90 Black-Owned Restaurants in Queens, NYC
Editor’s note: This article currently covers 90 Black-owned restaurants in Queens, NYC. We can’t stand lists of 10 when there are so many more out there! This is not yet an exhaustive list, but we are continually working on it. Last update: January 2025.
In 2020, when considering what we can do specifically on this platform (beyond social media) to support racial equality and Black Lives Matter, we thought about local restaurants and were hard-pressed to think of any Black-owned eateries in our immediate part of Queens. Granted, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst are filled with restaurants owned by other minority groups—but where were all the Black-owned restaurants in Queens? And what do they offer?
Ice cream, soul food, Haitian food, Jamaican cuisine, West African food, Ethiopian dishes, Welsh food, juices and smoothies and more, it turns out. I started to collect them in this post, consulting some of the NYC restaurant spreadsheets circulating around as well as other sources (see below) and adding information about what each place offers, because one of MANY things we can do to amplify the Black community is to patronize Black-owned restaurants, leave positive reviews, tell our friends, and share about them on social media. Not just today, or this week—on the regular. Put these restaurants on your radar, add them to your repertoire, and, as a huge personal bonus, you’ll get to eat something delicious—and perhaps get better acquainted with some cuisines you are less familiar with.
For more information on how Black restaurateurs, and Black women in particular, start their businesses at a disadvantage that’s been further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, please read this Angela Burke piece in Eater.
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Resources
Before we dive in, I want to credit the team at Queens Eats in collaboration with designer Karen Umeda for their incredible spreadsheet of Black-owned eateries in Queens, as well as The New Yorker‘s food critic Hannah Goldfield, who started this spreadsheet of Black-owned restaurants in all of NYC. On Facebook, the BlaQue Resource Network, a public group for Black people in Queens to network and share resources, was helpful in compiling this, as well as this blog post and the brilliant Eat Okra app, which directs users to Black-owned restaurants in various categories (vegan/vegetarian, African cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, soul food, breakfast/brunch, etc.) nearby. Also useful is a cool open-source tool called Shop Black-Owned that helps users find all manner of Black-owned businesses, including restaurants, in NYC.
This post aims to present these Black-owned restaurants in Queens in a more digestible way, organizing them by neighborhood and giving some context about what is on their respective menus. Currently, there are 88 eateries listed, and we will continue to add to it!
Reminder: Please call restaurants directly for takeout or delivery if you can, as third-party services cost restaurants a LOT.
Crab legs in coconut sauce from Mr. Cangrejo in Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst
Mr. Cangrejo: Pacific Colombian seafood cuisine, like cazuela de mariscos and some amazing muelas de cangrejo en salsa de coco (crab legs in coconut sauce, with potatoes and plantains). There’s a branch on Roosevelt and another on Northern Boulevard. 79-07 Roosevelt Ave., 347-832-0539; 83-17 Northern Blvd., 718-205-7000, Jackson Heights
Jamaica Breeze: Jamaican food: calaloo and codfish, escovitch fish, curry goat, jerk chicken, a wide selection of porridges. We got a delicious chicken patty on coco bread and a banana-oatmeal porridge here recently. 103-02 Astoria Blvd., 718-899-4743
Cali Aji Con Sabor: Colombian food, specifically from Cali. Try the sancocho de gallina (hen stew). 98-15 Astoria Blvd.; 718-476-8935
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Long Island City/Astoria/Sunnyside
Snowdonia: NYC’s only Welsh gastropub. Farm-to-table, locally sourced bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, burgers, and more. 34-55 32nd St., Astoria, 347-730-5783
Melting Pot Cuisine: Caribbean (largely Jamaican) food, celebrated for breakfasts (ackee and saltfish, cod fritters, porridge, calaloo), jerk chicken, rasta pasta, and more. 36-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC, 718-606-2670
Melting Cups: This 2024-opened coffee shop is also an art gallery, cocktail bar, and event space. But don’t miss the coffee and pastries! 43-45 40th St, Sunnyside
