Black-owned businesses, especially restaurants, are still struggling to bounce back from the Covid lockdowns. They appreciate the public’s support. Have you explored many Black-owned restaurants in your city — or do you have a go-to? Do you know what’s new, hot and still open for business? Here are great options in eight major cities nationwide.
Entrée Pricing
$ $10-$25
$$ $25-$50
$$$ Over $50
New York
The Crabby Shack, Crown Heights, Brooklyn
TheCrabbyShack.com
Chef or owners: Co-owners Gwendolyn Woods and Fifi Bell-Clanton are moms and former entertainment industry insiders. Woods was an exec working with Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Bell-Clanton was a fashion stylist for Alicia Keys, Wyclef Jean and others. Both left their careers to open The Crabby Shack.
Hot dish: The owners’ celeb friends and former clients are known to stop in. Spotted: Denzel Washington, Danielle Brooks, Gabrielle Union, Malik Yoba and Faith Evans to name a few. The well-known restaurateurs have appeared on the Wendy Williams and Tamron Hall shows, CNBC’s The Profit and the Netflix documentary She Did That.
The space: Small casual dine-in or takeout with a beachy, nautical décor
People-watching: Celebrity sightings, along with a blend of local hipsters, artists, suits and families
Outdoor seating: Yes
Liquor: Yes
Vibe: Girls night out or boozy brunch with live jazz on summer Sundays
Known for: Their famous crab rolls and crab boils
Cost: $$
The Cecil Steakhouse, Harlem
TheCecilHarlem.com
Chef or owner: Ex-TimeWarner CEO and jazz aficionado Richard Parsons owns The Cecil Steakhouse, located within the renovated historic Cecil Hotel, built in 1895. The high-end restaurant stands in the location of the famous 1930s Minton’s Playhouse.
Hot dish: Celebrity diners include Mariah, Nick Cannon and Fantasia. The spot is home to star-studded film and fashion-week events. Parsons also reopened Minton’s next door. Minton’s was frequented by Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk and more and was known worldwide as the “birthplace of bebop.”
Liquor: Yes
The space: Upscale, modern
Outdoor seating: Yes
Vibe: Girls night out with guest DJ’s, performances and live jazz next door at Minton’s Playhouse.
People-watching: VIPs, colorful Harlem creatives and occasional celeb spottings
Known for: Steak and ribs
Cost: $$$
You may also enjoy: Top chef Marcus Samuelsson’s popular Red Rooster Harlem or BLVD Bistro for its Creole-American fusion, also in Harlem
Miami
Lil Greenhouse Grill, Overtown
LilGreenhouseGrill.com
Owner/chef: Overtown couple Nicole Gates and chef Karim Bryant (Capital Grille, Prime 112, BLT Prime, The Butcher Shop) were running the Lil Greenhouse food truck when the opportunity to open a soul food café, the only full-service, sit-down eatery in the community, arose. Bryant, who grew up in Overtown, is also involved in the nonprofit youth development program the Optimists Club.
Hot dish: Oprah and Gayle King surprised the owners with a visit to the restaurant with CBS camera crew in tow for Oprah’s Weight Watchers restaurant tour.
Liquor: Craft beers and wine
The space: Small, casual with simple décor, cozy booths
Outdoor seating: Yes
Vibe: Lunch with coworkers or dinner with the fam
People-watching: Frequented by Black folks from the community and nearby towns seeking good southern food.
Known for: Sandwiches, smoked BBQ ribs and wings
Cost: $
Red Rooster Overtown
RedRoosterOvertown.com
Owner or chef: Co-owner Marcus Samuelsson is a Top Chef Masters winner, a Food Network judge, host of PBS’ No Passport Required and a favorite chef of President Barack Obama. Samuelsson owns more than a dozen restaurants, including Red Rooster Harlem. Red Rooster Overtown is located in historic Overtown in Miami.
Hot dish: Overtown is a historic district known as the “Harlem of the South” in its glory days (the 1930s–1960s). Samuelsson opened the upscale spot to boost the slow revitalization of the area, hoping other new businesses would follow.
Liquor: Yes
The space: Beautiful, upscale and modern
Outdoor seating: Yes
Vibe: Girls night out, happy hour, live music. Check out the pool hall upstairs.
People-watching: Upscale dining popular with Black clientele
Known for: Craft cocktails and fresh takes on soul food favorites
Cost: $$$
You may also enjoy: Bar One Miami, a high-end bar and restaurant from former Real Housewives of Atlanta-husband Peter Thomas and World Famous House of Mac for loaded mac and cheese and more.
Washington, D.C.
Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill, NE
TheCarolinaKitchen.com
Owner or chef: Self-made Southern-dining magnate Lance London started Carolina Kitchen in 1996 as a takeout joint. Today he has multiple busy District-area locations. Also, he is a motivational speaker and a consultant to other Black small-business owners in the community.
Hot dish: The Hoodie Awards Winner for Best Soul Food is a go-to for Southern food, as well as a hot spot to socialize.
Liquor: Yes
The space: Modern, casual, classy with a colorful Vegas flair
Outdoor seating: Not at this location
Vibe: Lively and great for families and groups
People-watching: Locals and commuters from the train station downstairs
Known for: Adult milk shakes and craft cocktails, Southern Fried Lobster Tails
Cost: $$