Food & Drink

5 min read

15 BEST Black-Owned Restaurants In St. Louis, MO (Seafood, Soul Food, & More)

Feast on the best Black-owned eateries in St. Louis, MO! From soul food to seafood, these 15 spots offer mouthwatering flavors and warm hospitality.

Tobi Miles
September 8, 2022
15 BEST Black-Owned Restaurants In St. Louis, MO (Seafood, Soul Food, & More)

Are you looking for a good place to eat in St. Louis, MO? This city is home to several black-owned restaurants where you can find delicious food and friendly hospitality. If you want to support a local business, you might be wondering what the best black-owned restaurants in St. Louis are.

SweetArt is a black-owned bakery with great food and an inspiring atmosphere. Steve's Hot Dogs started as a small cart and is now a popular gathering spot. We can't forget about Bait, one of the best seafood restaurants in St. Loius. Another great choice is Creole With A Splash Of Soul, where you can taste the magic in every bite.

St. Louis has a very diverse culinary scene. You can find almost any type of food you're craving in this city. When you want comfort food that's not shy on flavor, there are many restaurants in St. Louis worth trying. Today, we're going to talk about 15 of the best black-owned restaurants in St. Louis.

1. SweetArt

credit: SweetArt

SweetArt is a family-owned cafe and bakery in St. Louis. Everything served at this bakery is made from scratch, without any shortcuts taken.

What To Eat At SweetArt

Breakfast tacos or waffles n' berries are a great way to start your morning. If you stop in for lunch, some popular choices are the vegan-friendly sweet burger and Bell Hook's nachos. There is also a selection of sweet desserts made in-house daily. The sweets change regularly, so you will need to stop in to see what they have.

Why Should You Eat Here?

The team at SweetArt love what they do. You can taste their love of food in every bite. On top of that, they only use fresh and good-quality ingredients. You won't find any mixes or premade frozen foods in this kitchen. All of the menu items, including the sausage, are made in-house.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Sweet Burger
  • Cuisine: American, Bakery

2. Bait

Credit: Riverfront Times

Bait is an intimate black-owned restaurant that's popular for brunch and dinner. They offer gourmet food and specialize in seafood dishes.

What To Eat At Bait

The brunch menu has decadent choices like seafood sausage benedict and lobster omelet. Seafood fanatics will love this menu, with choices like seafood boil, seafood chowder, swordfish, and squid ink pasta. If you want to try something that's probably not on your regular dinner menu, you should order the alligator tacos.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Many guests love the cozy and elegant atmosphere of this restaurant. It's a very intimate setting, allowing you to enjoy the company of your table without hearing everyone else around you. Bait also has one of the best selections of seafood entrees in St. Louis.

  • Yelp Rating: 4
  • Cost: $$$
  • Specialty Dish: Red Snapper
  • Cuisine: American, Seafood

Related Read: 25 Best Brunches in St. Louis

3. Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust

Credit: Where Traveler

Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust is one of the best local restaurants in St. Louis to find soul food. This eatery is usually busy, but the food is well worth the wait.

What To Eat At Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust

Some of the most popular dishes are fried chicken and baked chicken. Sweetie Pie's also serves delicious smothered pork chops and oxtails. Many customers have fallen in love with the candied yams to the point where they could eat them on their own as a meal. This hotspot also serves freshly made pecan pie and caramel cake.

Why Eat At Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust

Sweetie Pie's a cafeteria-style eatery with some of the most delicious comfort food in St. Louis. It's a very popular spot because the food is fresh, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is fun. This is one restaurant a lot of travelers have on their bucket list when they're in St. Louis.

  • Yelp Rating: 3.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Fried Chicken
  • Cuisine: American, Soul Food

4. Kingz Turkee Shack

Credit: UberEats

Kingz Turkee Shack is the #1 spot in St. Louis to grab entrees where turkey is the main event. You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy turkey when you're in St. Louis.

What To Eat At Kingz Turkee Shack

Most customers recommend trying the smoked turkey leg if it's your first time visiting. The meat is so tender that it just falls off the bone.  Some other popular choices are the turkey ribs, chicken and dumplings with a turkey leg, and the cajun shrimp pasta with a turkey leg.

Why Should You Eat Here?  

This restaurant lives up to the name Kingz Turkee. These experts know how to cook turkey to perfection. Not only will you get delicious food, but the portions are also huge. You won't leave this place hungry.

