All Things BLACK,  DC,  Food

35 Black Woman-Owned Restaurants, Bars, and Bakeries in Washington, DC

Where are all the Black woman-owned restaurants in DC? The restaurant scene, traditionally dominated by men, may surprise you with its vibrant array of establishments owned and led by inspiring Black women. If you have never sat back and thought about it, it may seem strange to those of us who learned everything we know about cooking from our mothers, grandmothers, and aunties. Yet, research from the National Restaurant Association showed that while workers identifying as women made up 63% of entry-level workers, only 34% were executives. While there could always be more, there are many black woman-owned and led restaurants, bars, and bakeries across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

The increase in Black woman-owned businesses is undeniable, with a remarkable surge observed in recent years. Black woman-owned businesses rapidly increased between 2017 and 2020 by 18.14%— “outpacing women-owned businesses (9.06%) and Black-owned businesses (13.64%).” Nowhere is this entrepreneurial spirit more evident than in the eclectic culinary landscape of DC. From Trini-style Chinese steamed buns to decadent banana pudding doughnuts, Black women-owned restaurants in the DC area are giving us all the flavors we never knew we needed. These Black woman-owned restaurants celebrate the Diaspora and pay homage to their ancestors while embracing innovation. Give these Black women their flowers by supporting their businesses, not just in February or March, but every day of the year.

