Soul Food Restaurants near Livingston, NJ

“It's a long wait but we'll worth it the greens where so good....I should have got 2 sides of just greens....going back soon“

“?✨ A Dining Experience to Remember! ✨?

Walking into this spot, you’re immediately greeted by vibes for days – a perfect mix of warmth, style, and soul. From the first glance to the last bite, every detail has been crafted to create a true haven of comfort, beauty, and incredible flavors. ?✨

? Ambience & Aesthetic: This place is pure aesthetic heaven. Live plants add a lush, earthy vibe, while the stunning tables and floors tie the whole look together, giving it that cozy, chic feel. Every corner feels intentional, and the art on the walls brings a personality that just makes you want to stay and soak it all in. ??

? Music: The playlist? Perfection. ?? It feels like the heartbeat of the room, setting a chill but lively atmosphere that’s perfect for anything from a family meal to a date night. The tunes just pull you in, making you feel right at home.

? The Food: Let’s talk about that mac ’n cheese! This isn’t just any mac ’n cheese – it’s the kind that makes you feel like you’re back at Auntie’s house on a Sunday afternoon. Each forkful is pure, cheesy goodness, rich and comforting, like that first bite that makes kids run in from outside yelling, “DINNERTIME!” ?️? The chicken, greens, and yams were also top-notch, each one a testament to flavors that feel like home. It’s more than just food; it’s a trip down memory lane with every bite. ?

?‍? Staff: The team here is beyond incredible! From the warm welcome to the attentive service, they make you feel like family. Friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate, they add that extra sparkle to the whole experience. ???

Final Word? Loving god vibes good and a great space….- this place hits all the marks. It’s where flavors meet family, where aesthetics meet artistry, and where every corner invites you to savor, relax, and stay a while. ??

If you’re looking for more than just a meal, but a whole experience, this is it. Trust me – you’ll leave with a full belly, a happy heart, and already planning your next visit. ??️

Parking: Street

Kid-friendliness: Very“

“The food here is amazing. It’s always nice coming in and being greeted by the owner staff. If you need good soul food, this is the place to get it!“

“Loved the food. Authentic southern style cuisine.“

“First time here and the customer service was outstanding! Everyone was so polite and friendly. I ordered 9 of their sides because I don’t meat and here’s my honest review. I’m glad they were open because I didn’t cook this year.

Rice and peas- needed salt
Mac and cheese- not creamy enough but decent
Cabbage- it was good
Okra- it was ok
String beans- delicious
Collards- delicious
Dressing- 👎🏽 taste like stove top stuffing
Mashed potatoes- delicious
Candy yams- delicious“

“I took food to my job and they loved I brought a pan of yellow rice cabbage and a $20 pan of potato salad and took it to my job cause we had a birthday party for a coworker. They loved the food they never had it before I live in South Amboy but I’m from Newark work in Matawan at the nursing home, and they never had the flu before they loved it. Good job, kings.“

“I Am Always So Happy To Order Anything On Their Delightful Menu. The Food Is Always Prepared With Love And Care!! .. The Dinners Are Hot And Oh So Delicious! .. I Highly Recommend Jefferson's Cafe! Absolutely And Unequivocally Delicious Homemade Food!!! 10 STARS!!!!“

“My first time customer experience: I only had the fried chicken wings (ordered for a Super Bowl party) and they were delicious! Everyone loved them. I would have liked them fried just a little harder so you'll have to make that request, if you're like me. My only issue was I called a few days in advance to understand the procedure when ordering a large quantity of wings. On the day to order, they completely switched up on me and made me come in to pick them up immediately and when I got there, they didn't have my order ready at the time they insisted I be there. Although, I dropped everything (cooking for the party) to get there at the time they told me. Upon arriving, I received attitude because I didn't leave a name, even though they never asked me. I ended up waiting another 30 mins for my order. It cost me 1.5 hours total and I was really late for my party. I will try not to hold this against them because it was really busy for them. I would try to eat here again. I just wanted to inform anyone ordering large quantities of food to beware of that.“

“100 percent recommendation“

“Best restaurant. Staff is great, food is great and prices are good. I'm from Montreal, Canada and everytime I go to New Jersey its a must that I eat at Top Knotch restaurant.“

“I always try something new when I go and have not been disappointed yet. Customer service is great and the atmosphere is top tier.“

“Very delicious, we all went back for more.“

“Chef Monique & her team provide a culinary experience for your soul! The food we catered (Mac & cheese, greens & cabbage mix, along with jerk salmon) were all delicious with the perfect amount of heat. The dishes were beautifully presented for us upon pick-up to warm easily for our gathering with specific warming instructions to prevent drying out. Our family appreciated the hands that prepared our feast. Chef Mo goes out of her way to make sure details are met with a smile! I would highly recommend everything on the menu.
Thanks Chef Mo & your Team! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽“

“Everything was great I just did not like seeing to many peoplle walking in from the outside into the kitchen. I feel that we do not know what germs they are bringing from the outside.“

“This is my first time here. The food was DELICIOUS! It had me swaying in my seat. We ordered fried catfish with cheese grits, french toast, home fries, turkey bacon, homemade biscuits and a slice of carrot cake for later. I did notice on the menu automatic gratuity of 20% of groups of 2 or more. After receiving such great and attentive service, I didn't mind. Both servers deserved it. I've added J's Soul Food to my list of favorites. I will definitely be returning.

