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
Lillie Pearl
- Croaker’s Spot, Richmond, Petersburg
- Mama J’s, Richmond
- Sweet Spot Ice Cream Cafe, Richmond
- Lillie Pearl, Richmond
- 521 Biscuits & Waffles, Richmond
Penny's Wine Shop
- Penny's Wine Shop, Richmond
- Soul Taco, Richmond
- Lammar Marie's Gourmet Popcorn, Richmond
- NuVegan Cafe, Richmond
- Addis Ethiopian, Richmond
- Vagabond, Richmond
- Charlotte’s Southern Deli & Tapas, Richmond
- Sweets by Keet, Glen Allen
Urban Hang Suite
- Urban Hang Suite, Richmond
- Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood Restaurant, Petersburg
- Barb’s Dream Hut, 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
Virginia Mountains
- Heavenly Foods, Roanoke
- Caribbica Soul, Roanoke
- 213 LUX Lounge, Roanoke
- Dillon’s Hot Dogs, Roanoke
- Island Jerk, Roanoke
- Delicia’s Gourmet Ice, Roanoke
- Roasters Next Door Coffee, Wasena
- Gina’s “Food with Flavor”, Salem
- Country Barn Restaurant, Rocky Mount
Southern Virginia
- Hylton’s Wood Grill, Fieldale
- KJ's Cake Creations, South Boston
- MANNA the Natural Experience, South Boston
- Preston Ridge Winery, Martinsville (winery)
- Storehouse., Franklin
- Wydia’s Bistro, Franklin
- Hettie's Garden Vineyard, Windsor
- Bubba & Franks BBQ Restaurant, Hampton, Carrollton, Portsmouth, & Virginia Beach locations
Northern Virginia
Delaplane Cellars, Photo Credit: Eric Weiss
- Delaplane Cellars, Delaplane (winery)
- 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
- Della J’s Delectables, Alexandria
- Rahama African Restaurant, Woodbridge
- Irie Caribbean American, Woodbridge
Foode
- 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
- Union 41, Bristol
- Big Indian Farm Bakery, Willis
Coastal Virginia
Mango Mangeaux, 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
- 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
- Jerk Sauce, Hampton
- Scratch Bakery, Hampton & Newport News
- Yoolks On Us Southern Bistro, Portsmouth
- Tipsy Bean Cafe, Williamsburg
- Corey’s Chicken Shack, Williamsburg
- Southern Pancake & Waffle House, Williamsburg
Shenandoah Valley
Magnolia's Tacos and Tequila Bar, 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
- The French Press, Waynesboro
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!
