Ensuring that Black businesses thrive requires stepping up and doing our part to support them. If you live in or plan to visit Maryland, these 20 Black-owned restaurants are open for business, serving everything from Caribbean cuisine to Maryland-famous crab.
Blue Waters Caribbean And Seafood Grill
Blue Waters is a contemporary and casual restaurant specializing in authentic Caribbean cuisine. Visitors craving seafood will marvel at the fresh options packed with flavor, served fresh, and cooked to order.
The menu is full of island favorites, Chef-created specialties, fresh seafood from the dock, and an impressive variety of libations to complement each dish. Chefs prepare food with health in mind, and the menu features non-genetically modified and health-conscious options. Blue Waters is on a mission to break culinary boundaries and create an incomparable dining experience.
- Location: Camp Springs/Temple Hills
- Type of Cuisine: Jamaican
- Menu Spotlight: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Curry Chicken
- Before you go: Currently open for takeout and delivery. Voted a top restaurant on GrubHub. Vegetarian options are available.
The Crab Boss
Lenell and Ashleigh Watson are bringing Florida-style Cajun seafood to Brandywine, Maryland with The Crab Boss. What started in the kitchen as a way to supplement Lenell’s income after being laid off has turned into a restaurant that has welcomed celebrities, including 50 Cent, Shy Glizzy, Letoya Luckett, TyDolla$, Ginuwine, and more. Cardi B also reached out, asking to bring their popular dishes to New York City.
- Locations: Brandywine, Maryland
- Owners: Lenell and Ashleigh Watson
- Type of Cuisine: Cajun
- Menu Spotlight: Crab Cakes, Seafood Combo Platter, Ocean Platters
- Before you go: The restaurant also hosts “pull-ups,” bringing its menu to various neighborhoods in the DMV. A pull-up is the owners’ term for food truck pop-ups.
Hakuna Matata Grill
Hakuna Matata was born out of a hunger to share the rich culture of Africa through food. It was an idea birthed from friends and family who loved spending time together, but when going out to eat, the options for East African food were nonexistent in the DMV. Hakuna Matata Grill changed that and brought the delightful taste of authentic East African cuisine to the DC Metropolitan and Maryland areas.
The restaurant offers a variety of fine African dishes, with an explosion of flavors from across East Africa, India, and Portugal, prepared by award-winning Executive Chef Paul “Smokey” Ofwono.
- Location: Silver Spring
- Owner: Tina Mwebaza (Co-Owner)
- Type of Cuisine: East African
- Menu Spotlight: Samosas, Grilled Chicken Tikka, Kaanga Goat, Samaki with Coconut Sauce
- Before you go: The restaurant accepts reservations. Vegan dishes are available.
Henry’s Soul Cafe
Originally founded by the “King of Soul Food,” Henry E. Smith, Henry’s Deli Carryout is now run by his son, daughter, and another business partner. Thirty years after launching it, the new owners are carrying out Henry’s vision of providing the best quality food at the most economical prices through its newest location, Henry’s Soul Cafe in Oxon Hill.
From a small carryout that quickly made a big name for itself amongst the community to a restaurant in Oxon Hill, Henry’s Soul Cafe is a staple with some of the best sweet potato pie your tastebuds will taste.
- Locations: Oxon Hill, Maryland and Washington, D.C. (U Street)
- Owners: Jermaine Smith, Henrietta Smith-Davis, Bernard Brooks, Jr.,
- Type of Cuisine: Southern
- Menu Spotlight: Beef Short Ribs in Gravy. Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Sweet Potato Pie
- Before you go: Guests can also order online.
KitchenCray Cafe
Chef James Robinson was raised in Harlem, where his love for cooking began at the early age of eleven, thanks to his grandmother. She raised him and his six other siblings, and he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her, where he found joy in creating good food for his family.
He’s bringing that same passion and home cooking to Maryland through KitchenCray. It’s bigger than indulging in great cuisine; it’s also about giving back to the community. Chef Robinson leads classes and speaks to students through partnerships with area schools, non-profits, shelters, and youth centers. It’s his way of teaching underprivileged youth about healthy eating and opening their eyes to a career in culinary arts.
- Locations: Lanham, MD; Washington, D.C.; and Virginia.
- Owner: Chef James Robinson
- Type of Cuisine: Southern, Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: Lobster Mac and Cheese, Surf and Turf Pasta, Chimichurri Lamb Chops over Veggie Fried Rice
- Before you go: The restaurants are closed on Tuesdays.
Koite Grill
Koite Grille is located in the former home of Abol Ethiopian Restaurant in Silver Spring. Instead of East Africa, the family-owned restaurant showcases West Africa by serving delicious Senegalese cuisine. The restaurant is inviting and cozy and serves authentic Senegalese dishes, including Senegalese-style BBQ, charcoal-grilled lamb dibi, Jollof Rice, Yassa, Maafe, and more.
- Locations: Silver Spring
- Owners: Brother and sister duo, Omar and Adja Koite
- Type of Cuisine: Senegalese
- Menu Spotlight: Senegalese-Style BBQ, Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Dibi, Jollof Rice, Yassa, Maafe
- Before you go: Takeout is available, and guests can order online.
