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Paula's Soul Food Cafe

3.3 (321 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

Order Paula's Soul Food Cafe Takeout or Delivery

Paula's Soul Food Cafe Photos

PAULA'S SOUL FOOD CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Paula's Soul Food Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Red Velvet Cake
Daphne R.

Ordered the fish dinner and red velvet cake to go. The fish was a bit salty however when you balance all three out it worked, but if you wanted to eat them separately, the fish seem to be a little too salty. The mac & cheese was very good and creamy. Overall, a good dish. That red velvet was OK nothing really stood out to make it any different from anything else overall a good experience I would like to come back to try another dish

Sweet Chili Wings with Mac and Cheese and String Beans
Jasmine C.

When I'm in the area, Paula's is the main option when I'm craving Soul Food. The food is relatively good. I grew up in the Newark area, so I've had better Soul Food in my time. I love getting the Wings Dinner but, I didn't enjoy that the wings were drenched in sauce, but the sides were delicious!! Nonetheless, Paula's remain as my go to Soul Food spot when in the Hackensack area. I might try something new next time.

James F.

If you're craving authentic, mouth-watering soul food with a warm, inviting atmosphere, look no further than Paula's Soulfood Café in Hackensack, NJ. Today's lunch was nothing short of delightful, and I'm excited to share my experience with you all! For the main event, I indulged in Jerked Chicken with Rasta Pasta and Sautéed Cabbage. The jerk chicken was bursting with flavor - perfectly seasoned, juicy, and tender. Paired with the creamy, spiced-up Rasta pasta and tender sautéed cabbage, it was a comforting, soul-satisfying meal. But that wasn't all! I also had their Fried Whiting with Chips. The fish was crispy on the outside, flaky and moist on the inside - a classic, done to perfection. And let's not forget about dessert! Paula's famous Banana Pudding is an absolute must-try. It's decadently creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness - you'll be thinking about it long after you've finished. The service at Paula's is just as remarkable as the food. The staff is incredibly friendly and genuinely cares about providing a great experience. You can feel the love and passion that goes into every dish. It's clear that this isn't just a café - it's a community hub where great food and positive vibes meet. Whether you choose to dine in or take out, you can't go wrong here. Located at 331 Main St, Hackensack, NJ, Paula's Soulfood Café is the perfect place to satisfy your hunger and enjoy some of the best soul food around. Contact Information: Paula's Soulfood Café331 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601Phone: 201-880-6888Website: paulasoulfood.com If you're in the area, don't miss the opportunity to try this local gem. Trust me, you'll leave with a full belly and a happy heart! #FoodieFinds #SoulFood #HackensackEats #PaulasSoulFoodCafe #NewJerseyEats #ComfortFood #BananaPudding #SoulFoodLovers #LocalEats #SupportSmallBusiness #DeliciousDining #HackensackNJ

Brian O.

Paul's Soul Food is one of my favorite local spots in Hackensack. This time I got the brisket platter with mac & cheese and collard greens. The brisket was sweeter than I expected -- not the dry BBQ style -- but still delicious and incredibly tender. The sides were on point, and the cornbread is always a winner. On my first visit, I tried the fried shrimp and fried chicken platter, which was equally amazing. I try to stop by at least once a month to work my way through the menu. Great vibe, friendly service, and definitely a spot worth supporting!

Macaroni Salad that apparently contains fish with no warning

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Ask the Community - Paula's Soul Food Cafe

Are the collard greens pork free?

Yes they are ..but they are a lil soggy

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G Mart

G Mart

3.9(8 reviews)
1.5 mi

Situated off of Route 17 South in Hackensack at the former Pathmark, this vibrant Asian specialty…read morefood grocery store opened in late 2025 and is Chinese, aiming for a cheaper market segment. G Mart is named in honor of Gee's father, Shunwah Gee; it has fresh produce, live seafood, and authentic groceries from Asia--the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, & beyond. The huge store is spotless, bright, well-stocked, and organized, making it easy to find everything one needs. The shopping aisles are large for easy navigation. Their produce section is full of vegetables not always found in most American-oriented grocery stores, including baby butter bok choy, enoki mushrooms, red meat dragon fruit, Korean pears, and Chinese leeks. They provide a large selection of fresh seafood, including those that are relatively hard to find in other stores. Unfortunately, there is no bakery or prepared food on site like other Asian markets. Prices are reasonable. The staff are friendly. This is a new option for Asian groceries.