Makina Café: NYC’s first Ethiopian-Eritrean food truck and kitchen (pictured above). Order delivery directly through its site, pick up in LIC (Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm), or find the yellow truck (see current locations on the website). To the excitement of many, Makina is expected to open as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Sunnyside in 2025. Try the tibs, misir, shiro, injera, everything! You can order spices, sauces, and frozen sambusas too. 36-47 30th St., LIC, 917-426-5649
Macoletta: Brick-oven pizzas and salads with nice sidewalk seating. 2815 24th Ave., Astoria, 718-777-4992
Nneji: Nneji brings West African cuisine to Astoria, with Nigerian egusi, jollof rice, okazi soup, garri, and fonio among the menu. Its owner, Beatrice Ajaero, is very active in local food relief efforts and was recently the subject of a Grub Street interview. It’s closed Saturdays and Sundays, FYI. 32-20 34th Ave., 917-832-7338
Notable: A takeout-only spot serving terrific Jamaican platters alongside breakfast and lunch sandwiches. 25-11 30th Ave., 718-433-9047
Zoe’s Place: Sports bar lounge serving up soul food, seafood, wings, quesadillas, burgers, and lots more. 38-70 10th St., LIC, 718-361-7895
Sek’end Sun: Cocktail bar with small plates, comfort food (burgers, hot chicken, grilled cheese, biscuits with gravy), and brunch. There’s a very cute backyard patio. 32-11 Broadway, Astoria, 917-832-6414
Sweet Chick: This popular local chain (from Williamsburg originally), co-owned by the rapper Nas (who’s also an investor), has fried chicken sandwiches, chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, some fine-looking breakfast sandwiches, and more. 46-42 Vernon Blvd., LIC, 718-433-4064
Eat Real Halal: Halal truck with chicken/lamb over rice, falafel, cheesesteaks, burgers, the works. Three LIC locations: 31-00 47th Ave., 25-18 Queens Plaza South, 11-05 44th Dr.
The portobello mushroom burger from Neir’s Tavern
Woodhaven
Neir’s Tavern: One of NYC’s oldest bars, dating to 1829 and famously featured in Goodfellas, Neir’s is particularly great for a burger and beer; new for Juneteenth 2024, it’s introducing a jerk chicken quesadilla. Its owner, Loycent Gordon, is very active in local food relief efforts, giving you another great reason to support this place! 87-48 78th St., 718-296-0600
Jamaica
The Door: Jamaican fine dining: steamed snapper, ital stew, brown stew tofu, curried goat. 163-07 Baisley Blvd., 718-525-1083
Mother Earth Juice Bar: Juices and smoothies, plus Caribbean dishes like callaloo soup, bake and saltfish, and pelau. 115-42 Sutphin Blvd (at Inspire NY Wellness Center), 347-494-5485
Seaqueens Seafood: A seafood market that also specializes in takeout for various steamed, grilled, or fried seafood and fish dishes. 114-14 Sutphin Blvd, 718-480-6481
Aso Rock Lounge + Restaurant: West African food (leaning Nigerian), including jollof rice, egusi, goat pepper soup, and isi ewu (goat head). 13824 Farmers Blvd; 718-525-1533
RyRy’s Kitchen: You might have run into them at Citi Field last year (this restaurant was a Taste of Queens selection), but RyRy’s otherwise lives in Jamaica Market, dishing out delicious Jamaican food (porrideges, akee and saltfish, jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, stew chicken). 90-40 160th St., 347-233-2349
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Rochdale Chicken & Fish: Soul food (pictured above). Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, fried fish dinners, rice and peas, mac and cheese, banana pudding. 11829 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., 718-712-5500
Blessed Africa: This Rochdale restaurant has a pretty big West African menu that includes suya, jollof rice with goat, efo-vegetable soup, okra and fish, peanut butter soup with goat or fish, a number of swallows (fufu, amala, ebu), and much more. 118-09 Sutphin Blvd, 718-641-2324
Soul City: This takeout restaurant does soul food to go, including fried chicken and whiting, turkey wings, candied yams, mac and cheese, collard greens, and more. 114-64 Merrick Blvd., 917-300-6051
Sybil’s Restaurant & Bakery: Iconic Caribbean/Guyanese spot since 1976. Beloved patties, curry goat, roti, pepperpot, guava tarts, cassava pone, and so much more. This location is the original; there’s a fantastic branch on Liberty Avenue too (see South Richmond Hill, below). 159-24 Hillside Ave., 718-297-2359
Forever Jerk: Jamaican cuisine for takeout and delivery: ackee and saltfish, beef and pumpkin soup, all the porridges, jerk chicken and pork. 145-94 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., 718-978-2222
Percy’s Jerk Hut: Counter-service Jamaican spot. Jerk chicken (and pork and salmon) and festival, escovitch fish, pepper shrimp, brown stew, and more. 231-07 Merrick Blvd., 718-712-5910
Africana: Nigerian food. Try the egusi, ogbono, pepper soup, jollof rice, and more. 146-12 Liberty Ave., 718-658-8501
