Your Guide To Black-Owned & Black-Led Dining In The DC Area
Your starting point for exploring Black-owned and Black-led restaurants in the DC area—a celebration of flavor, culture, and community.
This guide was originally created by me, Anela Malik, in 2020 after eating my way through more than 100 local spots. Since then, it’s been lovingly updated with help from Crystal Jones, a DMV-based food blogger, writer, and carry-out critic for The Washington City Paper.
What you’ll find here isn’t a ranked list—it’s a curated collection of favorites, organized by vibe and occasion. We’ve focused on Black-owned businesses and those with Black chefs or owners in leadership roles. Think of this as an invitation: to eat well, support intentionally, and explore the depth of Black culinary talent shaping the region.
And if you’re wondering why resources like this are important, watch the below…
Your Guide To Black-Owned & Black-Led Dining In The DC Area
There are no paid placements in this guide, just places we enjoy and frequent regularly. We update this guide periodically.
If you’re more of a visual person, click here to explore a map of our recommendations!
Cafes
Grounded
Grounded is a Black women-owned plant shop, cafe, and wellness studio in SE DC housed in a gorgeous space. Take a class, grab a matcha, get a plant, and just vibe. They also host regular events for the community.
Village Cafe
Village Cafe is a lively communal space and coffee shop in the Union Market District. Don't miss the specialty drink menu.
Turning Natural
Woman-owned Turning Natural offers juices, smoothies, and foods such as black bean burgers and vegan pastries from multiple locations.
Others Coffee
Others Coffee is a small but mighty coffee spot in Adams Morgan with a few tables to work or chill, great seasonal drinks, and don't forget to pick up a bag of coffee to bring home.
Kaldi's Social House
Kaldi's is an Ethiopian-owned coffee cafe with multiple locations in Northern VA and Maryland that offers bustling spaces to grab a meal, snag your favorite coffee, or settle in to work for a bit.
Breakfast & Brunch
Heat Da Spot
Heat Da Spot is a family-owned coffee shop in Park View known for its all-day breakfast. It is open seven days a week and patio seating is available. Don't forget to ask for the bottle of their Secret Sauce for a little kick.
Büna
Büna is an Ethiopian coffeehouse that offers coffee, sandwiches, and more. Don't miss out on their Ethiopian breakfast items.
Roaming Rooster
Roaming Rooster turns their popular chicken sandwich outlets into breakfast stops with scratch-made buttermilk biscuits paired with tater tots. Breakfast is available 8 am - 11 am daily at their Tenleytown, Anacostia, U Street, and Woodridge locations.
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is an all-day breakfast and brunch spot in downtown Silver Spring. Get your classic pancake stack and veggie omelette, or jazz things up with a bowl of oxtail and grits.
Burgers & Sandwiches
Mother Rucker’s Subs
Mother Rucker's offers a variety of classic subs. Try it "mother's way" with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and Italian seasoning.
Fishscale
Fishscale offers delicious, wild-caught fish burgers, as well as fish cheesesteaks and house-made sides from their location in Shaw.
Roaming Rooster
Roaming Rooster offers free-range, grain-fed, fried chicken sandwiches from multiple locations throughout the District.
MLK Deli
MLK Deli is a staple in the SE DC community, known for its crabcake sandwiches. You'll find deli classics with fun names that pay homage to DC icons and landmarks, like John Wall Ham and Marion Barry Salmon Cakes. Can't make it to Congress Heights? Check out their sister restaurant Deanwood Deli in NE DC.
Queen Mother’s
Queen Mother’s offers various mouth-watering fried chicken sandwiches out of their location in Arlington, VA. Try the Queen Mother's Classic or the Virginia Honey Butter sandwiches.
Vegan & Vegetarian
Senbeb Cafe
Senbeb Cafe is a vegan cafe in Brightwood that serves all vegan/vegetarian soul food and sweets. Don't miss the "cheesesteak."
Dodah’s Kitchen
Dodah’s Kitchen is a vegan restaurant with multiple Maryland locations that serves soul food and desserts. Order for take-out or simply dine in to indulge in their all-day brunch, lunch, or dinner.
NuVegan Cafe
NuVegan is a plant-based restaurant with a few locations across the DMV. It's a great spot for anyone looking for simpler, comforting vegan options. Popular picks include their chick’n drummies and the steak and cheese sub.
ELife Restaurant
ELife serves up vegan soul food, cafeteria-style. You can mix and match entrees with a variety of sides, or try one of their daily specials. Make sure you check out their grab-and-go shelves for dozens of cakes, pies, juices, and smoothies.
And a note on Ethiopian restaurants in general...
“The Washington region is home to the largest concentration of Ethiopians outside of Africa." The region's Ethiopian restaurants are outstanding and many of them offer a wide variety of outstanding vegetarian and vegan menu items (check with individual restaurants to confirm whether their vegetarian options are also vegan). Habesha Market, in particular, has an incredible vegetarian platter! Check out more Ethiopian restaurants in the District.
Casual & Carryout
Melange Foods Inc.
Melange Foods Inc., a concept from James Beard Award semifinalist Elias Taddesse, houses multiple concepts that play on Ethiopian flavors under one roof, with a fabulous bar. Think Ethiopian fried chicken and soul food, some of the best burgers in the city, and Ethiopian tacos as well.
Dukem
Dukem is a longstanding Ethiopian restaurant on U Street in DC. Family-owned and operated, you'll see a plethora of history lining the walls in photos and memorabilia. Don't miss their Special Tibs or snag a combo to feast on.
Hedzole
Hedzole is a fast-casual Ghanaian American spot that's ideal for a lunch stop or a quick meal. Customize a bowl with four protein options (including a vegan option) and sides ranging from plantains to their Agushi Stew with shito.
