More than just a week, Black Restaurant Week celebrates the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine. This week, from October 13-22, is a great time to discover and support Black-owned restaurants and culinary businesses in the New Orleans community.
There are multiple campaigns and events involving Black Restaurant Week, and these events are dedicated to connecting cuisine heritage to the community. This week helps to stimulate the local economy and promotes access to the Black culinary industry.
Here are 10 of the best Black-owned-and-operated restaurants right here in New Orleans. Each restaurant has a unique menu filled with delicious fusions of different culinary heritages.
Top 10 NOLA Restaurants for Black Restaurant Week
1. Neyow's Creole Cafe
3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, neworleans.neyows.com
Neyow's Creole Cafe offers up authentic Creole cuisine in an eclectic atmosphere. The menu is full of classic Creole favorites and several seafood options. From poboys to pasta, Neyow's has it all.
Neyow's has many specialties, including a "Neyow's Extravaganza" which is a dinner special for two. This restaurant also serves brunch, featuring plenty of breakfast favorites. Neyow's Creole Cafe's atmosphere is cozy yet fun, with an aesthetic ambiance.
2. Nice Guys Nola
7910 Earhart Blvd., 504-302-2404, niceguysnola.com
Nice Guys Nola introduces creativity in every dish. Nice Guys is known for their delicious brunch, with scrumptious twists on classic brunch menu items. With a vast selection of oysters, and plenty of seafood options, Nice Guys is a great seafood spot.
Nice Guys also provides the option to become a "VIP" member, where patrons can receive updates on exclusive events, secret menus, special offers/discounts, loyalty rewards, and more. The brunch menu is available on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday.
3. Lil' Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade Ave., 504-766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net
Lil' Dizzy's Cafe is known for its famous fried chicken, and its Creole-soul traditional cuisine. This cafe is also the only Baquet-owned restaurant that's still going, now owned by Wayne, Jr. and his wife Arkesha.
Lil' Dizzy's Cafe is nestled in the heart of the city and serves locals their favorite foods. Lil' Dizzy's also offers a cookbook, filled with the Baquet's family recipes.
4. Bennachin
1212 Royal St., 504-522-1230, bennachinrestaurant.com
Bennachin offers a delicious taste of Africa, inspired by The Gambia and Cameroon. Since 1992, Bennachin has been serving both locals and tourists in the Big Easy and is one of the best African restaurants in NOLA. The restaurant's atmosphere is comfortable and friendly, and their dishes are bursting with flavor.
Bennachin offers a menu suitable for carnivores and vegans alike. There is something for everyone at this restaurant. With authentic cuisine, Bennachin prizes itself on a high quality of freshness and seasonality. Bennachin also offers the fastest and friendliest service to all patrons.
5. JusTini's
3162 Dauphine St., 504-381-5098, justinisnola.com
JusTini's is a new cocktail bar restaurant here in New Orleans that offers luxury bar service and signature cocktails. Jessica Robinson, founder and owner of JusTini's, created two cocktails inspired by historic Black women and women of New Orleans. JusTini's brown sugar Old Fashioned is named after Oretha Castle Haley, and the lavender French 75 is inspired by Leah Chase.
Jessica Robinson is an inspiration to young women of color, instilling inspiration to be empowered business owners. JusTini's offers exceptional service and delicious drinks that are perfect for an after-work cocktail.
6. WeDat's
Multiple Locations, wedats.com
We Dat's is a New Orleans-owned restaurant and is home of the "Wuzzam" wings. We Dat's started as a food truck and then turned into a restaurant with multiple locations.
We Dat's also sells seasonings, sauces, and jambalaya and biscuit mixes online. This restaurant aims to offer New Orleans the finest of foods with the most flavor.
7. Compere Lapin
535 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-599-2119, comperelapin.com
Compere Lapin believes in the complexity of simplicity and the power of flavors. Compere Lapin prizes everyone's histories, which are vast and varied. These histories, Compere Lapin believes, should be memorialized and romanticized by dishes that remind us of home and transport us to somewhere new.
The inspiration for Compere Lapin comes from traditional Caribbean folklore, specifically a rabbit named Compère Lapin that award-winning chef Nina Compton read during her childhood in St. Lucia. The story's themes of exploration, mixed with indigenous ingredients and culinary heritage of New Orleans and of the Caribbean create Compere Lapin's unique menu.
8. Neyow's XL
3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, xl.neyows.com
Neyow's XL is a fine dining restaurant offering up authentic Creole cuisine. This steakhouse offers different dinner specials on specific days of the week such as different happy hour or appetizer deals.
Neyow's XL's menu serves steakhouse classics with a Southern twist. The menu also has a decadent desserts section with standout traditional Southern desserts. Neyowe's XL's atmosphere is perfect for a fine dining experience.
9. Vyoone's
412 Girod St., 504-518-6007, vyoone.com
Vyoone Segue Lewis is the founder of Vyoone's and is of Canadian French, African American, and Cherokee descent. Vyoone has strong ties to the community of New Orleans and is an active member in several New Orleans groups and endeavors.
Vyoone's menu is a blend of French and Creole classics with decadent twists on each menu item. Each dish is a gourmet classic and there is sure to be a meal for anyone and everyone. Vyoone's also provides an expansive cocktail and wine menu.
10. Twisted Waffles
725 Howard Ave., 504-653-0033, twistedwaffles.com
Twisted Waffles takes breakfast and lunch to new levels with unique twists on traditional meals. The menu consists of a variety of sweet and savory dishes, sandwiches, burgers, specialty waffles, and coffees.
The restaurant is known for their famous "twisted" chicken and waffles, which is a crispy chicken breast between two Belgian waffles with maple syrup on the side. No matter what you decide to order, you have the option to "twist" your order up with unique add ons.
Spot to Visit in NOLA for Black Restaurant Week
Black Restaurant Week is recognized nationally and highlights Black-owned restaurants and bars, as well as African-American caterers, chefs and bartenders. This week is dedicated to appreciating the heritage of African-American, Caribbean, and African cuisine.
There are many ways to support Black-owned restaurants and businesses, and many places to visit. That being said, these are the top 10 Black-owned restaurants you won't want to miss during Black Restaurant Week.
