The Best Black Owned Soul Food Restaurants Washington DC
Since time immemorial, soul food has been a statement for many black families. As we close the curtain on this year’s black history month, it is just in time for us to celebrate black-owned restaurants with the best food, ambiance, and vibes. These black restaurants will serve you a range of foods from great soul food, barbecue and so much more. Here are some top picks for the best black-owned Soul Food Restaurants in DC.
Andrene’s Soul Food and Caribbean Cafe
308 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 291-7007
Andrene’s is a small spot with some big flavor! They’re serving up all of that authentic Jamaican soul food that you love oh so much. From the classics like jerk chicken and oxtails to veggie patties and ribs, Andrene’s has it all. They also have seafood options and combination plates so if you can’t decide what to get, you can try multiple items. Everything at Andrene’s is packed with flavor and will make you feel like you’re right at home.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
1213 U St NW Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
Taste some history at this restaurant founded in 1958. Run by Ben and Virginia Ali, they’ve made some signature twists on popular foods. This restaurant helped shape history by staying open to feed activists, police, and other service workers during the riots of 1968. With its location on U Street, this restaurant has seen the environment around it conform to time and development. Their fresh homemade chili and delicious half-smokes are made with love, using their original secret recipe. This place is a must-visit if you happen to be on U street, something that former President Barack Obama will agree on.
Bronze
1245 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 478-6833
This Black-owned, Black run spot has an A-List chef: Toya Henry, who impresses with dishes like charred yuzu squid skewers slicked with herb “pesto” and a satsuma and currant glaze. Bronze has Afro-Caribbean cooking, viewed through a fusion lens displayed in dishes like grilled Japanese eggplant with a classic West African stew of tomato, onions, garlic, and herbs over couscous. Bronze’s menu reflects the cultural travels and Caribbean settling of the Bronze people, with charred yuzu squid, wild pepper prawns, braised oxtail, and Sun Ra-themed cocktails. The stunning space features present individualized settings by floor, with chic styling courtesy of leopard-print booths and black brick walls.
Bukom Cafe
2442 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-4600
People living in Adams Morgan know all about Bukom Café, a neighborhood staple that dazzles diners with its outstanding West African cuisine. There’s goosi, a milk rice dessert that originated in Senegal, as well as fufu, a sticky dough that you consume by hand. Their jollof rice is a must-try. They also have strong (but delicious) cocktails and Kenyan beer. Be sure to stop by on weekend nights for live reggae music.
Cane
403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 675-2011
Founded by Chef Peter Prime and his sister Jeanine, this restaurant promises the authentic taste of Trinidad right in the heart of Washington DC. With a name derived from slave labor in the cane fields of Trinidad, the menu features a mix of cuisines spanning from Spanish to Indian foods. Their pork belly laced with cumin or their paratha tiffin box are some of the customer’s favorites. Their food and service are top of the range and the Bib Gourmand Michelin Guide for DC 2020 stamps on that fact.
Creole on 14th
3345 14th St NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 506-6995
This is the taste of Creole coming to Washington courtesy of Creole on the 14th. The service in this restaurant is very high quality and the Creole menu will have you coming back or ordering for more. They also serve up some seafood with a Creole twist, a great tasting experience for someone who loves a different take on their favorite foods.
Dukem Ethiopian
1114 – 1118 U Street Washington D.C. 20009
202-667-8735
This little restaurant brings the aroma and taste of Ethiopia to Washington. As one of the oldest Ethiopian restaurants in DC, they have been serving some family-owned recipes that have made them a favorite to many people. Their kitfo, raw meat with chili and butter goes like hot cake. If you want some bitings, the tibs are a great choice and if you are with your friends, their platter will ensure good samples and satisfaction for all of you.
Florida Avenue and Grill
1100 Florida Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-1586
One of the signatures in the black people’s food is a good barbecue, something that Florida Avenue and Grill delivers spot on. One of the unique facts about this place is that it has been open for 77 years. It may have changed hands from the Wilsons to Imar Hutchins in 2005 but the food and the vibe have remained consistent. Their menu includes great breakfast entrees and dinners that taste like home. Their signature corn muffin is a treat you will love.
Half Smoke
651 Florida Ave NW Washington, DC 20001
(202) 986-2079
This is quite a popular choice since it combines a pub, an eatery, and a cafe. One of its most popular dishes is in its name, the Half Smoke. This dish is prepared using a wood-powered grill to enhance the flavor of smoke. The menu includes other great dishes like jambalaya, crab fries, butterfly chicken and so much more. You can drop in for breakfast, lunch, or brunch with your friends for a great culinary experience.
Hitching Post
200 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-1511
Hitching Post is basically a DC staple at this point. They’ve been serving up great soul food since 1967, so they must be doing something right. This spot has dive bar vibes and a great outdoor patio, but they are known for their delicious southern comfort food. They have a ton of great sandwich and entree options as well as all of the classic sides like mac & cheese, cole slaw, and home fries. The fried chicken is made fresh to order and will not disappoint. The fried catfish and crab cakes are also great choices and will keep you coming back for more!