Jam Doung Style
Jam Doung Style serves up a wide selection of Jamaican dishes. Go for a combo platter with two meats and two sides. Don't skip their curry chicken, jerk chicken wings, and mac and cheese. And don’t leave without trying the beef patty!
Today's Pizza
Today’s Pizza is home to DC’s viral oxtail pizza, and yes, it lives up to the hype. You can also try one of their other specialty pies like BBQ chicken, salmon and shrimp, or a classic white pizza.
Spiced Black
Spiced Black is a fast-casual spot serving up flavors inspired by the Black diaspora. Choose from their signature creations or build your own bowl with greens, rice, veggies, sauces, and proteins.
Ben's Chili Bowl
Ben's Chili Bowl, a historic family-owned restaurant, has been serving up halfsmokes and comfort food since 1958. Ben's has remained a staple of the community through decades of historic changes and upheaval. At the original location on U Street, you'll find the walls lined with photos of many of the famed visitors, including Barack Obama. Ben's Chili Bowl also operates a casual restaurant and bar called Ben's Next Door, connected to their U Street location.
Spice Kitchen West African Grill
Spice Kitchen West African Grill serves West African cuisine in a casual atmosphere, including dishes such as various suya preparations, jollof rice, plantains, and more. Order online for carryout or delivery or they have ample seating inside.
Date Night & Special Occasion
Dōgon
Dōgon was named one of the Best New Restaurants in America in 2024 by Esquire. This Afro-Caribbean fine dining concept located in the Salamander Hotel serves up a fabulous dining experience with cocktails and mocktails to match. Use Resy notify to snag a reservation if they're booked.
Elmina
Opened in early 2025, Elmina is a modern Ghanaian restaurant by chef Eric Adjepong. The space is gorgeous and Elmina offers a tasting menu for dinner featuring dishes such as Jollof Duck Pot (delicious!) and Hamachi Crudo. There's also an a la carte bar menu and brunch on Saturdays!
Anju
Angel Barreto, one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs of 2021 is executive chef and partner at Anju, an award-winning Korean restaurant with excellent food and a quaint patio. Make reservations in advance for this popular spot and don't miss out on the brunch offerings.
St. James
St. James is a modern Caribbean restaurant and rum bar on 14th Street. This is a great spot for drinks, a date night, or a meetup with friends. Don't skip the crab and dumplings! You can also check out their sister restaurant Cane, the Michelin Bib Gourmand winner on H Street.
Eatopia
Eatopia is a gorgeous Ethiopian restaurant, complete with good vibes and great food. Check out the art on the walls by Ethiopian artists and enjoy the stellar playlists (the owner was a longtime dj) while enjoying Ethiopian dishes like Misir (spicy lentils) and Asa Gulashi (fried tilapia). Eatopia also serves brunch on the weekends and has live music multiple days a week.
St. Vincent Wine
St. Vincent Wine offers live music multiple days a week, has a heated outdoor seating area that's quite toasty in the winter, and a solid food menu for dinner and weekend brunch. One note: St. Vincent Wine only serves glasses of wine at the upstairs bar. Otherwise, it's bottle service only (so ideal for a casual date or meetup with friends who want to share).
Drinks & Cocktails
Serenata
Serenata offers a full-service, award-winning bar with outstanding specialty cocktails. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.
Hill Prince
Hill Prince is a neighborhood bar and event space on the H St Corridor. Sip on a craft cocktail while catching up with friends in the outdoor courtyard or stay for a cozy date night in the restored living room. Check Instagram to stay up to date with their regular events.
Buddy's
Neighborhood sports bar Buddy's offers $13 signature cocktails. Snag a drink and watch your favorite teams play on various TVs at the bar and on the patio. Make sure to catch their happy hour, available weekdays until 7 pm.
Service Bar
Service Bar is known for its cocktails and chill, low-key atmosphere. The menu features excellent fried chicken and fried chicken sandwiches. They also have an outdoor "streatery" seating area.
Shanklin Hall
Shanklin Hall is a popular bar and social club in Adams Morgan. They feature Black-owned spirits on the menu, plus host numerous events and nights with live music. Check their Instagram for upcoming events!
Sweets & Desserts
Puddin'
Puddin' serves a bourbon brown butter bread pudding that’s sweet, soft, and buttery, and absolutely to die for. It’s even better topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Find this treat inside Union Market.
Here's The Scoop
Woman-owned dessert shop Here's the Scoop serves ice cream from local creameries, including black-owned and plant-based Cajou Creamery. Pick a flavor (or two) and build the ultimate sundae with a warm cookie or brownie and several toppings.
Souk
Souk is a Capitol Hill bakery/market that offers sweet and savory treats in addition to exotic spices and oils. Also try out The Sweet Lobby nearby, a cupcake shop from the same owner!
Southwest Soda Pop Shop
Southwest Soda Pop Shop is a family-owned ice cream and sweets shop on The Wharf serving dipped varieties and soft serves, shakes, and floats.
Goodies
Goodies serves excellent gourmet frozen custard, donuts, and other creative treats from the Alexandria location at The Ice House. This business is seasonal, so be sure to catch them in the summertime!
Sugar Vault Desserts
Sugar Vault is a neighborhood bakery in Hyattsville with options like cupcakes, cheesecakes, brownies, and banana pudding. They rotate over 150 flavors, so check their website to see what's available.
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Read a Washington Post list of best sandwiches and thought the Reuben at MLK Deli was a material oversight on a strong list. Glad to see it mentioned here. Outstanding deli.
Read a Washington Post list of best sandwiches and thought the Reuben at MLK Deli was a material oversight on a strong list. Glad to see it mentioned here. Outstanding deli.