Use this dining guide* to support Virginia’s Black-owned restaurants and experience why Virginia stands for LOVE.
*This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but to highlight a few of the restaurants that help make Virginia a beautiful and inclusive place.
Love Local: Regionally-Focused Black-Owned Business Websites
There are over 60 Black-owned restaurants within Richmond that are highlighted on the Visit BLK RVA website, which also features arts & culture sites, boutique shops, attractions, health & wellness businesses, sports and recreation, and tours. For a closer look at Black-owned dining options, check out the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, which also hosts a bi-annual Black Restaurant Week.
Mama J’s Restaurant, Photo Credit: Hannah Armstrong, @hannahelizarmstrong
The Hampton Roads region’s Buy Black Hampton Roads website breaks down Black-owned business categories into restaurants, retail, and events, as well as local Black history attractions and sites. Another resource for coastal Virginia is The Craving’s Queen Black-Owned Restaurants in the 757 article.
Northern Virginia’s Black Chamber of Commerce showcases Black-owned eateries, shopping venues, automotive repair shops, construction companies, entertainment businesses, financial services, health & wellness organizations, legal services, and more.
Lynchburg continues to update their article about Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, shops, wellness centers, and salons in Lynchburg, talking with the owners to share all that the businesses have to offer both locals and visitors.
Visit Charlottesville put together an article on the Black-owned restaurants in the Charlottesville area, and The Charlottesville 29 has also compiled their own list.
Central Virginia
Croaker’s Spot
- Croaker’s Spot, Richmond
- Mama J’s, Richmond
- Sweet Spot Ice Cream Cafe, Richmond
- Lillie Pearl, Richmond
- 521 Biscuits & Waffles, Richmond
- Penny’s Wine Shop, Richmond
- Bateau, Richmond
- Brewer’s Cafe, Richmond
- Soul Taco, Richmond
- Lammar Marie’s Gourmet Popcorn, Richmond
- NuVegan Cafe, Richmond
- Brewer’s Waffles, Richmond
- Addis Ethiopian, Richmond
- Vagabond, Richmond
- Charlotte’s Southern Deli & Tapas, Richmond
- Sweets by Keet, Glen Allen
Urban Hang Suite
- Urban Hang Suite, Richmond
- Croaker’s Spot, Petersburg
- Charlotte’s Chicken & Waffles, Petersburg
- Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood Restaurant, Petersburg
- Barb’s Dream Hut, Lynchburg
- Bistro Brothers BBQ, Lynchburg
- Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats, Lynchburg
- Val’s Comfort Kitchen, Lynchburg
- Boylan Heights, Charlottesville
- MarieBette Bakery, Charlottesville
- Mel’s Cafe, Charlottesville
- Nona’s Italian Cucina, Charlottesville
- Soul Food Joint, Charlottesville
- Love’s Kitchen, Culpeper
Virginia Mountains
- Morning Brew Coffee Company, Roanoke
- Hot Dog Hut, Roanoke
- B&M’s Grill, Roanoke
- Heavenly Foods, Roanoke
- Doc’s Soul Food, Roanoke
- Delish Sweets & Treats, Roanoke
- Caribbica Soul, Roanoke
- 213 LUX Lounge, Roanoke
- Scoony’s Seafood, Roanoke
- Dillon’s Hot Dogs, Roanoke
- Island Jerk, Roanoke
- TJ’s Backyard BBQ, Roanoke
- Delicia’s Gourmet Ice, Roanoke
- Vibez Lounge & Grill, Roanoke
- Roasters Next Door Coffee, Wasena
- Cheesesteak Factory & JERK HOUSE, Salem
- Gina’s “Food with Flavor”, Salem
- Country Barn Restaurant, Rocky Mount
