There are many Black-owned restaurants to check out in Richmond. From cajun and barbecue to award-winning breakfast joints and Caribbean cuisine, travelers have a lot to choose from. Here are 10 Black-owned restaurants to visit the next time you’re in Richmond, VA.
Jamaica House
Caribbean cuisine is one of the most sought-after food choices when exploring the world. Travelers can get their Caribbean fix in Richmond by visiting Jamaica House. The restaurant has Jamaican favorites for everyone. They have whole snapper, jerk chicken, and a plethora of other menu items bursting with flavor.
- Location: Arts District
- Type of Cuisine: Caribbean
- Menu Spotlight: Island Fry Chicken
- Before You Go: Jamaica House has been a staple in Richmond since 1994.
Buttermilk & Honey
Buttermilk & Honey was born from owner Chef Mike’s love for fried chicken. Mike and his wife own the Lindsey Food Group and have multiple culinary concepts in Virginia. Buttermilk & Honey remains true to authenticity and quality with its recipes. They have multiple locations for travelers to visit.
- Location: Multiple locations
- Type of Cuisine: Fried Chicken
- Menu Spotlight: WHAT THE CLUCK!
- Before You Go: Buttermilk & Honeys uses a separate fryer for its gluten-free chicken to ensure quality for guests.
521 Biscuits & Waffles
The metaphorical rooster is always crooning in the morning at 521 Biscuits & Waffles. The restaurant is gluten-free and family-owned. The menu is full of delightful, traditional favorites with a twist unique to this Richmond establishment.
- Location: Downtown Richmond
- Type of Cuisine: Breakfast
- Menu Spotlight: Soulecito
- Before You Go: The restaurant’s website describes their food as breakfast that tastes like home.
Southern Kitchen Restaurant
Considered Richmond’s best soul food restaurant, Southern Kitchen is the place to go downhome cooking. Everything on the menu will remind you of home. It’s everything your granny used to prepare for celebrations, Sunday dinners, and family gatherings. Southern keeps soul alive in the Richmond food community.
- Location: Richmond
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Turkey Wings
- Before You Go: This restaurant is by reservation only.
Buna Kurs
Buna Kurs is an Ethiopian restaurant in Richmond where authenticity is king. Travelers can get a true taste of Ethiopian cuisine – where fresh bread, fresh vegetables, and spices take over the kitchen. They have breakfast dishes, lunch options, and many Ethiopian-style coffee beverages for guests to experience.
- Location: Jackson Ward
- Type of Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Menu Spotlight: Breakfast Combo
- Before You Go: Ethiopia produces some of the best coffee in the world and travelers can grab a cup at Buna Kurs in Richmond.
One Way Cream & Goodies
For ice cream and sweet treats, make a stop at One Way Cream & Goodies. The Black-owned creamery has many eclectic and unique ice cream flavors. They mix creamy goodness with cereal pieces, classic snacks, candy bites, and more to create the signature One Way style.
- Location: Jackson Ward
- Type of Cuisine: Ice Cream
- Menu Spotlight: Biscoff Cookies & Cream
- Before You Go: One Way Cream & Goodies is next door to Mama J’s soul food restaurant.
Mama J’s Kitchen
Family-owned and operated, Mama J’s Kitchen is the manifestation of decades of family recipes and love. It’s named after Mama J herself, Ms. Velma Johnson, who grew up learning how to cook from her mother in Richmond. Years later, Mama J’s son opened the restaurant to share his mother’s cooking with the community they lived in.
- Location: Jackson Ward
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Pork Chop Dinner
- Before You Go: Mama J’s is a casual eatery. So come ready to relax and unwind like you’re heading to eat at your grandmother’s house.
Penny’s
Two childhood friends linked up to open Penny’s Wine Shop in Richmond. Both natives of the city, the pair used their love for their hometown to create a space where community and wine lovers could flourish. The wine shop sources natural, organic, and biodynamic wine products from around the world.
- Location: Richmond
- Type of Cuisine: Wine & Small Plates
- Menu Spotlight: Oyster Mushroom Conserva
- Before You Go: Penny’s keeps the finest cleaned-farmed wine for guests to enjoy. Their food menu is offered Wednesday through Saturday starting at 5 PM.
Lillie Pearl
Lillie Pearl adds a New American twist on African American soul food. The name comes from the owners combining their grandmothers’ names. The food is enriched with a legacy of fellowship, storytelling, and culinary magic.
- Location: Richmond
- Type of Cuisine: New American
- Menu Spotlight: Lobster & Crab Cake Sandwich
- Before You Go: Lillie Pearl is another concept from the Lindsey Food Group.
Black-owned restaurants in Richmond are thriving and ready to serve. Don’t miss out on feeding your stomachs and your need for community and fellowship at these incredible restaurants throughout the area.
