From Creole, to Caribbean, to Southern Cuisine, there are a variety of black-owned restaurants across the country that specialize in seafood dishes. Here’s a list of some of the best black-owned seafood spots in each state.
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Alabama
Cloray’s Café in Bessemer is where you want to go during your next visit to Alabama for its fish plate that includes candied yams, broccoli and cheese, and a piece of cornbread.
Alaska
Roscoe’s Catfish & BBQ in Anchorage is where you will find traditional Louisiana gumbo with an Alaskan twist. And if reindeer sausage isn’t your thing in gumbo, you can also try their southern fried catfish fillet.
Arizona
Brown stew fish, curry shrimp, and ackee and saltfish are just some things you will find on the menu at Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine: an authentic Jamaican Caribbean restaurant that’s located in Chandler.
Arkansas
When Kontiki African Restaurant’s owner Christian Domingo migrated from Sierra Leone to Arkansas and with him, he brought his passion for cooking and teaching people about African Cuisine.
You have a few seafood options at this restaurant, including cassava leaves and rice or couscous and fish.
California
With so many seafood options on the menu, Two Jack’s Nik’s Place in San Francisco will not disappoint. You can choose from Snapper, Rock Cod, Oysters, Prawns, fillet of Sole, and more.
Colorado
Welton Street Cafe is known for its southern comfort food and Jamaican-inspired dishes. The fried catfish served with classic soul food sides are popular among Denver locals and tourists alike.
Connecticut
Karobean Kitchen in Harford offers fried crab in a bucket, crispy jerk fry shrimp or whiting fish, and curry shrimp.
Delaware
L&G Southern Soul Food, located in New Castle, specializes in Southern cuisine while offering healthy alternatives including a grilled salmon platter and baked tilapia platter.
Florida
The Swirl Wine Bistro is a cozy spot and fusion bistro in Coconut Creek. The Snapper Escoveitch is the must-try seafood dish on the menu.
Georgia
Be sure to put your reservations in early at Sweet Auburn Seafood in Atlanta because this place gets packed. Our guess is that the Sweet Auburn Seafood Burger keeps people coming back for more.
Hawaii
Yes, you can find black-owned restaurants in Hawaii and Hughley’s Southern Cuisine in Aiea is where you will find some of the best catfish and fried tilapia.
Idaho
Brown Shuga Soul Food Truck is a family run business in Boise, where the owner, Yvonne Anderson-Thomas and her son offers dishes like jambalaya and gumbo, which include seafood, through two food trucks and catering.
Illinois
Located in Bronzeville, Two Fish Crab Shack offers a la carte style seafood boils with five kinds of seasonings and six kinds of seafood daily
Indiana
Not sure why you try seafood anywhere else except Chef Oya’s The TRAP in Indianapolis. Just look at the picture below:
Iowa
Suga Peach Chicken & Fish Fry in North Liberty offers premium mild catfish that you can order as a fish sandwich, or one, two, or three-piece meal.
Kansas
We couldn’t find a black-owned seafood restaurant in Kansas itself, but across states lines in Kansas City, Missouri is Rush One Foods. Owners say they deliver “quality consistent food that taste great every single time.”
Kentucky
There are so many options at the Seafood Lady restaurant in Louisville that you will not be disappointed. You can choose from crab clusters, lobster tails, gator tail and more.
Louisiana
There are so many options throughout Louisiana but Ray’s On The Ave in New Orleans combines excellent service with amazing food and live music.
Maine
Me Lon Togo in Searsport brings the delicious flavors of West Africa to the Mid Coast. The seafood gumbo is what you want to try.
Maryland
Maryland is home to the Chesapeake Blue Crab and if you’re looking for an intimate place to enjoy a rite of passage in visiting Maryland, head to Fresh Fresh Seafood in Towson.
Massachusetts
Seafood platters at Restaurante Cesaria includes grilled octopus, shredded salt cod, and a casserole of seafood rice and assorted shellfish known as Arroz di Marisco. This restaurant is located in Boston.
Michigan
Maty’s African Restaurant is one of the first Senegalese restaurants in Detroit. If you’re wondering what to try first, try their fish dish which they cook whole with mustard power, onion, pepper, and vinegar.
Minnesota
Cajun Life in St. Paul not only lives up to its name but lives up to its hype as well.