Vibes: A Jamaican-American restaurant and lounge with soul food and more. Fish and grits, shrimp and waffles, omelets, wings (Hennessy-flavored, even), crab legs, pasta, a signature turkey wing dinner. Also cocktails! 143-06 Liberty Ave., 718-262-0433
Tropical Grill: More West African and Caribbean food to try, plus a nighttime scene that includes DJs. 153-41 Rockaway Blvd, 718-949-1683
Port Royal: Jamaican food plus bakery, including a daily menu of porridges and soups, Jamaican breakfasts, roti, stew chicken, curry shrimp, and more. 113-7 Sutphin Blvd., 718-323-6444
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Country Life Jerk: Jamaican cuisine, including lots of great breakfasts (and mackerel rundown, one of my favorites!), pepper shrimp, oxtails, stew peas, lots of pastries and natural juices. 147-12 Tuskegee Airmen Way, 917-300-2991
The Nourish Spot: Family-owned juice, smoothie, and salad bar that makes it easy to eat plant-based and healthy. Its owner, Dawn Kelly, is a force, and very involved with local food relief and other community efforts. 107-05 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., 718-526-2099
Seamorhen Fish + Chicken: Takeout spot with soul food, Caribbean food, seafood, fried chicken, catfish with candied yams and kale, coconut cake. 118-33 Guy R Brewer Blvd., 718-723-8969 (see second branch in St. Albans, below)
Genesis: West Indian (largely Jamaican) and American takeout. Curried goat, beef patties, roti dishes, fried rice, lots of delicious-sounding breakfasts (daily-changing porridges, codfish and okra, cookup codfish). 162-23 Hillside Ave., 718-739-8443
Rockaway Fish House: Family-owned soul-food takeout joint since 1972: jerk ribs sandwiches, turkey wings, collard greens, and, of course, fried fish and chicken (and so much more). 141-22 Rockaway Blvd, 718-529-3576
Butter Buttercream: An at-home bakery run by a woman named Jazmin in Jamaica who specializes in fancy cakes, cupcakes, macarons, and more. She delivers all over Queens and Brooklyn. Contact via Instagram or call 718-576-4154.
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Cascade Jerk: Jamaican food, pictured above. Jerk chicken, roti, lobster tail and chips, jerk shrimp pasta, plus something called dredlocks pasta (with oxtails, chicken, or shrimp) that sounds delicious (it involves a creamy sauce with jerk seasoning). 119-02 Sutphin Blvd., 718-848-2318
Spring Gardens Restaurant: Takeout-only Jamaican cuisine, including jerk chicken/pork, mac and cheese, beef liver with codfish, pepper steak, stewed chicken, curried lobster, porridge. 135-29 Springfield Blvd., 718-341-4480
Blaze 718: Jamaican and American food takeout. Saltfish and beans, oxtail, curry goat, mango jerk wings, jerk salmon, fried chicken. 109-10 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., 718-480-6671
MumsKitchens NYC: Fresh baked breads and sweets, dipping sauces, codfish balls—see their Instagram account for more. The mums, led by Jamaica-based TM Walker, are staunch community supporters active in local food relief efforts. Open for curbside pickup, but there’s an online store too. 195th & 120th Ave., 347-855-5857
Glacé: Gelato, Italian espresso, and smoothies. 13810 Farmers Blvd., 347- 548-0312
Ridgewood
Milk & Pull: Family-owned coffee roasters and cafe with a very cool vibe and branches in Brooklyn as well. Sandwiches, bagels, and pastries too! 778 Seneca Ave., 718-821-1155
King’s Juice Bar: Smoothies, juices, acai bowls, salads, panini, and more. 955 Seneca Ave., 718-386-5464
Cafe Moca: Family-owned cafe with a sweet patio specializing in coffee, vegetarian and vegan eats, and sweet treats. There’s an all-day breakfast menu (avo toasts; veg bacon, egg, and cheese), lunch (veg banh mi, veg chopped cheese), and dessert men (dank banana loaves!). 487 Seneca Ave., 347-889-6302
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Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, Ozone Park
Sybil’s: The OG Queens Caribbean/Guyanese restaurant has jerk chicken, curry chicken, roti, Guyanese meat pies and Jamaican patties, BBQ chicken, so many pastries, and so much more. Don’t forget to grab a ticket at the door! 132-17 Liberty Ave., South Richmond Hill, 718-835-9235
Veggie Castle II: Vegan juice bar with Caribbean food (owners are from Guyana, the same family that owns Sybil’s). Roti, soy-based patties, pholourie (split pea fritters), soy chicken curry, and more. 132-09 Liberty Ave, South Richmond Hill, 718-641-8342
Halo Kitchen & Lounge: Hookah lounge with bubble tea plus rasta pasta, burgers, and more. 12710 Liberty Ave., 929-386-0928
Juice 101 NYC: Cafe specializing in juices and smoothies. 97-16 101st St., Ozone Park
Ed’s note: Need a way to check out a bunch of great South Richmond Hill spots in one go? Check out our self-guided food tour of the neighborhood.
