16 Best Black-Owned Restaurants in Houston, TX in 2025
The city of Houston has finally started to get attention for its thriving food scene but what you may not know is how many stellar black-owned restaurants Houston has to offer. From barbecue to brunch, there’s a black-owned restaurant in Houston for every flavor and every occasion and if you’ve never explored their culinary offerings, you’re in for a treat!
Though by no means exhaustive, this list of 16 of the best black-owned restaurants in Houston will give you a great place to start exploring.
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The 16 Best Black-Owned Houston Restaurants
1. Burns Original BBQ
With three locations throughout Texas, this black-owned restaurant in Houston is a local institution. Owner Roy Burns Sr. founded the original restaurant in 1973 and his secret sauce and rub recipes quickly made his barbecue a huge hit.
Today, the Houston location is still operating out of the original building, and Burns Original BBQ is often voted as one of the best barbecue spots in Houston. Even Anthony Bourdain thought so!
The Vibe
Fun and unfussy: think lots of outdoor seating, colorful murals and a perpetual line out the door. Oh and huge portions, so be sure to come hungry to this black-owned restaurant in Houston.
What to Order
A rack of ribs is the classic barbecue joint choice, but fans of this black-owned restaurant in Houston swear by the meat-loaded baked potato, too. Either — with a side of green beans — would be an excellent pick.
Burns Original BBQ | 8307 ½ De Priest St., Houston, TX 77088 | $$
2. ChòpnBlok
West African cuisine is often overlooked in the U.S. restaurant scene, which makes ChòpnBlok an even more exciting find. This black-owned restaurant in Houston is all about adapting various West African cuisines for a 21st-century American audience and it’s quickly become a hip fast-casual spot for diners who want to experience something new.
The Vibe
ChòpnBlok may be a casual place, but that doesn’t mean that this black-owned restaurant in Houston isn’t stylish: its bright, welcoming interior incorporates West African designs in the décor, and the mood is set with West African music. But be warned that you might have to compete for a seat!
What to Order
Whether for a snack or an appetizer, fans of this black-owned restaurant in Houston can’t get enough of ChòpnBlok’s meat pies. Plantain chips are another well-loved starter and for your main course, the curry-based Golden Bowl is another favorite, especially if you’re into spice.
ChòpnBlok | Multiple Locations | $$
3. Lucille’s
This stylish black-owned restaurant in Houston serves Southern classics in a converted old house, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to book a table if you’re looking for date ideas in Houston. Lucille’s credentials are impressive: it’s located in Houston’s Museum District, one of the hippest parts of town, and head Chef Chris Williams is a James Beard Award Finalist who brings his culinary expertise to modern reimaginings of his grandmother Lucille’s classic southern cooking.
The Vibe
Elegant but welcoming, just like its menu. This black-owned restaurant in Houston is one of the best around for fans of fine dining, but its vibe isn’t stuffy or pretentious at all — this is a place to have a good meal and a good time.
What to Order
Elevated Southern classics are the order of the day at this black-owned restaurant in Houston, and any of them will blow you away: chicken and grits, a hot chicken sandwich or catfish are some of the best picks. And a dish of baked mac ‘n cheese for the table is always a good idea, especially at Lucille’s.
Lucille’s | 5512 La Branch St., Houston, TX 77004 | $$
4. Triple J’s Smokehouse
The number of restaurants in Houston claiming to sell the city’s best barbecue is almost too high to count, but this black-owned restaurant in Houston has a serious claim to that coveted title. Triple J’s Smokehouse is a family-run spot that’s been serving award-winning brisket and ribs since 1994.
The Vibe
Intimate, casual and always bustling. Triple J’s Smokehouse is a great place to watch the game on TV but it would be equally fun as a place to come for a convivial, relaxing workday lunch. Just beware that, thanks to the popularity of this black-owned Houston restaurant, you’ll probably be waiting in a line out the door.
What to Order
Triple J’s menu focuses on burgers, brisket and ribs, but many repeat diners suggest the brisket for a first visit. Always add a side of green beans to your meat of choice and don’t forget to order a serving of peach cobbler for dessert.
Triple J’s Smokehouse | 6715 Homestead Road, Houston, TX 77028 | $$
5. Lost & Found
Looking for a great breakfast in Houston? Look no further than Lost & Found, one of the best black-owned restaurants in Houston for brunch. Here, you’ll find a classic Southern brunch with a refined presentation and a great selection of cocktails to match.
The Vibe
Bold, stylish interior design makes this black-owned restaurant in Houston a great setting for a hip brunch. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and plenty of outdoor seating.
What to Order
The grilled salmon is a great example of what Lost & Found does so well: making stylish tweaks to create elegant brunch fare. Cajun pasta is another fan-favorite, and if you’re looking for something sweet and a little more breakfast-y, an order of French toast with sprinkles will make your inner child very, very happy.
Lost & Found | 160 W. Gray St., Houston, TX 77019 | $$
6. Navy Blue
If you’re looking for an upscale black-owned restaurant in Houston, this one should be your pick. Navy Blue’s sophisticated setting and top-of-the-line seafood menu make dining at the elegant eatery one of the best birthday ideas in Houston. Though it’s easy to forget that landlocked Houston is very close to the ocean, this restaurant’s Gulf Coast fare is a tasteful homage to the Texas coast.
