Hampton Roads, VA
For Soul Food in Hampton Roads, the local food press points to Boss Queens Soul Cafe and Martin's Soul Food. Picks from Coastal Virginia Magazine and AFRO American Newspapers, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Coastal Virginia Magazine, AFRO American Newspapers, and Gazette Journal. Updated July 2026.
Boss Queens Soul Cafe · Norfolk
Boss Queens Soul Cafe opened in Norfolk during the pandemic and drew lines after a food influencer praised it in late 2020, a rise Coastal Virginia Magazine documented. The kitchen cooks classic soul food from a small counter, and word of mouth has kept it busy since. Order a plate of the fried chicken or a smothered option with a couple of the daily sides, and check the hours before you go since it runs on a compact schedule. A Norfolk favorite built on its cooking.
Martin's Soul Food · Chesapeake
Martin's Soul Food grew from Timothy Martin's cooking into a small Hampton Roads group, and both the AFRO and the Gazette Journal have profiled the family and its plates. The Chesapeake location on Bainbridge Boulevard serves the classics, from fried chicken and pork chops to macaroni and the less-common turkey chops. Order a meat-and-two with fried chicken, mac and greens, add a piece of cornbread, and take home a slice of cake. Straightforward, generous soul food.
What’s your #1 Soul Food in Hampton Roads?
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