Food & Drink

5 min read

15 BEST Black-Owned Restaurants in New Orleans (Best Food in NOLA!)

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of New Orleans at these top 15 Black-Owned restaurants! From soul food to Creole, find the best spots for tourists craving authentic NOLA cuisine.

Tobi Miles
September 17, 2022

The city of New Orleans boasts a rich culture, one heavily influenced by the African American community. It's a popular history that one of the oldest Black communities in America is the New Orleans' Tremé neighborhood.

Today, the Black American culture is still paramount in New Orleans, which is visible through the many quality black-owned restaurants. Do you need seafood, southern, soul food, creole, traditional American, or traditional African food? You can find them all in these restaurants.

Typically, you'd want to visit the best out there. However, with the many quality restaurants available, settling down on one can be tricky. But not to worry, we at Town & Tourist have done with homework for you. 

Here are the top 15 black-owned restaurants in New Orleans.

1. Heard Dat Kitchen

Credit: Uber Eats

Address: 2520 Felicity St New Orleans, LA 70113 | Phone Number: (504) 510-4248 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heard Dat Kitchen is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is known for its delicious seafood dishes, as well as its friendly staff. You'll find Heard Dat Kitchen on Felicity Street in New Orleans. It's a father-daughter black-owned restaurant renowned for its award-winning chef, Chef Jeffery.

What to Eat at Heard Dat Kitchen

This restaurant provides quality food at affordable prices, which makes them an ideal stop for group meals. In addition, they offer a signature pasta meal – Heard Dat Pasta.

You can also order the tasty Superdome, Bourbon Street, macaroni, and seafood extravaganza. These meals are made under the supervision of the expert Chef Jeff.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Heard Dat Kitchen is a black-owned restaurant that'll make you feel at home. Eating at Heard Dat Kitchen is an ideal way to enjoy quality meals without breaking the bank. Aside from the food quality, the restaurant offers professional customer service. You can visit the restaurant every day, except on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Heard Dat Pasta
  • Cuisine: Cajun/Creole, Seafood, Soul Food

2. Morrow's

Credit: New Orlean's

Address: 2438 St Claude Ave New Orleans, LA 70117 | Phone Number: (504) 827-1519 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Morrow's is self-described as a spot for great food and good vibes. Owned by a black mother and son, the restaurant opened in 2018, serving Korean and classic New Orleans dishes.

What to Eat at Morrow's

Most of the meals available at Morrow's are seafood and cajun dishes. The cajun crawfish pasta is the most popular dish at the restaurant. Others include seafood platter, BBQ shrimp, lettuce wraps, and grilled salmon.

Notably, the meals are relatively affordable, and most are housemade. You can also order sides, beverages, and appetizers.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Morrow's is one of the best black-owned restaurants in New Orleans as it's located in a serene environment, with waiter service and a full bar. In addition, the restaurant has a good health score, and the staff is friendly.

Morrow's is a restaurant you can visit daily. It's open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, it's open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Cajun Crawfish Pasta
  • Cuisine: Korean, New Orleans

Related Read: Best Time to Visit New Orleans

3. Willie Mae's Scotch House

Credit: NOLA

Address: 2401 St Ann St New Orleans, LA 70119 | Phone Number: (504) 822-9503 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Willie Mae's Scotch House, opened in 1957, is located in the famous Treme neighborhood in the heart of New Orleans’ black community. The restaurant is known for its fried chicken, which has been voted the best in the city by numerous publications and has become one of the most popular black-owned restaurants in the Louisianian city.

What to Eat at Willie Mae's Scotch House

Don’t expect just whiskey at Willie Mae's Scotch House because of its name. Instead, the restaurant serves some of the best comfort food and southern dishes.

On the menu, you’ll find fried chicken, fried catfish, candied yams, and pork chop, to name a few. In addition, the restaurant offers waiter and catering services. 

Why Should You Eat Here?

In simple words, you should eat at Willie Mae's Scotch House if you want to experience the magic of the historic Treme neighborhood. The restaurant is casual and classy, with street and private lot parking. In addition, you can order takeouts or request delivery.

Doors are open on weekdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant is only closed on Sundays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Fried Chicken
  • Cuisine: Southern Dishes, Comfort Food

4. Barrows Catfish Restaurant

Credit: Grubhub

Address: 8300 Earhart Blvd Ste 103 New Orleans, LA 70118 | Phone Number: (504) 265-8995 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Barrows Catfish is one of the oldest black-owned restaurants in New Orleans that was opened in 1943. It was known as Barrow's Shady Inn. It’s located in Earhart Blvd Ste, New Orleans, LA. This restaurant offers a variety of catfish dishes that are sure to please any palate.

