Travelers will find diverse and unique food when visiting New Jersey. The Black-owned restaurant scene is thriving and growing, representing cultures and cuisines from around the world. Here are 10 Black-owned restaurants in New Jersey for travelers to explore when visiting the Garden State.
Kelsey & Kim’s Soul Food Cafe
For some of the best soul food on the East Coast, visit Kelsey & Kim’s Soul Food Cafe. The chefs have over 20 years of experience preparing all your favorite southern cuisine classics. Good comfort meets good food at Kelsey & Kim’s in New Jersey.
- Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Shrimp & Grits
- Before You Go: This restaurant is located near plenty of hotels, restaurants, and casinos.
The Weekend Spot
The Weekend Spot is unique with its hybrid style of culinary mastery. The restaurant combines traditional African American soul food with Puerto Rican homestyle cooking. This mash-up of flavors is perfect for lunch or dinner when in Newark.
- Location: Newark, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: RicoSoul Cuisine
- Menu Spotlight: Pollo Guisado
- Before You Go: The Weekend Spot is open Thursday through Sunday.
Cornbread
Travelers will find soul food realness at Cornbread. The fast-casual restaurant sources all its ingredients from local purveyors and farmers, providing a farm-to-table experience while also stimulating the local economy. They specialize in cornbread, of course, paired with your favorite meats and sides.
- Location: Maplewood, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Farm-to-table soul food
- Menu Spotlight: Fried Chicken Meal
- Before You Go: Cornbread has a few locations on the East Coast, including Newark, Brooklyn, and Montclair.
JamaGrille
JamaGrille is the place to go for tasty and fresh Caribbean cuisine. The family-owned and operated Jamaican restaurant serves traditional dishes straight from the islands. Its fun, comfortable ambiance makes JamaGrille a go-to Black-owned restaurant in New Jersey.
- Location: Perth Amboy, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Jamaican
- Menu Spotlight: Curry Goat
- Before You Go: If you don’t feel like dining in, you can order ahead and take some Caribbean goodness back to your hotel.
Platter
You’ll find hot, delicious seafood and American cuisine at Platter, making it the ideal spot for travelers seeking a seafood boil. The menu also features a wide variety of American favorites. With locally sourced ingredients and glowing online reviews from satisfied customers worldwide, Platter is a must-visit.
- Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Seafood
- Menu Spotlight: The Shore Special Boil
- Before You Go: Platter has a second location in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
Bettie’s Restaurant
Inspired by his mother’s legacy of cooking and catering in the Dominican Republic, Chef Benet opened Bettie’s to bring a taste of the Caribbean to New Jersey. The Black-owned restaurant features Haitian, Latin, and Caribbean recipes. Chef Benet uses food to showcase the beauty of his mother’s favorite dishes and the diversity of Caribbean cuisine.
- Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Haitian
- Menu Spotlight: Bouillon
- Before You Go: Bettie’s is a great choice for intimate date nights and special occasions.
Essie’s Restaurant & Lounge
Essie’s aims to create memorable dining moments for anyone who visits. Guests can enjoy elevated comfort foods, entertainment, and artistic vibes at this Black-owned restaurant and lounge. Essie’s in New Jersey is a haven for great food and hospitality.
- Location: Clementon, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Menu Spotlight: Blackened Marinated Lamb Chops
- Before You Go: This establishment also hosts unique events and activations throughout the year. Check out its website for more details on upcoming events.
OKO Fine Cuisine
Online reviews prove OKO Fine Cuisine is a hotspot for good food and vibes. The restaurant merges African and Mexican cuisine. Travelers will find some traditional American dishes on the menu, too.
- Location: West Orange, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: African Mexican Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: Fried Snapper
- Before You Go: Travelers should check out the restaurant’s brunch buffet on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Inner City Cafe
Inner City Cafe is where coffee, community, and culture collide. The cafe has an incredible aesthetic, with pink hues and designs embellishing the walls. They sell unique mugs and merchandise to take home after enjoying a delicious latte.
- Location: Orange, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Coffee Shop
- Menu Spotlight: Iced Matcha Latte
- Before You Go: The cafe is also an excellent place for events in New Jersey.
The Marketplace
The Marketplace is a natural food store in New Jersey, perfect for travelers seeking healthier grocery options. Visitors can pick up ingredients to cook at their Airbnb or grab a hot meal to go.
- Location: Englewood, New Jersey
- Type of Cuisine: Grocery and Restaurant
- Menu Spotlight: Various homemade juices
- Before You Go: The Marketplace is a great place to stock up on food to take back to the hotel to eat between exploring New Jersey restaurants.
You don’t want to miss out on the Black-owned food scene in New Jersey. No matter what you’re looking for, New Jersey has an eatery, cafe, or restaurant ready to serve the food your taste buds desire.
