumpy with real crab meat, barely held together by breading, crispy on the outside and tender within. Fish and grits arrive as comfort in a bowl, while the seafood gumbo tastes like the ocean threw a party in your mouth.
This seafood-forward approach sets Ms. Girlee’s apart from typical soul food spots. The coastal twist feels natural here, where tradition meets the bounty of Virginia’s waters in delicious harmony.
