Skip to content

60 Black-owned Bay Area restaurants, bakeries, coffeehouses, caterers and wineries

Barbecue platters and chicken and waffles at Jackie’s Place in San Jose. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Barbecue platters and chicken and waffles at Jackie’s Place in San Jose. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Author
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

The Bay Area is home to a rich tapestry of restaurants and other food-based enterprises owned by Black chefs and entrepreneurs. Here’s a list by geographic area of many in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Know of others? Let us know via the comment field at the end of the article and we’ll add them to the list.

SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA

ASE Catering: Serving Santa Clara County and Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Concord. www.a-successful-event.net

Back A Yard Caribbean Grill: 1189 Willow Road, Menlo Park; 457 E. San Carlos St., San Jose; 1011 E. Capitol Expressway, San Jose; and two takeout locations, 1740 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell; and 638 N. 13th St., San Jose, https://backayard.net/

SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 21: Back A Yard Caribbean Grill chef and owner Robert Simpson poses for a photograph at his restaurant in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill chef and owner Robert Simpson poses for a photograph at his restaurant in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 

Claire’s Crunch Cake: 233 N. Grant St., San Mateo, https://clairescrunchcake.wixsite.com/cakes

Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant: 642 Ramona St., Palo Alto, www.coconutspaloalto.com/

DeeLee Cakes: Based in San Jose, 408-391-5307; www.deeleecakes.com

Gojo Ethiopian: 1261 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, http://gojoethiopianrestaurant.com/

Island Taste Caribbean Grill: 225 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, www.islandtastegrill.com

Jackie’s Place: 840 N. First St., San Jose, www.jackiesplacesj.com/

SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Jackie's Place owner Jackie Jackson poses for a photograph at her new location currently under renovation with plans to open in December in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. Jackson received help from the Minority Business Consortium after she lost her popular soul food restaurant near Japantown to a fire. "They were very instrumental" and "A tremendous help" said Jackson of the Minority Business Consortium in assisting her find small business loans for minority woman and grants, finding a new location, forming a new business plan and also helped her financially. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Jackie’s Place owner Jackie Jackson poses for a photograph.(Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 

Jon Jon’s BBQ & Catering: 1305 Oakland Road, San Jose, www.facebook.com/JonJonsBBQ

JTM in the Kitchen: Online spice sales from restaurateur/sommelier Jeremy Troupe-Masi, www.jtminthekitchen.com

Jubba Somali Restaurant: 5330 Terner Way, San Jose, 408-440-1504

Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant: 1663 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, www.kategna.com

LeYou Ethiopian: 1100 N. First St., San Jose, www.leyouethiopian.com

LillieMae’s Soul Food and BBQ: Catering and food truck pop-up, 408-BBQ-SOUL, www.lilliemaesbbq.com

Lunch Box: 1876 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408-287-3511

Luv’s Brownies: San Jose-based dessert truck at farmers market, events, www.luvsbrownies.com

CUPERTINO - JANUARY 31: Brownies on a stick are photographed at Luv's Brownies dessert truck in Cupertino, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Brownies on a stick are a favorite at Luv’s Brownies dessert truck in Cupertino, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group) 

Mudai Ethiopian Restaurant: 503 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408-292-2282

Nirvana Soul Coffee: 315 S. First St., San Jose; and 19700 Vallco Parkway, Cupertino; www.nirvanasoulcoffee.com

Nita Bee’s Specialty Bakery: Pickup and delivery from Santa Clara-based bakery. 408-246-4570; www.nitabees.com

Sandi’s Cobbler Cup Catering: Based in Santa Clara; Sandiscatering.com

Spicy Roy’s Caribbean Grill: 856 N. 13th St., San Jose. www.spicyroysgrill.com

Walia Ethiopian Cuisine: 2208 Business Circle, San Jose, https://waliaethiopian.com/

Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant: 1320 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, www.zeniethiopianrestaurant.com

EAST BAY

Abesha Ethiopian Cuisine: 4929 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, 510-653-8383

alaMar Dominican Kitchen: 100 Grand Ave., Oakland, www.alamaroakland.com

ASE Catering: Serving Santa Clara County and Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Concord. www.a-successful-event.net

Blackberry Bistro: 4240 Park Blvd., Oakland, 510-336-1088

Blue Nile Ethiopian: 160 14th St., Oakland, www.bluenilefood.com

Burdell: 4640 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, www.burdelloakland.com