Parking: Enter the restaurant from the parking lot, not the street.“

“Great home cooked food; friendly staff; Fair prices; Highly recommended“

“Friendly staff, good food! The fried whiting and grits are delicious!!!“

“Thank you Savory Selections for coming through in a clutch! Food was delicious!!! I ordered a half tray of macaroni and cheese and cabbage and everyone was well pleased!!!“

“Great food and a family driven establishment...“

“Very great food worth the wait. And will come again..“

“Way better than other places in Hillside. Great service never rude or nasty at all very pleasant!! Good service goes a long way!!“

“Great food and service. Definitely will visit again. Great environment nice and clean and very friendly staff ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“The food is delicious! My union had a black history dinner and Two Fish & Five Loaves catered the food! Very tasty and delicious! I don’t trust a lot soul food restaurants due to tons of sodium and grease but Two Fish & Five Loaves was just right! I will like to one day dine in. I highly recommend this place for catering!“

“friendly Atmosphere good service nice perfectly cooked portion sizes and food makes you feel like Sunday dinner with family“

“I had a great experience.. food was delicious. Anthony took my order and was so pleasant and patient. Anthony made sure I had everything I ordered he went over and beyond. Excellent service Five stars all day“

“The best food and customer service“

“Excellent spot I’d recommend it to anyone I’ll be returning again“

“Good atmosphere… great service and prices are just where I need them..LOL“

“I go to the Roy's in Linden and the food is very good the oxtails, the stewed chicken, Mac and cheese, the yams are scrumptious, the potatoes salad is very tasty and i dont like potatoe salad, the fried chicken wings are deeelicious and to top it off the peach cobbler, sweet potatoes pie and the carrot cake is dangerous, just soOo gooood the place is small but always kept clean and the customers are coming in and out I went their one evening toward closing and they had nutin but oxtails left and that was a small amount which speaks volume but I really wanna mention and rate the service as this is what makes a good business and is just as important as good food I give Roy's an extra ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars for Ms Jay and Ms Shana the both of them are just lovely they both are professional with the customers and their communication is very tasteful they both are just pure aaaadorable I pray that you have nutin but increase ~ blessings endlessly ❤️“

“Consistently Delightful Dining Experience - 5 Stars!High Quality Kitchen has become my go-to restaurant for a consistently delightful dining experience. I can confidently say that each time I have had the pleasure of indulging in their cuisine, I have been blown away by the exceptional quality and incredible flavors they offer. This establishment truly lives up to its name.One of the standout aspects of High Quality Kitchen is the consistently delicious food they serve. Regardless of what I choose from their diverse menu, I have never been disappointed. I have had the opportunity to try every dish they offer, and each one has left me wanting more. From appetizers to main courses, their culinary creations are a testament to their commitment to excellence.The chicken dishes at High Quality Kitchen are nothing short of amazing. The chicken is tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. What truly sets it apart is the impeccable seasoning. Whether it's a classic chicken dish or a specialty creation, the flavors are expertly balanced, elevating the taste to a whole new level. Every bite is a culinary delight.In addition to the outstanding food, the service at High Quality Kitchen is exceptional. The staff members are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. They go above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience, offering recommendations and catering to individual preferences. The atmosphere is inviting, and the attention to detail in both the presentation of the dishes and the overall ambiance is commendable.High Quality Kitchen has consistently exceeded my expectations, and I wholeheartedly give them a 5-star rating. Whether you're a fan of chicken or eager to explore their diverse menu, this restaurant is a culinary gem worth experiencing. I highly recommend High Quality Kitchen for its exceptional food, remarkable flavors, and attentive service. Your taste buds will thank you!“

“Staff polite, served your meal right at the table. The place was well lit, spacious and clean, same for the bathroom very clean.

Parking: Maybe on the inside streets you’d have better luck but on the main road it wasn’t very easy per se“

“My order was quite enjoyable. I had some large fish that was topped with rice that had been seasoned and sauteed onions and peppers. Since I had never really had African food before, I ordered something that didn't really fit with my order, so I really appreciate that they phoned me. The ginger beverage was flavorful, zesty, and refreshing.“

“Excellent spot I’d recommend it to anyone I’ll be returning again“

“i tried the spot in linden today everything was gd the fish could use a lil more seasoning but overall my meal was tasty“