If you fancy yourself a foodie and like to frequent restaurants, you’re in luck. There is no shortage of Black-owned spots across the country that deliver incredibly tasty meals that reflect the rich and diverse culinary history of the Black diaspora. From coast to coast to coast, this list is just a start and a great way to support local, Black-owned restaurants.
Juke Fried Chicken
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Juke Fried Chicken delivers on its namesake promise. While Southern-style fried chicken is certainly the spot’s specialty (the waffle combo also looks tempting), the team offers other items such as BBQ pork ribs, peanut sesame slaw, crispy fried brussels sprouts, jalapeno cheddar cornbread, hand cut chicken nuggets and its line of specialty sauces, among other options.
PG’s Jamaican Restaurant
Location: White Rock, British Columbia
Jamaican food is known for its spicy, bold flavours. And while Canada (and Toronto especially) is rich with Jamaican restaurants, you’ll quickly discover each person has their own go-to favourites. PG’s Jamaican Restaurant is one such spot, located just outside of Surrey, British Columbia in White Rock. It’s been in business since 1992 (so you know it’s good) and has been dishing out quintessential Jamaican staples such as Ackee and Codfish (sometimes called saltfish), Curry Goat and Oxtail Stew. You can now also find crispy fried chicken on the menu too.
Boukan
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Top-rated Haitian restaurant in Toronto, Boukan is spearheaded by culinary creative, Marc-Elie Lissade. Noticing a void in the city’s bustling food scene, Lissade stepped in to fill the void in December 2019 with his French-Creole street fare. If you’re unfamiliar with Haitian food, discover the next favourites such as chicken fritay with plantains, Haitian beef stew (Bouyon) and the delectably sweet beignets.
Le Virunga
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Le Virunga is not just a restaurant — it’s a unique culinary experience as a whole. By revisiting traditional African recipes, Chef Maria helps customers taste the typical flavours of Africa. Le Virunga also has a 100 per cent South African wine list that pairs perfectly with its upscale menu.
SugarKane
Location: Toronto, Ontario
This Toronto spot has been cooking mouth-watering dishes for years since it started as a catering service. Known for creating comfort Caribbean and Cajun food with a twist, SugarKane offers up delicious favourites like Jerk Chicken Tacos, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Chicken and Waffle Sliders and The Soul Bowl which consists of curried chickpeas, candied yams, collard greens, apple slaw, garlic sauce and crisp breadfruit over coconut brown rice. The restaurant also offers a kid’s menu for a family-friendly bite.
The Heartbreak Chef
Location: Toronto, Ontario
If you’re from Toronto you’re might already familiar with The Heartbreak Chef. With its new location in Kensington Market, the original Toronto spot is back with some of the restaurant’s familiar favourites. Customers can enjoy the classic Dutty Sandwich, made with grilled pineapple, creamy slaw and fried chicken tossed in a spicy jerk sauce. Combos are available from $17 and a late-night menu is available when the restaurant has evening events.
Tropikàl Restobar
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Wall of Chefs judge, and executive chef Jae-Anthony Dougan is behind Montreal’s vibrant Tropikàl Restobar. Focusing on Caribbean, West African and Afro-Latin fare is not only one way to unify the Black diaspora colonialism has artificially divided, but Chef Dougan’s work is an intentional pushback on an industry not traditionally known for its diversity or giving BIPOC cuisines their due. Expect to find items such as rasta pasta with a six-ounce lobster tail or oxtail tacos on its menu.
Related: Tre Sanderson and Roger Mooking on Being Black in Hospitality
Lloydie’s
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Lloydie’s has two locations bringing West Indian food to the Montreal area. Lloydie’s first introduced the Jamaican patty to the Quebec market in the 90s and has since then been delivering authentic and fresh Caribbean food with their catering, manufacturing and storefronts. You can expect Plantain, Macaroni Gratine (mac and cheese), Poulet Frit (fried chicken), Oxtail and Poulet Jerk Poutine (jerk chicken poutine), sweet desserts and sodas.
Mary’s African Cuisine
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Located right in Halifax’s downtown centre, Mary’s African Cuisine sees Chef Mary Nkrumah tapping into her Ghanian heritage to deliver layered and customizable dishes such as spicy Chicken Yassa, Juicy Goat Stew, flavourful Groundnut Soup (a peanut soup served with gari fufu, yam fufu or abolo – types of dumplings) and Egusi Stew (pumpkin seed and spinach).
R&B Kitchen
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
This family-owned restaurant in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia dishes out a fusion of soul food, Caribbean flavours and traditional East Coast staples. While R&B Kitchen is primarily a take-out restaurant, the takeaway offerings are no less impressive. The menu changes but the heart of R&B Kitchen won’t: sample offerings include its “Soul Bowl” Fried Chicken, Mac and Cheese, and Collard Greens, Jerk Oxtail, Curry Goat and more.