Chef Geoff Davis at the soul food restaurant Burdell in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Chef Geoff Davis at the soul food restaurant Burdell in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 

Calypso Rose: 5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville

Carmen & Family Bar-B-Q: 692 West A St., Hayward, 510-887-1979

Cocobreeze Caribbean Restaurant and Vegan Bakery: 2370 High St., Oakland, https://cocobreezeco.myshopify.com/

Concord Tap House: 3513 Clayton Road, Concord, https://concordtaphouse.com

Crumble & Whisk Bakery and Cafe: 4104 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, www.crumbleandwhisk.com

Everett & Jones BBQ: 126 Broadway and 4245 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; 1955 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley; also at Graton Casino, Santa Rosa, https://eandjbbq.com

Family House of Fish and Poultry: Takeout orders from 25140 Mission Blvd., Hayward, 510-886-4112

Free Range Flower Winery: 2271 S. Vasco Road, Livermore, www.freerangeflowerwinery.com

LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA - October 22: Free Range Flower Winery founder Aaliyah Nitoto, left, and Longevity Wines founder, Phil Long, pose for a portrait at Longevity Wines on Oct. 22, 2021, in Livermore, Calif. The new tasting and VIP rooms for both companies are being constructed here and will be unveiled in November. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA – October 22: Free Range Flower Winery founder Aaliyah Nitoto, left, and Longevity Wines founder, Phil Long, pose for a portrait at Longevity Wines on Oct. 22, 2021, in Livermore, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) 

Golden Safari Restaurant and Bakery: 22431 Foothill Blvd., Hayward, https://goldensafari.net/

Gregory’s Gourmet Desserts: 285 23rd St., Oakland, https://gregorysgourmetdesserts.com/

JTM in the Kitchen: Online spice sales from restaurateur/sommelier Jeremy Troupe-Masi, www.jtminthekitchen.com

Kendejah Restaurant: Takeout from 197 Pelton Center Way, San Leandro, http://kendejahrestaurant.com/

Kinfolx: 1951 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, https://kinfolxoak.com/

Kowbird: 1733 Peralta St., Oakland, www.kowbird.com

Lois the Pie Queen: 851 60th St., Oakland, https://loisthepiequeen.com/

Longevity Wines: 2271 S. Vasco Road, Livermore, www.longevitywines.com

Matty’s Old Fashioned, 464 Eighth St., Oakland, 510-698-5144

Mela Bistro: 35 Grand Ave., Oakland, https://melabistro.com/

Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement: Emeryville Public Market, 5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville, www.minniebellssoul.com

Oeste Bar & Cafe: 722 Clay St., Oakland, https://oesteoakland.com/

Oyo Restaurant: 680 Main St., Pleasanton, www.oyopleasanton.com

Pop’s Deli & Grill: 30982 Huntwood Ave., Hayward, www.popsdeliandgrill.com

Rasa Caffe: 411 13th St., Oakland, www.rasacaffe.com

Red Bay Coffee: 3098 E. 10th St. and 2327 Broadway, Oakland, www.redbaycoffee.com

Reve Bistro: 960 Moraga Road, Lafayette, http://revebistro.com/

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Co-owner and chef Paul Magu, of France, poses for a photo at his French restaurant Reve Bistro in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Co-owner and chef Paul Magu, of France, poses for a photo at his French restaurant Reve Bistro in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 

Rush Bowls: 350 17th St., Oakland, https://rushbowls.com/oakland

Ruth’s Buka: 5250 Foothill Blvd., Oakland; https://www.ruthsbuka.com/

Snapper’s Seafood Restaurant: 1501 Ohio Ave., Richmond, https://thenewsnappersseafoodrestaurantrichmond.mybistro.online/

Sobre Mesa: 1618 Franklin St., Oakland, www.sobremesaoak.com

Solid Rock Cafe: Catering and private parties, Antioch-based, www.solidrockcafe.us

Souley Vegan: New location to open mid-March, https://souleyvegan.com/

Teni East Kitchen: 4015 Broadway, Oakland, www.tenieastkitchen.com

Willows & Pine: 3525 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, www.willowsandpine-restaurant.com

[bloom type=”interactive” height=”300″]

Did we miss the restaurant you own or your favorite Black-owned restaurant? Tell us about it here: