Toronto is home to many amazing attractions across its Canadian landscape. Affectionately known by hip-hop listeners as The 6, the city is overflowing with Black-owned businesses from various industries. These entrepreneurs and brand owners represent the culture up north and introduce Toronto to creativity and flavors from across the diaspora. If you’re looking for delicious food, The 6 has that as well, taking food beyond cuisine and into community, fellowship, and positivity. Here are a few Black-owned restaurants to check out in Toronto.
Mary’s Brigadeiro
Travelers will find the finest handcrafted chocolate treats at Mary’s Brigadeiro in Toronto. Mary immigrated to Canada in 2014 and wanted to find a way to share joy and happiness with the community. Her specialty chocolates are made by hand from condensed milk, creating a rich and bold flavor. Texture is key, and Mary and her team of chocolatiers are the best at crafting unique candies for visitors to enjoy.
- Location: Multiple locations
- Type of cuisine: Handcrafted chocolate
- Menu spotlight: Noir
- Before you go: Mary’s Brigadeiro also has some of the best hot chocolate in the city for cold Toronto nights.
Boukan
Rooted in creating community, Boukan embodies Haitian food culture in Toronto. The word boukan means bonfire or firepit in Haitian Creole. Now, three Haitian Torontonians are inviting the community to enjoy elevated Haitian street food in an exciting new way. The restaurant specializes in fritays, a traditional Haitian dish comprised of various fried foods. The restaurant is consistently rated as one of the best in Toronto. Travelers can also enjoy live music and open mic performances at Boukan.
- Location: Greektown
- Type of cuisine: Haitian
- Menu spotlight: Bak Fritay Deluxe
- Before you go: Travelers can also enjoy a delicious brunch menu at Boukan.
The Heartbreak Chef
The Heartbreak Chef is breaking hearts in Toronto by fulfilling your ultimate sandwich dreams. The restaurant closed down in 2023 but reopened in a new location at the beginning of 2024. Now, the chef and staff are serving guests in a larger location while staying true to the original menu and vibes. After their meal, travelers can play arcade games, lounge in the restaurant, and enjoy comedy shows and live music on select nights.
- Location: Kensington Market
- Type of cuisine: Sandwich shop
- Menu spotlight: Dutty Chicken Sandwich
- Before you go: If you get hungry in Toronto late at night, this restaurant has a late-night menu with shareables and appetizers.
Roywoods
Caribbean cuisine is alive and well in Toronto, thanks to Roywoods. The restaurant has six locations across the U.S. and has become a staple for locals to grab their favorite dishes. With two Toronto locations, travelers can visit Roywoods for dishes like jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtails, and more. Known by locals as the Home of The Jerks, this restaurant is a must-visit in Toronto. Roywoods stays true to authentic recipes and ingredients. It’s a real Caribbean experience with incredible food, drinks, and hospitality.
- Location: Multiple locations
- Type of cuisine: Caribbean
- Menu spotlight: Jerk Chicken
- Before you go: All chicken items at Roywoods are now halal.
Beach Hill Smokehouse
You may think you’ll only find good barbecue in the Southern U.S. or the Midwest. However, there’s something groovy grilling up in Toronto. Self-proclaimed as some of the best barbecues in Toronto, Beach Hill Smokehouse takes inspiration from grill masters worldwide to produce delicious smoked and grilled meats. Travelers will find barbecue favorites like brisket, pork sausage, and halal smoked chicken. Inspired by the smoked meat style of Central Texas, Beach Hill is bringing American barbecue to Toronto.
- Location: Multiple locations
- Type of cuisine: Barbecue
- Menu spotlight: Certified Angus Beef Brisket
- Before you go: Beach Hill Smokehouse has a new location opening soon in downtown Toronto.
Afro Continental Bar And Grill
Located on Albion Road, the Afro Continental Bar and Grill invites guests to find comfort and good food in its four walls. Restaurant owners describe the establishment as a home away from home for visitors. Travelers can enjoy a variety of Ghana’s finest cuisine. From baked piri piri chicken and fluffy jasmine rice to savory peanut soup, Afro Continental Bar and Grill has a plethora of delicious offerings for hungry travelers. This restaurant is one of the best places for West African cuisine in the city and is a must-visit if you love African food.
- Location: Toronto
- Type of cuisine: Ghanaian
- Menu spotlight: Spinach Stew
- Before you go: Afro Continental Bar & Grill is closed on Mondays.
Rendez-Vous
For a taste of East African flavor in Toronto, travelers should visit Rendez-Vous. The restaurant, cafe, and bar have all your favorite Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes. In traditional Ethiopian fashion, travelers should be prepared to dine with their hands. Past visitors suggest eating family-style so everyone can try the array of dishes served at Rendez-Vous. The restaurant invites guests to travel with them to Africa and enjoy food and drinks as they do on the eastern side of the motherland.
- Location: Toronto
- Type of cuisine: Ethiopian and Eritrean
- Menu spotlight: Rendez-Vous Special Tibes
- Before you go: Rendez-Vous also has an assortment of vegetarian options available.
SugarKane
Food, music, and good vibes collide at SugarKane on Danforth Avenue. The restaurant began as a catering service called Spiked Punch in 2013. Today, Spiked Punch has blossomed into SugarKane, providing full-service dining and catering to the Toronto community. The flavors and spices are authentic and bold, showcasing the flavorful diversity of Caribbean cuisine. With some slight Cajun influences, SugarKane is reimagining Caribbean food in Canada. Travelers can also enjoy live music performances at SugarKane throughout the week.
- Location: Toronto
- Type of cuisine: Caribbean
- Menu spotlight: Uncle Ben’s Saltfish Cakes
- Before you go: For a lovely Caribbean brunch experience, travelers should head to SugarKane on Sundays.
Veggie D’Light
Veggie D’Light in Toronto merges authentic Caribbean flavors with vegan favorites. The owner, Chef Peter, fine-tuned his culinary mastery in Mandeville, Jamaica. After moving to Toronto, he opened Veggie D’Light to bridge the gap for vegan food lovers. This restaurant advocates for healthy and sustainable living. Now located in Kensington Market, Veggie D’Light first began as a vendor at the Stonegate Farmer’s Markets. Its menu encourages guests to indulge in a well-balanced diet that edifies their bodies and tastes delicious.
- Location: Kensington Market
- Type of cuisine: Vegan
- Menu spotlight: Savory Pizza Cake
- Before you go: Veggie D’Light is only open Friday through Sunday for those visiting the city.
Ruby Soho
For late-night bar action, travelers can stop by Ruby Soho. The Black-owned bar has incredible drinks, food options, and a late-night menu. Ruby Soho is a chill vibe and a great meeting place to connect with friends and family in Toronto. It’s open 365 days a year, every night until 2 a.m. Locals love unwinding and dining at this establishment in the heart of the city.
- Location: King West
- Type of cuisine: Bar
- Menu spotlight: Barbacoa Short-Rib Tacos
- Before you go: Travelers can grab brunch at Ruby Soho on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Next time you’re in Toronto, swing by one of these Black-owned restaurants for more than just food. Enjoy a meal in spaces cultivated to take care of your stomach, mind, and spirit. A real treat awaits travelers at each of these restaurants in The 6.