The Vibe
Classy: think long banquettes, light hardwoods with navy-blue accents (of course) and a relaxed but upscale atmosphere.
What to Order
For a unique local seafood experience, try the crawfish risotto. The seafood spaghetti is also a popular choice. And to start your meal, you absolutely cannot miss Navy Blue’s signature biscuits — but be careful, because you might fill up before the rest of your meal even arrives!
Navy Blue | 2445 Times Blvd., Houston, TX 77005 | $$$$
7. Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill
If a tropical getaway isn’t in the cards right now, a taste of the Caribbean might be the next-best thing: enter Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill. This black-owned restaurant in Houston serves delicious Caribbean specialties under the watchful eye of a Jamaican-born chef with extensive experience bringing the flavors of his home country to the U.S.
The Vibe
As fun, relaxed and good-natured as an afternoon on a Jamaican beach. Cool Runnings features, in no particular order, a palapa bar, plenty of outdoor seating, floral tablecloths and a cheerfully generous application of red, green and yellow. Everything about this black-owned restaurant in Houston lets you know that you’re in for a good time.
What to Order
Many diners swear by the oxtail stew, and if you’re looking for something traditional, the saltfish is generous and well-loved. For less adventurous diners, jerk chicken is a Caribbean classic you can’t go wrong with.
Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill | 8270 W. Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77071 | $$
8. The Breakfast Klub
When a breakfast spot is so beloved that they sell their pancake mix and seasoning to take home, you know it has to be good. So if you’re looking for the best black-owned restaurants in Houston for breakfast, you can’t miss The Breakfast Klub.
Ranked by USA Today as one of the best breakfast spots in the entire country, it’s a family-owned eatery famous for Southern comfort foods like catfish and grits.
The Vibe
Warm, friendly and dressy-casual. This black-owned restaurant in Houston bills itself as a pit stop for a lunch meeting, a family meal after church or a dinner with friends and it shows in the warm service and stylish but casual surroundings.
What to Order
Nothing says “Southern comfort food” like chicken and waffles, and The Breakfast Klub has elevated that dish to an art form. Other menu standouts at this black-owned restaurant in Houston include fried catfish and house-made biscuits.
The Breakfast Klub | 3711 Travis St., Houston, TX 77002 | $$
9. Rado Market
Located in the Third Ward neighborhood, Rado Market is a black-owned restaurant in Houston that keeps community at its core. The market-restaurant business is focused on providing fresh, healthy food to the surrounding community at affordable prices and Rado Market’s prepared foods proudly utilize local ingredients in order to support farms in the neighboring areas. The resulting market is a place where you can sit down for a meal, take to go or stop in to shop.
The Vibe
A cheerful, well-curated space where local products for sale double as décor, Rado Market makes good on its promise to provide a relaxed and welcoming space to the surrounding community with a casual but eye-catching space. On one of Houston’s many sunny days, patio seating is a great choice.
What to Order
The menu at Rado Market rotates seasonally, and both breakfast and lunch are served. If you’re here in the morning, try the seasonal breakfast tacos. After noon, the menu tends to focus on salads, sandwiches and sides (as well as coffee) with frequent fliers liking the jerk chicken salad.
Rado Market | 2310 Elgin St., Houston, TX 77004 | $$
10. Alfreda’s Soul Food
Alfreda’s Soul Food has been a beloved neighborhood fixture since 1964, so it goes without saying that this is one of the best black-owned soul food restaurants in Houston. But it’s much more than just good food: Alfreda’s is one of the few historical businesses to survive the upheaval of rapid development in Houston’s Museum District.
This black-owned restaurant in Houston is a rare and beloved slice of the neighborhood’s past. The current owners hope that Alfreda’s will help to highlight the Black history of this neighborhood as the surrounding area becomes increasingly diverse.
The Vibe
With new ownership, Alfreda’s has gotten a new location (it’s had four throughout its sixty-year history) and a colorful makeover. The new space is bright, open and cheerful, featuring murals and the warm service Alfreda’s has become famous for.
What to Order
In keeping with its rich history, the menu at this black-owned restaurant in Houston is classic soul food to the core. Some of its greatest hits include turkey wings, catfish and the many delicious sides you can add to your entrée: yams and macaroni come especially highly recommended. Of course, the shrimp and grits can do no wrong.
Alfreda’s | 4350 Griggs Road,. Unit D, Houston, TX 77021 | $
11. Davis Street
If you’re in the mood for comfort food but your palate demands something new, you’re in the right place at this posh black-owned restaurant in Houston.
Billed as a place “where Southern soul meets modern elegance,” Davis Street is the Southern fusion brainchild of esteemed Houston Chef Mark Holley. Expect tried-and-true Southern classics modernized with Latin and Asian influences.
The Vibe
Silver-cutlery, crystal-glassware fine dining. The menu may have its roots in homey Southern cooking, but the setting at this black-owned restaurant in Houston is all well-appointed elegance.
