The best black-owned restaurants in NYC right now

What is it? Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi is the rare New York City hotspot that actually exceeds its tremendous hype. The restaurant run by the celeb chef continuously churns out dishes inspired by his Nigerian and New York upbringing. 

Why we love it: We could write an ode to the oxtails alone at Tatiana. Or the patties that burst open with fiery goat. Oh, or the okra, blistered and charred in a sticky-sweet glaze. Simply put, there is much to love about Tatiana. And it is clear we aren't the only ones feeling the love as the Lincoln Center restaurant continues to be one of the hottest tickets to book in this town. 

Time Out tip: Tatiana does reserve its bar seats and small outdoor patio for walk-ins. Just arrive about an hour before opening to line up and take your chances. But if you want a guarantee, eyeing Resy Notify is your best bet. 

Address: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 5–10pm 

What is it? A Marcus Samuelsson restaurant, Hav & Mar tells the story of the chef's heritage, from the food it serves down to the name itself (“hav” translates to “ocean” in Swedish, while “mar” is Amharic for “honey,” the official language of Ethiopia).

Why we love it: Hav & Mar's successes can be directly attributed to executive chef Fariyal Abdullahi. Nominated as a semifinalist for Best Chef: New York State from the James Beard Awards three years running, chef Abdullahi showcases Ethiopian ingredients with a Nordic spin via a bread baskets that sprout with teff biscuits and thin shoots of injera bread and seafood selections that swim between berbere-cured salmon and crab-heavy pastas tossed in a rich uni sauce. 

Time Out tip: There is also a full menu of aquavit, a Nordic spirit that is reminiscent of gin. We’d recommend sampling a single shot before committing to highball.  

Address: 245 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Sun–Mon 5–9pm; Tue–Sat 5–10pm

What is it? Named one of our best pizza joints in 2025, Scarr's Pizza continues to rank high on our pizza list and many others. It all lies with Scarr Pimentel's commitment to the craft. How dedicated, you might ask? Pimentel's daily duties include milling his own grain for his dough in the basement, dedicated. 

Why we love it: This joint has that hip, back-in-the-day vibe we love: With its wood-paneled walls, counter stools and neon beer sign, the interior screams 1960s without feeling contrived. But we’re really here for the food from Pimentel, whose milled dough results in featherweight pies that are best in class. Try a classic cheese or the Hotboi, which is decently hot with jalapeño slices and hot honey. We recommended eating it outside on the street, fresh from the box, as a good New Yorker should.

Time Out tip: If you want to sit inside, head straight to the host stand and bypass the ordering counter. If you mix up those rules, you'll have to take your box of za' and park it outside.

Address: 35 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am– 1am

What is it? A former fashion designer turned chef runs one of the hottest ramen counters in the city. Following a run The Bowery Market hall, Rasheedie Purdie is now in charge of her own counter in the East Village. 

Why we love it: Rasheeda Purdie started a bit of a movement with her five-seater counter in Bowery, everyone clamouring for a hot steaming bowl of her asa ramen, or breakfast-style ramen. She's done it yet again, but this time, she is calling the shots at her own spot in the East Village. Now with six stools at her disposal, framed in a boutique kitchen that's as homey as it is vintage, Purdie expertly doles out bowls of lox ramen with a nori-infused broth and her take on a NYC classic, but in ramen form: the bacon, egg and cheese bowl. 

Time Out tip: You can only book tables for up to two people, so come with your bestie or experience it alone. 

Address: 70 East 1st Street, New York, New York 10003

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 9am–5pm

What is it? A four-course tasting menu that draws inspiration from chef Ayo Balogun's north-central Nigerian upbringing. It all goes down in a dining room that breeds conversation and community.

Why we love it? A number of years ago, longtime hospitality professional Ayo Balogun began hosting a pop-up dinner series influenced by convivial dining experiences he had in Nigeria. He's recreated it in Bed Stuy at the Dept of Culture, where pepper soup, wara (Nigerian cheese curds) and golden plantains with ice cream are shared over a communal table. And as you eat your way through each course, make sure to listen up, as the chef has an intimate story tied to each. 

