From hearty Southern-style breakfasts to traditional West African dishes, açai bowls to barbecue and authentic tacos, Cincinnati’s Black-owned eateries are a vital part of our foodie landscape. Whether you want to grab a coffee or craft beer with a friend or feed your body and soul with homestyle cooking, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and food trucks from local Black restaurateurs you can check out and support.

Pata Roja Taqueria 52 E. Court St., Downtown Taqueria Pata Roja got its start in 2019 as a food truck that could typically be found behind Bar Saeso in Pendleton. From there it grew in popularity, becoming known for its authentic street tacos and Mexican dishes. With this success, owner Derrick Braziel decided to put down roots in downtown Cincinnati. In February, Braziel opened Pata Roja in its new brick-and-mortar spot in Court Street Plaza. Pata Roja’s new space is modeled after the iconic taquerias of Mexico City, with colorful tiles and a central focus of the trompo, a meat rotisserie that’s front and center in the kitchen, which will be used to roast pork for the authentic tacos al pastor. On the menu, guests will find a variety of street tacos, including the al pastor and the popular campechano, which combines several meats into one taco, as well as frozen margaritas and fresh salsas. Photo: facebook.com/patarojatacos
Nolia Kitchen 1405 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine Bringing New Orleans-style flair and fare to Over-the-Rhine, Nolia offers diners an upscale, yet approachable, experience. The exposed brick and bold floral wallpaper add a bright and airy feeling to the intimate setting, and the menu features delectable Southern-inspired dishes like the River Catfish, served with grits, meunière and crawfish, or the Pork Shank. And while you shouldn’t expect Nolia to play zydeco music or serve hurricane cocktails in novelty cups, the restaurant’s drink menu will truly laissez les bon temps rouler, non? Photo: Sean M. Peters
Sewovi Foods 607 Shepherd Drive, Lockland Sewovi Foods is a new ghost kitchen (meaning you can only order for carryout or delivery) that specializes in West African dishes, specifically those from the country Togo. Founder Etse Sewovi wanted to use his kitchen to bridge his love of food from his homeland with the opportunity to also aid Togolese farmers who are struggling to sell their produce by connecting them with U.S. buyers. Their produce is featured in Sewovi’s dishes, like the Ademe Dessi (a soup featuring meat or fish with jute leaves), Nugbagba (tomato stew) and the Poisson Frit (locally sourced tilapia marinated, spiced and deep-fried). For dessert, try a the Zowey, a West African treat of spicy peanuts and corn, rolled into a ball and sweetened with date sugar. Photo: Provided by Etse Sewovi
Big Jays Place 930 Hempstead Drive, Finneytown Big Jays Place in Finneytown offers a menu bursting with flavor from its Caribbean comfort food dishes, like the Soul Food Plate, featuring jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cilantro rice, or the half-pound Jerk Burrito, which comes with a choice of shrimp, jerk chicken or salmon. But what Big Jays is best known for is its oxtail, which Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives host Guy Fieri got to try on his recent visit there, saying, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.” Photo: facebook.com/bigjaysplace
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey 9039 US-42, Union Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey is inspired by the trappings of the American frontier and California’s 19th-century gold rush. The restaurant is helmed by chef Christian Gill, who has appeared on several cooking competition shows. At Boomtown, the true delight comes plated. The signature biscuit isn’t a run-of-the-mill, thousand-layer, flaked baked good: it’s a buttery, soft disk with a close crumb and a browned, lightly bubbled top that no breakfast chain can compete with. Order the Gold Shoes to get this delightful biscuit topped with delicious sawmill, peppercorn, mushroom, Creole or goetta gravy. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Soul Secrets 1434 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine This OTR spot doesn’t just offer soul food – their recipes tell the story of owner Candice Holloway’s family. “Our recipes – that’s what we bring to the table. They’re historic, they’re traditional, they are original, they’re from scratch, they are made with love,” Holloway told CityBeat. A look at the menu shows entrees that, in a lot of the South, would just be called good ol’ home cooking, like fried chicken, its seasonal (and vegan) chicken pot pie, fried whiting and catfish. On the side, there’s mac and cheese, collard greens, sweet potatoes and cornbread — the kinds of dishes prepared for the family and that you’d hope for when someone offers to “fix you a plate.” Photo: Catie Viox
Ollie’s Trolley 1607 Central Ave., West End Located in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in Cincinnati. This little trolley serves a variety of smoked meats, including ribs, turkey tips and pulled pork, plus metts and burgers. They also offer plenty of sides, like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. For dessert, get a slice of their lemon pound cake or chess pie, or take a whole pie or cake home to share. Photo: Sami Stewart
