The Houston restaurant scene features flavors ranging from barbecue and Tex-Mex to West African and Southeast Asian. These outstanding Black-owned restaurants in Houston are renowned for their creative and innovative approaches to cuisine.
Head to a trendy spot serving up Caribbean-Southern mashups in Montrose. Get progressive twists on traditional Southern dishes at a cozy spot in the Museum District. Visit a lively Downtown destination for Creole- and Cajun-inspired dishes.
Book a table at one of the top Black-owned restaurants in Houston on OpenTable today.
Read on to discover the 6 best Black-owned restaurants in Houston right now.
For the modern Southern cuisine in Houston — check out Lucille’s (Museum District)
Founded by James Beard finalist Chris Williams and his brother Ben, Lucille’s honors the duo’s great-grandmother, a culinary innovator in her own day. Come here for progressive twists on Southern dishes inspired by family recipes—think chili biscuits with harissa cream and slow-fried chicken with honey-spiced gravy. Enjoy it all in a cozy, 1920s mission-style home with exposed wooden beams, brick walls, and family photographs.
For innovative Mexican-Southern mashups at one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston — book a table at Late August (Midtown)
Named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America in 2024, Late August is where you go for innovative fusion dishes that celebrate Black soul food along with Mexican and Indigenous culinary traditions. Expect bold takes on the classics like seasonal seafood barbecue with fry bread and a chimichurri topped strip loin served with yucca fries from acclaimed chef Chris Williams. Linger in the inviting space with large windows, high ceilings, and elegant blue accents.
For West African cuisine in the heart of Houston — head over to ChopnBlok (Montrose)
ChopnBlok brings the vibrant flavors of Africa to Texas, establishing itself as one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston for West African cuisine. Dig into James Beard semifinalist Ope Amosu’s signature dishes like smokey jollof jambalaya and buka (a Nigerian red stew) that showcase bold, aromatic West African flavors and traditional recipes. The restaurant’s interior reflects its African roots with colorful decor, handcrafted artifacts, and artwork celebrating Black artists.
For incredible Southern fusion fare in one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston — visit Kulture (Downtown)
Founded by chef Marcus Davis of The Breakfast Klub, Kulture is one of the top Black-owned restaurants in Houston. Kulture serves a rotating menu of small and large Southern-meets-Caribbean fusion plates such as collard green arancini and New Zealand lamb chops paired with an impressive selection of South African wines. Located inside Avenida Houston, the restaurant’s interiors feature high ceilings, hanging pendant lights, and floor-to-ceiling windows that create a bright and airy atmosphere.
For elegant Southern cuisine with Asian influences in one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston — try Davis Street (W. University/Med Center)
Led by celebrated chef Mark Holley, Davis Street serves up a contemporary menu of classic Southern and Asian-inspired dishes such as New Orleans-style charbroiled oysters and Thai-style snapper. The restaurant’s sophisticated interiors feature a color palette of white, black, and gray tones with pops of green, making the restaurant ideal for special occasion dinners. Don’t miss the lively happy hour starring playful drinks and bar bites like Louisiana catfish tacos.
For Creole- and Cajun-inspired dishes in a lively setting — try Gotti’s (Downtown)
Gotti’s is one of the top Black-owned restaurants in Houston for Creole fare. Located in Downtown, the restaurant serves up a variety of Creole- and Cajun-inspired dishes like creamy beignet bites, crawfish empanadas, and gumbo. The interior decor features a street art theme with bright colors, white walls, and dark-colored furnishings. Don’t miss weekly events like open mic and karaoke nights.
Whether you’re craving traditional West African cuisine, Creole- and Cajun-inspired dishes, or innovative fusion fare, you can find top-notch food at these Black-owned restaurants in Houston. Tables book up quickly, so reserve your spot in advance.
Grab a seat at one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Houston by booking on OpenTable today.
For more on can’t-miss Houston restaurants, check out these guides:
- 12 top restaurants for every kind of date in Houston
- 10 Houston restaurants with next-level cozy vibes
- 12 gorgeous Houston restaurants that will blow you away
- These 11 Houston restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Taryn White is a Washington, DC-area travel and food writer and founder of travel and lifestyle website The Trip Wish List. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Forbes, and other outlets.
