Kansas City is known for its diverse restaurant scene, and the city’s Black-owned restaurants are no exception. From BBQ and seafood to Jamaican and African cuisine, there are plenty of delicious options for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal, here is a full list of the best Black-owned restaurants in Kansas City.
Fannies West African Cuisine — Visit the Website
Address: 4105 Troost Avenue
About: Fannies West African Cuisine is a hidden gem in Kansas City. This restaurant is dedicated to bringing authentic traditional West African dishes made from scratch with natural organic ingredients. The menu offers a variety of options, including jollof rice, plantains, and goat curry. With its unique flavors and welcoming atmosphere, Fannies West African Cuisine is sure to be a hit with locals and visitors alike.
District Fish & Pasta House — Visit the Website
Address: 1664 E 63rd Street in KCMO
About: District Fish & Pasta House in Kansas City is a Black-owned restaurant that celebrates the culture and flavors of the city. Located in the heart of downtown, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience with fresh seafood dishes, delicious Italian pastas, and classic American comfort foods. Whether you are looking for an intimate dinner or a night out with friends, District Fish & Pasta House has something for everyone.
SAUCED – Urban Burger Stand — Visit the Website
Kansas City is home to the vibrant urban burger stand known as SAUCED, a burger stand that serves up inventive, delicious fare. Led by Chef Jayaun, 2018 Best Chef of Kansas City, SAUCED is a perfect spot for anyone looking for a tasty meal in the city.
The star of the show at Sauced is their smash burgers. You can get a single patty (one-hand) or make it a double (two-hand), and top it off with sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato and dijon aïoli. Burger lovers can choose from an array of options, including those with thick-cut bacon or the K.C. Loaded burger accompanied by mouthwatering pulled beef brisket, sautéed onions, pickles and barbecue aïoli.
Smaxx Gourmet Food — Visit the Website
Address: 1827 Vine Street in KCMO
About: Smaxx Gourmet Food, located on 18th & vine jazz district in Kansas City, is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings and cheesesteaks. This Black-owned restaurant serves up a variety of mouth-watering dishes that will leave you wanting more.
Soiree Steak & Oyster House — A Creole/Cajun Style Restaurant; Visit the Website
Address: 1512 E 18th Street in KCMO
About: Soiree Steak & Oyster House is a black-owned restaurant located in Kansas City, Missouri. It offers an array of mouth-watering dishes from steakhouse wings to bbq scallops and creole seafood pasta. They also have a delicious bourbon glazed salmon that will make you come back for more.
Mesob Restaurant — An African restaurant; Visit its Website.
Address: 3601 Broadway Boulevard
About: Mesob Restaurant is a Black-owned restaurant based in Kansas City, Missouri. It offers an array of authentic international flavors, with a focus on Ethiopian cuisine. From Coconut Curry Shrimp to Cajun Seafood Pasta to Lamb Tibs, Mesob has something for everyone.
KC Blues Juke House — A Bar and Lounge; Visit the Website
Address: 1700 E 18th Street in KCMO
About: Located on 18th & Vine, this restaurant is a haven for soul food and live jazz lovers alike. The menu features classic dishes like catfish, gumbo, and blazing hot wings. But the real highlight is the live open-mic nights featuring some of the most talented local jazz musicians.
Niecie’s Restaurant — A soul food restaurant, visit its website.
Address: 6441 Troost Avenue in KCMO
About: Niecie’s Restaurant is a family-owned soul food restaurant located in Kansas City. For more than 25 years, Niecie’s has been serving up delicious and authentic southern-style dishes. From classic chicken and waffles to succulent seafood, Niecie’s has something for everyone.
Gigi’s Vegan Cafe — A vegan restaurant; visit its website
Address: 1103 Westport Road in KCMO
About: Gigi’s Vegan Cafe in Kansas City is a beacon of wellness and community for vegans in the area. From its mouth-watering plant-based dishes to its cozy atmosphere, Gigi’s provides an inviting space for everyone to enjoy.
Fat Jack’s Chicken & Fish — A soul food restaurant; visit its website.
Address: 5912 Blue Parkway
About: From their famous fried chicken to their savory catfish, Fat Jack’s offers an array of mouthwatering dishes that are sure to satisfy any appetite. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, Fat Jack’s has something for any meal.
LC’s Bar B Q — A Kansas City barbecue staple; visit its website.
Address: 5800 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Kansas City, MO, United States, Missouri
About: LC’s Bar B Q is an award-winning Kansas City BBQ joint that has been serving up delicious, old school BBQ for over 30 years. From their house-made sauces and seasonings to their slow-smoked meats, LC’s Bar B Q has it all.
Ruby Jean’s Juicery — A juicery and smoothie restaurant; visit its website.
Address: 3000 Troost Avenue in KCMO
About: Ruby Jean’s Juicery is a Kansas City-based restaurant that serves up fresh, natural smoothies and healthy bites. Owner Chris Goode opened the restaurant in 2014 with the goal of providing customers with healthy and delicious options to fuel their day. The menu features a wide variety of smoothies, juices, salads, sandwiches, and other tasty treats.
