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!

Back Door BBQ

333 Hall St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 288-9412

Cuisine: Southern Comfort, BBQ

  • Take Out
  • Catering

Jessica Ann Tyson, Owner of The Candied Yam

Serving southern cuisine to Grand Rapidians is the owner of The Candied Yam, Jessica Ann Tyson.

Photo by The Candied Yam

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 food truck
Owners of Daddy Pete's BBQ

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

Daddy Pete's BBQ

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.

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

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

Southern Smoke

4023 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids MI, 49548
(616) 329-4101 (call)
(616) 634-2903 (text)

Cuisine: Soul, southern comfort

  • Catering
  • Meal delivery

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.

Big Shawn’s Cheesesteaks

4319 Kalamazoo Ave SE Suite H 
Grand Rapids MI, 49508
(616) 608-7498

Cuisine: Cheesesteaks, wings, fries

  • Take Out
Hall of Fame Burgers features a kids' menu.

Hall of Fame Burgers features a kids' menu.

Photo by Experience Grand Rapids

Hall of Fame Burgers

655 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 608-6748

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out

IHOP

3697 Alpine Ave. NW
Comstock Park, MI 49321 

Cuisine: Breakfast, American

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • 24/7

Load A Spud

1721 Madison Ave. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 258-8002

Cuisine: All American, Fast Food

  • Takeout
  • Dine-In
  • Delivery
  • Catering

The O&E Eatery

1419 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(​616) 805-3353

Cuisine: All American, Fast Food

  • Take Out 

Sutherne Fish Fry

1117 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 233-9744

Cuisine: Seafood

  • Take Out

Wing Heaven

1500 44th St.
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 530-3999

2020 Eastern Ave. 
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 570-0245

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out
  • Delivery 

Wing Kingz

1604 Diamond Ave NE.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 279-2181

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • Delivery
Dodlie Benoit of Chez Olga

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! 

Chez Olga

1441 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 233-4141

Cuisine: Caribbean, Haitian, Creole

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • Vegetarian Options

GoJo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli

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

Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant

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.

Pictured is owner, Vincent McIntosh and his father. Irie Kitchen offers catering as well as dine in/take out.

Photo by Irie Kitchen

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

Jamaican Dave’s

530 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 458-7875

Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • Delivery
  • Vegetarian Options

Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine

956 Fulton St. E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 222-1169

Cuisine: Ethiopian

  • Dine In
  • Cash Only
  • Take Out
  • Vegetarian With Vegan Options

Tropicala Taste

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.

The Bitter End Coffeehouse

752 Fulton St W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 451-6061

Cuisine: Coffee Shop, Specialty Drinks, Breakfast/Lunch Menu

  • Takeout
  • Dine-In (24/7)
Black Calder Brewing Co.

Terry Rostic (left) and Jamaal Ewing (right) of Black Calder Brewing, Co.

Photo by Fearless Brother LLC

Black Calder Brewing

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.

  • Take Out 
  • Delivery

Eastown Cereal Cafe

1971 E Beltline Ave NE Suite 123
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 438-2222

Cuisine: Cereal and breakfast bar

  • Take Out

Eden Cafe 

1034 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 287-4604

Cuisine: Specialty Drinks / Coffee, Seasonal Menu

  • Take Out
  • Dine In

GRNoir Wine & Jazz

35 Division Ave S.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 719-1191

Cuisine: Wine & Jazz Lounge

  • Take Out (Curbside)
  • Dine In

Last Mile Café

1006 Hall St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Cuisine: Coffee and snacks driven by sustainability and community impact

  • Take Out 
  • Dine In

Local Mocha Coffee

96 Monroe Center St. NW, Suite #100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-0082

Cuisine: Coffee Shop, Specialty Drinks, Breakfast/Lunch Menu

  • Takeout

Kona Ice of West Grand Rapids

Cuisine: Shaved Ice

Mosby’s Popcorn

15 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 260-6466

Cuisine: Specialty Popcorn

  • Take Out
  • Catering

Rising Grinds Café

1167 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids MI, 49507
(616) 427-3900

Cuisine: breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea

Savor the Flavor 

435 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids MI, 49503
(616) 375-5564

Cuisine: Hand-rolled eggrolls with dessert options

  • Pop-up
  • Catering
South East Market

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!

24K Gold Coffee

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

Daddy's Dough

Cuisine: Cookies, including vegan options

  • Online ordering
  • Catering
  • Pop-ups

InBooze 

3090 Pine Ave SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49418

Cuisine: Handmade alcohol infusion kits including sugar-free options and bar tools

Momma D's Kitchen

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

The South East Market

1220 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507
(616) 724-4404 

Art & Culture
Art & Culture

The 49507 Project Mural Tour

  • by Shayna Haynes Heard photo by Leda Theres for The 49507 Project. Artist: E'lla Webber.
  • GR text Must
    Read
  • 6 min story

The 49507 Project is a liberated public arts project unlike anything that I’ve seen in West…