Lefty’s Barbecue
Located in Charles County, Lefty’s has been a landmark since 1989. The team strives to serve guests with superior food and service at all times. Patrons will love that the restaurant is known for using fresh ingredients. What makes the food even better is that the meats, for example, are slowly cooked over a hickory wood fire. Guests can taste the difference in the freshness.
Aside from its mouthwatering food, Lefty offers a warm atmosphere that’s perfect for spending quality time with family and friends.
- Location: Waldorf
- Owners: Sam Berry and Deshaun Watson
- Type of Cuisine: Southern, Barbecue
- Menu Spotlight: North Carolina-style Barbecue, Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, and signature sides, including the Sweet Potato Soufflé, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Mac and Cheese
- Before you go: The restaurant is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Legacy Carryout
There’s no calorie counting permitted when going into Legacy Carryout because you don’t want to ruin a good thing. The restaurant is full of addicting creations that your taste buds probably couldn’t imagine all because the owners were not afraid to think outside of the box.
Legacy Carryout is known for its variety of unique sub sandwiches and crab fries. There are also egg rolls, tasty cheesesteak sandwiches, stuffed burgers, Po’ Boys, and so much more.
- Locations: Fort Washington and Waldorf
- Type of Cuisine: American
- Menu Spotlight: The restaurant is known as the “Home of the Legacy Subs and Crab Fries,” so start here.
- Before you go: Both locations are closed on Mondays.
Milk And Honey
One place that serves one of the best brunches in the DMV is Milk and Honey. There’s a reason why you can find them all across the DMV. The restaurant is a New Orleans-themed Southern Brunch that serves guests its award-winning, breakfast-centric dishes with unique flavors. Milk and Honey also specializes in other slow-cooked, mouth-watering favorites, including the hot honey & lemon pepper sandwich, the signature ribeye steak, and crispy salmon hash.
- Locations: There are various locations throughout Maryland, including Bowie, Camp Springs, and Silver Spring. Check the website for details on each location.
- Type of Cuisine: Southern, Creole Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: Shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and RumChata French Toast.
- Before you go: Each location is different. Some locations are for fast service, while others are for dining in.
Miya Lounge And Restaurant
Each dish on Miya Lounge and Restaurant’s menu tells a story of rich heritage and vibrant culture. The journey began with a passion for sharing the flavors of Africa in the owners’ home, which is rooted in a deep love for their Cameroonian culture. While co-owner Beatrice Asafor has passed away, her daughter, Calisma, is continuing her mother’s legacy and commitment to authenticity and quality.
While the curated menu showcases the best of African cuisine, Calisma and her late mother believe food has the power to bring people together, transcending borders and fostering connections.
- Location: Beltsville
- Owner: Calisma Asafor
- Type of Cuisine: West African Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: Eru & Lamb Fufu Pepper Soup Goat, Spicy Chicken, Suya, Red Snapper, and Jollof.
- Before you go: Patrons can reserve a table ahead of time.
Monikay’s Kitchen
Don’t let this casual and chill dining spot fool you. Monikay’s Kitchen is a cozy eatery in Laurel that serves delicious West African food that feels good for your soul. Each dish is made from scratch, so you can taste the love in each bite. Known as one of the best Ghanaian restaurants in Maryland, signature dishes on the menu include jollof, suya, and Ghanaian waakye. Food can be picked up or delivered.
- Location: Laurel
- Type of Cuisine: Ghanaian, West African
- Menu Spotlight: Jollof, suya, and waakye.
- Before you go: Takeout and delivery orders should be made at least 30 minutes before you’re ready to pick it up.
Negril The Jamaican Eatery
Founded in 1979 by Jamaican native Earl Chinn, Negril Jamaican Eatery is a family-owned, fast-casual storefront serving a scrumptious taste of the island. What started as a place to get authentic Jamaican food after a trip to visit his sister in 1975 has turned into a must-eat-at restaurant in Maryland with four locations.
Today, Earl’s sister, Marguerite, his two sons, and his extended family now manage the four Negril Eats locations. Like their father, Mr. Chinn’s sons subscribe to the Jamaican national motto, “Out of Many, One People.” The motto is indicative of the people across many walks of life who line up to eat their food.
- Locations: Laurel, Mitchellville, Silver Spring, Washington, D.C.
- Owners: Family-owned by The Chinns
- Type of Cuisine: Jamaican
- Menu Spotlight: Curried goat, brown stewed red snapper, jerk wings, oxtails
- Before you go: Closed on Sundays. Beef patties can be shipped nationwide.
NuVegan
If you’re vegan or transitioning to the lifestyle, NuVegan is on a mission to expose your taste buds to the undeniably refreshing and delicious nature of eating naturally. The staff doesn’t expect you to know everything when it comes to vegan food, and they don’t judge people who are flexitarians.
Once inside, guests will be greeted by professional experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the restaurant. From skilled chefs to nutritionists and everything in between, the owners thought of everything to create a better eating experience for people.
