area map calendar
Chat With Us Industry Resources Meetings Group Tour Media Blog Newsletters

Things To Do

Things to DoMajor AttractionsArts & EntertainmentCultureExperiences & ToursHolidayKidsMusicNightlifeParks & OutdoorShoppingSportsSearch Things to Do

Featured

When the snow comes down, CLE turns up

The Land of Your Winter Playground

Much like everything in Cleveland, pressure creates diamonds. So when the snow starts to fall in The Land, that’s when the real party gets started.

Events

EventsEvents This WeekendEvent CalendarAnnual EventsMonthly Events PDFSubmit an Event

Eat + Drink

Eat + DrinkDowntown RestaurantsBakeries & SweetsBars & BreweriesCoffee, Brunch, & BreakfastSearch Places to Eat + Drink

Featured

2023

Brewery Passport

Few towns can boast a craft beer pedigree like Cleveland. We’ve brought together many of our finest breweries to create the Cleveland Brewery Passport: a unified way for you to explore everything this city has to offer without going thirsty.

Where To Stay

Where to StayDowntown Cleveland HotelsCleveland Airport HotelsSearch all HotelsSearch Meeting Venues

Planning Tools

Planning ToolsKnow Before You GoChat With UsCleveland Visitors CenterDeals & Special OffersGetting to ClevelandHealth & SafetyMapsSubscribe to e-NewslettersRequest a Visitor Insider GuideTransportation in ClevelandTravel Inspiration

Neighborhoods

Downtown ClevelandCleveland NeighborhoodsCleveland SuburbsCleveland Region
« Back to Cleveland by Clevelanders Blog

11 Delicious, Black-Owned Restaurants in Cleveland

CLE Spots Serving Up Forkin' Good Food

January 03, 2023 Robert Gatewood, Image © Nathan Migal

Black-owned businesses are part of the backbone of Cleveland. From seafood boils to southern comfort, these excellent eateries are packing in flavor by the forkful – and that makes for some forkin’ good food. Check out a few of our favorite black-owned restaurants serving up everyday deliciousness in CLE.


The Sauce Boiling Seafood Express (Downtown | University Heights)

Love seafood fresh and fast? This place has it in the bag! Kyler Smith’s rapidly growing concept keeps it Cleveland with a “Bunchi Dawg Pound” bag loaded with crab, shrimp, lobster tail and more.


Zanzibar Soul Fusion (Downtown | Shaker Square | Euclid)

Black American comfort food like chicken-and-waffles shares the menu with unique twists on the classics, such as artichoke dip with collard greens and the “Soul Roll” (stuffed egg rolls with spicy remoulade). 


Black Box Fix (Legacy Village)

Get your gourmet sandwich fix courtesy of chef Eric Rogers, who adds Creole and Cajun flair to favorites like cheesesteaks and Reubens. (And did we mention the giant portions?)


Angie’s Soul Café (Cleveland (Midtown, Uptown) | Warrensville Hts.)

Angie Jeter brought down-home South Carolina cooking to Cleveland in 1986 with her own spin, and she’s been satisfying local soul food lovers ever since with staples such as Carolina-style catfish and collard greens. 


Irie Jamaican Kitchen (Old Brooklyn | Euclid)

Devotees of Irie Jamaican Kitchen swear by chef Omar McKay’s traditional and fusion Jamaican dishes, delivered in bowls and wraps. (Try the stew chicken for true “Jah-potle” goodness.) Bob Marley would approve!


Beckham’s B&M Bar-B-Que (Multiple locations)

The “Got Ribs” tagline says it all at this BBQ hotspot. Top-secret family recipes have been passed down and perfected since the restaurant first opened in 1958—giving new meaning to “secret sauce.”


Southern Cafe (Lakewood)

True, Southern-style soul food awaits at this Lakewood eatery.. All their food is scratch made from local ingredients using time-tested recipes from Grandma's kitchen.


The Crispy Chick (Cleveland)

Woodland Avenue plays home to this fast-casual outpost, established by an Eastern African immigrant from Eritrea who aimed to combat a lack of affordable and healthy options in the inner city. Crunchy chicken tenders—free of hormones and antibiotics—are the mainstay of this modestly priced, finger-licking lineup.


Empress Taytu (St. Clair - Superior)

In the mood for a small plate? Empress Taytu’s appetizers are every bit as delectable as their entrées, with a wide array of vegan and gluten-free options available at this Ethiopian restaurant. Order the avocado salata or the Kai’sir beet-and-potato salad with house vinaigrette. 


Habesha Ethiopian + Eritrean Restaurant (West Park)

Allow yourself to experience the pure elegance of the coffee ceremony at this new West Park spot. Traditional to both Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures, the ceremony is essential to Habesha hospitality. But first, order the gomen—collard greens sautéed in onion, garlic and ginger—with ambasha bread for the table (or just you, because it’s really that good). 
 

Yonder Brunch & Vibes (St. Clair - Superior)

Do you feel them? The vibes? There's nothing but good coming out of the kitchen at one of the newest additions to the already stellar Asiatown food scene, Yonder Brunch & Vibes. A menu full of fresh and hearty fare awaits, whether you dive into a stack of colorful Fruity Pebbles Killa French Toast, The Yonder breakfast sammy (bacon, egg, avocado and caramelized onions) with a side of Smashed Potatoes or the sweet and savory Chicken N Waffles.

 

 

 

Featured in this post

Related Posts

View All >

Where to Drink Ice Wine in The Land

Celebrate Black History Month in Cleveland

Happy Lunar New Year, Cleveland!

Corned Beef Blitz: 11 of CLE’s Best

From Our Sponsors

Things To Do Events Eat & Drink Where To Stay Planning Tools Neighborhoods
Meetings Group Tour Media Partners Partner Extranet About Jobs Contact
Copyright © 2023 Destination Cleveland
Privacy Terms of Use Legal Sitemap