  • Yelp Rating: 5
  • Cost: N/A
  • Specialty Dish: Smoked Turkey Leg
  • Cuisine: American, Turkey

Related Read: 40 BEST Things To Do in St. Louis

5. Prime's 55 Restaurant & Lounge

Credit: Open Table

Prime's 55 offers a fine dining experience that people keep coming back for. This restaurant is proud to add a Creole touch to its dishes.

What To Eat At Prime's 55

Start your meal off with a tasty appetizer, like the caesar salad or lobster fries. For your main entree, some popular choices include stuffed-grilled salmon, sweet-glazed lamb chops, and cajun alfredo pasta.

Why Should You Eat Here?

At Prime's 55, they believe that good food and good music can set the right ambiance. This restaurant is located inside a hotel, but it's open to the public. It's known for its romantic setting and is becoming one of the most popular places for date night in St. Louis.

  • Yelp Rating: 3.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Stuffed-Grilled Salmon
  • Cuisine: American

6. Creole With A Splash Of Soul

Credit: Riverfront Times

Creole With A Splash Of Soul features recipes created by Chef Ronda. She believes that every chef needs to put soul into the food they make.

What To Eat At Creole With A Splash Of Soul

Start your meal off with one of Chef Ronda's signature appetizers. Choose from favorites like jumbo creole shrimp, creole crab cakes, or Ronda's house wings. For the main entree, some of the top choices are gumbo, cajun pasta, and creole shrimp etouffee.

Why Should You Eat Here?

This restaurant is conveniently located in the St. Louis Grove area. It's an easy spot to get to with a welcoming atmosphere once you arrive. The team at this restaurant loves to host guests that want to enjoy their dining experience.

  • Yelp Rating: 4
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Gumbo
  • Cuisine: Cajun, Creole, Soul Food

7. Southern

Credit: Riverfront Times

Southern has been a staple of the St. Louis community since 2015. This restaurant specializes in the southern comforts of Nashville cooking, so people in St. Louis can enjoy these hearty dishes without having to travel.

What To Eat At Southern

Southern is known for fried chicken. You can enjoy it with sides like cucumber salad, crinkle fries, mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese. This restaurant also has a selection of chicken sandwiches on the menu. Customers can choose their sandwiches based on their heat-level preference.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Southern is part of the Pappy's Family. Every American restaurant included in this family is known to serve high-quality and homestyle food. That is exactly what you can expect when you order a meal from Southern.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Fried Chicken with sides
  • Cuisine: American

8. Whisky On Washington

Credit: Whiskey on Washington

Whisky On Washington is a cocktail bar in St. Louis with great drinks and a laid-back atmosphere. This establishment puts a lot of focus on good people and good drinks.

What To Eat At Whisky On Washington

Whisky On Washington specializes in whiskey beverages. They have a selection of different quality whiskeys and make drinks like old-fashioned and WOW-mopolitan. There is a cocktail menu full of options worth exploring. This focuses only on drinks. If you want to eat while here, the server will be able to suggest local takeout and delivery to compliment the whiskey you're drinking.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Whisky On Washington should be on every whiskey connoisseur's bucket list. This bar has the best selection of premium whiskeys in Missouri. They have all your favorites and new ones for you to try as well.

  • Yelp Rating: 5
  • Cost: N/A
  • Specialty Dish: N/A
  • Cuisine: Cocktail Bar

9. Marquee Restaurant & Lounge

Credit: Riverfront Times

Marquee Restaurant and Lounge is where good food and a fun atmosphere collide. They are popular for live entertainment, happy hour specials, and other fun events.

What To Eat At Marquee Restaurant & Lounge

Weekend brunch is the most popular meal at Marquees. People love the chicken and waffles, steak & egg skillet, and shrimp & grits. For dinner, people can't get enough of the seafood nachos, royal burger, and salmon & lobster mac and cheese.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Marquee Restaurant is the best place in St. Louis to find brunch after dark. It doesn't have to be early to order some of your all-time favorites. Brunch with cocktails at night sounds good to us!

  • Yelp Rating: 3.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Chicken and Waffles
  • Cuisine: American

10. Jaden's Diner

Credit: Direct Black

Jaden's Diner is one place where people don't mind getting in line for their favorite comfort food. People all over the city look forward to stopping here to get some of their famous meat and sides.