Hackensack, NJ - this new Asian market arrived on the scene last October, and is gradually getting…read moreknown. It's bright, sparkling clean, and has a pretty comprehensive selection of Chinese and other Asian specialty products and ingredients that you won't find in regular grocery stores, all arranged with meticulous neatness. There are exotic produce, fresh meat and seafood (many live fish varieties) and I saw lobster for $8.99/lb, wow! I especially enjoy browsing the household goods and cookware sections, and the cool pottery and flatware. On a recent visit, the most memorable discovery wasn't on any shelf: a remarkably enterprising 12yo girl was hawking Shanghai-style shepherd's purse buns alongside her father, and they were absolutely the real deal! I don't remember the brand, and there's no guarantee they'll be back, but if you spot the duo, don't walk past without buying some. G Mart is a fantastic alternative to other Asian markets in the area, and it deserves every bit of word-of-mouth it can get.

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G Mart
G Mart
G Mart

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Haejang - Crispy Juicy Fried Dumplings(6pc) (SIDE MENU ONLY, NO RICE, NO SIDE DISHES)

Haejang

4.4(10 reviews)
3.2 mi

PROS: very tender and soft (fall off the bone and melt in your mouth) pork bone hangover stew and…read morebulgogi. Surprisingly, my favorite was the steamed skate. I had never had steamed skate anywhere before so my acquaintance told me that I wouldn't like it because it's "pungent" but I'm so glad I got to try it because I LOVED IT. So savory, flavorful, and packed with umami. Another good thing is their extensive menu. I can't wait to come back to try the rest of their dishes. The interior decor is very nice as well. The high ceilings and black color theme give it an elevated feel. And the staff is very nice and accommodating CONS: their air conditioning was broken when we went in the middle of summer (which I'm sure they'll eventually fix). I didn't mind because I love the heat but my acquaintance was sweating uncomfortably. Also, the food was good and some dishes were great but I wouldn't say it's the "best I ever had." The grilled beltfish was very plain (and bland) until I squeezed lemon juice all over it. It's the type of place that has endless comfort food and is your regular go-to spot (or go to order in) when you feel too lazy or tired to cook (or hungover) rather than a special occasion spot This place is decent and reliable. And everyone needs one of those in their back pocket to lean on.

Food is good and actually a lot. My wife had the personal pork bone hangover soup. It was a lot for…read moreher but the meat did fall off the bone and it was delicious.." I had the kalbi and I love the seasoning and sauce they put on the beef. Service was actually good but it wasn't crowded when I got there. Did get crowded right after. Will come back.

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Haejang
Haejang - Bulgogi

Bulgogi

Haejang

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Boiling Boys - Crawifish Mild Mala!

Boiling Boys

4.4(63 reviews)
3.6 mi

Giving Boiling Boys 3 stars strictly for customer service -- the staff was friendly and quick,…read morewhich I appreciated. Unfortunately, the food just didn't hit. The lobster and clams were overcooked and came out rubbery. The sauce was bland, no depth or kick to it at all. Was really hoping for better, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me.

this place is terrible! worst seafood boil i've ever had, from the food to the service to the…read moreambience it fails all around. the seafood is low quality and seems old? we ordered snow crab legs and the meat was so shrunken and flavorless that i felt like i was cracking open empty shells the whole time. i ordered the cajun flavor at a level 3 and it was a watery mess, barely delivering any flavor or heat. completely missing actual garlic it tasted like they dumped spices in water instead of butter, so none of the sauce clung to the crab meat. our waitress was very nice but we were the only people dining in the restaurant at the time and about 15 minutes after my husband and I received our food she came by to tell us they didn't have enough crab legs for the remaining 2 orders at our table. I wish she had told us this sooner, as we had to place a new order for my in-laws while we were almost done with our own food. strange that they were out of snow crab legs and dungeness crab so early in the evening and with so few customers. also the restaurant is freezing cold, dingy, and dark, which adds to the over all unpleasant dining experience. definitely skip this place!

