The Cookout Lineup
Every October, the New York City Wine & Food Festival saves its best party for last. The Cookout, hosted by JJ Johnson, brings Black chefs and restaurants from Harlem, Brooklyn, and across the river to the Pier 17 rooftop. These are the kitchens on that lineup, from patties to ice cream to a proper cocktail. Taste them before the party and long after.
Updated September 2026
The Full List
12 spots
JJ Johnson's rice-bowl counter, and the host of the night. Every grain on the menu has a story behind it.
Harlem's table since 1962. The fried chicken and smothered plates still set the standard.
Small-batch ice cream from a Harlem husband-and-wife team. Get two scoops; the rotating flavors reward curiosity.
Ayo Balogun's Nigerian tasting table in Bed-Stuy. A small room, big flavors, and a dinner that feels like family.
Diana Tandia's West African plates on Carmine Street. Bright, generous cooking that turns a quick lunch into an occasion.
Jamaican tacos out of Downtown Brooklyn. Jerk in a tortilla makes more sense than you'd think.
Trinidadian cooking out in Lynbrook. Worth the ride on the LIRR, and the regulars will tell you so.
Nadege Fleurimond's Brooklyn spot, rooted in Haitian flavor and a caterer's eye for detail.
Chef Claude Lewis cooks Sierra Leone by way of Jersey City. Worth crossing the river for.
A Brooklyn cake shop with a loyal following. Get a slice for now and a whole one for later.
Scotley Innis's cocktail den in Williamsburg. Caribbean flavors, careful pours, and a room made for lingering.
Bed-Stuy coffee with the mission right in the name. Start the day here, then work through the lineup.