Southern Love — Restaurant in Honolulu

Southern Love – 5 Stars 📍Hawaii

Okay, I might be a little biased because the owner is from Georgia and I’m a proud Alabama native—but trust me, the food speaks for itself. Southern Love delivers exactly what the name promises: comfort, flavor, and soul all wrapped up in a kitchen that feels like home.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by soulful music, mouth-watering aromas, and a vibe that just says “you’re in for something good.” This hidden gem has only been around for about two years, but it deserves all the buzz and then some.

Heads up—the wait may be longer than usual, but for good reason: everything is cooked to order by the owner and their small but mighty team. So bring your appetite and your patience. Trust me—it’s worth it.

Let’s get into the food: 🍽️ I ordered the Ribs and Catfish combo and BABY—the catfish was fried to golden perfection, and those ribs? They fell off the bone! I’m honestly a little ashamed of how I cleaned those bones… but no regrets. 🍠 The yams were a special that day, and I’m officially starting a petition to make them a permanent menu item. 🧀 The mac and cheese was everything it should be—creamy, cheesy, and unforgettable.

Everything I saw coming out of that kitchen looked fire. It’s a bit tucked away and my Uber driver had trouble finding it, but once you know what to look for, it’s easy to spot. I hope this place continues to thrive because the love poured into every plate is undeniable.

💬 My advice: grab some friends, go hungry, and get ready to talk about this meal for days. You’ll meet the chef, feel the love, and leave with a full heart and an even fuller stomach.

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I went to support black business for Black Eat Week here in Honolulu. I’d give this place for overall food and experience a 6/10 for my first visit. I heard the brunch was good and may try that eventually. The food was decent, my favorite thing was the cornbread and ribs. The collard greens weren’t bad, but had no meat. I didn’t enjoy the catfish as much as the ribs. I’ve had better Mac and cheese but theres was alright. My biggest gripe was the wait time. We were seated and provided drinks about 5-10 minutes later, but we waited so long for our food to come out that our drinks were gone. It was about 35-40+ minutes before we got our food. I asked about placing a separate to-go order and was advised I could wait towards the end. I should have just ordered when placing my meal. After we had finished eating I put in a to-go order for Mac and cheese (for my kid) and banana pudding and that took an additional 25-30+ minutes. Therefore we were just stuck sitting there after our meal. We didn’t get a bill and it wasn’t explained that we pay inside. Thankfully we have good hearts and had no intention on leaving without paying so we figured it out. Someone on tiktok said that this place is ran by a one man show and they had just wished the wait time could be cut down by hiring more cooking...

I had the pleasure of dining at Southern Love restaurant, and I must say it was an absolute delight. The moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made me feel right at home. As a Georgia native, I was pleasantly surprised to find a taste of authentic Southern cuisine all the way in Hawaii.

I ordered the ribs, cornbread, mac & cheese, and cabbage, and I can confidently say that each dish was a masterpiece. The ribs were succulent and fell off the bone, exactly as they should be. The cornbread had that perfect balance of sweetness and texture that I've come to love. The mac & cheese was rich and creamy, just like my grandmother used to make. And the cabbage was seasoned to perfection, bringing back memories of family gatherings.

It's clear that the owner has brought their passion for Southern cooking to this island paradise. The flavors were spot on, and every bite transported me back to my roots.

Southern Love restaurant is a true gem, offering a taste of home for those of us who are miles away from our Southern roots. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an authentic and delicious dining experience that captures the heart of Southern hospitality...