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Boiling Boys
Boiling Boys
Boiling Boys

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Eddie V's Prime Seafood - Nothing sets the tone for an enticing night, quite like The Big Eddie chilled shellfish tower.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

4.5(250 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$$$

I am absolutely obsessed with this place. From the service, to the drinks, to the meals, to the…read moreamazing vibes our private party had. WOW. We came here for a private birthday party and got a room in the back for just our party. Once we were sat the server took drink orders without having to wait for everyone to be there, they gave us complimentary bread as we waiting for everyone to come in and settle down. Then we got our appetizers, the shellfish tower, the meat, the shrimps, the crab cakes. Then we had salads and soups and got the lobster bisque, the Caesar salad, the wedge chopped with bacon, and all of it was so amazing, I was stuffed by this point but we were just getting started. The filet mignon was by far the best steak made there, but the Ny strip was also really good. The Mac and cheese was the best side ever, but the rice was also good and so was the asparagus. For dessert the bananas foster was the absolute best but the other desserts (chocolate lava cake and creme brulee were also amazing) All in all this was the best night with the best friends and the best food, the drinks were also always good and the servers kept them coming. It was a bit pricey but it was worth every penny.

Definitely on the pricier side, but at least the food delivers. The highlight for me was the SRF…read moregold grade wagyu--something you don't see on every menu, and it actually lives up to the hype. That said, the vibe leans loud and a bit chaotic (mall energy is real here). The staff are clearly well trained and hustling, but they're stretched thin, so expect a few small misses in service. Nothing major, just not seamless. Overall, you're paying a premium, but the kitchen earns it. Just don't come expecting a quiet, polished dining experience.

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Eddie V's Prime Seafood - Our signature Hope Diamond Cocktail, featuring Grey Goose vodka, butterfly tea and a purple diamond ice cube

Our signature Hope Diamond Cocktail, featuring Grey Goose vodka, butterfly tea and a purple diamond ice cube

Eddie V's Prime Seafood - Our signature Bananas Foster is flambéed tableside and served with butter pecan ice cream.

Our signature Bananas Foster is flambéed tableside and served with butter pecan ice cream.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood - Live music trios.

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Live music trios.

Segovia Steak & Seafood - Steak Segovia 3lb Sirloin.

Segovia Steak & Seafood

3.9(533 reviews)
2.5 mi
•$$$

My family and I frequent this establishment and just like every other occasion, the food is…read moredelicious and the service outstanding. For tonight, we had the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer and the filet mignon medallion tips marsala. It came with rice, mixed vegetables, and their potato chips. We finished it off with chocolate lava cake and ice cream. Hands down, a great place to go for a good time and a wonderful meal.

I've been a loyal customer for years. Many birthdays, business Christmas parties, and other…read morecelebrations at this branch. The food is good, portions generous, and past experiences with staff have been positive. But my first catering experience was a nightmare. I ordered empanadas, pasta with vodka sauce, saffron rice with shrimp, chicken francese, and salad for a work retirement party. To keep food hot for an hour before serving, I asked them to split it into smaller trays to fit them on larger ones (I will explain why). I even brought in four complete chafing dish sets (metal frame, large tray, two smaller trays that fit inside, and two burners) the day before, explained how it worked, and they seemed to understand. When I picked up the food, it was all in the largest trays, exactly the size that wouldn't work and I said to them this is upsetting and I tried to explain, the owner called my request "stupid" and "ridiculous," wouldn't let me finish a sentence, talked over me, told me to calm down, take a breath and said things like I regret your order. Take your business elsewhere and leave and write a bad review among other things he said and not in that order! Staff, especially Julio, tried to de-escalate. The manager "Nico" who was on vacation and the front/bar staff were always professional. But the owner today was condescending, disrespectful, and humiliating. I don't know if it's anger issues or an "I'm always right" syndrome, but the way he treated me was unacceptable. Because of that, I will never return, never host another party there, and cannot recommend this place. There are too many good restaurants where you don't get to be yelled at by an owner who tells you to leave and write a bad review.

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Segovia Steak & Seafood
Segovia Steak & Seafood - Pinchos

Pinchos

Segovia Steak & Seafood - Lobster bisque

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Lobster bisque

Paula's Soul Food Cafe - soulfood - Updated May 2026

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