Muse Café 3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood This Westwood coffee and wine bar offers up cafe items like frappes and smoothies, plus a sizable food menu that includes breakfast, lunch, tapas and cheese plates. Speaking of cheese, do not sleep on the paninis. Muse is more than a cafe with delicious meals and drinks, however; you also go for the experience: gathering with friends to catch up, unwinding after a long day with a glass of wine or taking in the live music performances or local art displays. Photo: facebook.com/musecafecincinnati
Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery 663 Justice Court, Loveland Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery proves the slogan on their website — “fast food is not good, and good food is not fast” — to be true. Founded in 2009 to sell their MB Simply Sweet BBQ sauce, Midwest Best BBQ quickly evolved into a popular restaurant. Their menu boasts entrees including a chopped chicken sandwich, a smoked turkey wrap, smoke-fried wings, “sweet-n-smoky” ribs and more. They also serve delicious sides like creamy slaw and baked beans. They like to pair their barbecue with ice cream, offering scoops, milk-shakes and malts, sundaes and more. Photo via Facebook/MidwestBestBBQ Photo: Facebook/MidwestBestBBQ
BOL 2165 Central Ave., Unit A, West End As Cincinnati’s first açaí bowl bar, BOL has a mission to bring people together through a shared love of fresh, healthy and tasty food. They have both a mobile food truck you’ll find around the city, as well as a stationary truck on Central Avenue in the West End. You can create your own bowl with fruits, granola and a variety of toppings, from peanut and almond butters to bee pollen and goji berries. BOL also has several pre-created bowls on their menu that you can modify, like the Jujitsu BOL (which comes with strawberries, banana and honey) or the Queen City BOL (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple, raspberries, chia seed and honey). Photo: facebook.com/BOL
Just Q’in 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills Owned by Matt Cuff, Walnut Hills barbecue joint Just Q’in is “committed to the mission of Faith, Love and BBQ,” and offers their smoked brisket, ribs, chicken and more coupled with classic barbecue sides. Photo: Lindsay McCarty Photo: Lindsay McCarty
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 20: Catch Me If U Can 6112 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge “This has been on my list to visit and I am glad I finally made it. From the music to the food to the drinks! It was a good time! Service was great and the staff are welcoming and friendly. I had the shrimp tacos and potatoes and onions! OMG! Whatever that red sauce is with the fresh taco shell – they know something in the kitchen! Everyone in my party was highly satisfied and we can’t wait to come back! It’s the fact the prices aren’t outrageous too! Affordability definitely makes this a 5-star with taste and service! Oh that Arnold Palmer with some mango is what the doctor ordered! The drinks are sweet but it’s the perfect balance with the savory food!” -Latrice W. Photo: facebook.com/Catchme Ifyoucan
Flavors of the Isle 1807 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine This Jamaican soul food restaurant and bar is owned by Detroit-native-turned-long-time Cincinnati resident Ebony Williams. Specializing in its famous Jamaican jerk chicken, Flavors of the Isle got its start as a member of the Outdoor Market and Findlay Kitchen, a nonprofit supporting local food entrepreneurs, and was started as a way to address the shortage of ethnic eateries in Cincinnati, says Williams. Apart form the jerk chicken, you’ll also find other Caribbean fare like oxtail, curry, brown stew chicken and a vegan platter of rice, peas, stir-fry cabbage and fried sweet plantains. Photo: Provided by Findlay Market
Yard Vybz Nyaminz 9536 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester West Chester restaurant Yard Vybz serves up authentic Jamaican food and good times. Owner David Williams says what sets his restaurant apart from other Jamaican restaurants are the authenticity of the food and the service. The restaurant is family-owned and operated, with David; his wife, Nicole; and their son working tirelessly to provide good food and good vibes to the community, David says. On the menu, you’ll find classic Jamaican cuisine like jerk chicken, oxtail and plantains, as well as vegetarian and seafood options. Photo: facebook.com/Yardvybznyam
Darou Salam 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside Darou Salam is Cincinnati’s best-kept secret for authentic African food. It offers Senegalese cuisine ranging from Lamb Dibi, grilled lamb paired with an onion-mustard sauce; Firir – fried whole tilapia (Yes, with the head, but don’t be scared; it’s tasty) and Bissap Sorrel, a famous Hibiscus juice and Senegalese favorite. Photo: facebook.com/NorthsideNOW
Alabama Que 2733 Short Vine St., Corryville Alabama Que proudly boasts on their website that they are the “home of the turkey tips.” This restaurant was founded by Dwan Ward in 2008, a veteran of the U.S. Navy. An Alabama native, Ward’s restaurant oozes Southern charm and a food truck was added to the business to keep up with growing demand. Some meat options include smoked chicken, beef ribs, smoked salmon and, of course, the famous turkey tips. Photo via Facebook.com/AlabamaQueFanPage Photo:facebook.com/Alabama Que
