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.
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.
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).
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 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.
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!
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.