Horace and Dickie’s Seafood
6912 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012
(202) 248-4265
Richard “Dickie” Shannon and his pal Horace started this seafood joint in 1990. The DMV area is widely known for the freshest and tastiest fish in America, and you’ll have little doubt of this fact once you eat just about anything on the menu. Two of the more popular meals are the fried catfish sandwich and the homemade crab cake. But a delicious bite from Horace and Dickie’s doesn’t need to be from the sea: their mac and cheese and hush puppies will leave you more than satisfied.
KitchenCray- H Street
1301 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 396-2729
KitchenCray puts a nice modern twist on some delicious Caribbean classics like jerk chicken and shrimp and grits. You are going to spend a little bit more money here but for the portion sizes and quality of the food it is beyond worth it. They have brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and serve dishes like oxtail benedict and crab cake BLT’s. One of the most popular appetizers on the menu is the oxtail spring rolls which are a must-try when you come here. It can get pretty packed so you might want to call ahead so you don’t have to wait too long to experience all the deliciousness!
Milk and Honey Cafe
Multiple Locations
Serving up brunch seven days a week, Milk & Honey Café is an award-winning restaurant with roots in Atlanta and locations in Bowie and College Park, Md. and Alexandria, Va. A location on H Street NE in DC is coming soon. The restaurant serves as the perfect spot for a quick breakfast meeting or a celebratory brunch with friends and family. Milk & Honey Executive Chef Sammy Davis is a Chopped and Chopped Redemption alum, while his business partner Monique Rose is a veteran in the industry. Together, the two have created a menu packed with Southern favorites that you can return to time and time again, featuring Award Winning Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, RumChata French Toast, and specializes in other slow-cooked mouth-watering favorites
Mr. Braxton Bar and Kitchen
3632 Georgia Ave, NW Washington DC 20010
(202) 882-4555
This traditional American bistro has an international flair: meats, seafood, salads, and pasta, done with the Mr. Braxton twist! Chef Alex Canto serves lamb shank; a thick-cut watermelon salad tossed in agave, lime, and mint; six kinds of mussels; and hemp-encrusted salmon with tomato curry and root vegetables. Chef Canto recommends the creme brûlée, homemade banana rum bread pudding a la mode, or seasonal berries to round out any meal. A well-designed interior combined with a warm and welcoming staff, Mr. Braxton Bar and Kitchen is sure to make any foodie full!
NuVegan Cafe
2928 Georgia Avenue Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 232-1700
Vegans have a home at this restaurant owned by Vernon and Lynn. Their menu is a hundred percent vegan, something that is rare in a barbecue and chicken favorite industry. The two have created and have continued to create a menu that provides vegan chicken and cheeseburgers while also providing some of the common foods like tofu and hummus. Their herbed quinoa is the one healthy snack you did not know you needed.
Oohh’s & Aahh’s
1005 U St NW Washington, DC 20001
(202) 667-7142
This restaurant is a national treasure for mind-blowing soul food. Founded by Oji Abbott, a star-studded chef born and raised in Washington, this restaurant will send you back to those good ol’ days. The Southern dishes served here are a blend of family recipes and skilled chef techniques, a combination that will melt your taste buds.
Photo Credit: Washingtoncitypaper
Open Crumb
1243 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020
(202) 610-9979
This hidden gem will make your wallet and your stomach happy! Open Crumb’s chicken sandwiches are fried to perfection and have a generous piece of meat on their house-made rolls. The mac & cheese is the cheesiest mac around and you’ll more than likely need to phone a friend to help you finish all of it. Call ahead so you’re order is ready when you get there and enjoy a piping hot, fresh Southern comfort meal.
Po Boy Jim
709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-7071
Po Boy Jim is a family-owned restaurant and bar, serving Cajun food that teleports you right down to the Big Easy. New Orleans cuisine is anything but light; you can get the District Po Boy, stuffed with sirloin steak, bacon, provolone, shrimp, and a remoulade sauce, or the Gumbo on H, overloaded with andouille, shrimp, Cajun-style chicken, and scallion rice. Po Boy Jim is open for brunch as well as late-night dining so you can satisfy your Cajun craving no matter the time of day. Don’t forget the order of beignets.
Sankofa
2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 588-7061
This small, relaxed bookstore cafe features some of the best paninis you will ever have. Founded by Hailr and Shirikiana, both filmmakers, the cafe is named after one of their films. Apart from the bitings, you might be fascinated by their collection of books and videos rich in African culture. The cafe also hosts some small events including African-based poetry afternoons, screenings of films, and literature readings.
Sweet Home Cafe
1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
(202) 633-4751
Located in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, spearheaded by chef Jerome Grant, Sweet Home Cafe will take you on a historical culinary journey as vast, spellbinding, and complex as the museum’s collection. The restaurant serves up food that represents four distinct regions: the Agricultural South, the Creole Coast, the North States, and the Western Range. Grant’s from-scratch cooking and use of local ingredients make for a mouthwatering catfish po’ boy or beef brisket sandwich on a sweet potato bun.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on March 8, 2021, and last updated on February 22, 2024. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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