What to Order
Though Davis Street is an upscale restaurant, its best offerings are new takes on humble classics like gumbo or macaroni and cheese. If creative fusion dishes are more your style, try kimchi collard greens for an experience you definitely won’t find anywhere else.
Davis Street | 5925 Alameda Road, Ste. A, Houston, TX 77044 | $$$
12. The French Fry House
Have you ever eaten a shrimp étoufée and thought, “I wish there were fries with this?” This black-owned restaurant in Houston dares to argue that you should…and they’re right. The French Fry House specializes in taking beloved entreés and finding a way to put them on top of french fries, and the people of Houston can’t get enough.
The Vibe
A tiny, no-frills space that’s always got a line out the door — perfect for digging into a huge container of loaded fries.
What to Order
Shrimp étoufée is the classic Southern fry choice, but the BCR and Philly cheesesteak fries are big hits at this black-owned restaurant in Houston, too.
The French Fry House | 5740 S. Wayside Drive, Houston, TX 77087 | $
13. The Warwick
Looking for romantic restaurants in Houston for your next date night? This black-owned restaurant in Houston is the ticket. The Warwick is so popular with couples that it offers a special Valentine’s Day menu and so popular with everyone else seeking an upscale dining experience that Beyoncé once hosted a party there – need we say more?
The Vibe
Intimate, polished and chic. Low lighting and booth seating create the illusion of a private dining experience even in a busy dining room.
What to Order
A meal of perfectly cooked sea bass at this black-owned restaurant in Houston will make you feel as posh as your surroundings. If you’re lucky enough to come on your birthday, try the jerk lamb chops, but save room for a slice of rainbow cake; if not, order carrot cake.
The Warwick | 5888 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77057 | $$$
14. Jollof Rice King
Houston is home to one of the largest Nigerian-American communities in the U.S., so several of the best black-owned restaurants in Houston focus on Nigerian and other West African cuisines. Jollof Rice King is one such restaurant and it’s a perennial hit.
The Vibe
A cozy, no-frills space where you won’t feel out-of-place tucking into your jollof rice like it’s the last thing you’ll ever eat. (Trust us: everyone will understand).
What to Order
It’s in the name of the restaurant, so you pretty much have to try the jollof rice. If you’re looking for something to beef up your order of rice, go for the beef pie which features spicy beef in a flaky pastry shell. Many diners at this black-owned restaurant in Houston find it just as irresistible.
Jollof Rice King | 3833 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77027 | $$
15. Squable
Looking for a classy place for a date or girl’s night? We submit Squable for your consideration. This upscale black-owned restaurant in Houston features contemporary American takes on European mainstays in a funky, polished space that’ll set the perfect scene for your night on the town.
The Vibe
Relaxed but special occasion-y. You won’t feel underdressed if you don’t turn up in a tuxedo but you’ll definitely get the vibe that a meal at this black-owned restaurant in Houston is a special occasion.
What to Order
Squable’s bread menu is diverse and excellent, but if you have to choose just one thing to start your meal with, go for the Dutch baby pancake. If you’re not carbed out after that, this black-owned restaurant in Houston makes a mean cheeseburger. Oh and if you’re visiting on a Tuesday, remember to take advantage of the weekly offering of half-price martinis and oysters.
Squable | 632 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008 | $$$
16. Ray’s BBQ Shack
Ray’s BBQ Shack is relatively new to the Houston barbecue scene, opening in 2011, but it has a much longer history: owner Ray S. Busch got into the barbecue business with a food truck all the way back in 1985.
Since then, Ray’s BBQ Shack has become one of the most beloved black-owned soul food restaurants in Houston.
The Vibe
Warm, friendly service makes dining at Ray’s BBQ Shack a pleasure. While you could order takeout, you’re missing out on the relaxed, sociable atmosphere of this beloved black-owned restaurant in Houston if you do.
What to Order
Juicy, tender brisket is Ray’s BBQ Shack’s calling card, so if you only order one thing at this black-owned restaurant in Houston, make it that.
But you shouldn’t stop there: a side of dirty rice is absolutely essential and potato salad makes a great addition to your meal if you still aren’t full yet. You must leave room for peach cobbler for dessert as well.
Ray’s BBQ Shack | 3929 Old Spanish Trail, Ste. 300, Houston, TX 77021 | $$
Other Foodie Experiences in Houston
Houston’s black-owned restaurants are undoubtedly one of its culinary highlights but there are even more ways to enjoy everything the city has to offer. If you’re feeling like a day or night out, get in the know about even more great spots for local specialties from a knowledgeable local guide on food tours in Houston.
If you’d rather try your hand at learning to make some of the foods that make this area so special, chef-led cooking classes in Houston will teach you the secrets behind the area’s favorite foods. With so many fun ways to engage with Houston’s food scene, the possibilities for culinary exploration are nearly endless.
These black-owned restaurants in Houston will make your next night out one to remember. Whether you’re craving comfort food or something with a bit more pizzazz, one of these options will fit the bill. If it’s all too overwhelming and you’re struggling to pick, take the leap into Houston’s food scene with a locally organised food tour. But careful, you may never want to go home.
For even more ways to explore Houston and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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