Time Out tip: The BYOB policy is in full effect, so pop over to one of the wine stores in the area (we like Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits) and ask what pairs best with pepper soup.

Address: 327 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Opening hours: Wed–Sun seatings are at 6pm and 8:30pm

What is it? NYC's first all-vegan Ethiopian restaurant is still going strong in its corner of Bushwick, filling us up with veggie combos since 2011. 

Why we love it: Bunna Cafe is one of our favorite places to satisfy a group. Their Beyaynetu platter alone is a surefire way to feast with the likes of turmeric-tinged split peas, hearty and steamed collard greens and lentils, blushing deep red with berbere. It all comes served on their spongy and tangy injera. You can find more of co-owner Liyuwork Ayalew's favorites by skimming through the menu, including a toasted version of the injera bread, rubbed with berbere and sambusas filled with a mixture of lentils and peppers.

Time Out tip: From Friday to Sunday, the cafe welcomes you to their traditional coffee ceremony, an integral part of life in Ethiopia. The free ceremony acts as a perfect segway into dinner. 

Address: 1084 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Opening hours: Sun noon–4pm and 5–10pm; Mon noon–10pm; Tuesday 5–10pm; Wed noon–10pm; Thurs noon–10pm; Friday noon–11 pm; Sat noon–4 pm and 5–11pm

What is it? A husband-and-wife ice cream operation that's been crafting distinct ingredient combinations out of their Central Harlem store since 2017. Devoted fans hungry for more of their frozen treats led the pair to open two more locations, all in Harlem.  

Why we love it: Sure, you can find your vanillas and chocolates at Sugar Hill Creamery. But with housemade favorites spun with cream cheese and blueberry jam (Chairperson of the Board) and a rocky road variety with hazelnut, marshmallow and Oreo cookies named after Harlem rapper, A$AP Rocky, why would you want to? And there are plenty of ways to satiate that sweet tooth beyond scoops, as additional treats include apricot–passion-fruit push pops, honey-and-ginger beer floats and black-forest ice cream sandwiches. Even in the winter, this creamery stays hot, particularly with cups of decadent hot chocolate, ringed with a torched marshmallow topper.  

Time Out tip: The What's Up Doc is a house favorite, particularly because the team makes an entire carrot cake just to fold it into the ice cream. 

Address: 184 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10026; 3629 Broadway, New York, NY 10031; 1642 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029

What is it? Owned by husband and wife team Regalli and Milka Regalli, Ras Plant Based is a plant-based business that means business. Ethiopian at its heart, the restaurant serves modernized selections for the everyday diner with lentil burgers and rice bowls next to treasured family recipes, including a red lentil stew straight from grandma's recipe book. 

Why we love it: This fantastic Ethiopian restaurant first opened in early 2020 and still won fans and followers in spite of the hospitality chaos that followed. Farm-to-table items are, of course, plant-based, the cocktails are terrific and the dining room is vibrant. 

Time Out tip: For a little of everything, add one of the platters to the table, which comes with dollops of ground chickpea, collard greens and more, shareable for up to two hungry souls. 

Address: 739 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11238; 170 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

What is it? Dominican and Trinidadian flavors come together at this plant-based eatery. Getting its start on the festival route, Healthy As A Motha (often referred to as HAAM) found a permanent home in Williamsburg as of 2023. 

Why we love it: Chef and owner Yesenia Ramdas says that her sweet plantain boat dish is what "made" her. A top seller during her pop-up days around New York, it was this dish that proved there was a space for her plant-based Caribbean cuisine. It's clear she was onto something as her hearts of palm-based ceviche and yuh motha's mofongo have become beloved by all, meat-eaters included. Complete it all with a fresh-pressed sugar cane juice or a vegan take on the Dominican drink, morir soñando, made with orange and a plant-based milk. 

Time Out tip: The drinks get the island treatment as well. Just take a look at the cocktail list and you'll find hibiscus margaritas and soursoup sours.

Address: 234 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4–10pm; Fri noon–11pm;
Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–10pm

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What is it? A Bed-Stuy-built pizzeria whose oxtail and chicken alfredo slices are as hot as a sneaker drop. And it isn't just Instagram fodder—these slices have quite the following, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jadakiss included. 

