On a chilly February evening, I gathered with an intimate group of entrepreneurs and industry folks for a fireside chat with distinguished journalist Toni Tipton-Martin where she shared her latest work, Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking. Tipton-Martin’s longevity in the food world is a testament to her expertise and tenacity. 

Tipton-Martin shared sage advice about changing the narrative with regard to black-owned businesses, and the need for a more diverse landscape in food. “Go to those restaurants, so they can stay open.” Simple advice. She explained how there are many remarkable black-owned restaurants, throughout the United States, that are not gaining any traction because there aren’t enough customers supporting these businesses. 

She encouraged attendees to not be confined by a lack of exposure or stereotypes about what black-owned restaurant menus should contain. “Explore new restaurants that feature non-traditional foods,” she advised. 

All over the country, communities have come together to celebrate black-owned businesses during Black History Month. Take a closer look at some of these restaurants in Boston that are benefiting from social media movements like The Boston Black Restaurant Challenge, an annual celebration “promoting community, cuisine and economic development.”

During the month of February, Boston residents “are encouraged to visit at least one black-owned restaurant or bar every week.”

The Boston Black Restaurant Challenge is a movement in its third year. State Representative Chynah Tyler, with the support of The Sofenomenal Agency Group, recently launched a social media campaign that’s brought residents out to support these Boston businesses. Be sure to check out their full list of participating restaurants this month.

The Black Boston Restaurant Challenge is designed to generate revenue for participating businesses. The momentum created has inspired locals to be more intentional with where they choose to spend their money, during Black History Month and beyond.

Be sure to visit these exceptional restaurants, shops, cafes and bakeries any time of year—some are classics, and others are new to the scene. 

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

Nia Grace, owner of this popular restaurant with a Southern influence hosts live music, a jazz brunch that draws locals from all over Boston, took over ownership in September 2018 and received a warm welcome from locals. Stop in and try Southern classic dishes like their fried catfish, collard greens, macaroni and cheese. Try their red velvet cake—you’ll be happy you did.

604 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
dcbkboston.com

Mida 

The ambiance and Italian fare at Mida are reminiscent of the nonna you’ve always wanted. Chef and owner Douglass Williams, with a long career in the culinary world, brings guests intimate dining, warm staff and memorable dishes at this neighborhood favorite. It’s familiar, inviting and romantic. Stop in for Mangia Monday, a real crowd-pleaser, and enjoy endless bowls of hand-rolled pasta. 

782 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
midaboston.com

Cafe JuiceUp

Denise O’Marde opened Cafe Juice Up in 2019. This popular juice bar serves up affordable fresh fruit juices, fruit bowls, smoothies, savory patties and soups. A welcomed healthy addition to the businesses that line Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan, stop by and try their tasty fresh pressed juices, have a post work-out smoothie or a snack between weekend errands.

1290 Blue Hill Avenue
Boston, MA 02126
@cafejuiceup

Bred Gourmet

This burger spot is located in Dorchester and serves gourmet style burgers featuring grass-fed beef, natural turkey, jerk chicken and salmon, paired with unique toppings, fresh salads and smoothies. Come for the great food—like parmesan truffle fries and plantains—and stay for the friendly staff and welcoming service.

Lower Mills
255 Dorchester Avenue
Boston, MA 02124
bredgourmet.com

Ripple Café

Ripple Café is located at Ashmont station. Owners Elle Ducheine and James Guerrier opened Ripple two years ago and haven’t looked back. The java-loving duo are in their element when the cafe is abuzz with locals, families, working professionals or friends meeting over coffee. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows welcome natural light that brightens the modern design of this Dorchester gem. Be sure to try the single-origin coffee, locally baked goods, avocado toast, all while enjoying their stellar playlist.

1906 Dorchester Avenue
(Ashmont Station)
Boston, MA 02124
@ripplecafe_

50Kitchen

Chef Anthony Caldwell opened 50Kitchen in 2019. Chef Caldwell is focused on giving back to his community, and the Dorchester native plans to partner with agencies to mentor Boston youth. His Field’s Corner restaurant melds Asian and American Southern cuisines for a fast casual dining experience. Don’t miss the Louisiana gumbo, the Jambalaya egg rolls, smoked banh mì or classic shrimp and grits. With a tagline like “beautiful food for beautiful people,” Chef Caldwell welcomes all to the table.

1450 Dorchester Avenue
Boston, MA 02122
50kitchen.com

Shea Butter Smoothies

Located in on Blue Hill Avenue inside a Mattapan Mobile station this is a neighborhood favorite, a smoothie and juice bar with a mission to inspire customers to be “Moved by health, influenced by taste.” Try their popular “Bad and Boujee” or “Sunshine Riddim.” 

