Celebrating history means celebrating the people, traditions, cultures, and of course, food! We are commemorating Black History Month by featuring Grand Rapids’ black food culture and by shining a spotlight on some outstanding (and delicious) black-owned businesses that contribute to our local food and beverage scene.

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 see candied yams, collard greens, BBQ, macaroni and cheese, chicken, ribs and more. Yum!

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.

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, are excited for their much-anticipated Forty Acres Soul Kitchen to open soon in the Uptown neighborhood.

Photo Credit: Forty Acres Soul Kitchen

Forty Acres Soul Kitchen *Opening Soon*

1059 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 481-6971

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 chain restaurant or two, but they are being recognized for their black ownership.

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
  • Fast Food

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

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

Cuisine: Fast Food, Comfort

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Catering
  • Delivery (Uber Eats Coming Soon)

Caribbean/African Cuisine

The black food culture, just like the people, is richly different and represented by some of the best dishes 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 places have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too!

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.

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 prefer juice or smoothie, rather than a meal? Or perhaps, pair a meal with a nice cold craft beer? These black-owned businesses can serve up your next juice cleanse, be a part of your next beer crawl (don’t forget your Brewsader®  stamp while you’re at it) or provide you with your next movie or party snack.

Not only does Creston Brewery offer a variety of craft beers, but they also offer a full menu including soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, shareable items, and more. Plus, don't miss Creston's brunch offerings on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Photo Credit: Brian Kelly Photography

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

Located in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 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

Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Ste 128
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 730-1532

Cuisine: Juice Bar, Specialty Drinks

  • Dine In
  • Take Out
  • Catering

Mosby’s Popcorn

6155 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
(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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