Celebrating Grand Rapids means celebrating the people, traditions, cultures, and of course, food! This post was initially published in 2018 commemorating Black History Month. We've updated this list since a lot has changed in the last few years. We're shining a spotlight on some outstanding (and delicious) black-owned businesses that contribute to our local food and beverage scene. Due to the restrictions from COVID 19, some restaurants may not be open yet, so please check with establishments for their hours of operation.

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 dish (only almost because no one cooks better than grandma, 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. Yum!

Back Door BBQ

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

Cuisine: Southern Comfort, BBQ

  • Take Out
  • Catering
The Candied Yam is a partnership between Jessica Ann Tyson (pictured left) and Jermone T Glenn (pictured right) as a joint venture to serve southern cuisine to Grand Rapidians.

The Candied Yam is a partnership between Jessica Ann Tyson (pictured left) and Jermone T Glenn (pictured right) as a joint venture to serve southern cuisine to Grand Rapidians.

Photo Credit: 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

Boston Square Cafe

1553 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 214-7060

Cuisine: Southern, Soul Food

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Serves Breakfast and Sunday Soul Food Dinners
Owner-operators of award-winnning Daddy Pete's BBQ, Cory and Tarra Davis.

Owner-operators of award-winnning Daddy Pete's BBQ, Cory and Tarra Davis.

Photo Credit: Daddy Pete's BBQ

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 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 Credit: 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 Options

LT’s BBQ

1636 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 285-8586

Cuisine: BBQ, Southern Comfort

  • Dine In (Take Reservations)
  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • 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.

Cheniqua Pinder owns the Chicken Coop, a regional chain, on Kalamazoo Avenue.

Cheniqua Pinder owns the Chicken Coop, a regional chain, on Kalamazoo Avenue.

Photo Credit: Experience Grand Rapids

Chicken Coop

1156 Division Ave. S
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 245-8241

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out

Cindy's Chicken Coop

1936 Eastern Ave SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 278-3142

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

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

Hall of Fame Burgers features a kids' menu.

Photo Credit: Experience Grand Rapids

Hall of Fame Burgers

(North) 511 Leonard Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 734-6424

(South) 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

Southern 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. *NEW LOCATION*
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 570-0245

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out
  • Delivery 

Wing Kings

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

Cuisine: Fast Food, Late Night

  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • Delivery

Caribbean/African Cuisine

The black food culture, just like the people, 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 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, festival or goat curry; or Ethiopian favorites like ziizil, tibs watt and injerra. These establishments have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too!

Owner/operator Olga Benoit in her restaurant, Chez Olga.

Owner/operator Olga Benoit in her restaurant, Chez Olga.

Photo Credit: Brian Kelly Photography

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 Credit: 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

Specialty Food & Drinks

Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee? Or do you like pairing your meals with a nice cold craft beer? Well, we are Beer City USA and there are several black-owned businesses that can serve up your next cup of joe, a juice cleanse, be a part of your next beer crawl (don’t forget your  Brewsader®  stamp while you’re at it) or even help you curb your sweet tooth with delicious gourmet popcorn or shaved ice. Check them out 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)
Serving Beer At Creston Brewery

Serving Beer At Creston Brewery

Photo Credit: Brian Kelly Photography for Experience Grand Rapids

Creston Brewery

1504 Plainfield Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 805-4523

Cuisine: American, Brewery

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Serves Brunch
  • Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free Meal Options

Local Mocha Coffee

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

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

  • Takeout

Kona Ice of West Michigan

Cuisine: Shaved Ice

Located in the Studio Park area, Jermale Eddie, co-owner of Malamiah Juice Bar, serves healthy and delicious smoothies, juices, and acai bowls.

Located in the Studio Park area, Jermale Eddie, co-owner of Malamiah Juice Bar, serves healthy and delicious smoothies, juices, and acai bowls.

Photo Credit: Brian Kelly Photography

Malamiah Juice Bar

122 Oaks St. SW Suite 110
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 914-4043

Cuisine: Juice Bar, Specialty Drinks

  • Take Out
  • Dine-in
  • Catering

Mosby’s Popcorn

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

Cuisine: Specialty Popcorn

  • Take Out
  • Catering

Which of these have you tried? Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

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