What to Eat at Barrows Catfish 

You already know what to expect on the menu from the restaurant’s name – catfish. Nevertheless, the menu lists other dishes like crab claws, shrimp platter, and seafood gumbo.

Furthermore, the restaurant offers limited vegetarian options. Hence, you can also find something to eat at Barrows Catfish if you’re vegan.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Barrows Catfish restaurant became famous for its fried catfish, from where it got its current name. You may not find a better catfish restaurant than it in New Orleans. Therefore, you should visit the restaurant if you want the best.

Aside from the meal, Barrows Catfish is good for group meals and a perfect spot to have lunch. Unfortunately, it’s closed on Sundays but open on other days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Catfish King Platter
  • Cuisine: Fish and Chips

Related Read: 25 Best Romantic Getaways in New Orleans

5. Twisted Waffles LLC

Credit: Yelp

Address: 725 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70130 | Phone Number: (504) 635-0033 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Twisted Waffles is unique as it’s a licensed business, an LLC, located at 725 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA. The restaurant opened to offer an amazing dining experience to anyone around this area and is known for its creative takes on the classic waffle and friendly and outstanding customer service.

Some of their most popular dishes include the savory chicken and waffle, a crispy chicken breast served on top of a waffle with honey mustard sauce, and the beignets and bacon waffle, which is a fried doughnut-like pastry served with bacon bits and powdered sugar.

What to Eat at Twisted Waffles

Twisted Waffles restaurant primarily provides breakfast and lunch meals. Sandwiches, pastries, coffee, espresso, and the popular twisted waffles are some of the meals available at this restaurant.

Notably, most waffles available at this restaurant are Belgian style. However, you can order the southwest salad or the twisted spinach and berries salad if you want something different.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Twisted Waffles boasts waffles with unique flavors you won’t find anywhere else – not in Louisiana or other US states.

It’s a suitable spot to enjoy breakfast and lunch. There’s everything to love about the restaurant, from the outdoor seating space to the free Wi-Fi and TV.

The restaurant stays closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Chicken and Waffles
  • Cuisine: Belgian Waffles

6. Vyoone's

Credit: Vyoone's

Address: 412 Girod St New Orleans, LA 70130 | Phone Number: (504) 518-6007 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vyoone’s is a black-owned restaurant owned by Vyoone Segue Lewis, a native New Orleanian with Afro Creoles and French ancestors. She launched her restaurant to offer authentic french cuisine, and so far, it’s one of the best.

What to Eat at Vyoone’s

Vyoone’s boasts a menu with some of the best fresh cuisine meals. If you visit the restaurant, you should miss the classic french onion soup or the filet mignon - they’re the best.

Other tasty meals on the menu include crab cakes, soft shell crab, BBQ Shrimp, crawfish beignets, omelette, gumbo, and more.

Why Should You Eat Here?

You should visit Vyoone’s if you want to enjoy french cuisine. You won’t find many better french cuisine restaurants in New Orleans. Many people who’ve been to this restaurant attest to the excellent service.

Vyoone’s is open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sundays, it’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. but closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: French onion soup
  • Cuisine: French 

Related Read: 45 BEST Things To Do With Kids New Orleans, LA

7. Baroness On Baronne

Credit: Yelp

Address: 339 Baronne St New Orleans, LA 70112 | Phone Number: (504) 522-8664 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You’ll find Baroness on Baronne in downtown New Orleans. Actor Sidney Webb and Camille Whitworth own the restaurant, and it exists to maintain the elegance of the past in a modern fashion.

This iconic eatery has been a staple in the city for years and is known for its exceptional food and incredible atmosphere.

What to Eat at Baroness On Baronne

Baroness on Baronne features a relatively packed menu, including food selections, cocktails, and special items. These include dante, little boy blue, blood & smoke, and pocho vila cocktails, to name a few.

The food options include Spicy Brussel, creole pizza, baked brie, cajun pizza, and bacon-wrapped scallops. Among all, the Korean BBQ lettuce stands out.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Health-wise, Baroness on Baronne is one of the safest restaurants to eat in New Orleans. The restaurant is suitable for groups and perfect for late-night meals.

It stays open from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m on Fridays and Saturdays. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, Baroness on Baronne is open from 4:30 to 11 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Korean BBQ Lettuce
  • Cuisine: Korean, Pizza

8. Bywater American Bistro

Credit:

Address: 2900 Chartres St New Orleans, LA 70117 | Phone Number: (504) 605-3827 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Described as an American neighborhood restaurant, Bywater American Bistro offers an energetic environment with delicious American cuisine. It’s operated by Chef Nina Compton and her husband, Larry Miller.

The Bywater American Bistro is a restaurant that celebrates the city's unique heritage.

