Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC: 15 Best Spots to Try

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Black-owned restaurants in NYC offer some of the city’s most exciting and diverse flavors. From Caribbean spice to soulful vegan dishes, these 15 spots showcase the rich culinary heritage and innovation that make New York’s food scene so vibrant.

Where to Eat: Top Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC

1. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via Time Out

This restaurant brings Afro-Caribbean flavors to a fine-dining context, with a menu that tells a personal story. Located at Lincoln Center, it blends West African, Caribbean, and New York influences in a sleek, modern space.

  • Cuisine: Afro-Caribbean, New York-inspired
  • Location: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Egusi dumplings, short rib pastrami suya, braised oxtail
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Not listed
  • Website: https://www.tatiananyc.com/

2. FieldTrip

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via fieldtripnyc

Chef JJ Johnson’s fast-casual concept is built around heirloom grains and global inspiration. At FieldTrip, rice is the foundation for dishes that reflect flavors from the African diaspora, Asia, and Latin America.

  • Cuisine: Global rice bowls
  • Location: 109 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10026, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Sticky rice with roasted chicken, crab pockets, coconut rice grits
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Not listed
  • Website: https://www.fieldtripnyc.com/

3. Kokomo

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via nytimes

Kokomo offers Caribbean-inspired food in a lively, modern space. The menu covers island staples with a twist, and the venue often hosts events that blend food and culture.

  • Cuisine: Caribbean
  • Location: 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Jerk chicken, coconut curry shrimp, oxtail flatbread
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Brunch specials on weekends
  • Website: https://www.kokomonyc.com/

4. Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

A Harlem classic, this restaurant is known for cast-iron fried chicken and soulful sides. Charles Gabriel has been perfecting his technique for decades, and it shows in every bite.

  • Cuisine: Southern comfort food
  • Location: 146 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Not listed
  • Website: https://www.charlespanfriedchicken.com/

5. Peaches

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via nymag

Peaches is a Brooklyn staple that delivers elevated Southern cuisine in a warm, neighborhood-style space. It’s a go-to for classic dishes and weekend brunches.

  • Cuisine: Southern-American
  • Location: 393 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Shrimp and grits, fried catfish, cornbread
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Weekday lunch deals

6. BunNan

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via bunnan

BunNan celebrates Haitian street food with a fast-casual format and creative approach. The signature dish here is fried green plantain sandwiches—crispy, flavorful, and packed with bold fillings.

  • Cuisine: Haitian
  • Location: 2123 Caton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Griot sandwiches, plantain fries, pikliz slaw
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Rotating seasonal menu items

7. Harlem Hops

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via harlemhops

This beer bar spotlights craft brews made by Black-owned breweries and features a rotating menu of bar bites and snacks. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space for beer lovers and community gatherings.

  • Cuisine: Craft beer and bites
  • Location: 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Gourmet pretzels, sliders, beer flights
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Regular tap takeovers and tasting events
  • Website: https://harlemhops.com/

8. Cafe Rue Dix

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via nytimes

This Crown Heights gem blends French and Senegalese influences in a cozy café environment. It’s equally great for brunch or a laid-back dinner with friends.

  • Cuisine: French-Senegalese
  • Location: 1451 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Yassa chicken, merguez sausage, hibiscus cocktails
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Weekday happy hour
  • Website: https://www.ruedixbrooklyn.com/cafe

9. Cheryl’s Global Soul

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via nymag

Right next to the Brooklyn Museum, Cheryl’s Global Soul fuses flavors from all over the world in a laid-back diner-style setting. It’s a great stop for brunch before or after exploring the neighborhood.

  • Cuisine: Global comfort food
  • Location: 236 Underhill Ave, Prospect Heights, NY 11238, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Jerk chicken wings, huevos rancheros, salmon cakes
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Weekend brunch specials
  • Website: https://cherylsglobalsoul.com/

10. Negril Village

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via negrilvillage

Negril Village serves classic Jamaican cuisine in a polished setting perfect for group dinners or late-night eats. Known for combining traditional flavors with upscale presentation.

  • Cuisine: Jamaican
  • Location: 70 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Oxtail stew, jerk wings, rum punch
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Daily drink specials
  • Website: https://negrilvillage.com/

11. The Edge Harlem

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via ny.eater

This inviting neighborhood restaurant brings together Caribbean and British influences with a bit of American comfort food. It’s casual enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for a date.

  • Cuisine: Caribbean-British fusion
  • Location: 101 Edgecombe Ave, New York, NY 10030, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Jamaican jerk burger, truffle mac and cheese, rum banana bread
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Brunch and dinner deals
  • Website: https://www.theedgeharlem.com/

12. Bunna Cafe

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via bunnaethiopia

Bunna Cafe is a vegan Ethiopian restaurant that offers traditional coffee ceremonies, shared plates, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

  • Cuisine: Ethiopian (vegan)
  • Location: 1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Lentil stews, collard greens, injera platters
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Cultural events and live music
  • Website: https://www.bunnaethiopia.net/

13. BLVD Bistro

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via nytimes

BLVD Bistro serves up elevated Southern cuisine in a cozy Harlem brownstone. With its roots in comfort food and a focus on quality ingredients, it hits all the right notes.

  • Cuisine: Southern-American
  • Location: 2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026, United States
  • Menu Highlights: Buttermilk pancakes, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Brunch-focused specials

14. The Crabby Shack

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via thecrabbyshack

Specializing in all things crab, The Crabby Shack is a seafood-lover’s go-to in Brooklyn. Founded by two friends with a passion for shellfish and community, the restaurant offers a relaxed vibe and a menu stacked with crab-focused dishes.

  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Location: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
  • Menu Highlights: Crab rolls, crab mac and cheese, seafood platter
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Daily seafood combos and takeout specials
  • Website: https://thecrabbyshack.com/

15. Zanmi

Black-owned restaurants in NYC
Photo via brownstoner

Zanmi, which means “friend” in Haitian Creole, brings the warmth of Haitian hospitality to Brooklyn with dishes that feel like home cooking. From street snacks to hearty entrées, the menu is a loving tribute to the island’s culinary traditions.

  • Cuisine: Haitian
  • Location: Flatbush, Brooklyn
  • Menu Highlights: Griot, plantain cups, lalo (Haitian stew)
  • Happy Hours/Specials: Live music nights and food pairings

Supporting Black-owned restaurants in NYC isn’t just about great food—it’s about celebrating culture, community, and creativity. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort classics, plant-based twists, or bold Caribbean flavors, these 15 spots offer something memorable on every plate. Consider this your guide to dining with purpose and taste.

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