Rockaway
Goody’s BBQ Chicken and Wings: This Jamaican counter-serve spot a few blocks from the beach is beloved for its jerk chicken, BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, curry goat, roti, and more. 7018 Amstel Blvd., 718-318-9616
Sayra’s Wine Bar + Bier Garden: This female-owned spot boasts great wine, beer, and cider; fun shareable small plates; a roster of events including live music and a weekday happy hour; and a gorgeous backyard garden you’ll want to linger in. 91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd., 347-619-8009
Beach Dunes Eats & Arts: Seasonal local food, lots of plant-based options, and a tempting beach-ready breakfast and lunch cafe that’s simultaneously working to bring economic opportunity to this neighborhood via culinary arts job training. 45-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd. (Edgemere), 929-484-CAFE
Last Dragon Pizza: Pizza by a Black female pizzaiola, inspired by the movie The Last Dragon. Jerk chicken pizza too! Pickup or ship (nationwide) only, via website.
Johnny’s Classic Quizine: Jamaican food and juices, breakfast to dinner (and dessert): ackee and saltfish, saltfish with butterbean, porridge all day, oxtail, curry shrimp, BBQ ribs, rasta pasta, patties and rotis, macaroni salad, rum cake and more. 713 Beach 20th St., 718-868-3268
Mama’s Cooking: Jamaican food like Mama used to make! Ackee and saltfish, oxtails, cowfoot and curry, jerk chicken, festival, rice and peas. 1044 Beach 21st St., 718-327-3720
Best Caribbean: Jamaican food, including some of this writer’s favorite breakfasts—mackerel rundown, porridge, saltfish and callalloo (which we enjoyed on a recent visit here)—plus curry goat, stew peas, tripe and beans, jerk chicken, escovitch fish, patties, mac and cheese, and more. 9102 Rockaway Beach Blvd., 347-727-7134
Jase’s BBQ: This Far Rockaway-based caterer is beloved for his BBQ pigtails, jerk wings, jerk ribs, and more. Follow him on IG to find out where he is popping up.
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Laurelton
A Live Kitchen: Vegan comfort food (empanadas, burgers, rasta pasta, spaghetti and “meatballs,” ital stew pictured above) and juice bar. 227-16 Merrick Blvd., 718-470-2587
Sandz Bar and Grill: Caribbean (lots of Jamaican) food and drinks: shrimp tacos, curry goat, oxtails, curry shrimp. 234-32 Merrick Blvd, 718-525-1063
Southern Girls Restaurant: Family-owned soul food restaurant, including ribs, pig feet, fried fish, chicken and dumplings, and lots more. 218-28 Merrick Blvd., 718-949-0400
Sweet Treats Delight: Bakery with from-scratch cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more. 133-32 226th St., 347-548-0395
Truth Restaurant + Lounge: This Caribbean spot makes for a fun night out, or stop by for its popular AYCE (and bottomless mimosa) Jamaican brunch on Sundays. 229-15 Merrick Blvd., 718-413-2021
Only Rare NYC: Colorful rolled ice cream, but also an “urban thrift” shop with clothes and accessories. 229-13 Merrick Blvd.
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St. Albans
Seamorhen: Another branch of the soul food, seafood, fried chicken (and more) restaurant. 190-07 109th Rd., 718-217-8100
Burgers, Tacos, Wings + Seafood: This fast food spot is home to award-winning tacos in the borough of Queens (try the jerk chicken tacos!), but also popular for its wing combos, burgers, and—you guessed it—seafood dishes. 110-46 Merrick Blvd., 718-297-4289
Maxine on the Boulevard: Get your fried fish, shrimp or chicken fix at this 35-plus-year-old storefront. 113-33 Farmers Blvd., 718-465-9812
Yardies Jerk: Jamaican cuisine: chicken soup, patties, jerk chicken and pork, oxtails and beans. 198-18 Linden Blvd., 718-749-5782
Sea Food Kingz: All manner of shrimp, crab legs, fish, and more. 205-41 Linden Blvd., 929-433-0130
Jamaican Flavors: Award-winning patties in so many different flavors (jerk chicken, veg, calaloo and saltfish!), fresh coco bread, oxtail, curry goat, brown stew chicken, and more. 147-95 Farmers Blvd., 718-276-7661
The Smokehouse: Jamaican jerk and Southern BBQ eatery. Heavy on the meat but also has seafood options, plus the usual sides (rice and peas, mac and cheese, festival, fried plantains). 18933 Linden Blvd., 718-527-1536
Sea Level Sea & Soul: As the name suggests, this mom-and-pop shop deals in soul food + seafood, including fish fried rice, fried shrimp, fried chicken, mac and cheese, collards, yams. 114-32 Farmers Blvd., 347-263-8300
Jesseca’s Sweet Street Bakery: A Christian-based bakery offering signature cakes and custom desserts. Closed Sundays. Call 347-249-8327 or email jessecassweetstreet@gmail.com for info.
