There are dozens of ways to honor Black culture in our city, including a visit to the Museum of the African Diaspora or the MLK memorial. But one of the simplest is to order a delicious meal from a Black-owned restaurant here in San Francisco. Be sure to pay these places a visit, and find even more tried-and-true spots in our list of Black-owned businesses in San Francisco.
1. Tastebuds
Melvin and Helen Simmons started this soul food-inspired cafe to bring together great food, energy and music. Delicious food options include classics like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and red beans and rice. Other more contemporary items include a pastrami and gouda sandwich, a breakfast burrito, and more.
Location: 600 5th Ave, San Francisco
2. Axum Cafe
Axum Cafe started out as a small coffee and tea shop, later growing into a popular Ethiopian restaurant in the mid 1990s. Menu items include sambusa (savory vegetarian pastry), lamb alicha (stew), and a variety of vegetarian and meat entrees.
Location: 698 Haight St, San Francisco
3. Z Zoul Cafe
Aref and Dalia Elgaali opened this innovative Sudanese and Middle Eastern restaurant after moving to San Francisco in 2016. Food items include fuul mosalah (seasoned fava beans), zoul mezza (fried chickpea patties), roasted chicken and lamb, salatat dakua (peanut butter salad), roz billaban (rice pudding), and much more.
Location: 295 Eddy St, San Francisco
4. New Eritrea Restaurant
This restaurant serves up spectacular Eritrean and Ethiopian food, and is currently open for delivery. Enjoy items such as lentil, vegetable and meat sambusa, zebhi dorho (marinated chicken drumsticks), asa kilwa (sautéed catfish), alicha-ater (vegetarian chickpea puree), and dozens more!
Location: 907 Irving St, San Francisco
5. Sunset Cantina
This energetic cantina offers a large menu of Mexican and Latin American dishes including crispy carnitas, fresh ceviche, dry fried ribs, chicken tostadas, various taco options, elote, frozen tamarind rum punch, mezcal, and much more.
Location: 3414 Judah St, San Francisco
6. World Famous HotBoys
Get your fill of flavorful chicken in the form of hot sandwiches, packs of wings, tenders, and every combo you can think of. Sides include crinkle cut fries, beans, greens, cole slaw, and pimento mac and cheese! Yelp awarded them the #1 chicken sando in California, so you know they’re not messing around.
Locations: 1601 San Pablo Ave (Oakland), 1115 21st St (Sacramento)
7. Souley Vegan
You won’t believe their whole menu is plant-based, as it’s totally packed with Louisiana Creole flavor. Try their breaded zucchini croquettes, Louisiana hot links and mushrooms, mac & cheese skillet, and seitan and waffles.
Locations: 475 6th St (SF), 301 Broadway (Oakland)
8. Don’t Be Chick’n
Here’s an epic vegan food truck with flavor that packs a punch! Don’t Be Chick’n encourages customers to not be “chick’n” and embrace themselves for who they are. Here you’ll find spectacular comfort food including an amazing classic chicken sando, peach cobbler beignets, garlic toast, and an amazing sandwich selection.
Location: Follow on Instagram at @dontbechickn for food truck locations
9. Eko Kitchen
Eko Kitchen partners with local businesses to provide delicious Nigerian comfort food in San Francisco. Enjoy dishes featuring fried plantains, smoked goat meat, chicken in sweet and spicy bell pepper, Nigerian honey beans, and much more.
Location: 130 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107
10. Peaches Patties
This Jamaican catering company just opened at the Ferry Building selling flavorful Jamaican patties and more. Chef Shani Jones brings exciting flavors to the table with chicken, beef, spinach, and mushroom patties; jerk chicken; rasta stew; and fried plantains. Grab a box to go and enjoy it on Ferry Building’s waterfront plaza.
Location: 1 Ferry Building #50 (between Gott’s Roadside and Fort Point Beer), San Francisco
11. Flavas Jamaican Grill
This neighborhood spot in South San Francisco is dedicated to serving fantastic authentic Jamaican cuisine. Popular dishes include their Braised Oxtails with sauteed vegetables, rice, and beans; Jerk Chicken with house Jerk sauce and fried plantains; and Curried Goat, a bone-in Jamaican delicacy with flavorful island spices.
Locations: 314 Linden Ave, South San Francisco; 2353 E 12th St, Oakland
12. Radio Africa Kitchen
Here’s a local favorite in the Bayview with fresh and flavorful Ethiopian and American dishes. Try their rich chicken jambalaya, beef meatballs with veggies, hibiscus lemonade, sauteed lamb with couscous, and green lentils with saffron rice.
Location: 4800 Third Street, San Francisco
13. Bella Trattoria
Dig into housemade pastas, fresh-baked bread, hand-rolled gnocchi, and other countless traditional Italian dishes at this popular neighborhood spot in the Inner Richmond. The special menu changes constantly and you’ll want to stay all day in such a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Location: 3848-3854 Geary Blvd, San Francisco