Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Soul on Shawmut

    4.2 (29 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Soul on Shawmut Takeout or Delivery

    Soul on Shawmut Photos

    Business Info

    SOUL ON SHAWMUT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like Soul on Shawmut

    Recommended Reviews - Soul on Shawmut

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Alex G.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very clean and friendly business.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They need help so if you know anyone, let them know! They are trying to revitalize the Nubian/Dudley neighborhood. They are a very small but community focused business. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have space for seating and do to-go.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They are trying to do online but need more help. All the food is halal. They also do breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. The food is phenomenal but it does take time. They are a new business, very small, and from scratch.

    ????? Supposed to be opening.
    Coco S.

    I'm confused. Can't comment on the food cuz I couldn't get in. Guesssunday hours are inaccurate! Not even close to being open!

    Sign
    Shaleah T.

    Food: 2.5/5 The fried chicken was the highlight big and well seasoned but it was not freshly fried and came out lukewarm. The mac and cheese had a nice smoky touch but overall tasted pretty basic. The yams were unfortunately flavorless and did not bring that comfort food feel I was hoping for. The cabbage and greens also missed the mark both were under seasoned and lacked soul. Service: 5/5 This was the shining star of the experience. The two men who took our order were warm welcoming and had smiles that lit up the room. They made us feel genuinely cared for from start to finish. Atmosphere: 4/5 [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space has a homey community vibe that makes you want to settle in and enjoy. It felt inviting and had a great energy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Value: 3/5 The portion sizes were fair but when the food does not quite hit it is hard to feel like you are getting the full value. I wanted to love everything on the plate but it just did not deliver. Overall: 3.5/5 I really wanted to fall in love with the food here because the service and energy were so on point. Unfortunately the flavors just did not live up to the hospitality. I would definitely give it another shot hoping for a fresher batch and some more seasoning love next time.

    3pc fried chicken, chopped cheese, and yams
    Alyanna T.

    My partner and I shared a smash burger, chopped cheese, 3pc fried chicken, yams, and African chai - TASTE: 4/5 - everything hit the spot, as expected for soul food, from the burger's sauce and chopped cheese's ground beef, to the seasoned wings and caramelized yams. Never had African chai before and enjoyed its strong cinnamon and ginger taste TEXTURE: 5/5 - both the soft brioche bun and toasted sub roll were satisfying, especially w their combo of lettuce, tomato, and onion fillings. Fried chicken was crispy and the yams were tender PRICE: 4/5 - was surprised that the chopped cheese was $20? Subtotal came to $45 SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - good portions for lunch, though wish the sandwiches and burgers automatically came w fries lol SERVICE: 4/5 - tried coming here about a month earlier but the doors were closed and no one was inside, and we later learned, via social media, that they were closed except for catering. This time, the doors were closed again when we walked up at 12:15pm on a Sunday, but they opened them for us lol. The whole staff was friendly. Food started coming out 10-20min after ordering, and the space quickly filled up w dine-in and takeout orders ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - [[HIGHLIGHT]]about 10-15 seats inside w a large map paying homage to the family's Roxbury roots. Appreciate the halal menu and the strong community vibe[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] PARKING: 4/5 - free street spots on Shawmut Ave, though we later realized the nearby parking lot is available for customers too

    Menu
    Jessica P.

    Here's a refined version of your review with a more annoyed but still fair three-star tone: I arrived at the restaurant at 5:45 PM and waited in line for about 10 minutes--not a big deal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was clean, and it was nice to see them getting support.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] However, I immediately noticed a woman seated who had clearly been waiting a long time for her food, which wasn't a great sign. I tried to order the party wings but was told they were out. Fine. I then asked for the 5-piece chicken since I saw them taking out a fresh batch. We also ordered mac and cheese, collards and cabbage, and rice and beans. The owner mentioned they were backed up with a previous order, so the chicken would take 30 minutes. Since it's a new business, I wanted to give them some grace. We agreed and waited in the car. Then, things got frustrating. I looked back and saw that someone who was two people behind me in line was already eating their chicken. Maybe they called ahead? Doubtful, but okay. We waited 40 minutes, went back inside, and were told it would be another 15 minutes. At this point, we were already committed, so we waited. About 10 minutes later, the owner came out and explained that one of the fryers was down, they had a catering event, and--surprise--there was no chicken. By now, I had been stuck in the car with screaming kids, which only made the situation worse. They gave us some sides and refunded the chicken, but there was no mac and cheese, which is a big problem when you have kids. I really want this place to be great, but the food we actually got was just okay. The yams were still a bit crunchy, the rice and beans were fine, and the cabbage and greens could have used more seasoning. Honestly, they would've been better off closing for the night instead of making customers wait around for food that wasn't coming. I'll give them another shot in about eight months, but they have a lot to figure out.

