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32 delicious Black-owned restaurants to try in Orlando

By on Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 4:35 pm

From Haitian and Ethiopian cuisine to island specialties to good old soul food, super-healthy to super-indulgent, Orlando's Black-owned restaurants are shaping the culinary scene and keeping the people fed. Check out these essential places to visit while supporting the local community, and let us know your favorite restaurants serving African, African-American, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino dishes.

If you spot a missing restaurant, you can add your own here.

Gallery by Lillian Hernández Caraballo and Caroline Silva

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32 delicious Black-owned restaurants to try in Orlando
Streetwise Urban Food 4434 Hoffner Ave., 407-367-5705 Streetwise offers upscaled versions of fast-food faves like burgers, tacos, and chicken tendies as well as healthy salads and bowls. They recently made Yelp's national list of Black-owned Restaurants to Watch, so don't sleep on this hometown hero. Photo via Streetwise Urban Food/website

Streetwise Urban Food

4434 Hoffner Ave., 407-367-5705
Streetwise offers upscaled versions of fast-food faves like burgers, tacos, and chicken tendies as well as healthy salads and bowls. They recently made Yelp's national list of Black-owned Restaurants to Watch, so don't sleep on this hometown hero.

Photo via Streetwise Urban Food/website
Chicken Fire 2425 E Colonial Drive Chicken Fire offers a small menu, but ensures that only “All-Natural, Hormone, Steroid & Antibiotic-Free Chicken” is hand-breaded and fried. Owners and chefs Kwame and JeLyssa Boakye specialize in Nashville-style hot chicken and attempt to bridge the gap between cultures through food. If you’re not a fan of so much spice, Chicken Fire offers four levels of heat that allows customers to customize their meal. Photo via The Big Box/A La Cart

Chicken Fire

2425 E Colonial Drive
Chicken Fire offers a small menu, but ensures that only “All-Natural, Hormone, Steroid & Antibiotic-Free Chicken” is hand-breaded and fried. Owners and chefs Kwame and JeLyssa Boakye specialize in Nashville-style hot chicken and attempt to bridge the gap between cultures through food. If you’re not a fan of so much spice, Chicken Fire offers four levels of heat that allows customers to customize their meal.

Photo via The Big Box/A La Cart
Mila’s Front Porch 407-815-4407 How can vegan, gluten-free, keto or paleo pastries be this delightfully decadent? You’ll have to ask the fine folks at Mila’s Front Porch that in between bites of their cupcakes, cookies and cakes. Follow their social media to see where they are setting up their pop-up bakery next, or contact directly for ordering. Photo via Unicorn cake/Facebook

Mila’s Front Porch

407-815-4407
How can vegan, gluten-free, keto or paleo pastries be this delightfully decadent? You’ll have to ask the fine folks at Mila’s Front Porch that in between bites of their cupcakes, cookies and cakes. Follow their social media to see where they are setting up their pop-up bakery next, or contact directly for ordering.

Photo via Unicorn cake/Facebook
Chef Eddie’s Catering Catering, 407-376-8918 Known for their crowd-pleasing menus of soul food classics, Chef Eddie’s has made a name for itself over the years. All you need to do is try any of their 10 different versions of fried chicken and waffles to see why. Currently, their mouth-watering Southern-style cuisine is available as catering for events of all kinds, but we hope they reopen a stand-alone restaurant soon. Photo via Chef Eddie’s/Facebook

Chef Eddie’s Catering

Catering, 407-376-8918
Known for their crowd-pleasing menus of soul food classics, Chef Eddie’s has made a name for itself over the years. All you need to do is try any of their 10 different versions of fried chicken and waffles to see why. Currently, their mouth-watering Southern-style cuisine is available as catering for events of all kinds, but we hope they reopen a stand-alone restaurant soon.

Photo via Chef Eddie’s/Facebook
Flavors Nigerian 3530 S. Orange Ave., 407-930-0988 Traditional Nigerian classics are on offer here like suya beef, goat pepper soup and, of course, jollof rice, considered Nigeria’s national dish. The fare is heavy and, more often than not, hotttt. Photo by Rob Bartlett

Flavors Nigerian

3530 S. Orange Ave., 407-930-0988
Traditional Nigerian classics are on offer here like suya beef, goat pepper soup and, of course, jollof rice, considered Nigeria’s national dish. The fare is heavy and, more often than not, hotttt.

Photo by Rob Bartlett
Island Thyme Caribbean Grille 457 Avalon Park S. Blvd., 321-804-5357 As “the premier Caribbean food restaurant in Orlando,” Island Thyme Caribbean Grille prides itself in offering high quality and tasty food. Although Island Thyme offers plenty of Caribbean dishes to choose from, a full menu featuring other cuisines is also available, with everything from jerk chicken to barbecue ribs and braised oxtail mac & cheese. Photo via Magens Bay Shrimp Taco/Website

Island Thyme Caribbean Grille

457 Avalon Park S. Blvd., 321-804-5357
As “the premier Caribbean food restaurant in Orlando,” Island Thyme Caribbean Grille prides itself in offering high quality and tasty food. Although Island Thyme offers plenty of Caribbean dishes to choose from, a full menu featuring other cuisines is also available, with everything from jerk chicken to barbecue ribs and braised oxtail mac & cheese.

