The Philly Black-Owned Restaurant Directory

One way to show solidarity with the Black community is by putting your money straight into Black-owned businesses. So we’ve put together this list of Philly’s Black-owned restaurants, organized by the food we all crave at least once a week. Support for Black-owned restaurants shouldn't just come during Black History Month—this is a list of some of the spots to seek out today, tomorrow, and always.

PIZZA

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

• Down North Pizza: This North Philly spot makes some of the best pizza in the city—and a couple of pies are even named after Freeway lyrics. We usually end up getting loaded fries, wings, and shakes, too. Place your order online, or call 215-377-9787. 

• Pizza Jawn: We'd save a seat for these Manayunk pies over a cousin at family dinner. They come in three different styles—grandma, Detroit, and Neapolitan—with 30+ toppings. Get a crispy, square grandma-style with plain cheese and sauce to experience Pizza Jawn in its purest form.

CHEESESTEAKS

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

• Gilben’s Bakery: Gilben’s in West Oak Lane has everything from po’boys and cheesesteaks served on garlic bread rolls, to birthday cake and brownies. You can online order here.

• Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant: Gojjo is a sports bar with great Ethiopian food—and equally great berbere-spiced cheesesteaks. Call the Cedar Park restaurant at 215-386-1444 to place an order. 

• FoodChasers’ Kitchen: The menu of FoodChasers' Kitchen in Elkins Park is long and full of comfort dishes. But what sets them apart is their eight variations on the cheesesteak—including creamy chicken, salmon, and The Hampton’s, with steak, crab, shrimp, and seafood mayo. Place an online order here.

• Ummi Dee’s: The main draw at this casual Strawberry Mansion spot is their cheesesteaks, including unique versions like the salmon steak. Call 215-221-6166 to place an order and add an egg roll or two to round it all out.

BBQ

photo credit: Southern Flames BBQ

• Southern Flames BBQ: This BBQ spot in Chestnut Hill specializes in ribs and chicken platters. Eat in or have an order drenched in sauce at home by ordering online here. 

• Dwight’s Southern Barbecue: Dwight’s menu has everything from ribs and smoked chicken to mac and cheese. Call them at 215-225-6030 to place your order at either West Philly location.

• Dibbs BBQ: Get ribs, brisket, tangy baked beans, and pulled pork on a toasty bun from Dibbs in West Philly. Call 215-876-6500 to order.

BURGERS

photo credit: Booker's in West Philadelphia (Kerry McIntyre)

• Lou & Choos Lounge: Known by most of North Philly as a place to have some seafood and drink through the night, this lounge also has a decent burger. The Brucie has a beef patty that's stuffed with lump crab meat. So, you don't have to compromise on the eating seafood part.

• Veganish: This spot serves vegan and pescatarian options like cheesesteaks, burgers, and wings. Call 215-477-1153 to place an order at their West Philly location or order online here.

• Amina: This Old City restaurant serves Southern dishes with West African influence, including peppery peri peri sticky wings and some tender oxtail. There's also a hunky double cheeseburger with pimento cheese, pickles, and caramelized onions. Make your reservation today. 

• Booker’s Restaurant & Bar: When we’re in the mood for brunch or burgers, we often head to Booker’s Restaurant & Bar in Cedar Park. They have five types of burgers, including plant-based and salmon. You can order to-go or make a reservation online. 

SEAFOOD

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

• Berks Street Crabs: Berks Street Crabs in Brewerytown has a seafood-heavy menu available for takeout. Call them at 215-626-2295 or order online here.

• Sid Booker’s Famous Shrimp: Philadelphians have been lining up at this North Philly corner shrimp spot ever since it opened in 1966. They serve every batch just one way: fried in a batter that’s perfectly seasoned with a hint of sweetness. It feels like one of those places that uses Philly as a main ingredient.

• Bottom Of The Sea Soul: This West Philly seafood spot has a menu of shrimp, catfish, and more. Place an order by calling them at 215-476-2000 or going online. 

• The Clock Bar: At North Philly's The Clock Bar, you can get well-seasoned crab legs, shrimp, mussels, fried fish platters, and more up until 1:30am on the weekends.

CAFE FOOD

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

• All The Way Live Cafe: All The Way’s serves hearty vegan dishes like chickpea chili in Germantown. You can see the whole menu on their website or call them at 215-821-7298 to place an order.

• Honeysuckle Provisions: This Afrocentric grocer and all-day cafe in West Philly builds their menu by using products sourced from Black farmers. They make great breakfast sandwiches, beef patties, and hoagies. Place your order online today. 

• Good Karma: This coffee and breakfast spot has a few locations in Center City. Go to their website to see their full menu, which includes avocado toast, cinnamon roll pastries, and grilled chicken sandwiches.

• Lily of the Valley Cupcakery & Cafe: The menu at this Germantown cafe is 90% cupcakes, which isn't a bad thing because they're good. But the place also has plenty of seats where you can hang out and sip on a juice and eat club sandwiches. Check their website for the updated menu.

DESSERT

photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO

• Darnel's Cakes: At Darnel's Cakes in Northern Liberties, you'll find a spread of cookies, peanut swirl brownie bars, red velvet loaf cakes, and lots of other sugary stuff you'll want to grab.

• 4 Every Occasion Cakes & Cupcakes: This Northeast bakery makes us tear up a little when we stare into the glass case. does elaborate cakes but they also have cupcakes, poundcake, pistachio cake, and banana pudding cake that you can walk in and eat at a table. And continue the staring bit.

• Sweet Life Bake Shop: Sweet Life Bake Shop on South Street has never seen a banana pudding flavor they didn't want to make. There are more than a few versions, including salted caramel, and a number of cupcakes as well. Place an order online or just walk into the shop.

• Second Daughter Baking Co.: South Philly's Second Daughter Baking Company has incredibly rich brownies, plus brown butter chocolate chip cookies, lavender and thyme scones, apple hand pies, and a few other things you'll struggle not to order.

• Cloud Cups: Cloud Cups in Fishtown makes gelato in flavors like mango and banana pudding, and everything we've eaten is very good. The menu changes frequently so check their socials to see what they're making right now.