    Sweet potato cheesecake
    Jacob C.

    Couldn't have been happier with this new neighborhood restaurant. They deliver on their concept of classic soul food staples - fried chicken, yams, greens, and even banana pudding. I got a bunch of things to go for lunch to try them out and had to stop myself from finishing enough food for 2-3 people... The smash burger was perfectly cooked with a nice house-made sauce and the fried chicken was moist, lightly fried and well-seasoned. The banana pudding was perfect down to the butter cookies and the sweet potato cheesecake was a tasty twist on the usual soul food-staple of sweet potato pie (and not at all heavy like some cheesecakes). Service was quick and the staff were super welcoming and helpful. I hope this place does well and will definitely be coming back - highly recommend!

    Food: Smashburger

    Excellent soul food inspired dishes in Roxbury! The cheesesteak was top tier with high quality meat and excellent flavors. The fried chicken and buffalo chicken egg rolls were also really good. Definitely going to stop by again. Quick and friendly service that makes you feel right at home. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Seating is limited.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall, definitely try them out. Highly recommend!

    Chopped Cheese
    Cassondra H.

    Visited for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a smaller operation without a whole lot of seating, but has relatively ample parking in a side lot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] While we had a bit of a wait for our food, the staff was super friendly and attentive from the moment we entered. By far, our favorites were the Chopped Cheese Sandwich and Garlic Parm Party Wings. The Chopped Cheese had just the right amount of fresh crisp veggies, and the sauce complimented the combination of flavors well. The wings had phenomenal flavor on their own, and the mild, creamy garlic parm sauce was one of the best we've had. Sides are not made to order, and so we were not big fans of the Mac and Cheese. The Not-So-Classic Fried Chicken, also had great seasoning and a unique dipping sauce. In all, we'll definitely be going back for more!

    Grilled Cheeseburger
    Haz A.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]First time going to this place and my first impression was how clean the inside was.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]You can see the kitchen and it was very clean as well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's ample seating inside but I ended up doing takeout.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Now to the main event....the food was GREAT! The burger was perfectly cooked and very filling. The secret sauce and the bacon jam is ah-mazing. The fries were actually fresh hand cut fries and I watched them go into the fryer. There's some seasoning on the fries which was perfect. The banana pudding was creamy and delicious as well, but not overly sweet. I'll definitely be going back to try other things on the menu but can't go wrong with a burger, fries and a pudding!

    Ussies

    See all

    Review Insights

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    104
    595
    1092

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jose B.
    331
    392
    3035

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica P.
    330
    69
    175

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Haz A.
    0
    12
    36

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sincere J.
    337
    158
    230

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    The food was incredible. The service was amazing. I would definitely recommend the fried chicken and the greens.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    The best soul food in Boston. Must stop by if you're in Roxbury. Fried chicken is excellent.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    honestly some of the best friend chicken I've had in Boston area. looking forward to more!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Soul on Shawmut

    You might also consider

    Pressed Cafe

    Pressed Cafe

    4.5
    (46 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Huge vegan section of the menu, with all sorts of bowls, burritos, açai/smoothie bowls, and more…read more Spoiled for choice. I came here 4 times when in town for a conference, as this way super conveniently located to the conference center (Menino). It's open 7am-10pm daily, is always seemingly busy but always very efficient and fast to deliver orders, and has a huge amount of comfortable seating. First visit: I tried the vegan breakfast burrito ($12), a nicely designed burrito with tofu, potato, spinach, roasted red peppers, vegan cheese, and mushrooms, served with salsa on the side. Very solid burrito. The Spanish burrito I tried another day--which came with vegan meatballs of some sort--was even better. Second visit: I got an açai bowl ($9 for the small size; $12 for regular), and added vegan protein powder ($2) blended in. It came with açai blended with almond milk, banana, strawberries, blueberries, and granola. Real good and plentiful even for the small size. Third visit: just ordered a bagel with vegan cream cheese that had tomato in it, and added some spinach on top ($5.50 total). Very generous spinach portion (for $0.50!), well-toasted bagel, and an appropriate amount of cream cheese. Very tasty. Moreover, each time I visited, I ordered a double espresso ($3.50), which was excellent. Proper espresso, deep body, strong, served with sparkling water and a piece of dark chocolate.

