February marks a special time to reflect and honor the Black community in our city and beyond. We wanted to take more of our followers’ opinions and interests into account for this roundup, so we posted an Instagram poll asking for recommendations of their favorite Black-owned businesses in San Francisco. We received some fantastic suggestions, and below is a list of the top spots recommended by San Franciscans, for San Franciscans.
Be sure to keep these businesses and others on your radar as we all work to lift up the Black community of San Francisco, during February and beyond. For more, be sure to see our list of ways to honor Black History Month in SF.
1. Rize Up Bakery
Azikiwee Anderson founded this innovative micro-bakery during lockdown. It started as a quarantine project in response to nationwide unrest after the murder of George Floyd and the uneven impact of Covid-19 on the Black community. He now bakes dozens of delicious, creative sourdough loaves per week, with fun flavors including ube and jalapeño bacon. Read our article about Rize Up to learn more.
🌐 Website: Rize Up Bakery
2. Anthony’s Cookies
Anthony Lucas started selling cookies out of his car in the Bay Area in 1997. His popular business, Anthony’s Cookies, has since grown into a large enterprise producing thousands of cookies a week.
🌐 Website: Anthony’s Cookies
3. Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Nearly 90-year-old Thomas Bennett has run San Francisco’s only Black-owned ice cream shop since 1993. They boast over 100 flavors of delicious ice cream, as well as plenty of other treats at great prices. After a break-in several years ago, the community came together to keep the shop afloat, raising almost $20,000 overnight.
4. Yvonne’s Southern Sweets
Yvonne Hines has been creating delicious southern sweets since 2003 in memory of her late grandmother Vermell. Her creations include pralines, old school butter cookies, sweet potato pies, peach cobblers, and cakes.
🌐 Website: Yvonne’s Southern Sweets
5. Whack Donuts!
This vegan donut pop-up helmed by Vandor Hill is spectacular find for anyone, whether or not they follow a plant-based diet. Unique flavors include Thai tea, horchata, chocolate glaze, mixed berry, orange glaze, fudge mint, and Oreo.
🌐 Instagram: @whackdonuts
6. Sextant Coffee Roasters
Sextant Coffee Roasters offers high-quality Ethiopian coffee roasted right here in San Francisco. It was founded by first-generation Kinani Ahmed from Ethiopia, who works directly with farmers in his home country, Kenya, Colombia, and more. You can buy coffee by the bag or enjoy a variety of drink options in the shop.
🌐 Website: Sextant Coffee
7. Excelsior Coffee
This hip coffee shop is run by Excelsior residents Lea and Andre Higginbotham. They welcome different local chefs to provide a rotating pop-up breakfast menu every weekend. Their delicious coffee is inspired by the Excelsior district in San Francisco and features blends from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Malawi.
🌐 Website: Excelsior Coffee
8. Red Bay Coffee Roastery
This local favorite is a must on your next visit to the Ferry Building, . It was founded by Keba Konte in 2014 and uplifts people of all backgrounds, especially those often left out of the specialty coffee industry. Popular drinks include their famous charcoal latte and Vietnamese cold brew.
🌐 Website: Red Bay Coffee
9. Hey Neighbor Cafe
This small Black- and Queer-owned cafe brings neighbors together in Portola. It’s especially memorable for its secret garden surroundings, where you can settle in with a cup of high-quality craft coffee and take in the scenery. Don’t forget to check out their monthly Puzzle Nights.
🌐 Website: Hey Neighbor Cafe
10. YuBalance
Shala and Rory Cox started YuBalance Gyms in 2011 for people who “hate the gym.” They have 3 gyms in San Francisco that are clean, open, and free of that gym anxiety. Enjoy high-intensity free-weight workouts designed for busy professionals who want an efficient total body workout.
🌐 Website: YuBalance
11. ReLove
This re-sale boutique curates a beautiful collection of vintage, designer, and independent labels that don’t break the bank. Join their community of fashion-forward, socially conscious individuals and look good thanks a selection that’s always on point.
🌐 Website: ReLove
12. MaduSalon
MaduSalon is trusted by countless San Franciscans to take care of their curly hair needs including cuts, color, styling, customized treatments, extensions, braiding, and locs. In fact, Essence Magazine named it the “go-to mecca for curly girls in San Francisco.” Although MaduSalon specializes in curly and wavy hair, they welcome all hair types and love to celebrate a diverse range of clientele as a “salon without borders.”
🌐 Website: MaduSalon
13. State of Flux
This Mission District men’s clothing shop specializes in carrying brands typically not available in San Francisco. In addition to their colorful and unique clothing selection, they also offer classes out of their workshop in screen-printing, sewing, photography, and design. This collaborative environment makes the brand truly community-oriented.
🌐 Website: State of Flux
14. Prideful Patchez
Regina Clenette created this online marketplace for patches, pins, stickers, and accessories with culturally-inspired and social justice-related sayings and images. The patches’ statements center African American pride and individuality, but you’re sure to find a patch that speaks to you no matter your background.
🌐 Website: Prideful Patchez
15. Harwell Godfrey
This online fine jewelry store based in SF was founded by Lauren Harwell Godfrey, who first debuted her creations at Paris Fashion Week in 2018. Her work is inspired by textiles and patterns of the African Diaspora using ethically-sourced diamonds. Gemstones are chosen for their healing energies as well as their aesthetic qualities, and a portion of proceeds goes to nonprofit organizations. To date, Harwell Godfrey has raised more than $370,000 and counting.
🌐 Website: Harwell Godfrey
16. Posh Green Cannabis Boutique
SF native Reese Benton opened Posh Green in 2016 as a great resource for quality cannabis products. The selection centers local farmers and greenhouses, which you can order for delivery or peruse in-person at the Posh Green Cannabis Boutique. Keep an eye out for daily discounts, as you can get 10% off of select products on any given day of the week.
🌐 Website: Posh Green Collective
