Celebrating Grand Rapids means lifting up the people, traditions, cultures and, of course, foods that contribute to the rich texture of our community. Black-owned restaurants are an integral part of our dining scene, serving up delicious and distinctive foods that often reflect the history and heritage of the entrepreneurs behind them.
Here’s a brief look at some of the area’s Black-owned restaurants, both new and long-beloved.
Enjoy a plate full of Southern favorites like fried catfish, collard greens, and mac & cheese at The Candied Yam.
Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
Southern Cuisine and Comfort Foods
The category of “southern food” would not exist without the labor and creative influence of African Americans, who brought their culinary traditions with them as they migrated out of the Deep South (and into places like Grand Rapids). These are the restaurants you want if you’re craving an authentic taste of soul food and some stick-to-your-ribs comfort dishes:
The Candied Yam
The “Delightful Southern Cuisine” at The Candied Yam includes catfish, perch, meatloaf, pork chops and baked chicken plus sides like black-eyed peas, collard greens, mac & cheese and (you guessed it) candied yams. Dessert is just as delightful: sweet potato tartlets, scratch-made red velvet cake, banana pudding and more. Two locations: 2305 44th St SE and 932 Division Ave S.
Forty Acres Soul Kitchen
A style-your-own-soul-food option offers a choice of chicken, brisket, catfish, shrimp, andouille sausage or turkey leg in a gumbo, po’boy, platter or by itself, served with a choice of authentic southern sides. But that’s just the tip of the menu at this Uptown neighborhood eatery, which also offers a variety of shrimp & grits dishes, sharing plates, vegan options and full bar service including Michigan’s only cognac bar.
Garden District
New Orleans came to Grand Rapids in 2025 as Garden District opened its doors along downtown’s Monroe Center St. The restaurant offers authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, with menu items like etouffee gumbo yaya, jambalaya, po boys, and red beans and rice, plus beer, wine and southern-influenced cocktails and N/A beverages.
Southern Smoke
Chef/owner Jodie Robertson cooks from scratch using the freshest ingredients to create a wide variety of southern favorites at their restaurant, including catfish, fried chicken, turkey knuckles, pig’s feet, collard greens, mac & cheese, buttermilk pie, peach cobbler and more.
Chez Olga, an Uptown favorite, specializes in Caribbean and Creole food.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
African & Caribbean Cuisine
While Southern cuisine is rooted in the traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, African and Caribbean cuisines are as distinct from their American offshoot as they are from each other. Grand Rapids has some excellent places to explore and savor these global food traditions:
Chez Olga
A beacon of the city’s Uptown neighborhood since 2011, Chez Olga specializes in Caribbean and Creole dishes such as accra, fried plantains, jerk chicken, gumbo and goat ragu. You can also enjoy non-alcoholic Haitian drinks and an assortment of vegan dishes.
Get a closer look at Chez Olga from our "Eating the Alphabet in Grand Rapids" Instagram series!
GoJo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli
Authentic, homemade Ethiopian cuisine is the draw at this Uptown neighborhood eatery, which offers a number of combo platters to let you sample different dishes. All dishes are served with injera, a European flatbread used in lieu of utensils. (Yes, you’ll eat with your hands.) Many vegetarian options are available.
Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant
Enjoy traditional Ethiopian beef, lamb, fish and vegetarian entrees as well as a nice selection of authentic appetizers and sides at this southeast side restaurant. Traditional hot coffee and tea, too.
Jamaican Dave’s
It’s all about the spices and the seasonings at this colorful, casual southeast side restaurant. Jamaican flavors infuse such dishes as jerk chicken, oxtail and curry goat. Entrees include rice, plantains, coleslaw and festivals (deep fried bread).
Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine
Every item on the menu at this restaurant a mile east of downtown Grand Rapids is either vegan or vegetarian. Dishes can be custom-made, including adjusting the spice levels, and gluten-free teff bread can be substituted for the traditional injera bread. Try the jasmine tea!
MIZIZI by Street Chef Shaw
Originally started as a food truck, MIZIZI was opened as a brick-and-mortar location in GR’s Creston neighborhood in January 2024. It offers a unique fusion of Swahili and Latin American cuisine, from Birria ramen, coconut curry pilau bowls and East African chapattis to burritos, quesadillas and tacos.
MotherLand Food
This takeout restaurant and catering service in southeast Grand Rapids focuses on authentic Liberian foods, courtesy of the two women who opened the business in 2023, both natives of the West African country. Their dishes are primarily built on chicken, turkey, oxtail and goat, and they use native produce like egusi and cassava leaves. Many dishes come with fufu, made from cassava and plantain meal.
