One thing that is for sure when it comes to Philly is you’re guaranteed to eat delicious food. The city has one of the highest percentages of Black residents in the metropolitan areas of the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. With that being said, it’s only right that there are lots of Black-owned food spots across the city.
Our favorite thing about Philly’s Black-owned restaurant scene is that you can find a variety of cuisines. From raw vegan dishes to southern fare, there are an endless amounts of flavors to satisfy all tastes.
Here are Travel Noire’s selections for the top Black-owned food spots that you must try when in Philadelphia.
Related: Black Women Luxury: Where To Stay, What To Do, Where To Go While In Philly
Down North Pizza
Located in North Philly, this pizza spot serves creative combinations, such as the Break You Off, which consists of lamb sausage, lemon ricotta, za’atar garnish and garlic honey drizzle, and P.S.K, which is a vegan option that has oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, aji amarillo, onion, peppers.
The owner Muhammad Abdul-Had and Executive Chef Michael Carter are true to their mission of reducing recidivism rates in Black communities by only employing formerly incarcerated people.
SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club
Head to the Spring Garden neighborhood to enjoy elevated southern comfort food while vibing to the sounds of smooth jazz. Owned by Robert and Benjamin Bynum, known publicly as the Bynum Brothers, this spot is a must when in the city.
The Bynum Brothers have been shining stars in Philadelphia’s hospitality industry for 35 years. Make sure to try the Gulf Catfish & Strip (creole tomato sauce, charred asparagus, corn macque chow) and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken (hot-honey drizzle, sweet potato gratin, creamed turkey collards, freshly-baked buttermilk drop biscuit).
Friday Saturday Sunday
The perfect spot for a celebration, Chef Chad Williams wants you to enjoy the decadent eight-course tasting menu. The menu is seasonally inspired and created with luxury ingredients. There is a full wine and cocktail list to complement the tasting menu.
Eight courses of delicious dishes will run you $150 per person on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Sweet T’s Bakery
Are you craving pies?
Head to Reading Terminal Market to try Sweet T’s Bakery, the first Black-owned bakery in the market’s 128-year history. Mark and Tia El are known in the city for their mouth-watering sweet potato pies.
Travel Noire tip: Make sure to try it with the graham cracker crust. You will absolutely thank us later.
All The Way Live
Vegans, you are not exempt from the list of Philly food spots. We’ve got something specifically for you!
This raw vegan café is owned by Nyeisha Cabiness and her mother, Beverly Nedley. The Germantown neighborhood eatery is also a great option for meat eaters searching for flavorful plant-based meals. Try the Mushroom Pepper Cheese Steak (savory assorted mushrooms, peppers, onions, almond creme cheese all served on a flat spelt wrap) for an alternative to the infamous Philly cheesesteak.
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar
Get your brunch on at Booker’s Restaurant, named after Booker Wright, a Black waiter who worked in a Mississippi whites-only restaurant in the 1960s.
Their must-tries are the Beef Andouille Sausage & Shrimp Grits, which is a herb-based stew with onions, green and red peppers, beef andouille sausage and shrimp served with grits and the Limoncello Cake, which is a lemon mascarpone, layered sponge cake topped with vanilla shavings.
Foodchasers’ Kitchen
Twins Maya Johnstone and Kala Johnstone are authors and former school principals who dreamt of starting a restaurant.
In December 2021, they made their dreams a reality after opening Foodchasers’ Kitchen. Since opening, they’ve cooked for the likes of singer and songwriter Khelani and legendary hip hop duo Salt-N-Pepa.
Try the Salmon Cheesesteak (salmon steak grilled in signature spices, topped with garlic cheese and signature seafood seasoning mayo), which is their twist on the Philly cheesesteak.
Guardhouse Café
This bakery, restaurant and coffee shop mash-up is led by Chef and Owner Khoran Horn, a past winner of the Food Network’s Compli-plated. Start your morning with Spinach Feta Cigars (spinach and feta cheese rolled into a crispy phyllo dough) and Golden Turmeric Tea Latte.
Chef Reeky’s Cafe & Juice Bar
Head to Southwest Philly to indulge in Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes (pineapples, cherries, graham cracker dust and brown sugar layered inside pancakes, served upside down) to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re craving a savory breakfast, try the Crab Cake Hash (two lump crab cakes served over cheesy home-fried potatoes and a bed of garlicky baby spinach).
Baby Buns
You may remember Haitian Chef Sylva Senat from Season 14 of Bravo’s Top Chef.
Head to The Bourse food hall in Old City to try Chef Senat’s slides, fries, and frosé at Baby Buns, one of our favorite Philly food spots.
Related: How Philly-Based Chef Kurt Evans Is Telling Stories Of Mass Incarceration Through Food