Blue Nile Cafe — An African style restaurant; visit its website.
Address: 20 East 5th Street in KCMO
About: Blue Nile Cafe is one of Kansas City’s oldest Ethiopian restaurants. Located in the historic City Market, Blue Nile Cafe has been serving traditional Ethiopian cuisine and culture to its customers for over 25 years. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering an authentic experience of Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage. The menu at Blue Nile Cafe features a variety of traditional dishes such as Doro Wot (spicy chicken stew), Tibs (sauteed beef or lamb), and Kitfo (spiced minced beef).
KC Daiquiri Shop — A Creole and Cajun restaurant; visit its website.
Address: MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
About: KC Daiquiri Shop is a unique restaurant that brings the flavors of New Orleans-style frozen daiquiris and delicious Cajun/Creole favorites to the Midwest. The menu features an array of dishes inspired by Louisiana cuisine, including gumbo, jambalaya, po’ boys, and more. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of frozen daiquiris with various flavors to choose from.
Vegan Crave Burgers and Bakery — A vegan restaurant; visit its website.
Location: 1599 Iron St, North Kansas City, MO 64116
About: Vegan Crave Burgers and Bakery is a restaurant in Kansas City that specializes in vegan burgers and baked goods. They offer an amazing selection of vegan burgers, including the Black Bean Sensation, the Jalapeño Dream, the Peaceful Portobello Mushroom, and the Joyous BBQ Pulled Jackfruit. Each burger is made with fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection.
Peachtree Cafeteria — A Soul Food Restaurant; visit its website.
Address: 6800 Eastwood Trafficway in KCMO
About: Peachtree Cafeteria is a Kansas City soul food restaurant that serves up delicious fried chicken, baked chicken, fried catfish, pork neckbones, and meatloaf with red sauce. It’s a buffet-style eatery that allows guests to sample a variety of classic Southern dishes.
Devoured Pizza Pop Up — A Pizzeria; visit its website.
Address: 3119 Terrace Street in KCMO
About: Devoured Pizza Pop Up is a black-owned restaurant in Kansas City that serves high-quality, eclectic eats and vibes. They specialize in pizza, but their menu also includes a variety of snacks. From traditional Italian favorites to unique creations like Snackums, Devoured Pizza Pop Up provides an exceptional dining experience for those who are looking for something out of the ordinary.
Queen of Cones — A Bakery and Dessert Restaurant;
Address: MUST CALL (816) 652-4713
About: Queen of the Cones, located in Kansas City, is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that specializes in handmade Cheesecake Waffle Cones. The cones are made with a special blend of cheesecake and waffle batter and are served with a variety of toppings. The top sellers are the famous Strawberry Cheesecake Crunch cake and Banana pudding.
Faith’s Kitchen — Soul Food (Private Events & Catering) visit its Instagram page.
About: Faith’s Kitchen is a virtual restaurant concept located in Kansas City that offers catering, meal prep, and private chef services. Founded by Faith Jones, the restaurant specializes in soul food. You can enjoy classic Southern dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and more. The restaurant also offers special weekly menus featuring seasonal ingredients and creative takes on traditional recipes.
Chef Roi — A Creole and Cajun (Private Chef)
About: Chef Roi is a Kansas City-based private chef who specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisine. He has been serving the city with elegance and sophistication for numerous years, offering catering services to both individuals and corporations. Chef Roi is passionate about providing his guests with an unforgettable experience. He creates dishes that are both flavorful and visually stunning, blending traditional Creole and Cajun flavors with modern techniques.
Taste Island Grill — A Caribbean restaurant; visit its Facebook page.
Address: 3605 Broadway Boulevard in KCMO
About: Taste Island Grill is a fast-casual concept inspired by Caribbean flavors. With an innovative menu featuring bowls, tacos, and curry dishes, the restaurant brings a unique and delicious experience to Kansas City. Customers can choose from a variety of proteins and customizable toppings for their dishes, all made with fresh ingredients that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
TCsFullyLoaded — southern-style food; visit their Facebook page.
Address: MUST CALL (404) 477-4787
About: TCsFullyLoaded is a Kansas City-based food truck specializing in gourmet loaded baked potatoes. They offer a wide range of mouth-watering toppings including; lobster, shrimp, crab and more. In addition to the food truck, they also offer catering services for special events.
EsKCobar — A Caribbean restaurant; visit its Facebook page.
Address: 3415 Main Street in KCMO
About: EsKCobar is a unique restaurant located in Kansas City that offers a fusion of Ethiopian and Caribbean flavors. The atmosphere is upbeat and lively, also offering weekend reggae music. They have something for everyone, from their popular lamb tibbs to braised oxtail and jerk chicken. For vegetarians, they offer a variety of dishes such as vegetable curries and salads.