- Location: Greenbelt
- Owners: Vernon Woodland
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan
- Menu Spotlight: Vegan Chick’n Drummies, Vegan Fish Sandwich
- Before you go: Gluten-free options are available.
Refocused
The team behind Refocused is changing the vegan status quo by making comfort foods vegan and accessible. The motto of this Baltimore eatery is “We veganize comfort food.”
Jerel Jefferies wants to save the world one delicious plant-based meal at a time. The restaurant’s name gives it all away. The owner wants people to think differently about what it means to be vegan because everyone should experience it for themselves.
- Location: Baltimore
- Owner: Jerel Jefferies
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan Comfort Food
- Menu Spotlight: Vegan cheesesteak, crab cake sandwich, bacon cheeseburger, buffalo chicken salad
- Before you go: Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Silver Spring Wings
This weekend-only wing spot prides itself on having “the best wings in town.” It’s the perfect place for indulging in wing cravings because there are more than a dozen wing flavors to choose from. No need to argue about bone-in or bone-out with your loved ones. Silver Spring Wings offers both, as well as chicken fingers. Once you’re done with your savory course, try their double fudge brownie for dessert.
- Location: Silver Spring
- Owner: Evan Walton
- Type of Cuisine: American
- Menu Spotlight: There are more than a dozen flavors for the wings.
- Before you go: Closed Monday through Thursday; Open Friday through Sunday.
Spizzy Smoothies And Teas
Spizzy Smoothies and Teas don’t contain concentrated juice. The drinks and teas are made with whole food and ingredients. The owner, PG County native Victorious Hall, is an educator by day and entrepreneur by night. He designed the space as a place for people to relax and recharge in the community with others who are also striving to achieve their dreams.
- Locations: Camp Springs, Brandywine
- Owner: Victorious Hall
- Type of Cuisine: Fresh smoothies
- Menu Spotlight: Each drink is named after a city in Prince George’s County.
- Before you go: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Swahili Village
There are five different Swahili Village locations between Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The Beltsville location in Maryland is the original one. The restaurant showcases the cuisines of Kenya, East Africa, and various African cultures. Recognized as a fine-dining African restaurant across the East Coast, each dish unveils a rich blend of flavors throughout the continent and beyond.
- Location: Beltsville
- Owner: Kevin Onyona
- Type of Cuisine: Kenyan
- Menu Spotlight: The Group Platter includes grilled goat, chicken with collard greens, spinach, cabbage, ugali, and chapati garnished with kachumbari. The red beans are also a hit. The dish is made with boiled red beans in a creamy coconut sauce.
- Before you go: There are a ton of vegetarian options. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
The Uncaged Chefs
Chef Damian, a Capitol Heights native, boasts over 10 years of culinary experience. His journey started when he was a child when his grandfather helped light the fire of his passion for cooking at a young age.
He knew he always wanted to be a chef, but not like everyone else. He wanted his food to stand out from the rest. His restaurant, “The Uncaged Chefs,” reflects his food because he refers to his cooking style as being uncaged and free to create what his heart desires.
- Location: H Street Corridor
- Owner: Chef Damian
- Type of Cuisine: American, Soul, Caribbean Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: The Uncaged tacos, crab fries, chicken and waffles, and jerk mac and cheese.
- Before you go: The restaurant does not accept online orders at this time. Call to place takeout orders.
The Urban Oyster
Chef Jasmine Norton is the woman behind Maryland’s first woman-owned and Black-owned oyster bar. Growing up in Baltimore, she was introduced to oysters at seven years old, thanks to her father. Shortly after, she learned how to shuck oysters.
The Urban Oyster was created by her love for adventure and passion for food. Chef Norton’s goal is to introduce oysters to friends, family, and peers who aren’t exactly raw seafood lovers. The experience here at The Urban Oyster will change the minds of even the pickiest eaters.
- Location: Baltimore
- Owner: Chef Jasmine Norton
- Type of Cuisine: Seafood Bar
- Menu Spotlight: Raw and chargrilled oysters.
- Before you go: The restaurant accepts online reservations for tables. Parking is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trinity Grill And Bar
The owners opened Trinity Grill and Bar in 2016 to provide comfort food, amazing service, and a trendy vibe to the Hyattsville community and the DMV at large. People will find quality in every savory bite because everything—from the appetizers to the main dishes—is prepared with the utmost detail. It makes you feel good about indulging in comfort and bar foods.
- Location: Hyattsville
- Type of Cuisine: American
- Menu Spotlight: Turkey wings, blackened shrimp, buffalo chicken wrap.
- Before you go: The restaurant has happy hour every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests with parties of at least six should call ahead.
Maryland’s Black-owned restaurants offer a variety of cuisines unlike anywhere in the United States. With its proximity to the ocean and other metropolitan hubs, Black restauranteurs in Maryland have everything your mouth and bellies desire. From West and East African cuisine to vegan, soul food, and incredible seafood, these dining spots and chefs are creating dishes you’ve never heard of by simply not being afraid to think outside the box.