What to Eat at Bywater American Bistro

You can order your favorite American dishes at Bywater American Bistro. Some meals on the menu include jerk chicken, pork belly, tuna toast, little gem salad, red snapper, crystal hollandaise, pickled shrimp, and avocado toast.

Furthermore, the restaurant is an affiliate of the BABs wine club, so you also get some of the best wines in New Orleans.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Bywater American Bistro is your spot if you prefer eating in trendy and upscale restaurants. The restaurant offers heated outdoor seating, takeouts, waiter service, and delivery. 

In addition, you’ll appreciate the moderate noise, free Wi-Fi, private parking lot, and gender-neutral restrooms.

You can walk into Bywater American Bistro from Wednesdays to Sundays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The restaurant’s doors are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Pork Belly
  • Cuisine: American

Related Read: 20 BEST Soul Food Restaurants in the USA

9. Jamaican Jerk House

Credit: Top Brunch Spots

Address: 4017 St Claude Ave New Orleans, LA 70117 | Phone Number: (504) 777-7799 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Located at St Claude Avenue, Jamaican Jerk House is a casual restaurant where you can enjoy quality Caribbean dishes. The restaurant opened to bring Kingston city life to New Orleans.

What to Eat at Jamaican Jerk House

Head to Jamaican Jerk House to enjoy Caribbean mac, jerk shrimp plate, curry chicken, oxtail plate, brown stew chicken, and beef patties.

Aside from the above, you can also order jerk beef ribs, jerk pork chop, and salmon pasta. Generally, expect everyday meals in Jamaica in the Jamaican Jerk House restaurant.

Why Should You Eat Here?

You don’t have to worry about delays if you order from Jamaican Jerk House. The restaurant’s service is prompt, and the orders come in large portions. These are some reasons people choose the restaurant.

You can visit the restaurant any day of the week. It’s open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays. On Sundays, you can visit from 12 to 6 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Jerk Chicken
  • Cuisine: Caribbean

10. Sweet Soulfood

Credit: Yelp

Address: 1025 N Broad St New Orleans, LA 70119 | Phone Number: (504) 821-2669 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sweet Soulfood is one of the best black-owned restaurants on North Broad street. Arguably, it’s the best vegan restaurant in the neighborhood. The restaurant offers a unique take on traditional soul food, focusing on fresh and healthy ingredients.

What to Eat at Sweet Soulfood

Sweet Soulfood is the place to go for vegan and organic meals. The restaurant prepares delicious local plant-based cuisine with Creole New Orleans-style soul food.

Vegan dishes available at Sweet Soulfood include okra gumbo, BBQ cauliflower, vegan mac, eggplant lasagna, and the signature fried cauliflower. You can enjoy more at the ice cream bar and salad bar.

Why Should You Eat Here?

As mentioned before, you should visit Sweet Soulfood if you’re vegan. It’s one of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans, with various options.

Also, it’s a modern restaurant you’ll appreciate if you love a hipster, casual, and trendy environment. Finally, with the multiple supported payment options, clearing bills is seamless.

The restaurant is closed on Sundays. However, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Fried Cauliflower
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Soul Food

11. Freddie's Chicken and Waffles

Credit: Yelp

Address: 814 S Peters St New Orleans, LA 70130 | Phone Number: (504) 766-6738 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Freddie's Chicken and Waffles is a casual black-owned restaurant in the heart of New Orleans serving delicious food for over ten years. The restaurant is known for its fried chicken, served with waffles and various sauces, and has maintained a history of good old-fashioned cooking.

The chicken is perfectly cooked, and the waffles are light and fluffy. The combination of the two is heavenly.

What to Eat at Freddie's Chicken and Waffles

The dishes available at Frieddie’s are mainly chicken and waffles, but of different varieties. In addition, you can order pecans, omelettes, crab cake eggs Benedict, and sandwiches.

Aside from chicken and waffles, the restaurant offers a full bar with happy hour specials. In addition, you can make flexible orders with takeout, delivery, catering, and waiter services.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Do you enjoy chicken and waffles for breakfast and brunch? If yes, you should be at Freddie’s the next time you’re in New Orleans.

However, you get more than chicken and waffles from Freddie’s. Free Wi-Fi, a quiet space, private dining, and outdoor seating are also available, which you’ll appreciate. The restaurant is open from Monday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Southern Breakfast
  • Cuisine: Southern Dishes, Waffles

12. Fritai

Credit: Eater

Address: 1535 Basin St New Orleans, LA 70116 | Phone Number: (504) 264-7899 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fritai opened in Basin Street in late 2015. The chef, Charly Pierre, originally from Haiti, moved to the United States a few years ago and decided to open a restaurant to share their culture and food with the community and continue his parent’s legacy as skilled chefs.

