Celebrating Grand Rapids means celebrating the people, traditions, cultures, and of course, food! This story was first published in 2018 to commemorate Black History Month, and Experience Grand Rapids has updated it every year since. This year, I'm happy be the one to help to make current the list of outstanding (and delicious) Black-owned businesses that contribute to Grand Rapids' local food and beverage scene. If you know of a Black-owned restaurant that isn't on this list, please comment below so it can be added.
Keep in mind some establishments may have modified hours and services, so please check their listing or website for their current hours of operation.
Now, let's take a look at some beloved Black-owned restaurants in the Grand Rapids area:
Southern Cuisine and Comfort
If you’re looking for the kind of food that gives your soul and belly comfort or tastes almost like your grandma’s homemade cookin' (almost because no one cooks better than granny, am I right?) then you’ll want to give Grand Rapids’ southern cuisine and comfort restaurants a try. Be prepared to enjoy candied yams, collard greens, BBQ, macaroni and cheese, chicken, ribs, and more. My personal favorite? Forty Acres Acres Soul Kitchen. They have a catfish platter that is out of this world!
333 Hall St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 288-9412
Cuisine: Southern Comfort, BBQ
Serving southern cuisine to Grand Rapidians is the owner of The Candied Yam, Jessica Ann Tyson.
Photo by The Candied Yam
2305 44th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 551-3509
Cuisine: Southern, Soul Food
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Delivery
- Vegan/Vegetarian Meal Options
- Serves Breakfast
Daddy Pete's BBQ offers specialty slow smoked meats, made in-house sides, desserts, and an additional plant based menu.
Photo by Photo Courtesy of Lyndsay Daly
2921 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 426-8439
Cuisine: Southern Comfort, BBQ
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Food Truck (seasonal)
- Vegetarian Meal Options
Owners, Darel Ross and Lewis Williams, opened Forty Acres Soul Kitchen in the Uptown neighborhood, an authentically American restaurant and bar with a resilient, unapologetic style.
Photo by Forty Acres Soul Kitchen
1059 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 723-9770
Cuisine: Southern; Soul Food
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Vegetarian/Vegan Options
4023 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids MI, 49548
(616) 329-4101 (call)
(616) 634-2903 (text)
Cuisine: Soul, southern comfort
On-the-Go or Late-Night Bites
If you don’t have time to dine in, then grab a meal to-go! Many of these places serve classic American fare late into the night for additional convenience. Whether you have a craving for a juicy burger, golden fried chicken, or southern-style fish, then you’re sure to enjoy a meal from any one of these locations. You may notice a franchise restaurant or two, but they are being recognized for their Black ownership.
4319 Kalamazoo Ave SE Suite H
Grand Rapids MI, 49508
(616) 608-7498
Cuisine: Cheesesteaks, wings, fries
Hall of Fame Burgers features a kids' menu.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
655 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 608-6748
Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night
3697 Alpine Ave. NW
Comstock Park, MI 49321
Cuisine: Breakfast, American
1721 Madison Ave. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 258-8002
Cuisine: All American, Fast Food
- Takeout
- Dine-In
- Delivery
- Catering
1419 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 805-3353
Cuisine: All American, Fast Food
1117 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 233-9744
Cuisine: Seafood
1500 44th St.
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 530-3999
2020 Eastern Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 570-0245
Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night
1604 Diamond Ave NE.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 279-2181
Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night
- Take Out
- Catering
- Delivery
Dodlie Benoit, daughter of Olga Benoit, who founded the restaurant now oversees much of its operation.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
Caribbean & African Cuisine
The Black food culture, just like the people, is not a monolith. The experiences and traditions of Black folks - whether they are of the African diaspora or from the motherland - vary greatly. Black culture is richly diverse and represented by some of the best cuisines from both inside and outside the United States. The spices, seasonings, and flavorful food from these Caribbean and African regions will leave you coming back for more, time and time again.
Visit these restaurants to enjoy some of your Caribbean favorites like jerk chicken, roti, or goat curry; or Ethiopian favorites like ziizil, tibs watt and injerra. These establishments have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too! Of this list, I highly recommend Chez Olga. It’s family-owned and operated, and they have some of the best food in the city!