Why we love it: Yes, Cuts & Slices opened in 2018. And yes, depending on when you go, you can still find lines out the door. Luckily, this Brooklyn-born pizzeria can now be found all around the city, spreading the fanfare with locations in Queens and the Lower East Side. Toppings here soar beyond the basics of cheese and pepperoni, as chef/owner Randy McLaren pulls on his Trini upbringing, slicing up pies heavy with shredded oxtail meat, shrimp alfredo, and black truffle on offer. So do as they say and "Pull up, beloved." 

Time Out tip: The sweet chili oxtail is the fan favorite for a reason. And before you boo-hoo about the price (it is $12.50 for a slice), just know that the oxtail is slow-braised for eight hours and is lumped on so thick it weighs the whole thing down. Meaning, you are getting your money and your stomach's worth. 

Address: 93 Howard Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233; 321 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002; 205-01 Linden Blvd Store B, Jamaica, NY 11412

What is it? Marcus Samuelsson's cornerstone of a bistro that's been a Harlem mainstay for almost two decades. A maestro of artfully mixing Southern-fried, East African, Scandinavian and French flavors, Samuelsson's Red Rooster puts global soul of center stage.  

Why we love it: A recent addition to the kitchen is chef Roshara Sanders, whose resume's line items include a Chopped championship and is currently featured on Netflix's series, Next Gen Chef. But perhaps the most important byline is that chef Sanders became the first Black woman to teach at the Culinary Institute of America. Now acting as culinary ambassador at Red Rooster, Sanders is carrying forth the legacy by cooking up fried catfish, lobster frites, and okra stews of Gullah Geechee origin.

Time Out tip: To this day, Red Rooster knows how to keep it lively with nightly musical reviews in the basement and gospel brunch on Sundays. 

Address: 310 Lenox Avenue, Harlem, NY 10027

Opening hours: Dining room: Mon–Thu noon–9:30pm, Fri noon–10:30pm, Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 10am–9:30pm
Bar: Mon–Thu noon–11pm, Fri noon–midnight, Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 10am–11pm

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What is it? A Black-owned bakery in Bed Stuy that has a love affair with French pastries. But more than just a croissant or two, Je T'aime Patisserie is a bakery that's sweet on the community it serves.

Why we love it: Growing up, Jatee Kearsley had a love for two things: pastries and Paris. And now she lives out her dreams at her Bed Stuy bakery. At her cozy and pink patisserie, you can find an assembly line of treats just beyond the glass. Constantly rotating, seasonal sweets have included peach cobbler and cookie butter smores croissants, all colors of macarons and red velvet and chocolate strawberry cakes. Kearsley ensures that all members of her community can try her products by accepting SNAP EBT.

Time Out tip: Kearsley regularly hosts baking classes, from cake making to step-by-step instructions on how to roll up your own croissant. Keep an eye on her socials to see what she is baking next. 

Address: 471 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 7:30am–4pm; Fri, Sun 8am to 5pm

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What is it? This Harlem space functions for all times of day with a lively cafe in the AM and a full-service restaurant/music venue by night. 

Why we love it: Tuck into spit-roasted meats and falafel at this bi-level Israeli restaurant in Harlem. During the day, there are Israeli pastries, organic loose-leaf teas and Brooklyn Roasting Company coffee—plus home decor and vinyl records—in the upstairs café-retail shop. The downstairs lounge features Middle Eastern classics (falafel, shawarma and hummus), as well as late-night entertainment like belly dancers, a live DJ and a tobacco-less hookah after midnight.

Time Out tip: Silvana's daily happy hour deal is certainly something to celebrate. Available from 4-8pm, you can get a plate of turmeric and coriander-spiced chicken wings and a huge portion of collard greens for only $12. Peep the video above for more deets. 

Address: 300 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026

Opening hours: Cafe: Daily 8am–10pm; Bar: Daily 4pm–4am

What is it? One of our top spots in the city for a brunch that's certainly a vibe, Kokomo's Caribbean-inspired menu is here when we need a getaway. Sure, it's perched on a far, trainless edge of Williamsburg, but it is worth the walk for a little island escape.