  1. Ben’s Chili Bowl – 1213 U St. N.W. Washington, DC 20009
    Ben’s is a historic landmark and staple in DC’s rich history and culture. Ben’s is regularly visited by many locals and tourists, but also celebrities and even presidents. Ben’s menu includes half-smokes, hot dogs, burgers, chili, fries, and desserts.
  2. FishScale – 637 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
    FishScale prepares delicious burgers sourced from sustainable wild fish. They purchase fish fresh every day and make their burgers in-house daily. There are no bread crumbs or any other fillers, just a quarter pound of fresh fish that is grilled over natural hardwood. Their belief is that if you have to eat, let the food taste good and be good for your health and our environment.
  3. Cane – 403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
    Cane celebrates Trinidad’s multi-ethnic population, Cane delivers a modern take on the Caribbean nation’s most popular street foods, like doubles and paratha. 
  4. St. James – 2017 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
    St. James is named for the district within Trinidad’s Port of Spain. Sister restaurant to Cane, they serve up a variety of Caribbean cuisine. A world of island flavors mixed with French, Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and African influences in a restaurant with a vibe that works for any occasion. I highly recommend the accras and dhalpuri.
  5. Elegant Cuizines Restaurant – 415 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220
    Elegant Cuizines Restaurant takes you on a quick trip to Liberia, right from downtown Richmond. The owner is vegan, and although the restaurant is not all vegan, their goal is to make sure that their vegan and gluten-free community can have a fine dining experience to be proud of and look forward to.
FishScale
  1. Hedzole – 5505 Colorado Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
    A Ghanaian-American sharing a contemporary casual approach to West African cuisine. Hedzole specializes in dishes like specializes in oxtail jollof rice, spicy red red, and silky groundnut soup. The menu allows guests to customize their bowl, by choosing a well-seasoned protein or loading up on veggies.
  2. Puddin’ – 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
    Puddin’ specializes in divine comfort food, from chicken ‘n beef sausage gumbo to shrimp ‘n grits, etouffee, red beans ‘n rice, and mouthwatering po’boys. Don’t miss their signature bread pudding for a sweet and satisfying finish.
  3. FOODE – 900 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
    FOODE is about community, through and through. Their concept is to: find the best ingredients the region has to offer, hire the most talented team our pockets could afford, cook the kinds of foods that make up the threads of our best memories, and most importantly, do it with love–day in and day out. FOODE services Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner.
  4. Mercantile – 900 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
    Sister restaurant to FOODE, Mercantile is a quaint, neighborhood fixture offering seasonal bites for breakfast & lunch, plus house made pastries.
  5. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant – 3100 14th St NW #121, Washington, DC 20010
    Letena, which means “for health” in Amharic, lives up to the brand’s name by using only natural and premium ingredients throughout its menu. With special attention given to quality ingredients, vegetarians, vegans, meat lovers, and adventurous diners alike are offered authentic Ethiopian and inspired original dishes.
Cane
  1. Dukem – 1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
    Dukem is one of DC’s most recognizable Ethiopian restaurants in the city. It’s been around since 1997 and is an important part of the history of Little Ethiopia. They provide a large variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. After indulging in a meal at Dukem, head over to their hookah bar, Apple Lounge. 
  2. Serenata – 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
    Serenata, is a full-service Latino cocktail experience crafting preeminent cocktails and small bites sourced and inspired from the many countries that make up the fabric of the rich Latin American heritage.
  3. Chef Trini’s – 4855 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
    Chef Trini’s celebrates the unique culinary specialties of the Caribbean. They serve Trini favorites like cod fritters, oxtail stew, pholourie, roti, fried red snapper, and chana & aloo curries. Their brunch menu does not miss. I recommend the salted cod-fritters, french toast, and housemade prime corned beef hash. 
  4. Croaker’s Spot – 1020 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
    Croaker’s Spot came to Richmond in 2001, and has been a staple to the community ever since. Croaker’s Spot is most known for its “southern soul food seafood cuisine” and serves seafood and chicken only. Top sellers at the restaurant include the Fish Boat, Po’boys, seafood platters and pasta.
  5. Gangster Vegan (Closed) 6202 Rhode Island Ave unit 105 Riverdale, MD. 20737
    Gangster Vegan is a vegan restaurant committed to making it “Gangster” to eat healthy, spread Love, be Kind to one another and the earth.  They created the Brand, to create access to real organic integral unprocessed food to every community. 
My Cake Theory
  1. Georgia Brown’s 950 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
    Serving fine southern cuisine since 1993, Georgia Brown’s has become an icon of Washington, DC. They have hosted Presidents and First Ladies and foreign heads of state. You never know who you are going to see at Georgia Brown’s just two blocks from the White House and McPherson Square. They serve everything from our traditional fried green tomatoes to perlau straight from Charleston and don’t forget about their famous buttermilk fried chicken. Their Sunday Live Jazz Brunch is not to be missed. 
  2. Souk 705 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
    A neighborhood market and bakery featuring a globally inspired menu. Visit for baked goods, coffee, or spices. The cardamom bun, cinnamon swirl roll, and chocolate hazelnut tart are among my favorites. 
  3. The Sweet Lobby 705 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
    Sister to Souk, and a winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, The Sweet Lobby is known for both its classic as well as its globally inspired flavor incarnations and specializes in French macarons, madeleines, éclairs, shortbread, canelés and more.
  4. My Cake Theory (Closed/Catering Only) 325 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
    My Cake Theory is a fast-casual boutique bakery that offers custom cakes and cupcakes for all occasions. They are the area’s first build-your-own cupcake experience, flavors to frills, allowing you to select cupcake flavors, fillings, frostings, and toppings.
  5. Creole on 14th 3345 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
    Creole on 14th is a Louisiana Creole restaurant creating unique dishes and craft cocktails inspired by the diverse cultures and Creole cookery of New Orleans.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
  1. Suga & Spice 5557 Baltimore Ave #100, Hyattsville, MD 20781
    Suga & Spice is a Caribbean-influenced Southern restaurant. Taste the islands of the Caribbean with their hand-crafted cocktail menu. Their menu includes a variety of southern gourmet dishes with a Cajun fusion. Some popular menu highlights are the hot honey salmon, Jamaican oxtail dinner, and the Not Yo Momma Penne Pasta.
  2. Miss Toya’s Creole House 923 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Miss Toya’s Creole House is a Louisiana Creole restaurant creating unique dishes and craft cocktails inspired by the diverse cultures and creole cookery of New Orleans. Located in downtown Silver Spring this restaurant is where elegance and Southern charm meets Maryland.
  3. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen 923 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Miss Toya’s Southern Cajun Kitchen is a Black, family and woman-owned full-service southern and creole restaurant. Their menu is a tribute to the traditional New Orleans gastronomic culture with an avant-garde touch.
  4. Sugar Vault Desserts 5606 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
    Sugar Vault Desserts is a neighborhood bakery and confectionary shop located in the Arts District of Hyattsville, Maryland. They offer an array of baked goods including cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, banana pudding, cake by the slice and so much more baked daily on-site.
  5. Provost 2129 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018
    Provost is a laid-back, American-style restaurant with soul food roots. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and organic. They believe in healthy food, good times, and great service. Stop by for brunch, dinner, or drinks.
chicken wings
Suga & Spice
  1. Love Life Coffee 929 Washington Blvd, Laurel, MD 20707
    This black woman-owned cafe is based in Laurel Maryland. They are dedicated to serving incredible coffee, fresh pressed juices, and vegan-forward food in an inviting atmosphere that is welcoming for all.
  2. Sydney’s Ice Cream 3432 Belair Rd Baltimore, MD 21213 (upstairs)
    A new ice cream shop in Baltimore with mouth-watering ice cream flavors like chocolate souffle, strawberry Lambrusco, and raspberry almond cookie.
  3. Blondie’s Doughnuts 8 Mayo Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
    Blondie’s offers a wide variety of delicious doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches, lattes, and coffee. With their convenient takeout, local app delivery, and catering services, customers can enjoy their mouthwatering treats wherever they go. The ‘Nana Pudding doughnut and the Praline Pecan Sweet Roll are perfect picks for anyone with a sweet tooth, but the Smoked Brisket Breakfast Sandwich is a must for anyone searching for a savory bite.
  4. Almeda (Closed) 828 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
    Almeda celebrates Afro-Fusion cuisine. I highly recommend any of the dishes, but the awaze galbi ribs are a must, along with the jollof risotto, tostone doubles, and the fried catfish and spaghetti.
  5. DC Sweet Potato Cake 925 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20006 DC
    Sweet Potato Cake is a Washington-based bakery shop that offers delicious sweet potato cakes, pies, cupcakes, and more. Outside of the bakery, DC Sweet Potato Cake can be found in Starbucks, Wegmans, Safeway & Nordstrom.
Souk

