New Haven, CT
For Soul Food in New Haven, the local food press points to Mama Mary's Soul Food and Sandra's Next Generation. Picks from New Haven Independent and CTbites, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in New Haven Independent and CTbites. Updated July 2026.
Mama Mary's Soul Food · Whalley Ave
A Whalley Avenue soul food kitchen named for Mary Harris, who grew up in rural Alabama and moved north in 1958. Her son Robert Harris runs it, and New Haven Independent's Today's Special followed his collard greens: greens from a Hamden farm, cooked down over two hours with smoked turkey, oil, and red pepper flakes, seasoned by the exact proportions his mother taught him. Order the collards, and a slice of one of Mama's pies. His sister runs Sandra's Next Generation across town.
Sandra's Next Generation · The Hill
A Hill institution run by Sandra Pittman, sister of Mama Mary's Robert Harris; both learned to cook from their mother Mary Harris. CTbites describes the menu as stick-to-your-ribs soul food alongside Carolina chopped BBQ and Southern cakes. The most soul-food-specific move is the Soul Rolls and Soul Empanadas, stuffed with pork, BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, or candied yam. Order the Soul Rolls.
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