New Orleans is known for its great food. Suppose you are in the mood to discover delicious cuisine that you cannot get anywhere else. In that case, you should look into some black-owned restaurants in greater New Orleans.
Black-owned businesses in New Orleans are in every neighborhood. When you explore black-owned restaurants intentionally, you will find that their flavors consist of more than traditional Creole cuisine.
From international flavors to classic New Orleans cuisine, dining at any black-owned restaurant in New Orleans will be a culinary treat for locals and tourists alike.
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Why Support Black Owned Restaurants in New Orleans
Black-owned restaurants make up the backbone of New Orleans cuisine. From delicious mom-and-pop meals to food trucks to James Beard Award Winners – black-owned restaurants are one of the best ways to experience authentic and delicious New Orleans Cuisine.
Dining at black-owned restaurants allows you to experience Creole, Jamaican, and vegan cuisine. And, of course, this city, country, has some of the best-fried chicken.
This list of black-owned restaurants began with a few of my favorite restaurants. It will expand as I explore the great city of New Orleans.
If your favorite black-owned restaurant, coffee shop, or bakery is not listed below, please leave a comment to add it to my ever-growing list of places to eat in New Orleans.
When Should I eat at Black Owned Restaurants?
It would help if you ate at black-owned restaurants anytime during the year, but there are some special occasions when people try to out a new restaurant. During the year, many people frequent Black-owned restaurants during Essence Festival, which is frequently around the Fourth of July.
Summer is a historically low time for tourism in New Orleans due to the heat and humidity, and many tourists only come to the city during this festival.
It is the perfect time to frequent your favorite black-owned restaurants.
Black Restaurant Week and Black History Month are two other times to focus on visiting or finding your new favorite black-owned restaurant.
Black Owned New Orleans Restaurants to add to your List
1. 14 Parishes
8227 Oak Street
Are you looking for delicious Jamaican food? Look at most 14 Parishes.
This restaurant started in a food hall and graduated to its building a few years later.
Their menu has delicious mains with their Daily Entrees, including Whole red snapper, Curry Goat, and Jerk Chicken for Dinner. They also have a Sunday Brunch where you can get the likes of Fried Green Tomatoes or Jerk Chicken and Waffles.
Charles Blake is the Chef behind 14 Parishes and was born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
2. Backatown Coffee Parlour
301 Basin St
Backatown Coffe Parlour is a locally black-owned coffee boutique in the heart of Storyville owned by Jessica and Alonzo Knox. They got their name because they aren’t quite uptown, not exactly Downtown, but just you know – Backatown!
Backatown Coffe Parlor helps revitalize Basin Street and is within walking distance to St Louis Cemetery No 1.
Backatown is one of the best shops to grab a coffee pastry or sit down for a light lunch.
3. Barrow’s Catfish
8300 Earhart Blvd
Even though Barrow’s Catfish serves more than fried catfish, you must avoid sleeping on a catfish platter while visiting.
Back in the day, you know, 1943, Barrow’s Shady Inn was on Mistletoe Street in the Carrollton – Hollygrove neighborhood. William “Cap” Barrow, Sr. and his wife May were the original owners. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina shuttered the business like many other restaurants.
In the summer of 2018, the family brought the restaurant back as Barrow’s Catfish – one of the longest-running black businesses in New Orleans – surviving 75 years and four generations.
After eating your catfish platter, drive a few blocks to see the Lil Wayne Mural in the Hollygrove neighborhood.
4. Cajun Fire Brewing
Grocery store near you
Even though Cajun Fire Brewing is not technically a restaurant, it belongs on the list because it is the first black-owned brewing company in Louisiana and the South!
Founded in 2011, Jon Renthrope is the founder, brewmaster, and CEO of Cajun Fire.
Cajun Fire has two beers – a Honey Ale brewed with Clover honey and the Big Chief Creme Stout brewed with Milk Sugar, Vanilla Bean, and Chocolate malts.
The company plans to have its brewery in New Orleans East. Still, the beers are now available at many grocery stores!
5. Compère Lapin
535 Tchoupitoulas St
Chef Nina Compton was named Best Chef: South in 2018 by the James Beard Foundation, and let me say, I’ve never had a meal at Compere Lapin that I did not enjoy.
I recently went on a quest to try some of the more elevated fried chicken sandwiches around town. Nina’s Hot Fire Chicken Sandwich is something to post on social media and write on the blog.
Honestly, she has thought of everything. After devouring the sandwich, you are treated with a tiny scoop of mango sorbet – you know – to chill out the taste buds.
Compete Lapin is one of my favorite restaurants in the Warehouse district.
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6. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
2301 Orleans Ave
Since 1941, Dooky Chase’s restaurant is one of New Orleans’s most famous restaurants. It began as just a small sandwich shop and lottery ticket outlet in the Treme and has transformed into one of the most respected family-owned restaurants in New Orleans.
One of Dooky Chase’s most famous traditions is dishing up the Gumbo Z’Herbes the Thursday before Easter. This Gumbo is made with seven different green types, and everyone would flock to Dooky Chase to partake in the tradition.