Tropicala Taste
This southeast side restaurant offers both authentic African and Caribbean cuisine to satisfy diverse tastes. The portions are generous, the prices are affordable and the flavors are authentic – from golden fried fish tilapia to jerk chicken wings to brown rice with black beans.
Located in Veterans Memorial Park, HAS HEART Coffee Shop serves coffee and treats to benefit veterans.
Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
Specialty Food & Drinks
Quench your thirst and/or satisfy your snack craving via these Black-owned businesses:
The Bitter End Coffeehouse
The area’s only 24-hour coffeehouse, The Bitter End offers a variety of coffees made with its own freshly roasted beans, plus teas, smoothies, bagels and more.
Black Calder Brewing Co.
Michigan’s first Black-owned brewery doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, but you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram to find out where and when their beers are released.
Eden Cafe
This west-side coffee shop offers a wide array of delicious drinks along with bagels and donuts served in a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
HAS HEART Coffee Shop
Located in a historic building in downtown GR’s Veterans Memorial Park, this veteran-benefitting business offers a selection of drinks and baked goods.
Last Mile Café
With a mission to change the narrative of coffee to be more inclusive, sustainable and transparent, this coffee shop and roaster donates 10% of its revenues to charity.
Local Mocha Café
Downtown GR coffee shop serves fair and direct trade organic coffee drinks along with breakfast and lunch food menus.
Kona Ice of West Grand Rapids
Follow this warm weather-season food truck on Facebook to find out where they’ll pop up next with their flavored shaved ice – or contract them for your next event.
Mosby’s Popcorn
Downtown GR is the setting for this family business, which offers 60+ flavors of fresh-made gourmet popcorn.
Robinson’s Popcorn
Located in Grandville’s RiverTown Crossings Mall, Robinson’s Popcorn is a local family-owned business serving fresh gourmet popcorn flavors and other tasty snacks.
REV: Road to Revitalize Luxury Juice Bar
REV is a downtown GR juice bar focused on health and wellness, offering an array of 100% organic cold-pressed juices plus smoothies, salads and acai bowls.
On-the-Go or Late-Night Bites
Stop by one of these Black-owned businesses for a quick bite from day to night:
Big Fish Wings and Things
A small, primarily takeout restaurant just south of the city’s Uptown neighborhood, Big Fish Wings and Things serves a variety of golden-fried-to-perfection craveables.
IHOP
The Alpine Avenue location of the famous restaurant chain serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items for all ages.
Load a Spud Potato Bar
Featuring 20 “Signature Spuds” – 1 lb. potatoes loaded with different toppings, plus build-your-own potatoes, tacos and salads.
The O&E Eatery
This southeast side restaurant features a variety of “affordable neighborhood food” – hot dogs, hamburgers, fish, brats, corn dogs, French fries, deep-fried tacos and more.
Wing Heaven
An extensive selection of chicken, fish, shrimp, burgers, sandwiches and sides along with 20 signature dipping sauces at this southeast-side restaurant.
Wing Kingz
The chicken here is good enough to be eaten plain – but they offer 20+ sauces anyway, along with seafood, burgers, hot dogs and more.
Wishes Food-Snacks-And More
Fast, delicious and affordable cheeseburgers and fries have kept this southeast side restaurant in business for decades. Wishes also carries canned and bottled beverages, candy and other conveniences.
More Food & Bev Options
Some Black entrepreneurs in Grand Rapids are following less traditional food service paths, including:
24K Gold Coffee
This coffee roaster supplies local businesses like the South East Market and Bridge Street Market and offers online shopping & ordering.
Daddy's Dough
Order these delectable cookies online or purchase them in person at Bridge St. Market, Horrocks Market, the Grand Rapids Public Museum and select Corewell Health locations.
InBooze
Stop by the gift store to peruse the line of handmade alcohol infusion kits that were featured in one of Oprah Winfrey’s holiday stocking stuffer lists.
IRIE Supper Club
After eight years as IRIE Kitchen – serving organic Caribbean street food like jerk chicken, curry goat, plantains and more – this southeast side restaurant now offers a series of exclusive and intimate multi-course dinners throughout the year. Follow IRIE on social media for notice of events.
Momma D's Kitchen
Signature BBQ sauces are available for online purchase and at Bridge St. Market, Fulton Street Farmers Market, Horrocks Market, Sobie Meats and and Sobie Meats.
Quazaam’s Coffee
This online-only company ships its 100% Central American Arabica coffee blends from Grand Rapids to anywhere in the U.S.
Savor the Flavor
Their flavor-rich hand-rolled egg rolls are a staple at the Fulton Street Market and you can follow Savor the Flavor on social media for pop-up tastings and event appearances. Their catering menu includes egg rolls, rice bowls, pasta bowls and more.
Note: Menus and hours are subject to change, so check a destination’s website or social media before you go.