Why we love it: We already told you Kokomo is the one for brunch, its lavender-hued tipplers, oxtail-laden flatbread and saltfish avocado toasts whose "spicy ackee blend sits on a thick AF bread that rivals Texas Toast" is a must. But dinner turns the vibe as well with steamed ackee & saltfish shumai and a mac and cheese that's basically a tableside experience.

Time Out tip: Perhaps our forever drink order is the Plantini cocktail, a rummy spin on a painkiller made smooth with blended plantain. Just note, pretty much every drink hits high on the booze factor, so you'll be feeling just right by the time you walk out the door. 

Address: 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Thu 8pm-1am; Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat noon–1am

What is it? A woman-owned, neighborhood find in Harlem, Vinatería's 130-plus bottle list has earned it title after title. 

Why we love it: This restaurant–wine bar is known for its Italian and Spanish-influenced plates. It is a casual 57-seat spot that reads a little like home until you crack open its menu to find rosemary pappardelle with lamb ragu and a pan-seared black sea bass with soppressata. To drink, you'll find an extensive, Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list that highlights small producers. 

Time Out tip: Brunch includes the tried-and-true: French toast and huevos rancheros. But the AM hours also bring dishes with an Italian and Mediterranean bent, such as black spaghetti that swims with octopus, mussels, and scallops, and pancakes whipped with saffron. 

Address: 2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri 5-11pm; Sat 4-11pm; Sun 4-10pm; Happy hour: Tue–Fri 5–7pm, Sat-Sun 4–7pm; Brunch: Sat, Sun noon–4pm

What is it? A trio of fast-casual joints (with hopefully more on the way), Charles Pan-Fried Chicken leans into North Carolina classics, with pan-fried chicken being the biggest calling card. 

Why we love it: Growing up in North Carolina, chef Charles Gabriel learned a lesson from his mother, one that he still carries to this day: always pan-fry your chicken. Never straying from it, the chef cooks up his flock of birds in hefty and custom-made cast-iron pans that would break the wrist of a regular man. But lucky for us, Gabriel is still in the kitchen, pan-frying his chicken until golden and earth-shattering. And if you didn't come for the fried variety, you can get your bird cooked every which way (barbecued, stuffed, curried), next to smothered turkey wings and ribs. Pick your protein and fill your plate with can't-miss sides like collard greens, potato salad and sweet-potato pie. 

Time Out tip: If you get the barbecue smoked ribs, remember to order them saucy. 

Address: 340 W 145th St New York, NY 10039; 439 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027; 146 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023

What is it? Melba’s was heralded both for its neo-soul sensibility when it was first opened by the niece of the woman behind legendary Sylvia’s in 2005. But Melba Wilson has carved a lane all her own, becoming a fixture of Harlem for her hospitality and her food.

Why we love it: Even to this day, Melba's receives praise for its one-two combo of golden fried chicken over an eggnog waffle, the very dish that beat Bobby Flay all those years ago. But Melba's maintains a steady crowd with its Southern comforts and American classics, frying eggrolls stuffed with peas and rice, strips of country catfish and deviled eggs dusted with cornmeal. And for brunch? Melba's is a vibe during the weekend, in part due to those sparkling Hennessy and strawberry punches.

Time Out tip: Can't make it to Harlem? Following up on its fast-casual counter in Newark's Prudential Center, the acclaimed eatery has been operating a bustling to-go stall in Grand Central Station since last year. Her signature chicken (served as a two-piece or in a sandwich) and her A$AP yams came down from Harlem as well.

Address: 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026; 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017; 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102

What is it? This Crown Heights cafe and restaurant pulls on the chef's Senegalese origins, in a bistro setting that's as chic as they come.

Why we love it: Lamine Diagne and Nilea Alexander are quite the husband and wife team. Diagne, who hails from Dakar, Senegal, cooks a menu that reminds him of home—with spiced African stews, braised lamb shank and grilled salmon that sits over a bed of West African super grains. His wife takes on the aesthetics of the space, with conch-draped gourds acting as lighting fixtures and African masks that hang on the walls. During the summer, you can fully experience the French influence of Senegal here, as accordion doors slide open for streetside dining.  