What to Eat at Fritai

Fritai is exclusive to Haitian dishes. Customers who visit Fritai confirm that the menu is not only delicious but creative.

When you visit the restaurant, you can order mushroom tofu, creole chicken, baked crab mac, oxtails, and pork shoulder, to name a few. You can’t argue that the meals listed are mouth-watering.  

Why Should You Eat Here?

With 4.5/5 ratings out of over 140 reviews on Yelp, Fritai qualifies as one of the best black-owned restaurants in New Orleans.

Without question, you should visit Fritai if you enjoy Haitian cuisine. In addition, the restaurant has a 100/100 health score, which is the best you can get. You can walk in from 4 to 10 p.m. every day, except on Tuesdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Baked Crab Mac
  • Cuisine: Haitian

13. I-tal Garden

Credit: Yelp

Address: 810 N Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA 70116 | Phone Number: (504) 515-7321 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The I-tal Garden Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind eatery restaurant in the Treme neighborhood and offers a truly unique dining experience. The restaurant is like a traditional Chinese garden, with stone pathways, bridges, and ponds.

The food is also all-vegetarian and has comfort dishes, making it a perfect choice for those looking for healthy meal options.

What to Eat at I-tal Garden

Dishes at this restaurant include mac, crabless crab cakes, ribs, Cauli wings, Ra pasta, and delicious avocado toast with Ital salad.

You also don’t want to miss the nourishment bowl, filet mushroom burger, and vegan rodeo burger meals. You’ll find many more vegetarian options, and notably, I-tal Garden restaurant serves no alcohol or happy hour.

Why Should You Eat Here?

When in Treme, you’d want to eat at I-tal Garden if you’re a vegan. Even if you’re not vegan, you can still enjoy the restaurant’s plant-based meals for the soul.

Other things to love about the restaurant include its casual yet classic setting, free Wi-Fi, TV, and gender-neutral restrooms.

I-tal Garden is only open from Fridays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s closed from Mondays to Thursdays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Avocado Toast with Ital Salad
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Comfort Food

14. Up & Adam Eatz

Credit: NOLA

Address: 3903 Canal St New Orleans, LA 70119 | Phone Number: (504) 708-7237 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Up & Adam Eatz is a black-owned restaurant on Canal street that follows a culture of providing great-tasting specialty coffee. This black-owned restaurant is quickly becoming a city favorite, thanks to its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere. 

What to Eat at Up & Adam Eatz

Up & Adam Eatz offers great-tasting specialty coffee for breakfast and brunch. You can also order catfish, boudin, holly grove chicken, avocado toast, and sausage links.

Not many breakfast & brunch spots in New Orleans are as classy as Up & Adam Eatz. The black-owned restaurant is one of the best for the day’s first meal.

Why Should You Eat Here?

If you prefer a classy restaurant where you can have breakfast in outdoor seating, you should visit Up & Adam Eatz. The restaurant offers takeouts and waiter service, which you may need.

You can’t visit Up & Adam Eatz on Mondays. On other weekdays and weekends, you can visit the restaurant from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Fridays, you can also walk in from 4 to 8 p.m.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Downtown Breakfast
  • Cuisine: Coffee and Tea, Salad

15. Boswell's Jamaican Grill

Credit: Yelp

Address: 3521 Tulane Ave New Orleans, LA 70119 | Phone Number: (504) 482-6600 | Michelin Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jamaican culture strongly influences the black community in New Orleans, and Boswell's Jamaican Grill exemplifies this. This black-owned restaurant was established in 1998 and has since become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, serving authentic Caribbean cuisine that will leave your taste buds tantalized.

The restaurant is known for its friendly staff and delicious food and has been featured in several local publications.

What to Eat at Boswell's Jamaican Grill

Boswell's Jamaican Grill is another black-owned restaurant in New Orleans where you can enjoy Caribbean cuisine. The restaurant also offers traditional American dishes.

The restaurant prepares popular meals, including jerk chicken, beef patty, veggie patty, curried chicken, and jerk pork. You can order delivery and takeouts, and Boswell's Jamaican Grill offers catering services.

Why Should You Eat Here?

You should visit Boswell's Jamaican Grill restaurant for some of the best Jamaican and Caribbean dishes. Also, the restaurant is located in a serene environment.

It’s a healthy restaurant to eat in, with a Hazel Analytics score of 84 out of 100. Furthermore, Boswell's Jamaican Grill offers a full bar, a divey atmosphere, TV, outdoor seating, and takeouts.

The restaurant’s doors are open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. but closed on Sundays.

  • Yelp Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Jerk Chicken and Pork Combo
  • Cuisine: Caribbean, Traditional American.

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
March 28, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
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