    When I'm on travel I love finding places with real, whole foods that don't make me feel like crap…read more I ordered from here every day. The prices are amazing for what you get :D The menu here is HUGE and has tons of options for customization. There are wraps, salads, smoothies, sandwiches, bowls, drinks - so many items to choose from! This place is located in the lobby of the Amazon Seaport Office. I got a Spicy Greek Breakfast Wrap ($13, +$1.50 for egg white sub) and a Santorini Sunrise Yogurt Bowl ($12). The portions are gigantic and the food is fresh. The Platters, both the breakfast and mezze are gorgeous. Pictures attached. The interior has ample seating and is bright and beautiful. They also prep your food impressively quickly given how many orders they seem to get! They get BUSY but I get why - the food is so good.

    Photos
    Pressed Cafe
    Ghost Chicken Burger
    Ghost Chicken Burger
    Lots of seating inside --and outside

    See all

    Lots of seating inside --and outside
    Cafe Bonjour

    Cafe Bonjour

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    We were in Boston for the weekend, and my wife had done a bunch of research to find a good…read moregluten-free breakfast spot. She was so excited when she found Cafe Bonjour because they had several gluten-free options on the menu. We took an Uber there right after we landed and were able to walk right in and get a table when they opened, which worked out perfectly because the place started to fill up! It's a cute little spot with plenty of seating inside, and they also had a nice outdoor parklet that would be great in good weather. We asked to sit at the bar so we could watch the cooks in action, which was really fun. The menu had all the classic breakfast favorites like eggs and French toast, along with some lunch options like hamburgers and chicken wraps. The staff was very friendly and attentive. My wife ordered the gluten-free eggs benedict and absolutely loved it. I had the Bonjour omelet, and it was delicious. Overall, this is a fantastic breakfast spot with great food, a fun atmosphere, and solid gluten-free options.

    Food was good, pretty standard brunch fare. Servings are not super large nor overly small. Their…read morepastries are not very fresh and a little too sweet/mushy. Service was lacking. Waiter didn't bring out water, didn't offer any cream or sugar for coffees, and was difficult to flag down to ask for extra plates/utensils. The inside is quite cramped and we were shoved into a tiny little corner. Overall a meh place for brunch. The appeal is the convenience of the location. Other than that I'd stop somewhere else for a brunch.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Bonjour Omelet
    Bonjour Omelet
    Bonjour omelet

    See all

    Bonjour omelet
    Ogawa Coffee

    Ogawa Coffee

    4.2
    (908 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This is a cute little cafe with large windows on the storefront. There's a small amount of tables,…read morebar seating, and stadium seating to suit your needs. Wait time was about 15 min, which they tell you as soon as you order. The wait was well worth it. I got a hot hojicha latte and it is one of the best I have tried. It was only after I left that I realized this cafe actually originates from Kyoto. I cannot wait to come back to try more things on the menu the next time I am in Boston. Would recommend this spot to anyone.

    Ogawa Coffee is a Japanese cafe that stands out with its artistic interior, unique tiered seating,…read moreand carefully designed atmosphere. We walked into a space that mixes communal tables, stadium-style seating, and smaller spots to sit, making it a place where you can stop in for a quick drink or stay longer with a laptop. The interior design is one of the biggest highlights, giving the cafe a more elevated experience compared to a typical coffee shop. The tiered seating in particular creates a visual dynamic that makes the room feel more intentional than your standard coffee counter. The drinks are the main focus here, especially the matcha, hojicha, and espresso-based options. We ordered the hojicha latte, which was one of the strongest items on the menu, with a deep roasted flavor and a smooth texture. The matcha has a more traditional earthy profile and leans less sweet, which works well if you prefer a more authentic matcha taste. The drinks are on the expensive side, but the quality of the ingredients and preparation make it feel more like a specialty cafe experience rather than a standard coffee stop. The food and dessert options add another reason to visit, with items like the egg sandwich, quiche, macarons, and hojicha desserts available depending on the day. The menu is smaller compared to a full brunch cafe, but it pairs well with the drinks and gives the visit more of a cafe-and-pastry feel. Service is friendly and the staff are knowledgeable about the drinks, which helps when choosing between the different Japanese tea options. The cafe can get busy, and seating is limited compared to the number of people who come through, but the layout gives it a unique character. Ogawa Coffee works well for specialty coffee and tea lovers looking for a more intentional cafe experience in Boston, especially if you enjoy Japanese-style drinks and a thoughtfully designed space.