  1. Freakin Sweet Jars 2002 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis MD 21401
    Built on recipes from mothers and grandmothers, Freakin Sweet Jar sells classic desserts in jars, as well as other sweet treats like cake pops and cookies. 
  2. Charlotte’s 200 S 10th St, Richmond, VA 23219
    Charlotte’s is serving food with a Southern take on deli and tapas-style plates.  
  3. Ruby Scoops 120 W Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222
    Ruby Scoops is a local  creator of premium small batch ice creams, sorbets, sherbets, and desserts, all handcrafted and scratch-made. Ruby Scoops uses ingredients from local farms.
  4. Boss Queens Soul Cafe 5802 E Virginia Beach Blvd #140, Norfolk, VA 23502
    The food is cooked fresh to order so “it’s not fast food but Lawd, it’s good!” This soul food restaurant is known for great drinks and remixed soul food dishes like seafood empanadas, stuffed catfish, fried lamb chops, and sweet potato cheesecake. 
  5. Yendidi Norfolk 5800 Chesapeake Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23513
    Yendidi is an authentic African restaurant that specializes in West African cuisines. Most of their menu is Ghanaian-inspired. Yendidi is a Ghanaian word from the Akan language meaning “let’s eat”. Yendidi mission is to “give you an authentic taste of the motherland.”
Sugar Vault

While this of list is not exhaustive, it serves as a valuable starting point for individuals committed to intentional spending. Please feel free to share in the comments below the names of any Black woman-owned or led food and beverage businesses that deserve recognition.

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