Elephant Walk Indian Bar and Grill Late-Night Hours: Friday-Saturday until midnight 170 W. McMillan St., CUF Your mom might have told you not to eat spicy food late at night, but we’re gonna encourage it with Elephant Walk. Not only do they serve up North Indian favorites like samosas, a variety of vegetarian dishes, tandoori specialties and naan burritos — a beloved street food in Mumbai — they also have an Ethiopian menu. Try the Misser Soup (a lentil soup seasoned with herbs and spices), an Injera Roll (Ethiopian, vegan flatbread that’s wrapped around vegetables and your choice of protein), or the Awaze Tibs, cubed beef steak, pan-seared and sautéed with red onions, bell peppers, cardamom and awaze sauce and served with injera. Photo: facebook.com/EWalkCincy
Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse 3546 Montgomery Road, Evanston Serving up locally sourced organic coffee and tea, Cream + Sugar also offers breakfast and lunch with a focus on local and plant-based ingredients. Owned by longtime friends Taren Kinebrew and Crystal Grace, the coffee shop is designed to evoke a calming and welcoming vibe, with shades of blue and teal and window seating, as well as lounge space for larger groups. Photo via facebook.com/Cream+Sugar Coffeehouse
Katch the Kitchen 4172 Hamilton Ave., Northside After operating as a food truck for some time, Katch the Kitchen opened a brick-and-mortar spot in Northside in March 2021. Their menu consists of everything from French Toast Roll Ups with a vanilla cream cheese glaze to fries loaded with chicken, shrimp, crab, cheddar jack cheese and ranch. And for under $7, you can get a delicious breakfast burrito loaded with eggs, cheese, peppers, potatoes and your choice of meat. Photo: Facebook.com/KatchTheKitchenRestaurantAndBar
9. Teranga Restaurant 8438 Vine St., Hartwell ”Wanted to check out a new place during Black Restaurant Week and this did not disappoint. It’s tucked away in a plaza, but pretty easy to find. Delicious authentic African food right in Cincy, who knew?!? The dibi was cooked to perfection and the red snapper is enough for a family and perfectly grilled. The jerk chicken was so flavorful and spicy! The only miss were the beignets for dessert, but I think it’s because I had high expectations based on my previous experiences in New Orleans. Please check this place out, it’s a great meal!” — Leah S. Photo via Teranga Restaurant’s Facebook Photo: facebook.com/Teranga
Saturday Morning Vibes 3539 Reading Road, Suite 101, Avondale If you crave those memories of grabbing a bowl of cereal and plopping yourself in front of the TV to watch Saturday morning cartoons, this new cereal bar can help you relive those days. The nostalgia is real at Saturday Morning Vibes as it features cereals from around the world, as well as toppings like strawberries, whipped cream and more to add to your bowl. Their menu also has avocado toast, waffles, muffins, bagels, fresh fruit and local coffee. Photo: facebook.com/saturdaymvcafe
Express Wings 7625 Reading Road, Roselawn Express Wings doesn’t just do wings well. Enjoy their chicken sandwich that rivals some of its corporate competitors, or their famous chicken and waffles. You can also indulge in their cheeseburgers, seafood baskets or sandwiches or sample a little of everything with a fish, wings and fries combo. Photo: facebook.com/Express Wings
Divine Appetite Cafe 8982 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester There are not many places in Cincinnati where you can go and get authentic African cuisine and comfort food, which is exactly what Divine Appetite Cafe excels at. The cozy, no-frills West Chester restaurant features traditional dishes like Waakye — African stewed tomato sauce, chicken, fish and a hard-boiled egg — and Banku, cornmeal dumplings served with okra sauce which includes fish, blue crab and beef. It also carries a homestyle menu with American-style dishes like fried chicken and smothered pork chops. Side dishes cross cultures with items ranging from french fries and mac & cheese to roti (Caribbean flatbread) and fried plantains. Photo: facebook.com/Divine Appetite Cafe and Catering
Habesha Restaurant and Cafe 5070 Crookshank Road, Covedale Habesha is a great hidden-gem restaurant offering Ethiopian dishes and an Ethiopian-style coffee ceremony. While it looks like a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, the cuisine is on par with Ethiopian eateries in Washington, D.C. — which is saying a lot. Photo: Liz Davis Photo: Liz Davis
Pluto’s Cafe 1817 Galbraith Road, North College Hill On Pluto Cafe’s menu, you’ll find homestyle favorites like catfish, meatloaf and chicken tenders, as well as combo meals like their Game Time (whiting, wings and fries). Level up your plate with some delicious Southern-style sides like green beans, fries or coleslaw. Photo: facebook.com/plutoscafe
Rasheedah’s Cafe 5922 Hamilton Ave., College Hill Rasheedah’s Cafe is located in an unassuming brick building in the heart of College Hill, but don’t let the modest exterior fool you; the cafe is full of heart, soul and delicious food. Rasheedah Majid first opened her self-named cafe in 1993 to address the need for halal dishes in Cincinnati. Now, the spot offers comfort food and halal meats like their salmon croquettes, fried fish and rib eyes for dinner and Philly cheese steaks and chili dogs for lunch. Photo: facebook.com/RasheedahsCafe
Millie’s Place 5923 Madison Road, Madisonville Millie’s Place has been a staple soul-food eatery in Cincinnati since opening in 1993. The classic after-church restaurant serves up fried chicken, fried fish, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, collard greens and other Southern favorites. For dessert, don’t pass on the peach cobbler or lemon cake. Photo: Google Maps