- Master Sergeant BBQ, Vinton
- Granny’s Grill, Vinton
Southern Virginia
- Mrs. Kitty’s, Collinsville
- Hylton’s Wood Grill, Fieldale
- KJ’s Cake Creations, South Boston
- MANNA the Natural Experience, South Boston
- Doug’s Deep Blue Seafood, Martinsville
- Preston Ridge Winery, Martinsville (winery)
- Storehouse., Franklin
- Wydia’s Bistro, Franklin
- Hetties Garden Vineyard, Windsor
- Cre8tive Works Café and Art Gallery, Surry
- Colonial Trail Seafood Market & Deli, Surry
- Bubba & Franks BBQ Restaurant, Hampton, Carrollton, Portsmouth, & Kempsville locations
Northern Virginia
Delaplane Cellars, Photo Credit: Eric Weiss
- Delaplane Cellars, Delaplane (winery)
- Sibby’s, Warrenton
- Inspired Cravings, Gainesville
- Maaza 29, Gainesville
- Jirani Coffee House, Manassas
- Tropical Bites, Manassas
- Manna Bistro & Bakery, Centreville
- Social Burger, Vienna
- Sweet Zen7 Health Bar, Bristow
- Matchbox, Fairfax
- BRX American Bistro, Great Falls
- Johnny Ray’s Sultry Soul Food, Leesburg
- The Pit Stop BBQ, Sterling
- Cubasi Bistro, Sterling
- Out of the Bubble Bakery, Springfield
- Austin Grill, Springfield
- Della J’s Delectables, Springfield
- Rahama African Restaurant, Woodbridge
- Irie Caribbean American, Woodbridge
- Foode, Fredericksburg
- Market Salamander, Middleburg
- Meaza Ethiopian Cuisine, Falls Church
- Caribbean Plate, Falls Church
- Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, Arlington
- Idido, Arlington
- The Rub Chicken & Beer, Alexandria
- Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant, Alexandria
- Hen Quarter, Alexandria
Southwest Virginia
- Eatz on Moore, Bristol
- The Juice and Her Smoothie Bar, Tazewell
- Big Indian Farm Bakery, Willis
Coastal Virginia
Photo Credit: Henry Saint-Jean, @piximpress
- Mango Mangeaux, Hampton
- Guilty Pleasure Coffee Shop, Hampton
- Cobalt Grille, Virginia Beach
- Happy Cafe, Virginia Beach
- Sundae Scoop, Virginia Beach
- CLTRE Vgn Jnt, Virginia Beach
- Twin Tiger Ice Cream & Funnel Cake Cafe, Virginia Beach
- J&K Style Grill, Virginia Beach
- My Mama’s Kitchen, Norfolk
- 350 Grace, Norfolk
- Gourmet Burger & Bistro, Norfolk & Portsmouth
- The General Public, Suffolk
- Whole-ly Rollers Bakery, Chesapeake
- Seafood Kitchen, Chesapeake
- Johnson’s BBQ, Chesapeake
- Cutlass Grille, Chesapeake
- Sweet Kream Bakery, Chesapeake
- The Dog House, Chesapeake
- Charlotte’s, A Simply Panache Cafeteria, Hampton
- Hummingbird Macarons, Norfolk
- Jerk Sauce, Hampton
- Polly’s Soul Food, Hampton
- Scratch Bakery, Hampton & Newport News
- Yoolks On Us Southern Bistro, Portsmouth
- Tipsy Bean Cafe, Williamsburg
- Corey’s Chicken Shack, Williamsburg
- Southern Pancake & Waffles House, Williamsburg
Shenandoah Valley
Photo Credit: Claudia Kay, @magnoliastacos
- Magnolia’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, Harrisonburg
- Merge Coffee Company, Harrisonburg
- Sweet Joy’s Bakery, Harrisonburg
- Darryl Haley’s Baked Goods, Luray
- Papa’s Kitchen, Waynesboro
- Wings of Waynesboro, Waynesboro
- Smoking Rooster’s, Waynesboro
- The French Press, Waynesboro
- Taste of the Tropics, Staunton
Virginia’s Eastern Shore
- Kendall’s Kountry Kitchen, Onley
- Anointed Hands Bakery, Onley
These are just a fraction of the Black-owned restaurants around the Commonwealth; share yours with us in the comments below so that we can add them to the list!
Ray
Pimenta in Fredericksburg is also black owned.