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If you are looking to find great food and support Black-owned businesses, I’ve compiled a list of some amazing Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia to try.
Philly is packed with Black history and culture, and this includes great food. With the Black community making up 44% of the Philadelphia population (the highest percentage of all US major cities) it is no surprise that flavors across the diaspora make their way to the Philadelphia restaurant scene.
Whether you’re craving a cup of coffee, flavorful Caribbean fare, and jerk chicken, quality soul food, or cuisines from the Motherland, you’ll definitely find it at a Philadelphia Black-owned restaurant.
Don’t just check out these restaurants during June’s Black Restaurant Week in Philly — make them a regular stop throughout the year too!
If you’re looking to dine in a specific neighborhood, here is a table of contents to keep this list of best Black-owned Philly restaurants organized.
Black-Owned Restaurants in Center City
Here are the top Black-owned restaurants in Center City Philly area, downtown.
1. Baby Buns
111 S Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106
If you’re looking for Black-owned restaurants in Center City, consider Baby Buns by Chef Sylva Senat. They’re nestled inside the food hall of the Bourse Building. This small storefront makes a big impact with its signature branded sliders and colorful modern branding.
Enjoy tons of flavor with a classic burger and fun bao bun burgers, or try gourmet Taiwanese fried chicken sliders. Check them out Thursday through Saturday from 11am-3pm.
2. Sweet T’s Bakery
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
You can now head to Reading Terminal Market to support Black-owned restaurants in Center City! Sweet T’s Bakery is the first Black-owned bakery to be in the terminal market since it opened over a century ago.
Mark and Tia El sell a variety of pastries and baked goods at the terminal. Tia uses her grandmother’s sweet potato recipes as inspiration — pick up one of her famous sweet potato pies while there.
3. Good Karma Café
4 Locations in Center City
Shawn Nesbit always wanted Good Karma Café to be based on sustainable practices and community. He’s succeeded, opening 4 locations with that vision over the last 15 years! If you’re looking for Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia that give back, support Shawn’s work.
Enjoy cozy indoor spaces and luscious vine-covered outdoor spaces with your coffee, sandwiches, and smoothies. Good Karma Café is dog-friendly and seeks to work with other local small businesses that share their goals. They’re open 7 days a week from 7 am to 5 pm.
4. Cray Taste
118 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
One of the best restaurants in Philadelphia is Cray Taste, serving up soul food classics. They have 2 locations: one in Old Town and one in North Philadelphia (The Old Town one is rated heaps better).
Enjoy their famous Cray Wings or a variety of well-seasoned seafood, meat, and vegetable platters.
This BYOB restaurant is open Thursday and Friday from 3-11pm. Check them out Saturday noon to 11pm, and Sunday noon to 6pm. Reserve a spot for their popular Cray Taste Sunday Brunch Day events for a fun time with live music and a DJ!
5. Stripp’d Juice
263 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Another unique stop on my list of Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia is Stripp’d Juice. Find them in Old City just a block south of Wood Street Park. Stripp’d was made with a passion for transparency when it comes to locally and organically sourced ingredients.
Owner Khoran Horn serves up a variety of non-GMO organic cold-pressed juices and smoothies. You can also find acai bowls, avocado toast, and breakfast sandwiches. Check them out Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm.
Black-Owned Restaurants in West Philadelphia
Here are top Black-owned restaurants in the West Philly area.
6. 48th Street Grille
310 S 48th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Chef Carl Lewis started 48th Street Grille to serve his neighbors in West Philadelphia. Today, his place is an important part of the greater community. Check them out if you’re looking for Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia serving up American-Caribbean cuisine.
They also offer a variety of American classics, like burgers, pasta, and salads. Also, 48th Street Grille is BYOB. You just have to pay a fee per container. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8pm.
7. Aksum Café
4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
You can’t miss Aksum Café’s stunning turquoise wood exterior on Baltimore Street in West Philadelphia. Inside, enjoy warm tones and cast-iron fixtures while you dine over stunning presentations of Mediterranean fare.
You’ll love the food that has North African and Middle Eastern touches. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or champagne to one of the best BYOB black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia. Stop by Thursday through Sunday with extended hours on the weekend.
8. Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods
310 S 48th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Atiya Ola and her family have a passion for nurturing the spirit and body of their clientele through the nourishing raw, vegan, and vegetarian dishes they create. Enjoy views of South 48th Street framed by luscious house plants in this cozy but pristine café.
Try their stir fry or a vegan Philly cheesesteak! From the branding to their hospitality, Spirit First Foods makes loyal customers with their level of excellence. Stop by one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia Tuesday through Saturday from 12-7pm.
9. Booker’s Restaurant
5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Visit Booker’s Restaurant in Cedar Park for American fare with southern touches. You’ll love the classic interior design, the welcoming vibe, and how the restaurant’s name honors the Black roots of West Philadelphia.
Join friends at the bar or grab a table and enjoy live jazz on the weekends. Booker’s is open Wednesday through Sunday. They open for brunch at 10am, close at 2:30pm, and reopen for dinner from 5-10pm.
10. Sooo Trucking Delicious
5200 Grays Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This popular food truck in Southwest Philly is not only Black-owned but all women too! After much success, they’re even working on a permanent location in Center City to continue establishing its yummy reputation! Even Norman Freeman did a skit with them — and it’s hilarious.