Time Out tip: Quiet contemplation starts over tea. Order a pot of the Senegalese Ataya, and relax over a blackened gunpowder green tea with swirls of fresh mint.

Address:1451 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–11pm; Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–9pm

What is it? The soul of chef JJ Johnson's fast-casual restaurant? It is all about the grains. Because here at FieldTrip, they follow a simple motto: "Rice Is Culture." With a flagship in Harlem and an offshoot in Rockefeller Center, FieldTrip tours around the world with rice leading the way. 

Why we love it: Naturally, freshly milled, heirloom rice is the focus here, and you'll find a variety of it—basmati cooked in the style of jollof, Carolina Gold and a black rice fried with pineapple chunks. The bases are complemented with the likes of jerk chicken, 11-spiced chicken thighs, and slow-cooked beef. 

Time Out tip: Crab Pockets, you say? These golden pockets burst open with blue crab and garlic herb cream cheese, making them a must-order. Plus, it comes with a dipper of JJ's mambo sauce.

Address: 109 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10026; 30 Rockefeller Plaza Concourse Level, New York, NY 10112

What is it? A pint-sized eatery that's situated on the corner of Tompkins Ave and Hancock Street in Bed-Stuy. Inside the rustic, wood-paneled shack, you can find an array of Southern sensibilities, like fried green tomatoes and fried catfish. 

Why we love it: Everyone knows that mom has a favorite. So when it comes to Peaches and its sister sibling, Peaches HotHouse, we have to go for the latter. Yes, the tighter digs can prove a bit difficult in the colder months, even more so as the younger Peaches does not take gentlemen callers (aka, they don't take reservations). However, a recent revamp inside ditched the bar, making for more tables and space to sink into golden fried birds, served at your level of hot—regular, hot, hot honey and extra hot for those who crave a Nashville burn. But if you've bit off more than you can chew, the rummy brownstone punch will certainly help you soothe.

Time Out tip: Don't forget the sides. The mac and cheese, broiled to a lovely golden brown, is a heavenly match. 

Address: 415 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm

What is it? A no-frills counter where Trinidadian doubles and aloo pies reign supreme. Even better? You could walk in with $20 bucks in your pocket and eat like a king, making this Bed Stuy one of our best places to go for a cheap bite in the city.

Why we love it: This Bed-Stuy stalwart specializes in two things: bake and (you guessed it) doubles. The former is a handheld fried dough bun stuffed with salt fish or fried sand shark and topped with a tangy-sweet tamarind sauce. And the latter? Well, let’s just say doubles are a few bucks well spent. These Trinidadian snacks are built on a base of deep-fried dough, or bara, wrapped around a savory potato-channa curry. And, it will only run you $2.50 per bite. There are a few tables and stools if you'd rather eat inside, but this is a snack that is ready on the go if you need it to be.

Time Out tip: Order your doubles hot, as the sauce is more about spice than actual heat. 

Address: 1337 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Hours: Mon–Sat 6:30am–8pm

What is it? A NYC institution whose jerk chicken runs circles around most in the city. Since its 2004 opening date, the Jamaican restaurant now has five locations in the city. 

Why we love it: Peppa's Jerk Chicken has more than just well, chicken, its fragrant goat curry and tender stewed oxtail served over coconut rice certainly come to mind. But, we do admit, it’s the perfectly cooked chicken, blackened by the smoke, that keeps us coming back. You could get a perfectly cooked leg quarter for $10, or feed up to three people for $16. But we say get a side or two, as rice and peas or a scoop of mac and cheese are up for grabs. There are four lunch specials here, a combo of a side with your choice of jerk chicken, curry chicken, stew chicken or jerk chicken with cabbage. And, it will only run you $10.

Time Out tip: For those in the know, the OG Peppa's is a bit of a landmark. You can catch glimpses of it in LL Cool J's 2014 song “Hustler."

Address: Multiple locations