A great way to support the Black community and celebrate Black History Month is by stopping by some Black-owned restaurants. Washington, D.C. is home to a diverse food scene allowing foodies to get a taste of many traditional dishes from across the world. Below are some well-recognized Black-owned restaurants with a little bit of everything for everyone.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
U Street – 1213 U St. NW & H Street – 1001 H St. NE
Noted as a “Black-owned and historic landmark in Washington DC’s culture,” on their website, Ben’s Chili Bowl is a staple. For years the restaurant has been visited by presidents, featured in ads for Google and has remained a constant through 60 years of the city’s growth. Their menu features an array of chilis, sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs and plenty of desserts.
Cane
H Street – 403 H St. NE
Cane’s menu is inspired by the street food the Trinidadian chefs grew up with. Cane’s menu features roti, bowls and their trini-chinese chicken. A large part of their menu highlights gluten-free and vegetarian options. Also, check out their sister restaurant St. James on 17th St.
Creole on 14th
Columbia Heights – 3345 14th St. NW
Creole on 14th brings New Orleans-inspired food and cocktails to Columbia Heights. It is also one of several restaurants in the city created by a Black-owned hospitality group called Miskiri. From 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends, they run their “After Hours” with bottle service and tables starting at $500.
Dukem
U Street – 1114-1118 U Street
Dukem is a must for Ethiopian food in the District and Baltimore. This is the perfect spot for someone looking to explore Ethiopian foods as they offer vegetarian dishes and allow you to determine if you want more spicy, mild or medium food. Dukem is also known for hosting East African dances and music performances.
Want more recommendations? There are plenty of other options across the city.