Mississippi
Perry’s Caribbean & Seafood Kitchen in Biloxi offers guests an authentic Caribbean experience and is home to the best Ackee & Saltfish and boil dumplings in Mississippi.
Missouri
Originally from Ethiopia, Mengesha Yohannes, co-owner of Bar Italia, helped to create a menu that features great Italian food and wines from around the world. We recommend the seared diver scallops and pappardelle on the menu.
Montana
The Sassy Biscuit in Billings has clam chowder served with roasted garlic and house smoke bacon on its menu.
Nebraska
Salmon Croquets, catfish nuggets and fillets, and New Orleans sausage and shrimp are just some things Quick Bites Soul Food in Bellevue offers on its menu.
Nevada
During your next trip to Las Vegas, be sure to stop by Ella Em’s Soul Food for some hearty soul-food and seafood options.
New Hampshire
Despite its low population of black people living in the state, Sunshine Cookshop Jamaican Style Cooking in Claremont is there to diversify food options.
New Jersey
The concept of First Republic Lounge and Restaurant in Elizabeth is inspired by Haiti, the First Nation to free itself of slavery in the western hemisphere. Representing over 200 years of independence, First Republic Lounge and Restaurant showcases Haitian Food, Art and culture of this iconic Caribbean island.
New Mexico
Nexus Brewery and Restaurant in Albuquerque is one of the few black-owned breweries in America and where you will find some of the best tasting gumbo in New Mexico.
New York
Your next island getaway just got a lot closer thanks to Executive Chef Raymond Mohan and Leticia Young. They opened LoLo’s Seafood Shack in the winter of 2014 to offer customers a variety of seafood options ranging from the coastal comfort foods of the Cape like sauced shrimp to Caribbean street eats like our crunchy conch fritters, according to its website.
North Carolina
Don’t let the name confuse you, Dame’s Chicken & Waffles has shrimp and grits and blackened salmon.
North Dakota
Madina Cuisine is a casual east African restaurant in Fargo.
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Ohio
One review about Simplee Deelicious in Columbus stated, “best food around .They have everything you could imagine for cheaper prices.
Oklahoma
There’s a reason why Off The Hook Seafood in Oklahoma City has a following of more than 20,000 on Facebook.
Oregon
The Trap Kitchen has two locations and one of them happens to be in Portland.
Pennsylvania
48th Street Grille in Philadelphia is known for using fresh, locally sourced ingredients for its Caribbean cuisine.
Rhode Island
Monte Cara Restaurant is a family-run, independent restaurant offering the best quality Cape Veran options.
South Carolina
Nana’s Seafood & Soul in Charleston prides themselves on serving their community with the freshest seafood and delicious Gullah-Geechee Cuisine that Charleston has to offer.
South Dakota
O So Good Restaurant in Garretson specializes in seafood and comfort foods.
Tennessee
Depending on your mood what’s great about Seafood Sensation in Nashville is that they have grilled, steamed and fried options for your favorite seafood platters.
Texas
Cafe 4212 has one of the best lounges in Houston and an array of amazing seafood dishes to try.
Utah
Mama Africa in West Valley City provides African dishes from a diverse region in Africa, including Mbisi.
Vermont
Mawuhi African Market in Burlington offers a large variety of authentic hot African meals, served Thursday through Saturday.
Virginia
Mango Mangeaux in Hampton serves their fried fish and grits with your choice of the catch of the week or fried salmon.
Washington
The seared scallops at Marjorie Restaurant in Seattle will have you back in the state of Washington before you know it.
West Virginia
Named as one of the top food trucks in the country, Dem 2 Brothers And A Grill specializes in more than just ribs, burgers and hotdogs. If you see one of their yellow trucks rolling around in Charleston, just know that fish is indeed on the menu.
Wisconsin
If you’re looking for a fusion of cultures, Irie Zulu in specializes in both African and Jamaican cuisine. It’s also one of few places in the state where you will find Yassa Djeun: Fish in caramelized onion sauce, lemon, olives, mustard, served with rice.
Wyoming
Simply Soul in Cheyenne was the only soul food restaurant that was black-owned in Wyoming but the restaurant’s contract ended with the Air Force Base back in 2018. According to a Facebook Post, the restaurant will set up shop in a new location. You can stay up-to-date here.