Even though the menu changes daily, Dooky Chase offers a lunch buffet during the week and a regular menu on Friday nights, including Fried Chicken, Shrimp Clemenceau, Chicken Creole, and Stuffed Shrimp.
Even though Leah Chase, the queen of Creole cuisine, has now passed, you can try her famous recipes both at Dooky Chase and at Leah’s Kitchen at the airport.
7. Frencheeze
Food Truck
Frencheeze is one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat when I need a quick lunch but need to get out of the office. They are now just a food truck but had a permanent location at the Pythian Market when it was open.
Any Grilled Cheese Sandwiches or sliders will make your lunch something special – but if it is up to me, order the Molly—a Grilled Cheese with goat cheese, bacon, tomato, and creamy avocado.
If you want to fancy up your lunch, get the fries.
The usual fries at Pythian have freshly grated parmesan and a rosemary truffle aioli dipping sauce. If we do a vote for the best fries, then Frencheeze Fries will be on my shortlist. Jason King is the founder of Frencheeze, and many of the items on the menu are gluten-free!
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8. Ice Cream 504
2511 Jena St
Established in 2011 and located in a tiny shotgun house, Ice Cream 504 quickly became some of the best small-batch Ice Cream in New Orleans. It is right off Freret Street and is the perfect place to get a scoop of ice cream or a snowball.
Michael Southall, owner and ice cream maker, first began selling ice cream in a French Market stall called French Market Produce.
With no preservatives and zero flour – that makes Ice Cream 504 a perfect gluten-free treat. I love stopping here to grab a scoop of ice cream or a snowball after dinner on Freret Street.
9. Ms. Linda Green, The Ya-Ka-Min Lady
Various Pop-up Locations
Ask anyone in New Orleans about Ms. Linda; they will know you are talking about the Ya-ka-Mein Lady. Found chiefly at festivals like French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest, Ms. Linda’s Yakamin is some of the most delicious soul food you can grab.
But what have you heard about this hangover cure Ya-ka-min, also known as Old Sober, is just what you need to get over a night of partying in New Orleans?
If you’ve had Gumbo or Pho, Ya-Ka-Min is a step in a different direction.
Ya-Ka-Min is not a soup or drink but more of a meal in a bowl. Spaghetti noodles with beef garnished with chopped green onions, a boiled egg, soy sauce, and hot sauce make this meal delicious.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, it’s then filled with Juice, a family secret, which will put some pep in your step.
Need to be in town for a festival or private event? You can find her randomly popping up at 2304 Washington. Y’all, it’s never too hot for soul food.
10. Munch Factory
6514 Congress Drive and the New MSY
Y’all YUM! Whether exploring New Orleans or roaming the New MSY, the Munch Factory has your back.
The Munch Factor has many of your New Orleans favorites like Creole Gumbo, Shrimp and Grits, and Hot Sausage Po Boy – but my favorite thing to get are the Bayou Nachos.
Home-fried tortilla chips topped with roast beef, onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, jack & cheddar cheese, and homemade ranch are the best way to fuel your day.
Alexis and Jordan Ruiz are the wife and husband team behind the Much Factory.
Add some of these activities to your upcoming trip or staycation!
🚌 Take a 2-Hour City Sightseeing Bus Tour which is great way to learn about the history and romance of this magnificent city
🚢Experience Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with dinner while soaking in incredible views.
👻 Hear tales of vampires, voodoo, and witchcraft on this city walking tour of New Orleans’ French Quarter
🦸 Try Escape Room Adventure and test your problem-solving skills with fun and tactile challenges
⛰️ Go on a food tour and explore the history and culture of the area with an expert local guide while tasting regional specialties at some of the best restaurants around.
11. Nola Vegan
Pop-up dining events.
With a blog about meat and soul food, how is there room for a black-owned vegan restaurant?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, Nola Vegan changed my mind about vegan food. I’m not about to give up my meats and cheeses yet, but I am more apt to try different things because of this restaurant.
Nola Vegan was the first time I tried Jackfruit anything, and I fell in love. I had never heard of Jackfruit, and their creation inspired me to make Jackfruit tacos at my own house.
Sonya B. Tillison owns Nola Vegan and plans to make plant-based foods accessible to everyone. They only operate as pop-up dining events, so check out their social media for more.
12. Sno-la 2311
8108 Hampson Street
The home of the original cheesecake stuffed snowballs and one of the only places where you can get year-round snowballs – Sno-la is your one-stop-shop for Snowballs and sweets.
Caution: eating a cheesecake-stuffed snowball will change your life – and can put you in a dessert coma.
13. The Cupcake Collection- New Orleans
2917 Magazine St Suite 102
There is nothing better than getting fresh cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection. Cupcakes are made fresh every day. The Cupcake Collection has a rotating specialty of cupcakes with classic flavors, such as Sweet potato and Red Velvet, and Premium Flavors, like Campfire S’ mores and King Cake.
Mignon Francois, the founder and CEO of the Cupcake Collection, has two locations: One in New Orleans and the other in Nashville!
14. Willie Mae’s Scotch House
2401 St. Ann Street
Established in 1957 in the Treme neighborhood, Willie Mae’s Scotch House has been a staple in New Orleans ever since.
