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 Instagrampoll 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 lists of Black-owned SF restaurants and ways to honor Black History Month in SF.
Table Of Contents
Black-owned food businesses
1. Rize Up Sourdough
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.
See website for pickup locations.
2. Anthony’s Cookies
Anthony Lucas started selling cookies out of his car in the Bay Area in 1997. Anthony’s Cookies has since grown into a large enterprise producing thousands of cookies a week. They currently have 2 stores – one in San Francisco and one in Berkeley – but they are hoping to expand more in the future.
SF Location: 1417 Valencia Street, San Francisco CA
Berkeley Location: 2575 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley CA
3. Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream
San Francisco’s only Black-owned ice cream shop is owned by 82-year-old Thomas Bennett. They boast over 100 flavors of delicious ice cream, as well as plenty of other treats at great prices. After a break-in 2 years ago, the community came together to keep the shop afloat, raising almost $20,000 overnight.
Location: 1470 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA
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.
Location: 5128 3rd St, San Francisco
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.
Follow @whackdonuts_ on Instagram for pick-up locations.
Black-owned drink businesses
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.
Location: 1415 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
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.
Location: 4495 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
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.
See website for locations.
9. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
This popular brewery is owned by Oakland businessman and one-time mayoral candidate Ces Butner. The Big Daddy IPA was at one point the best-selling IPA in the city, and it’s still a brewery favorite. Also be sure to try the Prohibition Ale, their very first iconic beer from 1997.
Location: 1195 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA
10. Gourmonade
Order a case of this delicious gourmet lemonade or catch it popping up at a farmers’ market throughout the Bay Area. This family-owned business started back in 2015 and continues to create exciting new flavors despite some difficult times through the pandemic. You can order for delivery or for pickup in SF and Oakland.
11. 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.
Location: 2 Burrows St, San Francisco
Other Black-owned businesses
12. YuBalance Gyms
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.
Locations: 1461 Church Street, 26 Clement Street, and 447 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA
13. ReLove Vintage
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.
Location: 1815 Polk St, San Francisco, CA
14. UnoEth
Dagne and Xiomara founded this father-daughter business that produces gorgeous handmade leather goods including handbags, totes, backpacks, duffles and accessories. The high-quality products come from leather artisans, cotton weavers, and jewelry makers in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
15. Witch with Plants
Watch your plant dreams come to life with the help of Juanita Bruton. She provides expert plant care consultations; weekly or monthly plant care; garden design; and home, office, or event plant design. Bruton specializes in urban gardening around the Bay Area so no matter what your space looks like, she can bring some life to it via in-person or online consultations.
16. 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.”
Location: 2250 Union St, Suite 1A
17. State of Flux Shop
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.
18. 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.
19. Posh Green Collective
SF native Reese Benton opened Posh Green Collective 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.
Location: 828 Innes Ave Suite 110
20. Harwell Godfrey
This 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 $260,000 and counting.