    Photos
    Iced Matcha Latte
    Iced Matcha Latte
    Houjicha Tea Latte
    Houjicha Tea Latte
    Seating

    See all

    Seating
    Central Perk Cafe

    Central Perk Cafe

    4.1
    (109 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a Sunny spot to sit and have beverage to refresh ourselves after walking…read morearound. This was cute because it had this cool downstairs area and then around a different door. A lovely patio. Food was delicious. It is counter service but they were all very friendly. So much variety to choose from. It was hard to select what we wanted to eat. I love the decor. It's all about the theme of FRIENDS, the TV show so it's almost exactly like recreating the cafe that they all hung out in.

    Central Perk can be easy to miss and walk right past, but I'm so glad I managed to squeeze a visit…read moreto this place in during my short trip to Boston. A true homage to the hit TV show friends, you'll walk in and feel like you already know your way around. And you'll even find Central Perk sweaters for sale and a wide television behind playing episodes of Friends! There are seating options both outside and inside, but I didn't have trouble finding a place to sit & camp for about half an hour. Service was chill. You can tell they're used to customers being in awe of the aesthetic. I'm sure they're all used to being busy. One thing I appreciated is that no matter how busy the counter was, there was always someone around cleaning tables expeditiously for new visitors. I ordered their seasonal red sangria, but they have plenty of other options [(red/white) sangria, food, beer, and of course coffee].

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Rachel Green's salad, ice tea
    Rachel Green's salad, ice tea
    Inside

    See all

    Inside
    Lakon Paris Patisserie

    Lakon Paris Patisserie

    4.2
    (112 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    It was my first time visiting this shop because a friend recommended I try it out. On my first day,…read moreI ordered a pistachio croissant (the pistachio cream is so good!) and a Thai tea. For takeout, I got a mango mousse (nicely tart), a crème brûlée kouign-amann, and a rose raspberry bowtie. Everything tasted delicious--just the right amount of sweetness, not overly sweet at all. On the second day, I ordered takeout again: an almond croissant, a rocket pop pain suisse, and the crème brûlée kouign-amann once more. ​Anne was polite, super friendly, and very helpful with menu recommendations. On the first day when I ordered takeout, Anne even kept the pastries chilled for me because I couldn't walk around the area carrying them in the intense heat without them spoiling before I reached the hotel. Truly the best and most helpful service!

    One bite of the Banana Miso Caramel and I'm convinced this may be among my favorite pastries. This…read morecould even be lovely in a cake form. The banana tastes nicely sweet and fresh, creamed with miso adding that hint of savory goodness and topped with caramel. The croissant was beautifully flakey, buttery. Altogether they make for a really refreshing treat, it's not too sweet, which, as we all know, is the highest form of compliment a treat can be! Upon walking in the shop I was greeted by several staff (in a graceful, friendly, not over the top way) which is lovely for a morning vibe where I'm still yet to get my caffeine fix. Just the right amount of love and jolly. I sat outside by the park/plaza to enjoy a nice morning with my coffee and this pastry. Excellent addition to the neighborhood!

    Photos
    Milk cream cube croissant
    Milk cream cube croissant
    Interior
    Interior
    Tiramisu latte

    See all

    Tiramisu latte
    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    4.1
    (205 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    This spot was adorable - both for books and food…read more We lucked out as we didn't have a reservation, but called and turns out they had an outdoor table available. We weren't sure how to enter, so we started in the bookstore and found their convenient elevator downstairs! The restaurant is tiny but cozy, which is the perfect atmosphere for a book store! We sat outside in the little courtyard and it's a mix of magical and relaxing! There were only a few tables, so it wasn't overcrowded and with nice weather, it was perfect. I had a salad with salmon on the side which was delicious - and the ginger lemonade - wonderful! From buttered noodles to seafood, everything was executed well. The staff didn't rush us even though they were busy - and they had to give really long wait times to a number of others, but we still weren't rushed. I would highly recommend reservations, but even without we were treated very well. Pricing was in line with city pricing - and the food was extremely high quality and produce was lovely - not a shriveled lettuce leaf in sight. We then went upstairs to the bookstore and perused - each floor has something fun to see (including a tiny kids door - or is it a mouse door for the mouse who stars in the book about the store?!). 100% worth a visit - definitely stop in!

    The place is so adorable and photogenic, no doubt! But beyond that?…read more I had hoped to come enjoy a book, but unfortunately, Instagram has turned this cute bookstore into a tourist site. Long loud tourist lines for the restroom make it hard to actually sit for a moment enjoying this beautiful space.

    Photos
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    Cutest bag ever
    Cutest bag ever
    Children's books level

    See all

    Children's books level

    Soul on Shawmut - cafes - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...