New York in the fall is a feast for the senses—from crisp air and bold foliage to rich, comforting flavors served by some of the state’s most talented Black chefs, bakers, and mixologists. Across every region, Black-owned restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges, juice spots, and soul food staples offer unforgettable experiences rooted in flavor, community, and cultural pride. Photo Credit: @ecs.scenes via @apogeewinebar on Instagram
These are just a few of the great Black-owned restaurants in New York. Email info@iloveny.com to feature Black-owned eateries you love in New York State!
Breweries and Bars
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Hunter Mountain Brewery (Catskills): Black-owned brewpub in Hunter with over 15 taps, hearty fare, and mountain views—perfect after a leaf-peeping drive or ski trip.
The Guest House Bar & Bistro (Long Island): Upscale Mediterranean bistro in Levittown featuring happy hour drinks, brunch with bottomless mimosas, and entrées like lamb chops and seafood pasta.
Harlem Hops (NYC): Manhattan’s first 100% Black-owned craft beer bar, known for rare brews and Caribbean-inspired bar bites.
The Honey Well (NYC): Retro-chic cocktail lounge in West Harlem with vintage décor, creative cocktails, and small plates—a must for a night out.
Legacy Wine Bar (Finger Lakes): Cozy urban wine bar in Rochester featuring curated wines, truffle fries, and Philly egg rolls with Rochester’s famous Boss Sauce.
Apogee Wine Bar (Finger Lakes): Black-woman-owned neighborhood wine lounge in Rochester pouring diverse global wines with chef-driven small plates.
Soul Food
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BJ’s Restaurant (Hudson Valley): Cozy soul food mainstay serving fried chicken, hearty desserts, and home-cooked flavors near Beacon’s artsy downtown.
BLVD Bistro (NYC): Harlem’s Southern comfort food destination serving shrimp & grits, seven-cheese mac, and lamb chops in a stylish setting.
Melba’s Restaurant (NYC): Harlem icon Melba Wilson’s soul food staple—famous for chicken & waffles, catfish, and a high-energy Sunday brunch.
Red Rooster Harlem (NYC): Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s landmark bistro known for global soul food, live music, and its iconic gospel brunch.
Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen (Capital-Saratoga): A soul food haven with fried chicken, candied yams, and family recipes made with love by Chef Kizzy in Albany.
Kitchen 216 (Capital-Saratoga): Soul food classics like fried catfish, mac & cheese, and collards are served in a casual, Black-family-run space in Albany.
Soulicious II (Capital-Saratoga): Soul food favorite offering ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, and Southern-style comfort in a welcoming environment in Schenectady.
Park Vue Soul Food Bar & Restaurant (Greater Niagara): Family-run kitchen dishing ribs, fried chicken, and classic sides in a neighborhood hangout in Buffalo.
The Fire Spot (Greater Niagara): Black veteran-owned kitchen serving soul food classics like fried chicken, ribs, and mac & cheese with a community-driven spirit in Buffalo.
Simply Soul (Greater Niagara): Comfort food served with warmth—fried chicken, cornbread, and soulful sides in a welcoming, down-home space in Niagara Falls.
International Flavors
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Island Flavor Jerk Cuisine (Long Island): Authentic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken, oxtails, curry goat, and Rasta pasta, crafted by entrepreneurs with over 40 years of culinary expertise in Amityville.
Keobi Restaurant (Capital-Saratoga): Black-owned restaurant blending African and Caribbean flavors—think jollof rice, jerk chicken, and hearty stews in a warm, welcoming space in Albany.
Just Jollof Kitchen (Hudson Valley): West African eatery in Middletown offering bold flavors like jollof rice, suya skewers, and okra stew—made fresh daily.
Top Taste Restaurant (Hudson Valley): James Beard–nominated Jamaican counter famed for charcoal-fired jerk chicken and oxtail in Kingston.
Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine (Finger Lakes): Family-run Ethiopian eatery featuring traditional injera platters, rich stews, and coffee ceremonies in Ithaca.
Royalty Food for Soul (Finger Lakes): Generous portions of Jamaican favorites like jerk chicken, curry dishes, and pepper steak served with big island flavor in Sodus.
Cafés and Bakeries
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Bayview Kitchen (Long Island): Black-owned café in Amityville offering brunch and dinner menus featuring avocado toast, jerk chicken, salmon scampi, and chicken & waffles.
Golden Cup Coffee (Greater Niagara): Black-owned café in Buffalo serving premium roasts, fresh pastries, and a welcoming community vibe.
Northstar Public House (Finger Lakes): New American fare and craft cocktails in a cozy converted house in Ithaca—founded to celebrate Black heritage and local produce.
The Nourish Spot (NYC): Two locations in New York City offering acai bowls, wellness shots, and cold-pressed juices from this health-forward Black-owned brand..
See & Be Kitchen (Catskills): Black-owned bakery and café in Cairo serving sourdough, wood-fired pizza, and seasonal pastries—perfect for a cozy brunch after a hike.
Bites and Beats
Suite 36 Brunch & Bistro (Long Island): Brunch classics with a twist—lemon pepper wings, seafood grits, skirt steak—in a lively atmosphere with DJs in Floral Park.
Lavish Lounge (Finger Lakes): Jamaican American fusion spot known for oxtail, jerk chicken, live music, and a buzzing late-night crowd in Auburn.
Café Erzulie (NYC): Haitian-inspired café by day, party spot by night with craft cocktails, DJ sets, and a colorful backyard scene in Brooklyn.
The Rum Bar (NYC): Caribbean-inspired bar and bites in Brooklyn serving jerk spring rolls, reggae playlists, and a laid-back vibe ideal for groups.
Fine Dining
Photo courtesy of Tatiana
The Public House at Urban Cowboy (Catskills): Rustic fine dining in a design-forward lodge setting featuring seasonal dishes from a Black-owned boutique hotel in Big Indian.
Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (NYC): Afro-Caribbean fine dining from James Beard–winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, serving dishes like dumplings, short-rib pastrami suya, and braised oxtails in a vibrant, stylish setting.
Brooklyn Chop House (NYC): Black-owned fusion steakhouse serving chops, steaks, and creative dumplings in a lively setting.
Epicurean Experiences
Brunch + Nature: Grab breakfast at See & Be Kitchen in Cairo before a hike at Webster’s Pass from Winter Clove Inn.
Wine + Culture: Sip at Legacy Wine Bar after visiting Rochester’s jazz history spots.
Soul Food + History: Dine at Simply Soul, then explore the Underground Railroad Center in Niagara Falls.
City Night Out: Feed your soul at BLVD Bistro and sip cocktails at The Honey Well in Harlem dance the night away at Café Erzulie in Brooklyn.
Explore our I Love NY Black Travel blogs, seasonal guides, and curated itineraries to plan your next getaway in New York State. From cultural landmarks to Black-owned restaurants and businesses, there’s always something new to discover.
Don’t forget to tag us in your travels on TikTok, Instagram, and X using #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY.
