The Best Black-Owned Restaurants I’ve Been To In the U.S. (So Far) (DRAFT)

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8 min readJan 1, 2024

I have been to quite a few places, domestically, post-pandemic: I guess you can say I caught a bug.

That was suppose to be light-heartedly funny.

Anyways, if you have been blessed with my presence on a trip, you know firsthand that I make it an absolute priority to support my fellow people of color. In fact, I refuse to have it any other way.

Extensive research is conducted months in advance to prepare for the even shortest of trips, because I want to ensure that I am not missing out on the opportunity to stop by Sally’s nail shop for a full set, Herrold’s ice cream parlor for a non-dairy scoop of ice cream, or Tamika’s family-ran jazz lounge for some ‘90s nostalgia.

Black and minority-owned businesses, statistically, do not perform as well financially than their white counterparts. The wealth gap has seen a traumatizing increase since 2020, at the commencement of COVID-19. Owning a business is only half of the battle: sustaining the business is a struggle for most. Your dollars mean more than you think they do.

That is one of the main reasons as to why I am (now) more intentional about my dining decisions.

Black-owned restaurants, in my opinion, have some sort of a niche that no other can inhabit: the uniqueness, warmth, and sense of community transmitted to the patrons drive these businesses to perfection. I kid not: every time I walk into a black-owned business, I can literally feel the tribulations running through the bricks, nails and posts of the establishment: it took years and a prayer to get to moments like the one described, and I acknowledge it fully.

Contrary to what it may seem, there are black-owned dining options all over the United States: you’d be quite surprised at what a simple Google search can do.

Before going to a new state, I use Youtube and Tiktok as my two primary resources for looking into where other black travelers go to, and where Black community members frequent, in the area. I must say: content has come a mighty long way; people film everything.

Everything.

Nothing is left up for interpretation.

By the end of it all, I know:

what the restaurant’s bathroom stalls looks like
how much taxes and fees are added to the bill
what day(s) Pookie comes in to work for his shift at the bar
if the chef knowingly added sugar to the grits
if Thursday’s are R&B nights

These content creators are getting out of hand.

Helpful, but out of hand. Lol.

With the help of these internet teenie-boppers, I have been able to experience all the highs and lows of black-owned restaurants all across the U.S. I still have yet to really focus in on the West (I have only been to California and Washington so far, but I am intentionally saving out West for my future husband: it’s a long, cheezy, story), but I think I have gotten a good sense of what is out there for me to put this lil’ ol’ list together.

Please do keep in mind three things:

This is my personal opinion: everyone is into different things. What I may find fascinating, you may find otherwise. That is ok: agree to disagree.
New York is not on this list: Although I have been to the Big Apple many, many times, I have only concentrated myself within the Manhattan space. Many of the highly-rated black-owned businesses I have seen (and saved) on social media are deep within Brooklyn. I spent 1-hour in Brooklyn in 2022 for a photoshoot: that’s it. I have yet to fully immerse myself within that borough, but I am sure that if I did, New York would have been a winner for me in every single category. It’s the truth: New York’s diversity is simply unmatched.
The number of black-owned businesses in a particular state varies heavily: this will, in my opinion, affect the overall quality of experience.

I am unable to give numerical rankings, because, well, every location varies in their set goal and target audiences, so, I made this list qualitative instead.

Christina’s Top Black-Owned Restaurants in the U.S.

Best for: a late-night snack

Slim and Husky’s — Nashville TN

Founders Moore, Grey, and Reed (Source: USA Today)

You know when the clock strikes 9, and you just need something quick to eat? Slim and Husky’s was my saving grace: I had just made a 2+ drive from Alabama, went on a tour, and check in to my hotel; I had a disgustingly full day, and desperately needed something to eat. I had this place on my excel sheet for months as a quick “grab-n-go” in case I needed something for the road. I ended up driving to a location near the Downtown Nashville area: they were open until 11pm.

Chileeeeeee, this is thee best pizza parlor I have ever been to in my life. I am not joking. Founded in 2017. Various locations within the Tennessee area, but they have now expanded to Atlanta and California, most recently. Half of the locations are open until 11:00pm. I made my own vegan pizza, and after the first bite in my hotel room, I immediately made plans to go back and stuff one in my suitcase before my departure. The pizza came out within 5 minutes of me ordering (I kid not).

The music they were playing was 🔥🔥🔥 too by the way. Lots of seating. Great place to go to to hang with friends.

Honorable Mention: The Funnel Bar, Houston TX

Best for: date night

BLK SWAN — Baltimore, MD

One word: AMBIANCE. The vibe was emmaculate: I especially loved the dimness; it really set the tone. Dark decor, black dress code (for the workers), and the base of the music all tied themselves together. I had to reserve a table for two weeks in advance due to high demand, and even when I did, it was still a 1-hour wait. The service was awfully slow, but the food was worth the wait.

I just booked a trip back to the DMV for 2024, and I can tell you that I will surely be seated back at SWAN.

Honorable mention: The Pearl — Boston, MA

Best for: brunch!

Kitchen & Kocktails — Dallas, TX

Do you all remeber that video that surfaced back in 2019 when there was a restaurant owner yelling at a group of women for “twerking in his establishment”? Well, this is it. That video put this restaurant on map: they now have a location in Chicago (which I have also been to), and DC.

Aint nobody beating this place for me. VIBES UNMATCHED. My friends and I visited the Dallas location a year after their grand opening, and baybeeeeee, it made me want to put on my cowboy boots and move to Texas. It is pretty difficult to find a place that checks off all the boxes, but K&K?! HUNTY. RUN, DON’T WALK.

Please do note: I made a reservation 1 month in advance due to the demand; I actually stalked the OpenTable page (reservations open 30 days at a time), and booked right at 12:00pm. All reservation times for the weekend were booked within 2 minutes of me confirming my reservation, from what I can remember.

Honorable mention: Sinema — Nashville, TN

Best for: a night out on the town

Bureau Bar — Chicago, IL

I kept seeing videos of this place on Tiktok before even planning a trip to Chicago. The center is set up like an old living room: they have a large carpet, couches, and I even remember seeing a lamp or two. They also have floor-to-ceiling windows that open fully at night to expand for overflow seating.

Melanin everywhere. My friends and I went on a night they were playing all Afrobeats. I have yet to go to a place that compares to this: I may be biased, however, because Chicago is one of my favorite cities to go to. Period.

Honorable mention: Rocksteady *— Atlanta, GA

*I have not been here (yet, I forgot what happened that prevented my friends and I from going; I think we just ended up staying in), BUT this spot is well-deserved, especially because it is HAITIAN-OWNED.