Dining · Soul Food · Things To Do
Where to Find Real Southern Soul Food Near Orlando
Want real Southern soul food on your Orlando trip, the kind with fried chicken, oxtail, collard greens, and mac and cheese made from scratch? Skip the tourist-strip chains and head into Orlando, about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Windsor Cay, where a handful of beloved local kitchens have been serving the real thing for years.
The Orlando soul food classics
- Nikki's Place, a Southern-cuisine institution in Orlando's historic Parramore area, serving comforting, authentic plates since 1999.
- P & D Soulfood Kitchen, a from-scratch spot that prides itself on fresh (never canned) meats and vegetables, great for takeout back to the house.
Soul food with a twist
- Oley's Kitchen and Smokehouse, where Southern soul food meets Caribbean and barbecue, with oxtail, jerk and fried chicken, and sides like collards and mac and cheese.
Why it's worth the short drive
These spots are clustered in and around Orlando rather than the immediate resort area, so they make a great reason to explore the city beyond the parks. Staying in a vacation home with a full kitchen also means leftovers travel well. Grab an extra plate, bring it back, and enjoy it poolside the next day.
For more local dining and outings, see our Things to Do guide.
Planning a longer Orlando stay? Check current availability at Windsor Cay Resort, about 8 miles from Walt Disney World.