The Best Black-Owned Restaurants in Chicago
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published February 5, 2021, and last updated February 5, 2024.
If you’re planning a visit to Chicago soon, you definitely want to make time to try some of the restaurants in the city. Chicago is home to some of the best Black-owned eateries in the country, whether you’re in the mood for soul food, seafood, sandwiches, or anything in between. When you’re craving a great meal and a dining experience you won’t soon forget, check out some of the best Black-owned restaurants in Chicago.
1. Ain’t She Sweet Cafe
526 E 43rd St #2920, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 373-3530
Ain’t She Sweet Cafe is one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Chicago when it comes to sandwiches and wraps. Meal options include the CG Club made with turkey deli slices, turkey bacon, lettuce, and tomato, or the Caribbean jerk chicken wrap if you prefer something a little spicier. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of sweet potato pie, a brownie, or a slice of lemon and rum pound cake. Ain’t She Sweet has several smoothies to choose from as well, like the Tropical Breezer with strawberry and mango, or the Immunity Booster smoothie with wheat germ and blueberries.
2. Batter and Berries
2748 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-7710
Satisfy your craving for breakfast food at Batter and Berries. This eatery offers a variety of delicious pancakes topped with nuts and fresh berries, as well as omelets filled with the meat and veggies of your choice. Batter and Berries also has an impressive lunch menu, which includes savory sandwiches that are perfect for a lunch on the go.
3. Daisy’s Po Boy and Tavern
5215 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8767
This New Orleans-inspired restaurant in Hyde Park has the best po’boys in Chicago, with a spacious counter-service restaurant with live music and amazing cocktails. Daisy’s also has classics like a crispy fried chicken and a savory seafood gumbo with a little crab claw to accompany it. Although casual, it’s still a great place to celebrate any occasion.
4. The Delta
1745 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 360-1793
The Delta offers Asian-inspired dishes with a soulful twist. Popular dishes include chicken fried rice with mushrooms and grilled catfish with sautéed broccoli and eggplant. The restaurant is also famous for its red hot tamales with beef brisket, which are perfect for sharing with a friend.
5. Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
4801 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-8787
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant is the place to be for a cultural experience that includes delicious foods with exotic spices. Appetizer options include Sambussas served with honey awaze sauce or Kayseer Salata, a refreshing beet salad with a lime vinaigrette. For the main course, you can enjoy Messob, a family-style meal with beef, seafood, lamb, chicken, and vegetarian portions.
6. Flavors Southern Cooking
5721 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 379-0909
Flavors Southern Cooking is near West Chicago and has healthy soul food that won’t disappoint. Organic, fresh ingredients are used to prepare all the dishes at Flavors Southern Cooking, and you can choose your meal based on the day of the week. If you’re visiting on the weekend, be sure to try the chicken wings, greens, and mac and cheese on Saturday, or the turkey drumstick, mashed potatoes, and cornbread on Sunday.
7. Frontier
1072 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 772-4322
This refined eatery in the West Town region of Chicago offers a variety of succulent burgers, salads, and meat and seafood platters that are sure to impress. You can start your meal with a kale salad that includes apples, strawberries, and chives, and select from main dishes like the Ahi tuna sandwich with wasabi aioli or Wagyu ribs with Carolina BBQ sauce. Delicious side dishes include cheesy grits, five-cheese mac, and empanadas served with a garlic tomato sauce.
8. Ja’Grill
1510 E Harper Ct, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 752-5375
Ja’Grill offers authentic Jamaican food that is savory, sweet, and spicy. Whether you’re in the mood for curry chicken or goat, red snapper, or oxtail, you can enjoy these entrees with Callaloo, rice and peas, and plantain. Add the perfect finishing touch to your delicious meal with a traditional Jamaican soda like Ting or Kola Champagne to make your dining experience even more unforgettable.
9. Provare
1523 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 988-0943
Provare is a fun, brightly lit Creole and Italian spot in West Town, with a stellar R&B playlist. Any variation of their handmade pasta is a win. Standout dishes include cheesy spinach and artichoke dip filled with shrimp and crawfish, shrimp Hennessy scampi, and bone-in lamb chops with corn. Bonus: there’s a speakeasy hiding behind very convincing shelves… *hint hint.*
Photo Credit: Facebook
10. Sip and Savor
528 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 855-2125
This popular Chicago restaurant has three locations, and they all serve some of the best coffee and tea beverages in town. You can choose from blended coffees like the frappe mocha or caramel nut shake, or select a tea in flavors like ginger peach or kiwi pear. You can also stop by Sip and Savor for a delicious, light breakfast like a bowl of oatmeal, breakfast sandwich, or a scone. The eatery offers non-dairy options for your teas and coffees, as well as smoothies packed with nutrients to get your day started off right.
11. The Soul Food Lounge
3804 W 16th St, Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 799-0620
The Soul Food Lounge has everything from classic soul food dishes like fried chicken and shrimp and grits, but ever more fusionized dishes like masala-braised pot roast, and Korean-style rib tips. This quaint restaurant, donned with velvet chairs and gold accents, has live music often, a bonus to their already amazing ambiance. It should be noted that they do not accept walk-ins- so be sure to make a reservation.
11. The Soul Shack
1368 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 891-0126
No matter what time of day you visit The Soul Shack, it’s likely to be crowded. That should tell you all you need to know when you’re searching for delicious soul food in Chicago. Menu options include chicken and waffles with a side of candied yams and macaroni and cheese, egg rolls stuffed with mac and cheese and collard greens, or grilled salmon served with your choice of two sides. The Soul Shack also offers surf and turf options and veggie plate options for a delicious meat-free meal.
12. Tesfa Ethiopian Restaurant
5352 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
(312) 698-4481
Starting from a small Ethiopian spot in Uptown, Tefsa recently moved to a larger location in Edgewater. Bring a bunch of friends and get ready to dig into large injera platters full of dishes like zesty tomato sauce, spicy fish filets, and a peppery doro wot with fall-off-the-bone chicken. This place is the definition of ‘family-run’ with classic Ethiopian specialties in a warm, low-key atmosphere.
13. Truth Italian
56 E Pershing Rd, Chicago, IL 60653
(312) 715-8796
This Bronzeville restaurant is a popular hang-out spot because the ambiance is just as enjoyable as the food. Truth Italian is known for its five-star dishes, which include marinated grilled lamb chops and ravioli Florentine. Truth Italian also serves stuffed portobello mushrooms with tomatoes and artichoke, as well as breakfast dishes like strawberry or blueberry French toast, vegetable omelets, and caramel waffles.
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