Photo via Magens Bay Shrimp Taco/Website
Shantell’s Just Until... 503 Sanford Ave., Sanford, 407-878-7785 Shantell’s is the place to be if you’re looking for a good meal, or for a fun night out, or both! Open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Shantell’s offers live entertainment every week, from comedians to live jazz bands. This BYOB joint is sure to get you hooked in on the good times. Photo via Shantell’s/Facebook

Shantell’s Just Until...

503 Sanford Ave., Sanford, 407-878-7785
Shantell’s is the place to be if you’re looking for a good meal, or for a fun night out, or both! Open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Shantell’s offers live entertainment every week, from comedians to live jazz bands. This BYOB joint is sure to get you hooked in on the good times.

Photo via Shantell’s/Facebook
Sister Honey’s 247 E. Michigan St., 407-730-7315 The award-winning pies – seriously, try the country apple – cupcakes, pound cakes, cookies and more served at this South Orlando bakery are one of South Orlando's hidden secrets. Offerings change daily, so call ahead if you're looking for a whole cake or pie. Photo via Strawberry vanilla cake/website

Sister Honey’s

247 E. Michigan St., 407-730-7315
The award-winning pies – seriously, try the country apple – cupcakes, pound cakes, cookies and more served at this South Orlando bakery are one of South Orlando's hidden secrets. Offerings change daily, so call ahead if you're looking for a whole cake or pie.

Photo via Strawberry vanilla cake/website
Nile Ethiopian Restaurant 7048 International Drive, 407-354-0026 This is one place in Orlando where you can come to enjoy authentic Ethiopian food. From injera to tibs, right down to the elaborate coffee ceremony, this blue ribbon restaurant offers a taste of their hometown in a welcoming and relaxing environment that many have come to love. Photo via Nile Ethiopian Restaurant/Facebook

Nile Ethiopian Restaurant

7048 International Drive, 407-354-0026
This is one place in Orlando where you can come to enjoy authentic Ethiopian food. From injera to tibs, right down to the elaborate coffee ceremony, this blue ribbon restaurant offers a taste of their hometown in a welcoming and relaxing environment that many have come to love.

Photo via Nile Ethiopian Restaurant/Facebook
Nikki’s Place 742 Carter St., 407-425-5301 “The finer side of soul food, Southern cuisine,” is how Nikki’s Place self-describes. With a rich history that dates back almost 70 years, Nikki’s Place just knows how to do it. Conveniently only two minutes away from downtown Orlando, they offer quick service for people who want to be able to enjoy good food even during the lunch rush. Photo via Nikki’s Place/Facebook

Nikki’s Place

742 Carter St., 407-425-5301
“The finer side of soul food, Southern cuisine,” is how Nikki’s Place self-describes. With a rich history that dates back almost 70 years, Nikki’s Place just knows how to do it. Conveniently only two minutes away from downtown Orlando, they offer quick service for people who want to be able to enjoy good food even during the lunch rush.

Photo via Nikki’s Place/Facebook
Brick & Spoon Orlando 933 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-790-4345 With a mission to create unique meals with “a spoonful of Southern flair that comforts the heart and soul,” Brick & Spoon Orlando offers an accessible, yet upscale, breakfast, brunch and lunch experience. The breakfast and brunch menu features Shrimp and Tasso Mac and Cheese, crab cakes and Banana Foster French Toast. Just as tasty, the lunch menu offers a grilled veggie burger, Chicken Florentine Chicken and “eye opening cocktails.” Customers can even build their own Bloody Mary. Photo via Facebook

Brick & Spoon Orlando

933 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-790-4345
With a mission to create unique meals with “a spoonful of Southern flair that comforts the heart and soul,” Brick & Spoon Orlando offers an accessible, yet upscale, breakfast, brunch and lunch experience. The breakfast and brunch menu features Shrimp and Tasso Mac and Cheese, crab cakes and Banana Foster French Toast. Just as tasty, the lunch menu offers a grilled veggie burger, Chicken Florentine Chicken and “eye opening cocktails.” Customers can even build their own Bloody Mary.

Photo via Facebook
House of Chick’n 407-283-8538 Chris Burnham’s operation serves up 100 percent vegan chick’n that is in so many ways even better than the real thing, whether grilled, fried or BBQ style -- and no less than Mo'nique herself has given him her seal of approval. Order online for weekly deliveries or pickups. Photo via Instagram ,

House of Chick’n

407-283-8538
Chris Burnham’s operation serves up 100 percent vegan chick’n that is in so many ways even better than the real thing, whether grilled, fried or BBQ style -- and no less than Mo'nique herself has given him her seal of approval. Order online for weekly deliveries or pickups.

Photo via Instagram ,
Foodies Cafe 436 S. Parramore Ave., 407-648-4343 Parramore coffee shop and breakfast/lunch spot offers all the requisite varieties of precious, precious caffeine but also chicken and waffles and decadent pound cake creations. Photo via Facebook

Foodies Cafe

436 S. Parramore Ave., 407-648-4343
Parramore coffee shop and breakfast/lunch spot offers all the requisite varieties of precious, precious caffeine but also chicken and waffles and decadent pound cake creations.

