Why This Guide?
Traditional media coverage often excludes Black perspectives and this is also true for the local food space.
For example, according to an analysis completed with the help of volunteers in late 2020, out of more than 380 recommendations published in local food media outlets since COVID-related closures began earlier that year, only a handful were fully or partially Black-owned. Generally, regional "best-of" coverage, neighborhood roundups, and listicles have sparse Black-owned listings. And the Black-owned listings that do make the cut are often the same few, repeated and recycled across various media.
Limited coverage of Black-owned businesses ultimately results in the erasure - or at the very least, a flattening - of our view of the region's food scene.
How And Why Are Businesses Included/Excluded?
This resource is meant to be a starting point for diners to explore the DC-area Black restaurant scene further. It is not intended to be a best-of list, as tastes vary dramatically from person to person.
In general, when considering businesses for this guide, we were intentionally accommodating about service snags, for example, shrugging off minor mix-ups or delays (up to about 30 minutes). Those issues can arise due to various circumstances over which the restaurant may or may not have control. We also don't necessarily value fancy or sit-down restaurants over others.
Of the numerous Black-owned and Black-led restaurants in the DC area, this guide includes a sampling of our favorites. Arranged by occasion, we hope they offer an entree into an aspect of the local food space and encourage readers to consider the diversity of Black food offerings.
Black-Owned And Black-Led
This guide deliberately includes restaurants with Black executive chefs leading the kitchen, as in the food and beverage space, it remains a rarity for Black folks to occupy positions of leadership or management. We stick to those narrowly defined categories as this guide is independently funded and we do not have the capacity to expand beyond them.
How Was This Created?
This guide was created in 2020 by Anela Malik, founder of the platform Feed The Malik, after trying well over 100 Black-owned and Black-led restaurants in the region. Anela is an award-winning influencer, videographer, host, and writer. Anela's work explores topics ranging from the role of food in our lives and relationships to cultural expectations related to dining and travel, with a particular emphasis on the Black diaspora, Black-owned businesses, and Black stories. Anela is also a curious traveler, perpetual language student, awkward dancer, and curse word connoisseur.
Along with Anela's continued work on this project, Crystal Jones, a DMV-based food blogger, recipe developer, and freelance writer, has also contributed to recent updates. Crystal is a freelance writer for The Washington City Paper as a carry-out food critic, the first in the country. While her main focus is takeout, she also reviews casual and fine dining establishments. Check out Crystal's Instagram to watch her explore her hometown.
Including The Broader Region Beyond DC
Finally, this guide focuses primarily on DC. It also includes some businesses in MD and VA. As gentrification and rising prices push many Black and brown DC locals to surrounding areas, the food scene is being impacted. See Little Ethiopia's move from DC to Silver Spring and Alexandria as an example. The composition of this guide is a nod to those dynamics and an acknowledgment of how the broader region is changing, often to the detriment of Black and brown communities.
Black-Owned & Black-Led Dining In The DC Area
Let's get into it! See below for a starting point for exploring the incredible depth of Black culinary leadership and talent in DC and the broader region.
Note that we have professional relationships with some of the businesses below. We may have interviewed the owners or staff, highlighted them on social media, etc... There are no paid placements in this guide and every business included is one we enjoy and recommend personally.
Click To Jump Ahead:
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.
1101 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 388-1881
Fishscale
Fishscale offers delicious, wild-caught fish burgers, as well as fish cheesesteaks and house-made sides from their location in Shaw. Note this restaurant is closed temporarily until early September 2022 in preparation for the launch of its second location in Riverdale, Maryland.
637 Florida Ave NW, Washing, DC 20001 | (202) 780-7886
Roaming Rooster
Roaming Rooster offers free-range, grain-fed, fried chicken sandwiches from multiple locations throughout the District.
Check the website for location details.
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.
3113 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032 | (202) 597-5897
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.
918 S Lincoln St #2, Arlington VA 22204 | (703) 997-8474
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.
1913 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Village Cafe
Village Cafe is a lively communal space and coffee shop in the Union Market District. Don't miss the specialty drink menu.
1272 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Turning Natural
Woman-owned Turning Natural offers juices, smoothies, and foods such as black bean burgers and vegan pastries from multiple locations.
Check the website for location information.
Others Coffee
Others Coffee is a small but mighty coffee spot in Adams Morgan has a few tables to work or chill, great seasonal drinks, and don't forget to pick up a bag of coffee to bring home.
1722 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
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.
Drinks & Cocktails
Serenata
Serenata offers a full-service, award-winning bar with outstanding specialty cocktails. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.
1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 920-7373
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.
1337 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 399-1337
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.
3234 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 | (202) 332-0125
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.
926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001 | (202) 462-7232
Shanklin Hall
Shanklin Hall is a popular bar and social club in Adam's Morgan. They feature Black-owned spirits on the menu, plus host numerous events and nights with live music. Check their Instagram for upcoming events!
2325 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 629-1606
Date Night Or 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.
1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 | (855) 228-6325
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.
1805 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 845-8935
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.
2017 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 627-2981
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.
1301 U St NW #111, Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 930-6799
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).
3212 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010 | (202) 413-9763
Breakfast Or 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.
3213 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010 | (202) 836-4719
Buna
Buna is an Ethiopian coffeehouse that offers coffee, sandwiches, and more. Don't miss out on their Ethiopian breakfast items.
4400 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011 | (202) 882-2223
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.
8240 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | (240) 531-2133
Sweets & Desserts
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.
2824 Georgia Ave NW LL, Washington, DC 20001 | (202) 629-4040
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!
705 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 | (202) 547-7685
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.
1142 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 | (202) 981-6999
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!
200 Commerce St, Alexandria, VA 22314
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.
5606 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781 | (240) 487-6440
Vegan Or 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."
6224 3rd St NW, Washington, DC 20011 | (202) 249-0917
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.
Check website for location information
Habesha Market
Habesha Market is an eatery and market that carries various Ethiopian grocery staples. They are open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't miss the Deluxe Veggie Combo with ten items for a fabulous vegetarian spread.
1919 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 | (202) 232-1919
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). Check out more Ethiopian restaurants in the District.
Casual Or Carryout
Doro Soul Food
Doro Soul Food, a concept from James Beard Award semifinalist Elias Taddesse, blends Ethiopian flavors with American Soul Food to fabulous effect. Try to berbere spiced fried chicken and don't skip the greens!
1819 7th St NW, Washington, DC 2000
Motown Square
Motown Square serves Detroit-style pizza for carryout only Thursday through Sunday. They are now offering vegan cheese as well as a delicious Habesha Tibs pizza, blending Ethiopian flavors with their signature style.
1819 7th St NW, Washington DC 20001
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.
1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 667-8735
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.
5505 Colorado Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011 | (202) 885-9831
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.
Check website for location information
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.
3124 Queens Chapel Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782 | ( (202) 280-1491
DC and the surrounding areas have a wealth of food and beverage options to explore. From fine dining to pop-ups and carryout, the local scene is one of the most dynamic in the country. Don't miss out on the incredible array of Black-owned and Black-led options in the area!
Other Resources:
In the Area? Don't miss The Family Reunion, a Black food and wine festival held about an hour outside of DC!
Need a moment of luxury? Plan your stay at The Ivy, one of the nation's top-rated luxury boutique hotels in Baltimore that's also Black-owned
Learn more about Black foodways in the US