Vibes 2: The second location of the Jamaican-American restaurant and lounge with soul food and more (the Hennessy-flavored wings are popular!). 120-20 Merrick Blvd., 718-977-7771
Kriss: This Jamaican restaurant is loved for its porridges, oxtail, ackee and saltfish, curry goat, and more. The soup special and breakfast specials look great. 112-04 Farmers Blvd., 718-454-9300
Wild Onion NYC: A Caribbean restaurant with “Wild Friday” nights with DJs, live music, and more. Oxtails and rum punch are recommended! 119-08 Merrick Blvd., 718-977-9453
Haitian salt cod patties from Le Bon Pain
Queens Village
Le Bon Pain: Family-owned Haitian bakery with delicious $1.50 patties (beef, chicken, cod, herring), coco cake, currant rolls, bread (pictured above). We absolutely loved the flaky salted cod one! 21165 Jamaica Ave., 718-464-8160
Flanm: Haitian food (and catering), including griot, fried chicken, jerk chicken, lambi, and more. 215-07 Jamaica Ave., 718-740-2500
CD Restaurant & Bar: Newer location of Caribbean Delights Bakery. West Indian/Guyanese and Chinese food: fried fish, black pudding, jerk chicken fried rice. Also: Carnation milk and cream soda! 215-21 Jamaica Ave., 718-776-0980
Fountain of Youth Juice Bar: Organic juice bar plus wraps, salads, smoothies, and more. 217-93 Hempstead Ave., 718-776-7164
Nettie’s Restaurant: Catfish, mac and cheese, collard greens—get your soul food fix here in a sports bar-like atmosphere. 220-03 Hempstead Turnpike; 347-426-9560
Cambria Heights
St. Best Jerk Spot: Find delicious Jamaican food here, including some locally famed fall-off-the-bone oxtails, jerk dishes, and red pea soup. 11231 Springfield Blvd., 718-465-1164
Brasserie Creole: Caribbean food, mostly Haitian: lambi, fried pork, black rice, jerk chicken. 22702 Linden Blvd., 718-341-1376
Detoxx Bar: Smoothies and juices for health, including those for specific health issues, plus other products and teas. 234-16 Linden Blvd., 718-949-0008
Dash of Ja: This home-based eatery has a weekly-changing Jamaican menu for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only that might include curry goat, oxtails, fish soup, and rasta pasta. 516-560-0159
T&G Flavors: Jamaican/Caribbean food and more, from your jerk chicken, curry goat, porridges and patties to your vegan pasta, grilled salmon salad (also lots of steamed fish options), oxtail roti and chicken chop suey. 228-01 Linden Blvd., 718-712-2956
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Rosedale
Di Juice: Smoothies and juices, plus baked goods. 243-14 Merrick Blvd., 718-341-0703
Henrica’s: Jamaican + Chinese food: jerk chicken, brown stew fish, cow foot, lo mein, roast chicken, chop suey, fried rice, pastas (jerk chicken alfredo!), and more. 138-89 Francis Lewis Blvd., 718-527-7355
Pa-Nash Eurosoul: Caribbean food with a twist. There’s mango curry shrimp (pictured above), jerk chicken, and breadfruit but also eggplant “caviar” and Moroccan coconut stew. 144-14 243rd St., 718-978-6094
Social Corner: American food, and tacos and tequila every Tuesday! This is a restaurant + bar with a full menu (burgers, steaks, surf and turf, tacos) and plenty of drinks. 243-24 Merrick Blvd., 718-712-1057
Caribbean Soul: Modern Caribbean food with a rooftop bar/lounge. Shrimp and waffles, jerk chicken tacos, jerk fries, frozen cocktails galore. 234-04 Merrick Blvd., 718-712-1106
Last updated: January 31, 2025.
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