Charleston, SC
Looking to eat at Black owned restaurants while visiting “The Great State of Charleston”? KJ Kearney, founder of BlackFoodFridays.com, and North Charleston native, has you covered! Here are some of his favorite spots.
Nashville, TN
Chef, television personality, cookbook author, and host of the podcast "Say Yes!": Carla Hall does it all. These are her favorite spots in her hometown of Nashville.
Los Angeles, CA
As the founder of Black Owned Food LA, Tiffany Jefferson knows all the best spots in the city. Especially when it comes to brunch. "These places I selected definitely represent L.A.," she says. Follow her at the "Website" link above for more recs.
US
As the co-founders of Dine Diaspora, which produces the Black Women in Food initiative, Maame Boakye and Nina Odura seek to highlight and amplify amazing restaurants run by Black women. These are some of their top recommendations.
New York, New York
When the chef behind New York's fast-casual hit Teranga seeks out a taste of the food he grew up eating in Senegal—the flavors of West Africa—these are his go-to spots in NYC and the Bay Area.
"All of the chefs in this Guide have made a major impact on the culinary scene through cooking the food of the African diaspora," says Chef JJ, who runs the three NYC locations of FIELDTRIP. "These are the restaurants I seek out when I'm traveling."
Atlanta chef Todd Richards not only just opened a restaurant, Soul Food & Culture, and launched a podcast, "Soul by Chef Todd Richards"; he also put together this Guide to the Black-owned barbecue joints across America that inspire him.
This past winter, the recording artist Trinidad James embarked on his second "Black-Owned Food Challenge," this time as a cross-country restaurant tour, documented as a video series at blackownedfoodchallenge.com. These were his first 10 stops.
Austin, TX
Whether you’re looking for a good hearty meal or a sweet dessert, Austin has so many delicious offerings. Here are some of our favorite Black-owned spots to eat around ATX that we know you’ll love.
Inspired by a lifetime of eating together, sisters Danielle & Gabrielle Davenport launched BEM | Books & More in 2021 to create a hub and home for Black food literature in Brooklyn.
Charlotte, NC
Cory Wilkins, the food lover behind @ThaDailySpecial on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube shares his Guide to some of the best Black-owned eats in Charlotte. "Not all these places are soul food," says Wilkins, "but all these places have soul."
Portland, OR
Rob McCallum is a thoughtful, decorated apparel designer with a passion for each element of design. This is his "Day in the Life" inspired Apple Guide to the Black owned restaurants that keep him fed and energized while creating in Portland, Oregon.
Denver, CO
This Guide comes from Adrian Miller: "The Soul Food Scholar," James Beard Award–winning food writer, and Denver native. Here he "drops knowledge like hot biscuits" (his trademark) on his favorite Black-owned restaurants in metropolitan Denver.
Since founding the app EatOkra in 2016, Anthony and Janique Edwards have helped people discover thousands of Black-owned restaurants around the country. But where do the couple—and their two-year-old foodie, Bradley—go out in their own backyard?
Dominek Tubbs—also known as @domnthecity on Instagram—knows what she's looking for in a coffee shop: "the smell of freshly ground coffee as soon as I open up the door." These are a few of her favorite Black-owned cafés across the boroughs.
Houston, TX
"Houston's Black restaurant scene is on fire!" says food marketer and consultant KeAndre' Jordan. "If you don't know where to start, try these restaurants to get your journey started."
Boston, MA
Chef Sola Ajao, award-winning African chef with over 30yrs of catering experience, brings West African cuisine to the American palate. Founder of Destiny African Market, an emerging grocery store making African diaspora flavors accessible in America.
NY & NJ
Nneka Nurse, the visionary behind Best Dressed Plate & the Caribbean Tradishon dinners, is a culinary and cultural ambassador. She brings together chefs, foodies, and restaurants to showcase the flavors of the Caribbean through events & experiences.
Houston has everything: sunshine, good people, and great food. Explore Houston’s dessert scene (with vegan & gluten free options) with Mercedes Gosby, creator of profoodmaker.com, a blog & podcast about Black-owned food businesses.
Chef Vicky V, also known as the Queen of Yum, is an award-winning chef and celebrity host whose influence spans across the worlds of food, culture, and hospitality.
Brooklyn, NY
Ky and Keys (@flavorbehavior) are two sisters living in NYC who love food. Whether eating with friends before a music festival, or dining after seeing a film, these are some of their go-to spots to hit up with your group chat.
Okra is more than just a side dish. The cultural staple isn’t always given the credit it deserves. But at these restaurants throughout the U.S., okra gets some main character treatment.
It's pretty safe to say: Codie Elaine Oliver and Tommy Oliver, co-founders of Black Love, know exactly where to go for romance done right, with great food to match. The married duo shares their favorite Black-owned spots serving the best V-day vibes.
Washington, DC
Anela Malik is an award-winning influencer, videographer, host, and writer who focuses on embracing nuance, imperfection, and joy on her platform Feed The Malik, with a lasting emphasis on Black storytelling and the diaspora.
Manhattan, NY
Dominek is an award-winning digital food creator based in Harlem, amplifying stories of Black-owned businesses. She was honored as "Creator of the Year" by Black Women in Food, recognizing her industry impact.
Napa, CA
The Emmy Award-winning host, author, actress, producer, and entrepreneur is often on the go. So when she’s back home in Napa, finding peace and spending quality time with family and friends are top of mind, both of which can be achieved by visiting her favorite local spots. Here are the Black-owned restaurants—including some of her own—Tamera visits when it’s time to unwind.
New Orleans
Want to taste the true soul of New Orleans? The city's Black-owned restaurants tell a story that spans generations. Each kitchen adds its own chapter to a rich culinary legacy.
Homecoming season is the perfect entry point into the rich food culture that exists across the HBCU universe. To help those flocking to the DC area for homecoming happenings, HBCU Buzz founder Luke Lawal shares his 10 favorite eats from his hometown.
Tallahassee, FL
David Castro is a creative focused on elevating culture. He is the founder of DungeonForward, a headwear and streetwear brand, and Fun Projects LLC, an incubator for joy creating games and self-help tools that inspire human connection and impact.
Tampa, Fl
If you're looking for mouth-watering and well-seasoned eats in Tampa Bay, you've come to the right place! Curated by Darren & Danessa, the couple behind @foodpeopleluv on Instagram, this Black-owned food guide will lead you in the right direction.
Renae Bluitt is a brand consultant and storyteller who champions Black women-owned brands. From producing her film “She Did That.” to hosting elevated shopping experiences, she built an ecosystem that creates opportunities for Black women to thrive.
