Very few cities in the United States can boast how famous their restaurants are. Black-owned restaurants in Washington D.C. have opened their doors to artists, politicians, international movers and shakers, and others seeking the best of what the nation’s capital has to offer: culture and a fantastic culinary scene.
Whether you’re looking for a brunch venue that celebrates Black culture or a new concept, like Bronze, a restaurant inspired by Afrofuturism, Black-owned restaurants in D.C. offer a variety of experiences unlike any other metro in the U.S. Here are the top Black-owned restaurants in Washington, D.C., in 2024.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Some places are must-visits, and Ben’s Chili Bowl is a rite of passage for anyone visiting Washington D.C., let alone supporting Black-owned restaurants. On U Street, the original location, and on H Street, Ben’s Chili Bowl has served locals and tourists its famous homemade chili and half-smokes in the nation’s capital since 1958.
- Location: U Street (Columbia Heights), H Street (NE Washington, DC)
- Owner: Ben and Virginia Ali
- Type of Cuisine: American
- Menu Spotlight: Original Chili Half Smoke served with Ben’s spicy homemade chili sauce on top or Ben’s Classic Chili Dog: a jumbo beef, turkey, or veggie dog served with homemade chili sauce.
- Before you go: Vegan and vegetarian dishes are also available throughout the menu.
Bronze
Once you enter Bronze, you are no longer in the nation’s capital. Guests immediately embark on a journey and experience that pays homage to the 700-year-old story of Alonze Bronze.
The three-story restaurant is inspired by Afrofuturism, which melds fantasy and gastronomy with the culture of the African Diaspora. The menu is filled with items that take inspiration from Africa and the Caribbean, with most people raving about the coconut basmati and bamboo rice.
- Location: H Street Corridor
- Owner: Keem Hughley
- Type of Cuisine: African, Caribbean, Fusion
- Menu Spotlight: Torched Oysters, Braised Oxtail with Pappardelle, Bronze Coconut Basmati & Bamboo Rice.
- Before you go: This is a great restaurant for vegans and vegetarians. Before leaving, visit the cocktail bar on the top floor: the Crane Room. Crane-studded wallpaper makes for great photos and a large rounded cutout overlooking the Earth below offers a stunning, new perspective.
Cane
You don’t have to travel far to revel in traditional Trinidadian street food. Located in the H Street Corridor, Cane takes a modern spin on Trinidad’s most popular Indian and Creole street foods, including doubles, Dhalpuri Roti, Jerk wings, and, of course, rum cocktails.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama was photographed eating a double at Cane – a traditional Trinidadian sandwich made with two flatbreads known as bara and filled with curried chickpeas. Cane also received Michelin’s Bib Gourmand recognition for good quality and good value cooking.
- Location: H Street Corridor
- Owners: Peter Prime, Jeanine Prime
- Type of Cuisine: Trinidadian, Caribbean
- Menu Spotlight: Trini-Chinese Style Chicken, Curried Beef or Chicken, Jerk Wings, Doubles, and the Geera Pork Belly.
- Before you go: Cane’s is vegetarian-friendly. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
DCity Smokehouse
People are always surprised to find out that D.C. has its own style of barbecue. There’s no better place to experience it than DCity Smokehouse. Consistently ranking on the best of the best lists in the region, DCity Smokehouse is home to smoked meat classics, its signature mac and cheese, and DCity Pit Smoked Wings.
- Locations: Bloomingdale, Historic Anacostia
- Owner: Melvin Hines
- Type of Cuisine: American
- Menu Spotlight: BBQ Sample Platter, DCity Pit Smoked Wings, and its signature Mac & Jack Cheese.
- Before you go: The Bloomingdale location is open seven days a week.
Heat Da Spot Café
Very few coffee shops serve breakfast and brunch beyond pastries and sweets. Heat Da Spot Café is known equally for its breakfast and brunch menu alongside its Ethiopian coffee and specialty lattes. You can pick between classic American breakfast and brunch items such as waffles, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches, or start your morning with Ethiopian classics such as the Chechbsa, Kinche, and Eggs combo.
- Locations: Columbia Heights/Petworth
- Owners: Family-owned
- Type of Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Menu Spotlight: Chechbsa, Kinche, and Eggs combo, Heat Pie Special, Ethiopian Coffee, Coffee House Honey Iced Special.
- Before you go: Heat Da Spot Café is closed on Sundays.
Here’s The Scoop DC
Located in the lower Georgia Avenue corridor, across from Howard University, Here’s The Scoop DC is one of the best spots in town for ice cream, desserts, and snacks.
- Location: Lower Georgia Avenue Corridor/Columbia Heights
- Owner: Karin Sellers
- Type of Cuisine: American Desserts
- Menu Spotlight: The menu rotates, but some popular dairy items are the Honey Graham, Campfire Smores, and Cinnamon Churro.
- Before you go: The shop is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dairy-free options are available.
Kitchen Savages
When Darrell Gaston created Kitchen Savages, he wanted to provide people in the community withan option for fine dining without leaving their area. Since launching the restaurant in 2023, Kitchen Savages has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants among locals and visitors.
- Location: Historic Anacostia neighborhood
- Owner: Darrell Gaston
- Type of Cuisine: American, Southern
- Menu Spotlight: Crab Cake Egg Rolls, Honey Blackened Salmon, and Banana Pudding Cheesecake.
- Before you go: Kitchen Savages accepts reservations, which are highly recommended. The owner created Trap Sundays, a culinary training experience for at-risk young people, to provide a safe environment for them to learn life skills.
Letena
Letena is one of the best options in Washington, D.C. if you’re looking for authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The award-winning restaurant lives up to its name, meaning “for health” in Amharic. Whether it’s a vegan or vegetarian dish or a plate for meat lovers, the team prepares each dish with fresh ingredients.
- Location: Columbia Heights
- Owner: Yamrot Ezineh
- Type of Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Menu Spotlight: Shrimp & Scallop Tibs, Shrimp Wot, Asa Tibs, Chef’s Signature Tibs, Lega Tibs, Yebeg Lega Tibs, Goat Tibs.
- Before you go: Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Swahili Village
Inside The Consulate is Swahili Village – a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of Kenya, East Africa, and various African cultures. Recognized as a fine dining African restaurant in Washington, D.C., each dish unveils a rich blend of flavors throughout the continent and beyond, including India, Portugal, and more.
- Locations: Dupont Circle
- Owner: Kevin Onyona
- Type of Cuisine: Kenyan
- Menu Spotlight: The Group Platter is served with 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.
Spicy Water African Grill
Guests visiting Spicy Water African Grill will be transported to the Ivory Coast. Menu items are inspired by the street foods in the country’s largest city, Abidjan, where you can smell the smoke of grilled meats during the night.
- Location: U Street Corridor
- Owner: Duraine Kouassi
- Type of Cuisine: West African, Ivory Coast
- Menu Spotlight: Chicken Jollof Rice Plate, Attiéké, Jollof, Or Yam Fried Large Red Snapper, Oxtail Palmnut Stew.
- Before you go: Closed on Mondays. The restaurant takes reservations.
Black-owned restaurants in Washington, D.C. play a significant role in attracting people worldwide to experience its distinct culture. Some Black-owned restaurants have also made a mark in history by serving activists during the Civil Rights Movement and bringing together people who otherwise may not have considered sitting at a table together. Aside from history, Black restaurateurs in Washington D.C. are also at the forefront of creating unique and fun dining experiences, whether you’re eating solo, on a date, or celebrating with loved ones.
