8 Black Owned Restaurants To Try In Los Angeles
When it comes to food in LA, you have to do a bit of digging and searching to find the good. In truth, LA is not at all my first thought when I think of places that have excellent food in general but especially Black food. I’ve been to LA enough now (more than anywhere else) to have tried a few different restaurants, and these seven are the best I’ve come across over the last couple years if you’re looking for soul food or a down home feel. Each of them in different part of the city, you’ll find similar menu items, but each has its own unique flavor and charm.
1. Alta Adams
5359 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Let me start by saying there is no soul food like southern soul food, but if you’re in LA and looking for something comparable, visit Alta Adams, a restaurant in historic West Adams Los Angeles. The outdoor patio is a nice area to dine in and the service is excellent.
Even though it’s a casual and modern vibe, you may come across a see a celebrity or two here, and for good reason; it’s an inviting space that if I were a celebrity constantly surrounded by hoopla and fanfare, I’d want to escape to a down home vibe like this.
The menu at Alta Adams has a selection of soul food classics with a contemporary twist. I most loved the cornbread with honey butter and the deviled eggs were to die for; both of these are starters. For my meal, I had the Fried Chicken with mac and cheese, collard greens and candied yams.
2. My Two Cents LA
5583 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
My Two Cents is an absolute must-try black restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s one of my favorites. As much as I loved the food, I also loved the incredibly friendly and energetic staff. It’s a small space, so very few people can dine inside, but it’s nonetheless inviting. I’m always down for shrimp and grits, which is what I had here, and it did not disappoint. The mac and cheese may be the best i’ve ever had in LA, and equally as good were the desserts. I tried the butter layer cake with white chocolate buttercream, which is amazing, and I also tried a bit of the rum cake. Everything is hand-crafted and, you can tell, made with love.
3. Fixins Soul Kitchen
800 W Olympic Blvd A150, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Fixins Soul Kitchen is a black-owned restaurant located in downtown LA that has decent soul food. Of everywhere on this list, it’s probably my least favorite, but still worth mentioning. The menu has classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, mac and cheese, yams, peach cobbler and the like. Coupled with just decent food, the host service was very much lacking; even with a reservation and open tables, my party was made to wait for reasons unexplained. Still, I’d recommend it as a downtown, black-owned option for soul food; it’ll get the job done.
4. Earle’s on Crenshaw
3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Earle’s a must-try restaurant in the heart of Crenshaw that reminds me of somewhere I’d visit at home, mostly because it’s very Black. It’s been open for over thirty years serving the community delicious hot dogs and now other menu items that are simple but amazing.
While known for their hot dogs, it’s worth noting they also have burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and even a bunch of vegan options. I also cannot forget to mention the standout of Earle's: the Kool-Aid. I hadn’t had kool-aid in years, but I was so glad my first cup in a long time was from Earle’s. It instantly reminded me of my childhood gulping down cups of red kool-aid in the summertime.
Beyond the good food and drink options, Earle's on Crenshaw represents a celebration of black culture and community. The staff reminded me of an aunt or an uncle I’d see at a cookout, which is the kind of vibe I like when I go somewhere to eat.
5. Two Hommes
902 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
The first time I tried any sort of African food was at Two Hommes. The jollof platter has Ghanaian jollof rice with “bomb azz” black beans and plantains. You can also add a protein to your bowl; my selection was the chili garlic chicken. Let me tell you— I could have eaten two of these bowls; it was that good. Having said that, I would love to go back and try so many of the other menu options like the honey berbere chicken bites, garlic fries, and the passionfruit ceviche.
6. Post & Beam
3767 Santa Rosalia Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Post & Beam is a warm and cozy spot in Baldwin Hills, so don’t be surprised if you see a Black celebrity or two when you dine there. Of everything I had, I enjoyed the fried catfish nuggets most, but I also enjoyed the mac and cheese, warm homemade cornbread with whipped honey butter, the collard greens, and of course, the fried chicken.
7. Comfort LA
1110 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Comfort is the stop I made after a Rams game, as it’s not far from Sofi Stadium. As much as I loved the food, I also loved the owner. He’s a gentle giant with a big personality— truly one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. Here, I had the wings topped with “that sauce,” cornbread, collard greens, and yams, all of which were absolutely delicious.
8. Poppy + Rose
765 Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Poppy + Rose, known for its famous chicken and waffles is the most recent Black-owned restaurant I tried in LA. It’s located in the flower district, which I loved and is very befitting of the name. While I saw many things on the menu I would try, I felt like for my first visit, I absolutely had to try the chicken and waffles, and they did not disappoint. As much as I enjoyed the meal, I also thoroughly enjoyed the strawberry limeade- so much so that I ordered one to go and even tried a bit of the mint limeade as well. There was more than enough seating when I went, but I would still recommend a reservation.
