Soul Food Restaurants near Montclair, NJ

“?✨ 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“

“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!!!!“

“Loved the food. Authentic southern style cuisine.“

“Kawana and Natorie provided outstanding service and was very welcoming when entering the restaurant. Kawana made sure that my food was fresh. I would come here again.“

“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!“

“The food was absolutely delicious, highly recommend“

“The food is excellent, flavorful & not overly salty. Good portions & reasonably priced.“

“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“

“Came across this restaurant as I was searching for Black owned eateries in this new neighborhood we just moved to. When we arrived, the exterior was a little off putting, LOL! So glad Shaun himself stepped out as well as a gentleman who came to pick up his order. We got to ask his opinion of the food. He told us this was his 7th time back so we thought, Let’s give it a try! $58 later, we got 3 meals and WOW! Delicious!!! Everything was so GOOD! Catfish, Yams, Mac n Cheese (and I am VERY picky about Mac n cheese), Honey Garlic Salmon, BBQ wings, rice and gravy and that cornbread!!!! Definitely coming back! I hope this review helps another skeptic not miss out on a GREAT SPOT!!!!! Worth the try! The portions are hearty! So glad we decided to give it a shot!!!“

“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.“

“My first time at this place found it on google . I order the turkey wings , yellow rice and candied yams. And I honest have to say the food was amazing very tasty . I RARELY write reviews for stores so that should tell you this place was good lol“

“I absolutely love Lite & Soul. Great quality!Their food is delicious and fresh, and the portions are generous, in my opinion. I've tried a few different entrées. You really can't go wrong with whatever you decide. My husband loves it too! This allows me a night off in my kitchen. lol“

“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.“

“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.“

“Today was my first time at Jonjax and The food was excellent! I will be a repeat customer!“

“Customer service is outstanding!! Food was excellent!!“

“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“

“Stopped here super quickly due to my other half being in the surgery center next door. Not from the Clifton area at all. I wanted to grab a little treat for him. I got the banana pudding. Omg!! To die for. The girl (assuming owner) was super sweet! Very cute place! A little hidden gem for sure!!“

“I had the most phenomenal dining experience at Kings Pride, a Nigerian restaurant in Jersey City. The exceptional customer service by the owner, Veronica, truly made it stand out. Veronica went above and beyond to bring the essence of Nigerian cuisine to our table, even taking us behind the scenes to demonstrate the traditional preparation of the dishes. Her passion for sharing the culture and flavors of Nigeria was truly inspiring. The Jollof rice with stewed goat was an absolute standout, bursting with rich, aromatic flavors that left a lasting impression. The Ogbono soup was a true staple of Nigerian cuisine and paired perfectly with a side of fufu. The classic homemade Zobo drink was a refreshing and delightful complement to the meal. Veronica's warm hospitality and her dedication to showcasing the authenticity and rich cultural heritage of Nigerian cuisine made our experience truly memorable. Kings Pride is more than just a restaurant; it's a place that brings people together through the love for great food and the celebration of Nigerian traditions. I highly recommend Kings Pride as a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic and enriching culinary experience. Veronica's commitment to preserving and sharing the intricacies of Nigerian cuisine deserves the utmost support to keep this remarkable restaurant thriving.“

“A hiding jewel. After the Missy Concert, we decided to check out some local black owed businesses while in NJ. We ordered the lamb burger and the oxtail burger. Boy oh boy, it hit the spot! The cake must have been popping cause people were picking up orders but by the time we ordered it was all gone. Waiter and chef was very friendly.
Location small, location not the best (in park alot of unwanted traffic).“

“The bacon cheeseburger came stacked and was good. The chicken wings had good flavor but were over cooked. The fries were decent; the Mac and cheese decent, 3/5. Shortcake ? was good! They sent old chocolate cake instead of the chocolate moose; it was gross. 1/5“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Stars N Elites Restaurant Lounge New Jersey, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was vibrant yet inviting, setting the tone for an incredible evening out with my family.

The menu offered a fantastic variety, and each dish we tried was nothing short of amazing! The flavors were spot-on, and you could tell a lot of thought and passion went into each recipe. Not only was the food superb, but the bar was also impressive?!

What really made the experience exceptional was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was warm, attentive, and seemed genuinely happy to make our visit memorable. The owner even came by our table to check on us and make sure we were enjoying everything – a wonderful personal touch that made us feel valued.

The location added to the overall vibe, making it a perfect spot. I can confidently say I can’t wait to return when we are visiting family again.“

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

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