Photo via Facebook
Something Fishy Seafood Restaurant 2107 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, 407-703-4850 Something Fishy specializes in fresh and classic seafood dishes and has won awards including the “Rising Star of Apopka” in 2016 and the “Best of Apopka” in 2017 and 2018. The current 2020 summer menu offers an abundance of choices with both meat and vegetarian options varying from tacos to fish and shrimp platters. Photo via Shrimp & Grits/Website

Something Fishy Seafood Restaurant

2107 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, 407-703-4850
Something Fishy specializes in fresh and classic seafood dishes and has won awards including the “Rising Star of Apopka” in 2016 and the “Best of Apopka” in 2017 and 2018. The current 2020 summer menu offers an abundance of choices with both meat and vegetarian options varying from tacos to fish and shrimp platters.

Photo via Shrimp & Grits/Website
Vitality Bowls 8014 Conroy Windermere Road, 407-730-6358 Harold and Jackie Gattereau run this Orlando franchise of superfood chain Vitality bowls. If you’re looking for healthy and hearty eats, enjoy their endless variety of juices, smoothies paninis and acai bowls with zero guilt. Photo via Facebook

Vitality Bowls

8014 Conroy Windermere Road, 407-730-6358
Harold and Jackie Gattereau run this Orlando franchise of superfood chain Vitality bowls. If you’re looking for healthy and hearty eats, enjoy their endless variety of juices, smoothies paninis and acai bowls with zero guilt.

Photo via Facebook
Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine 5494 Central Florida Parkway, 407-778-3119 Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine has been recognized for its “outstanding African cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff.” Dishes include “top of the line” Ethiopian culture plates and plenty of specials such as tegabino shiro and cornis. Enjoy a meaty meal with warm injera bread or choose from one of the various vegetarian and vegan dishes. Selam also offers numerous alcoholic beverages including Ethiopian beers. Photo via Selam Chicken Tibs And Veggie Combination Special/Facebook

Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine

5494 Central Florida Parkway, 407-778-3119
Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine has been recognized for its “outstanding African cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff.” Dishes include “top of the line” Ethiopian culture plates and plenty of specials such as tegabino shiro and cornis. Enjoy a meaty meal with warm injera bread or choose from one of the various vegetarian and vegan dishes. Selam also offers numerous alcoholic beverages including Ethiopian beers.

Photo via Selam Chicken Tibs And Veggie Combination Special/Facebook
Jesse’s Rib Shack 2202 W. Pine St., 407-501-9299 We’ll bet you’ve never had ribs like these. Jesse's homemade "Magic Sauce" is known as the restaurant’s signature staple. The owner and staff focus on their food but also on their service, keeping up with their philosophy of Southern hospitality. Their website invites you to “make yourself comfortable, loosen your belt and enjoy!” Photo via Jesse’s Rib Shack/jessesribshack.com

Jesse’s Rib Shack

2202 W. Pine St., 407-501-9299
We’ll bet you’ve never had ribs like these. Jesse's homemade "Magic Sauce" is known as the restaurant’s signature staple. The owner and staff focus on their food but also on their service, keeping up with their philosophy of Southern hospitality. Their website invites you to “make yourself comfortable, loosen your belt and enjoy!”

Photo via Jesse’s Rib Shack/jessesribshack.com
Seana’s 719 Good Homes Road, 321-800-6846 Specializing in Caribbean soul food, Seana’s offers dishes such as Apple Butter Chicken and Alfredo Vegetarian Pasta. The restaurant also cycles through daily specials such as Fried Snapper and Fried Chicken. Pair everything with a side of their creamy, buttery mac and cheese and you have a perfect meal. Photo via Fried Chicken/Facebook

Seana’s

719 Good Homes Road, 321-800-6846
Specializing in Caribbean soul food, Seana’s offers dishes such as Apple Butter Chicken and Alfredo Vegetarian Pasta. The restaurant also cycles through daily specials such as Fried Snapper and Fried Chicken. Pair everything with a side of their creamy, buttery mac and cheese and you have a perfect meal.

Photo via Fried Chicken/Facebook
Soul Food Fantasy 521 E. Kennedy Blvd., 321-972-3050 Specializing in good old BBQ, seafood and soul food, Soul Food Fantasy offers a variety of comfort dishes for anyone with an appetite for good home cooking. In a rush? No worries. The staff is known for their hustle to get a fresh, hot meal out quickly that is sure to leave you satisfied and coming back for more. Photo via Soul Food Fantasy/SOURCE

Soul Food Fantasy

521 E. Kennedy Blvd., 321-972-3050
Specializing in good old BBQ, seafood and soul food, Soul Food Fantasy offers a variety of comfort dishes for anyone with an appetite for good home cooking. In a rush? No worries. The staff is known for their hustle to get a fresh, hot meal out quickly that is sure to leave you satisfied and coming back for more.

Photo via Soul Food Fantasy/SOURCE
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