What To Eat At Jaden's Diner

It's always recommended that first-time diners order meat with sides. Some of the best choices include short ribs, pork steak, and braised chicken. Choose from delicious sides like greens, mashed potatoes, rice, coleslaw, and more.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Jaden's Diner is a cafeteria-style eatery that is very popular for take-out. It has received nearly perfect ratings from locals because the food is always cooked to perfection. Patrons are never disappointed with their meals here.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $
  • Specialty Dish: Short Ribs
  • Cuisine: American

Related Read: 65 BEST Things to Do in Missouri

11. Sista Girl Sweets

Credit: Eat Okra

Sista Girl Sweets is a trendy soul food eatery located in St. Louis. At this restaurant, you can find your favorite comfort foods and some delicious desserts as well.

What To Eat At Sista Girl Sweets

Sista Girl Sweets serves homestyle dinners, featuring your choice of meat with two sides. They have their own signature line of lemonades, in a variety of different flavors. They also feature amazing desserts, like banana pudding, cheesecakes (cinnamon roll, animal cracker, cookies n' cream, etc.), peach cobbler nachos, and more.

Why Should You Eat Here?

The food is just as delicious as it is fun. While you may come here for a plate of comfort food for dinner, it's the dessert menu that really brings people through the door. You can find some of your favorite desserts taken to the next level.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Peach Cobbler Nachos
  • Cuisine: American, Bakery

12. Turn Restaurant

Credit: Turn STL

Turn Restaurant is a fine dining establishment that's become popular for its brunch menu. This eatery focuses on comfort food with good health in mind.

What To Eat At Turn Restaurant

If you come for brunch, some of the most popular choices include seasonal eggs benedict, avocado toast, and the Brie.L.T. sandwich. Many people also enjoy the southwest warp with chicken chorizo and the L.E.O. (poached eggs on toast with salmon, capers, caramelized onion, and dill hollandaise sauce.)

Why Should You Eat Here?  

Turn is becoming one of the most talk-about brunch restaurants in St. Louis. They offer many custom dishes that you can't order anywhere else in the city.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: L.E.O.
  • Cuisine: American

13. Gourmet Soul

Credit: Gourmet Soul

Gourmet Soul is the top place in St. Louis for food with urban soul infusion. This restaurant opened its door with a promise to deliver great food and amazing hospitality.

What To Eat At Gourmet Soul

You can find all of your favorites at Gourmet Soul. This includes southern-style fried chicken, bbq rib tips, catfish filets, and osso bucco. All meals come with soul food sides, like mac and cheese and seasonal vegetables.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Gourmet Soul is one of the most reliable catering companies in St. Louis. Not only can you get a delicious meal here, but you can also arrange for these chefs to prepare food for your next event.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Southern Fried Fish
  • Cuisine: American, Soul Food

14: Steve's Hot Dogs

Credit: Feast Magazine

Steve's Hot Dogs is one of those places where guests can enjoy food and live music on the patio well into the evening. You can grab a refreshing drink and almost any style of hot dog that you can imagine here.

What To Eat At Steve's Hot Dogs

Hot dogs and burgers are the main attractions here, and there are many ways you can enjoy them. Some of the most popular choices are the mac n' cheese dog and the Chicago dog. You can also build your own dog or burger to get it just how you like it.

Why Should You Eat Here?

Steve's Hot Dogs is a staple in the St. Louis community. It started out as a small hot dog cart and has grown into the popular bar and eatery that it is today. It's one of the top gathering spots in the city.

  • Yelp Rating: 4.5
  • Cost: $
  • Specialty Dish: Mac N' Cheese Dog
  • Cuisine: American, Fast Food

15. Juanitas

Credit: Sauce Magazine

Juanita's is a popular spot to grab cajun and creole food. People enjoy this eatery because the food is comforting and the service is very friendly. However, it's very popular, so there may be a wait to get in.

What To Eat At Juanitas

Juanitas has a lot of great meals on the menu. Some of the most popular choices include voodoo pasta, sweet potato curry, and the seafood rice bowl.

Why Should You Eat Here?

New people are discovering the flavor of this beautiful restaurant every day. The chef knows what they're doing when it comes to taste and presentation. You can expect great food that will fill you up at this hotspot.

  • Yelp Rating: 3.5
  • Cost: $$
  • Specialty Dish: Voodoo Pasta
  • Cuisine: Creole, Cajun

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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