1556 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan MA 02126
@sheabuttersmoothies

The Urban Grape

What’s a good meal without a perfectly paired wine or drink to enjoy it? While not a restaurant, The Urban Grape, a wine and spirits shop located on Columbus Avenue in the South End, has gained a loyal following and earned “The Best of Boston” in 2019 by The Boston Magazine. Owners TJ and Hadley Douglas have taken the intimidation out of wine by focusing on education and exposure. Come here to find out how best to pair wine even if you’re not an oenophile; drop in on any of their free weekly wine tastings to learn more. 

303 COLUMBUS AVENUE
BOSTON, MA 02116
theurbangrape.com

Wally’s Café Jazz Club

Wally’s Café Jazz Club is one of the oldest family-run jazz clubs in the country and hosts jam sessions and performances nightly. In 1947 Joseph L. Walcott, a native of Barbados, opened Wally’s Café Jazz Club. Berklee students flock here to hone their musical skills each week. 

427 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
wallyscafe.com

M&M BBQ

Chef Geo Lambert, owner of M&M BBQ manages the family business his grandparents started in 1982. Chef Lambert operated M&M BBQ as a food truck and in January 2020 partnered with Dorchester Brewing Company to open a full-scale restaurant. Try the dumpster fries and the smoked chicken sandwich—both pair well with the drafts on tap at this new addition to Dorchester.

1246 Massachusetts Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02125
mandmribs.com

Pit Stop BBQ

This tiny BBQ joint boasts some of the most authentic Southern comfort fare and BBQ in Boston; serving “soul food” for the past 30 years on Morton Street in Mattapan, the smell of smoked meat and wood chips waft through the air as you approach this no-frills Southern-style eatery. Ribs, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and coleslaw all shine on the Pit Stop BBQ’s menu. 

888A Morton Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
pitstopbarbecue.com

ZaZ Restaurant

The New American influenced menu at ZaZ Restaurant in Hyde Park reinvents staples like burgers, salads and wraps with an international flare. Chef Olrie Roberts opened ZaZ Restaurant in 2011. The Grenada native graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge in 2008. Stop in and try their shrimp and grits, Cajun shrimp mac and cheese or their teriyaki salmon burger. Chef Roberts shares his more than 10-year culinary talent via ZaZ’s eclectic menu that has something for every palate, plus a robust catering arm for elegant entertaining.

1238 River Street
Hyde Park, MA 02136
zazrestaurant.com

A Taste of the Diaspora

Natif Natal Restaurant

Tucked in between a row of businesses on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester, this is Haitian restaurant consistently delivers a taste of home for many locals who flock here each week. Come here to try their diri djon djon, a rice dish prepared with dried mushrooms or their griot, a deliciously seasoned fried pork shoulder. Order pikliz, a spicy, pickled cabbage-based condiment that pairs well with most meals if you want to dial up the heat; it pairs well with any dish. The white rice, black bean gravy with well-seasoned stewed vegetables with meat is a classic Haitian dish.

830 Blue Hill Avenue
Boston, MA 02124
ordernatifnatal.com

Le Foyer Bakery

Located in Mattapan Square, this Haitian bakery boasts over 30 years in producing some of the best flaky meat pies, known as paté. On any given weekend, the queues are long for traditional Haitian breads, cakes, pastries and patés. Some of the more popular paté fillings include spicy cod fish, chicken, beef and smoked herring.

132 Babson Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
lefoyerbakery.com

Au Buerre Chaud Bakery

Simple, no fuss baked breads and Haitian patties. Au Buerre Chaud Bakery is located in Hyde Park. Their buttery patties are also available at Cafe JuiceUp.

720 River Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
617.364.3066

D Coal Pot

Come to D Coal Pot for Caribbean comfort food. Stewed meats, and savory rice dishes like pelau, a traditional stewed meat and rice with coconut milk and pigeon peas. This Hyde Park restaurant offers classic Trinidadian fare. Try their curry duck and doubles, a vegetarian sandwich made with two flatbreads called bara and filled with curried chickpeas, called channa.

984 Hyde Park Avenue
Boston, MA 02136
@dcoalpot

Jamaica Mi Hungry

Located in JP across from Jackson Square station on the Orange Line, Jamaica Mi Hungry offers locals a taste of the Caribbean. Owner Chef Ernie Campbell initially operated a catering company in 2012. In 2015, he expanded to fully-outfitted food truck and opened his first brick and mortar store in 2019. Campbell and general manager Aquila Kentish make a stellar team serving up flavorful Jamaican food like curried goat, jerk chicken and savory patties. 

225 Centre Street 
Jamaica Plain, MA 02131
jamaicamihungry.com

Suya Joint All African Cuisine

Suya Joint, located in Roxbury, is home to authentic Nigerian food. Try the jollof rice or egusi stew to keep you warm on those cold Boston days. Bar, lounge, restaurant and catering.

185 Dudley Street
Boston, MA 02119
ordersuyajoint.com

This article appeared as an online exclusive in February 2020.