Two of Miami’s historical heritage neighborhoods – Historic Overtown and Liberty City – are also two of the best areas to enjoy a unique brunch experience. If you’re looking for finger-licking good soul food – from iconic eateries to a popular restaurant from a celebrity chef – head to one of these spots for brunch with a side of culture.

Stop by Jackson Soul Food for classic Southern cooking

Brunch Spots in Historic Overtown

Jackson Soul Food

A cornerstone of the Historic Overtown community since 1946, Jackson Soul Food is home to some of the most authentic Southern comfort fare in all of Miami. Over the years, they’ve counted as fans the likes of President Joe Biden, former Miami HEAT superstars Lebron James and Dwyane Wade, and the late Nat King Cole. Pull up a chair in the spacious and welcoming dining room for Southern soul food brunch classics such as fried catfish and biscuits, oxtail, collard greens, and liver and onions. Be sure to save room for the peach cobbler.

RedRooster — Brunch with upscale comfort food at Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster

Red Rooster Overtown

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson has opened an outpost of his Harlem hot spot Red Rooster in Historic Overtown. At brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, Samuelsson’s signature playful twist on classic dishes is on display in CK’s Chicken and Waffle, made with roasted sweet potato waffles, jerk syrup and house pickles. For an indulgent spin on a raw bar, the Beach Bird Seafood Tower includes yard bird, shucked oysters, citrus-poached shrimp, caviar deviled eggs and brown butter biscuits with hot sauce, pickles and passion fruit piri piri. Drawing inspiration from Miami’s melting pot of Caribbean and Latin cultures, the menu also features ceviche and baked tres leches French toast. With live music daily and walls covered in art by Black artists, the lively scene at Red Rooster Overtown makes it an instant neighborhood classic.

Lil GreenHouse Grill offers a modern take on Southern cuisine

Lil Greenhouse Grill

Dishing up “neo-soul cuisine,” Lil GreenHouse Grill is a local favorite on Historic Overtown’s 3rd Avenue Corridor. What started as a popular food truck evolved into this quaint, locally owned café whose owners take great joy in dishing up delicious comfort food made with love – at an affordable price, too. With brunch fare served all day, you can tuck into a plate of chicken-and-waffles, BBQ rib tips, smoked wings or seafood cakes. If you’re dining with a vegetarian friend, they do offer a black bean burger.

Brunch Spots in Liberty City

MLK Restaurant

While there’s certainly a nod to Dr. King in its name (the Civil Rights activist spent time in Liberty City during the 1950s and ‘60s) MLK Restaurant actually stands for My Little Kitchen. With a diner-like ambiance, heroes of Black history adorn its walls and home-cooked Southern comfort fare is generously dished up. At brunch time, try the fried catfish with grits and a side of shrimp-in-sauce, or go more traditional with classic brunch dishes, such as French toast, eggs and bacon or sausage. With its warm, mom and pop-style hospitality, you’ll get a true taste of the Liberty City community while enjoying their soul-satisfying cuisine.