1441 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 233-4141
Cuisine: Caribbean, Haitian, Creole
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Vegetarian Options
421 Norwood Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 459-3383
Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Dine In (Takes Reservations)
- Take Out
- Catering
- Delivery
- Vegan/Vegetarian Meal Options
4301 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 350-0009
Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Take Out
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Pictured is owner, Vincent McIntosh and his father. Irie Kitchen offers catering as well as dine in/take out.
Photo by Irie Kitchen
6630 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 512-4163
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free Options
530 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 458-7875
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
- Dine In
- Take Out
- Catering
- Delivery
- Vegetarian Options
956 Fulton St. E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 222-1169
Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Dine In
- Cash Only
- Take Out
- Vegetarian With Vegan Options
1712 44th Street SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
616) 900-8817
Cuisine: Caribbean, African
- Delivery
- Take Out
- Online Ordering
- Catering
- Vegetarian Options
Specialty Food & Drinks
In Beer City, USA, there are several Black-owned options that will satisfy your thirst! These Black-owned businesses can serve up your next cup of joe, boost your health with a juice cleanse, provide an ice-cold beer to pair with your dinner, or even please your sweet tooth with delicious popcorn or shaved ice. Special shout out to Last Mile Cafe - one of Grand Rapids’ latest additions to the coffee scene. Check out more of my favorites below.
752 Fulton St W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 451-6061
Cuisine: Coffee Shop, Specialty Drinks, Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Terry Rostic (left) and Jamaal Ewing (right) of Black Calder Brewing, Co.
Photo by Fearless Brother LLC
Brewery with online ordering.
Cuisine: Offers a variety of beer styles focusing on imperial stouts, barrel and wood-aged beers, fruited ales, kettle sours, IPA’s, lagers, and craft ciders.
1971 E Beltline Ave NE Suite 123
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 438-2222
Cuisine: Cereal and breakfast bar
1034 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 287-4604
Cuisine: Specialty Drinks / Coffee, Seasonal Menu
35 Division Ave S.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 719-1191
Cuisine: Wine & Jazz Lounge
- Take Out (Curbside)
- Dine In
1006 Hall St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Cuisine: Coffee and snacks driven by sustainability and community impact
96 Monroe Center St. NW, Suite #100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-0082
Cuisine: Coffee Shop, Specialty Drinks, Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Cuisine: Shaved Ice
15 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 260-6466
Cuisine: Specialty Popcorn
1167 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids MI, 49507
(616) 427-3900
Cuisine: breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea
435 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids MI, 49503
(616) 375-5564
Cuisine: Hand-rolled eggrolls with dessert options
New to Grand Rapids. The South East Market offers produce from local, Black Farms and local, sustainably raised meat and poultry.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
More Food and Bev Options
Access to affordable fresh food is a scarcity in some of our urban corridors. However, shopping options are bubbling up in local food deserts making it easier to access "healthy food options through dignified means, education opportunities, and community empowerment." Some of the listings below do not have traditional storefronts, but they do have pop-up appearances at local events and at the farmers markets. Feel free to give them a follow on social media to stay connected!
Coffee vendor that services local businesses such as South East Market and Bridge St. Market. Online ordering available.
Cuisine: Coffee beans and ground coffee pods
Cuisine: Cookies, including vegan options
- Online ordering
- Catering
- Pop-ups
3090 Pine Ave SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49418
Cuisine: Handmade alcohol infusion kits including sugar-free options and bar tools
Signature BBQ sauces are available for online purchase and at Bridge St. Market and the Fulton Street Farmers Market.
- Food truck from April 1-September 30
1220 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507
(616) 724-4404
Art & Culture
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by Shayna Haynes Heard
photo by Leda Theres for The 49507 Project. Artist: E'lla Webber.
Must
Read
-
6 min story
The 49507 Project is a liberated public arts project unlike anything that I’ve seen in West…
Beer City
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by Ben Darcie
photo by Fearless Brother LLC
Must
Read
-
12 min story
Amidst the chaos of 2020, Black Calder Brewing Company found itself in a supremely unusual position…