Willie Mae also received the 2005 James Beard Award for America’s Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region, which elevated Willie Mae’s from a local spot to grab a bite to eat to a nationally recognized restaurant.
First time are you going to Willie Mae’s? You have to get fried chicken. You can only order White or Dark meat – no exceptions, and your order comes with one side – Get the Macaroni because your meal already comes with a side of butter beans.
Kerry Seaton Stewart, Ms. Willie Mae’s great-granddaughter, currently runs Willie Mae’s.
15. Marrows New Orleans
2438 St Claude Ave
Marrows New Orleans is a true hidden gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. Renowned for its commitment to impeccable food, you want to add this black-owned restaurant to your bucket list. You can get your typical New Orleans food like Red Beans and Riche or Fried Chicken, but you want to stop in for unique dishes like the Chef’s Special Gumbo Ramen.
A brunch favorite: Combining Ramen noodles with New Orleans sausage, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables, your taste buds will be happy. But you can only get this on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays to plan accordingly.
16. Neyow’s Creole Café
3332 Bienville Street
With a menu filled with good food and a number of New Orleans local favorites, Neyow Creole Cafe is a delicious spot to add to your list of places to eat. Located in the heart of Mid-city, it is the perfect place to grab lunch before heading to City Park or hanging around on Bayou.
17. Monday’s Restaurant
4327 Bienville St
Monday Restaurant and Bar is open every day except Tuesday and has an extensive food menu. This black-owned brunch spot servers brunch until 5 p.m. on the weekends. Get your fill of Shirmp and Grits or Chicken and Waffles while enjoying a margarita or mimosa flight.
Have a large party? Order the mimosa tower for 12-15 people for a perfect time!
18. Heard Dat Kitchen
2520 Felicity Street
Chef Jeff launched Heard Dat Kitchen in 2015, and the business has flourished. His dream was to sell gourmet cooking to go. Chef Jeff has several signature dishes, including the Mardi Gras Mambo, fried fish served over macaroni and cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and a Crawdat cream sauce. I don’t know about you, but that sounds delicious!
19. Bywater American Bistro
2900 Chartres St
Bywater American Bistro is another creation by Chef Nina Compton. The menu changes periodically, but the Wagyu Beef Lasagna and Chocolate Ganache dessert is enough to return for more.
Bywater American Bistro also features a monthly wine club where recipients will get delicious bottles of wine that are either less represented in the market or are made in nontraditional or adventurous manners. Each Wine Club participant will also receive delicious treats from the kitchen.
20. Bennachin Restaurant
1212 Royal St
If you want a taste of Africa, head down to Bennachin in the French Quarter. What started as a restaurant in Jefferson parish, Bennachin welcomes everyone to dine at their restaurant, from carnivores to vegans. From dining on daily lunch specials like Jama Jam Ni Makondo to Bennachinn, an African jambalaya, there is something on the menu for everyone.
21. Twisted Waffles LLC
725 Howard Ave
In the heart of the Central Business District is the best place to take your breakfast and lunch to the next level. Twisted Wffles is for you. Get a waffle bowl filled with scrambled eggs, onions, bell peppers, choice of bacon, sausage, ham, or turkey, and then twist it up with Shrimp, Crab Meat, Mushrooms, Spinach, and other delicious toppings.
22. Vyoone’s
412 Girod St
Fine dining and French cuisine go hand in hand at Vyoone’s. Part French Canadian, African American, and Cherokee Indian, Vyoone Segue Lewis is a melting pot in her own right. With delicious dishes like Cotelette De Porc Frache – a Porkchop with cornbread stuffed andouille sausage and orzo pasta, to a seafood pasta bouillabaisse, there are plenty of delicious treats on the menu.
23. Fritai Haitian Street Food
1535 Basin St
Charly Pierre aspired to be a chef for as long as he could remember. He worked in excellent dining establishments in and around Boston before moving to New Orleans. Fritai Haitian Street food began at St. Roch Market, and he began cooking Haitian cuisine influenced by his background. His new location on Basin Street is the perfect place to grab a Fritai Sandwich for lunch.
Two fried plantains serve as bread. You can get pork, chicken, or tofu with avocado, mango, and a spicy relish sauce. You will surely fall in love with some of the Haitian dishes on the menu.
Black Owned Restaurants in New Orleans
This is just a short list of black-owned restaurants in New Orleans. The list of owned entrepreneurs grows yearly, and I always try different cuisines.
Whether you are in town for Mardi Gras, Essence Fest, or a bachelorette party, visit these black-owned restaurants in New Orleans.
Looking for more blog posts on where to eat in New Orleans? Check out:
We love talking about our favorite places to eat in New Orleans. There are so many different restaurants you could eat at a different place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and never eat at all of them!
Check out these interesting guides below!
Where to eat in New Orleans
Eating Gluten Free in New Orleans
Eating Healthy in New Orleans
Black Owned Restaurants in New Orleans
Where to eat by the Saenger
Where to eat by the New Orleans Airport
Late Night Eats In New Orleans
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