Houston’s culinary scene has always been an eclectic mix of cultural cuisines. Black-owned restaurants in the city are bringing it, from old-school soul food to creative upscale menus and from vegan to Caribbean and West African.
“When I grew up here in the 60s, there were Black-owned soul food and BBQ shacks and people would also sell dinners out of their homes and at churches for fundraisers,” says Houston First’s Director of Media Relations Carolyn Campbell.
“However, I didn’t see Jamaican or African restaurants back then, but we have those today. And Houston’s Black-owned restaurants are as competitive as any of Houston’s best restaurants, where it’s not just about good food, but about providing a unique experience,” she adds.
So before you head to the Bayou City, check out our curated list of 10 of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston.
This Is It Soul Food, 2712 Blodgett Street | Website
We’ll start with the most seasoned restaurant, This Is It Soul Food in Houston’s Third Ward, which has been feeding the community for almost seven decades and paved the way for many of the newer Black-owned restaurants in Houston.