Eds. note: This article currently covers more than 80 Black-owned eateries in Queens, NYC. It is by no means comprehensive. Please consult the spreadsheet referenced below for a more exhaustive list while we continue to add to this! Last update: Jan. 2023.
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 that are unfamiliar to you.
80+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Queens, sorted by neighborhood + with menu descriptions Click To TweetFor 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.
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 currently a nice big outdoor seating area currently set up. 79-07 Roosevelt Ave.; 347-832-0539, 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
Café Grill: Grilled/fried seafood, wings, sandwiches, and salads. 26-02 96th St.; 718-397-7111
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Long Island City/Astoria/Sunnyside
Communitea: Premium and organic teas, Buddha bowls, burritos, sandwiches, soups, and homemade pastries. Brunch on the patio! 11-18 46th Rd., LIC, 718-729-7708
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
Makina Café: 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 on Governors Island (Sat-Sun, 11am-6pm). 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: This relative newcomer brings West African cuisine to Astoria, with Nigerian egusi, jollof rice, okazi soup, garri, and fonio among the menu. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays. 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: Popular local chain (from Williamsburg) with 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. In front of 3100 47th Ave., LIC, 347-513-0629
Capucine: Coffee shop serving Devoción coffee (Colombian coffee out of Brooklyn) as well as parfait, quiche, sandwiches, brunch dishes, and more. Sidewalk seating. 45-51 39th Pl., Sunnyside
Forest Hills
Misfits Nutrition: Pop into this LGBTQ-owned storefront for a wide range of colorful teas, protein doughnuts, protein bowls, and some delicious-sounding meal-replacement shakes (red velvet or Reese’s, anyone?). 115-14 Queens Blvd.
Woodhaven
Neir’s Tavern: One of NYC’s oldest bars, famously featured in Goodfellas, it’s particularly great for a burger and beer. 87-48 78th St., 718-296-0600
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Jamaica
Island Cuisine & Catering: Caribbean (mostly Jamaican) food, including oxtails, brown stew chicken and fish, roti, and patties. 153-35 Hillside Ave., 347-475-0187
The Door: Jamaican fine dining: steamed snapper, ital stew, brown stew tofu, curried goat. 163-07 Baisley Blvd., 718-525-1083
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
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
Seafood Heaven: Soul (sea)food meets Jamaican cooking: fried shrimp, fried whiting, fried catfish, escovitch salmon, brown stew salmon, plus fried okra, mac and cheese, and more. 127-07 Merrick Blvd., 929-433-0322
Sybil’s Restaurant & Bakery: Caribbean/Guyanese spot since 1976. Beloved patties, curry goat, roti, pepperpot, guava tarts, cassava pone, and so much more. 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
KY’s Takeout Haitian: Haitian cuisine, like tassot boeuf and kabrit (fried beef and goat), griot (fried pork), rice and beans, and accra (malanga fritters). 89-02 165th St; 347-334-410
Africana: Nigerian food. Try the egusi, ogbono, pepper soup, jollof rice, and more. 146-12 Liberty Ave., 718-658-8501
Vibes: Restaurant and lounge with soul food and more. Fish and grits, shrimp and waffles, omelets, wings, crab legs, pasta. Also cocktails! 143-06 Liberty Ave., 718-262-0433
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. 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.
Jenivieve’s Jerk: A Jamaican eatery offering dine-in and popular jerk rotisserie, among a full Jamaican menu that looks quite good. 220-25 Jamaica Ave.
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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. 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
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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
Mother Earth Juice Bar: Juices and smoothies, plus Caribbean dishes like callaloo soup, bake and saltfish, and pelau. 116-03 Metropolitan Ave., 347-494-5485
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
S&A West Indian Restaurant: An interesting Trinidadian menu awaits at this local spot, from doubles and aloo pie to various fry bakes, (halal) meats with rice or roti, and soups. 10306 Liberty Ave, Ozone Park
Rockaway
The Cradle NYC: This Nigerian place a block from the beach has delicious egusi (we loved it with red snapper), jollof rice, puff puff, juices, and more. Here’s a reel from our recent visit there. 194 Beach 96th St., 347-619-9120
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
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
Bernadette’s Rockaway: All-day breakfast! (Also lunch.) This cute little corner spot, owned by two brothers, is the place to go for a breakfast sandwich, chicken and waffles, short rib hash, Dutch baby pancakes, any style of egg, some very Instagrammable doughnuts, and much more. 95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd., 347-319-7994
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
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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
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
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
1976 Wings, Burgers & More: The “more” includes cheesesteaks, fried seafood, hot dogs, and fries. 201-03 Linden Blvd, 929-405-0084
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 jessec[email protected] for info.
Haitian salt cod pate (patties) from Le Bon Pain
Queens Village
Zoe Shack: Delicious Haitian food: griot (fried pork), legume stew, ke bef (oxtail platter), fritay (fried foods). 211-47 Jamaica Ave., 929-405-0112
Le Bon Pain: Family-owned Haitian bakery with $1 pate (which are patties: beef, chicken, cod, herring), coco cake, currant rolls, bread (pictured above). We absolutely loved the flaky salted cod pate! 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
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
Island Taste Caribbean Restaurant and Lounge: Jerk wings, codfish fritters, pepper shrimp, roti, curried lobster tails, and more. Get a rum punch too! 243-10 Merrick Blvd., 718-276-5000
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
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Where to Get Takeout + Delivery in Queens Right Now – Eat Your World
February 17, 2023 at 12:19 pm[…] at this seafood-heavy spot. Open for takeout and delivery; call 347-832-0539. (Also appears in: Black-Owned Restaurants in Queens.) 79-07 Roosevelt […]