If you like soul food, food trucks, and funny slogans like “Watch ya mouth” — try Sooo Trucking Delicious! Currently available for food truck walk up close to Bartram’s Garden, Tues-Sat from 3-8pm or until sold out. They are also available for delivery on Uber Eats and GrubHub.
11. Dibbs BBQ
5617 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Find Dibbs BBQ in the Heston section of West Philadelphia. When it comes to Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia, you can’t miss out on their Texas-style barbecue. Order cuts of smoked chicken, pork, and salmon, as well as beef ribs and sides.
Come by Friday through Sunday and enjoy plenty of outdoor seating. Since their hours change seasonally, check their website for current hours of business.
Black-Owned Restaurants in North Philadelphia
Here are top Black-owned restaurants in greater North Philly
Germantown, Northwest Philly
12. All the Way Live
6108 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Head to Germantown, where Nyeisha Cabiness and her mother Beverly Nedley opened All the Way Live, a vegan and raw food café. Even if you’re not plant-based, don’t miss out on one of the best vegan Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia.
Eat all the colors of the rainbow from their Live (raw) or vegan menu that includes freshly made salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and more. You’ll love the warm, relaxing atmosphere and vibrant aesthetic! They open at noon Tuesday through Sunday.
North Philly West / Brewerytown
13. Barkley’s BBQ
2017 N 29th St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Barkley’s BBQ has a food truck that you’ll find around town, but their location in North Philadelphia is what draws the crowd. Most days you’ll smell owner Terrell Barkley smoking meats on the premises.
Enjoy one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia, serving up barbecue and soul food. You can choose from fresh fried fish, smoked ribs, yams and apples, garlic green beans, and more. They open at 11am Wednesday through Saturday.
14. Butter’s Soul Food to Go
2730 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
For more Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia, find Butter’s Soul Food to Go in the Brewerytown neighborhood. Walk into Kevin Bell’s establishment and you’ll feel like you’ve come home. There are usually fresh flowers on the wooden tables.
Enjoy the soul food you know and love in vintage dishes, the same ones your grandmother probably owns! Looking around you’ll notice nostalgic collections of clocks, family photos, and more. Come for a meal at Butter’s Soul Food to Go Wednesday thru Sunday between 12-8pm.
north philly
15. Relish
7152 Ogontz Ave #2016, Philadelphia, PA 19138
For a fine dining experience, head to Relish in West Oak Lane. Enjoy modern takes on southern fare at this full-service restaurant. You’ll find candles on linen tablecloths, live jazz music, and friendly, attentive staff.
You can make reservations Wednesday through Sunday. They have extended hours on the weekend but then they close the kitchen in the afternoon to prepare for dinner.
northeast philly
16. The Better Box
8601 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136
Tamekah Bost owns one of the most original Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia, The Better Box. They make your favorite Chinese takeout “with a Philly twist.” You can try fun fusions like her popular Firecracker Salmon Egg Rolls or General Tso’s Chicken Cheesesteak!
The Better Box has 3 locations in Pennsylvania with the main location being on Frankford Avenue in Holmesburg. They’re open from 12-8pm Tuesday through Saturday. Check their Instagram for regular updates because they close early when they run out of food.
Greater Kensington
17. Reggae Reggae Vibes
517 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Head to North Liberties for quality Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine at Reggae Reggae Vibes. Owner Denise Moore does her take on American fare with dishes like Jerk-flavored Cheesesteaks.
If you’re looking for more traditional dishes like chicken and collards with rice and peas, she’s a master. You can’t beat her homemade sorrel and ginger beer, either! Reggae Reggae Vibes is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 am – 9 pm.
18. Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse
2578 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is the brainchild of Ariell Johnson. It’s the only Black-owned, woman-owned comic book shop on the East Coast. Head to Frankford Avenue in Kensington for good coffee and the biggest names in comic books!
Pick up local pastries, lounge on sofas, and read up on your favorite universe. You’ll find that a lot of local groups meet here as well if you want to meet new people. Amalgam is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am – 6pm.
19. Franny Lou’s Porch
2400 Coral St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
In East Kensington, Franny Lou’s Porch is more than just one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. This small café is an important gathering space and event space for the greater Black Philadelphia community.
Enjoy a variety of coffee and tea drinks and order sandwiches with names like “Anti Oppression” and “Pro Liberation.” Consider thought-provoking questions about capitalism and global warming posted on the walls next to paintings by Black artists. Stop in 7 days a week between 8 am – 4 pm.
Poplar / Northern Liberties
20. Win Win Coffee Bar
931 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
You’ll find that Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia are started by passionate visionaries. Win Win Coffee Bar owners, Nikisha Bailey and Matthew Namaste, have been successful because of their heart for creatives coming together over a cup of coffee and good food.
They partner with other local small businesses like coffee roaster Bean2Bean for that reason. Feel good that Win Win seeks sustainable and local sources for their dishes. Check them out Friday through Sunday from 9am – 3pm in Poplar / North Liberties.
Visit Black-Owned Restaurants in Philadelphia
There are so many great options when it comes to Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia. Again, we should always support local businesses throughout the year, but make a point to make your money count extra during Black Restaurant Week in June, Black History Month in February, and on Juneteenth.
Enjoy!
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