The Bay Area is home to a rich tapestry of restaurants and other food-based enterprises owned by Black chefs and entrepreneurs. Here’s a list by geographic area of many in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Know of others? Let us know via the comment field at the end of the article and we’ll add them to the list.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
ASE Catering: Serving Santa Clara County and Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Concord. www.a-successful-event.net
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill: 1189 Willow Road, Menlo Park; 457 E. San Carlos St., San Jose; 1011 E. Capitol Expressway, San Jose; and two takeout locations, 1740 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell; and 638 N. 13th St., San Jose, https://backayard.net/
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill chef and owner Robert Simpson poses for a photograph at his restaurant in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Claire’s Crunch Cake: 233 N. Grant St., San Mateo, https://clairescrunchcake.wixsite.com/cakes
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant: 642 Ramona St., Palo Alto, www.coconutspaloalto.com/
DeeLee Cakes: Based in San Jose, 408-391-5307; www.deeleecakes.com
Gojo Ethiopian: 1261 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, http://gojoethiopianrestaurant.com/
Island Taste Caribbean Grill: 225 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, www.islandtastegrill.com
Jackie’s Place: 840 N. First St., San Jose, www.jackiesplacesj.com/
Jackie’s Place owner Jackie Jackson poses for a photograph.(Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Jon Jon’s BBQ & Catering: 1305 Oakland Road, San Jose, www.facebook.com/JonJonsBBQ
JTM in the Kitchen: Online spice sales from restaurateur/sommelier Jeremy Troupe-Masi, www.jtminthekitchen.com
Jubba Somali Restaurant: 5330 Terner Way, San Jose, 408-440-1504
Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant: 1663 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, www.kategna.com
LeYou Ethiopian: 1100 N. First St., San Jose, www.leyouethiopian.com
LillieMae’s Soul Food and BBQ: Catering and food truck pop-up, 408-BBQ-SOUL, www.lilliemaesbbq.com
Lunch Box: 1876 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408-287-3511
Luv’s Brownies: San Jose-based dessert truck at farmers market, events, www.luvsbrownies.com
Brownies on a stick are a favorite at Luv’s Brownies dessert truck in Cupertino, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Mudai Ethiopian Restaurant: 503 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408-292-2282
Nirvana Soul Coffee: 315 S. First St., San Jose; and 19700 Vallco Parkway, Cupertino; www.nirvanasoulcoffee.com
Nita Bee’s Specialty Bakery: Pickup and delivery from Santa Clara-based bakery. 408-246-4570; www.nitabees.com
Sandi’s Cobbler Cup Catering: Based in Santa Clara; Sandiscatering.com
Spicy Roy’s Caribbean Grill: 856 N. 13th St., San Jose. www.spicyroysgrill.com
Walia Ethiopian Cuisine: 2208 Business Circle, San Jose, https://waliaethiopian.com/
Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant: 1320 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, www.zeniethiopianrestaurant.com
EAST BAY
Abesha Ethiopian Cuisine: 4929 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, 510-653-8383
alaMar Dominican Kitchen: 100 Grand Ave., Oakland, www.alamaroakland.com
ASE Catering: Serving Santa Clara County and Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Concord. www.a-successful-event.net
Blackberry Bistro: 4240 Park Blvd., Oakland, 510-336-1088
Blue Nile Ethiopian: 160 14th St., Oakland, www.bluenilefood.com
Burdell: 4640 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, www.burdelloakland.com
Chef Geoff Davis at the soul food restaurant Burdell in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Calypso Rose: 5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville
Carmen & Family Bar-B-Q: 692 West A St., Hayward, 510-887-1979
Cocobreeze Caribbean Restaurant and Vegan Bakery: 2370 High St., Oakland, https://cocobreezeco.myshopify.com/
Concord Tap House: 3513 Clayton Road, Concord, https://concordtaphouse.com
Crumble & Whisk Bakery and Cafe: 4104 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, www.crumbleandwhisk.com
Everett & Jones BBQ: 126 Broadway and 4245 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; 1955 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley; also at Graton Casino, Santa Rosa, https://eandjbbq.com
Family House of Fish and Poultry: Takeout orders from 25140 Mission Blvd., Hayward, 510-886-4112
Free Range Flower Winery: 2271 S. Vasco Road, Livermore, www.freerangeflowerwinery.com
LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA – October 22: Free Range Flower Winery founder Aaliyah Nitoto, left, and Longevity Wines founder, Phil Long, pose for a portrait at Longevity Wines on Oct. 22, 2021, in Livermore, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Golden Safari Restaurant and Bakery: 22431 Foothill Blvd., Hayward, https://goldensafari.net/
Gregory’s Gourmet Desserts: 285 23rd St., Oakland, https://gregorysgourmetdesserts.com/
JTM in the Kitchen: Online spice sales from restaurateur/sommelier Jeremy Troupe-Masi, www.jtminthekitchen.com
Kendejah Restaurant: Takeout from 197 Pelton Center Way, San Leandro, http://kendejahrestaurant.com/
Kinfolx: 1951 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, https://kinfolxoak.com/
Kowbird: 1733 Peralta St., Oakland, www.kowbird.com
Lois the Pie Queen: 851 60th St., Oakland, https://loisthepiequeen.com/
Longevity Wines: 2271 S. Vasco Road, Livermore, www.longevitywines.com
Matty’s Old Fashioned, 464 Eighth St., Oakland, 510-698-5144
Mela Bistro: 35 Grand Ave., Oakland, https://melabistro.com/
Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement: Emeryville Public Market, 5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville, www.minniebellssoul.com
Oeste Bar & Cafe: 722 Clay St., Oakland, https://oesteoakland.com/
Oyo Restaurant: 680 Main St., Pleasanton, www.oyopleasanton.com
Pop’s Deli & Grill: 30982 Huntwood Ave., Hayward, www.popsdeliandgrill.com
Rasa Caffe: 411 13th St., Oakland, www.rasacaffe.com
Red Bay Coffee: 3098 E. 10th St. and 2327 Broadway, Oakland, www.redbaycoffee.com
Reve Bistro: 960 Moraga Road, Lafayette, http://revebistro.com/
Co-owner and chef Paul Magu, of France, poses for a photo at his French restaurant Reve Bistro in Lafayette, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Rush Bowls: 350 17th St., Oakland, https://rushbowls.com/oakland
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Snapper’s Seafood Restaurant: 1501 Ohio Ave., Richmond, https://thenewsnappersseafoodrestaurantrichmond.mybistro.online/
Sobre Mesa: 1618 Franklin St., Oakland, www.sobremesaoak.com
Solid Rock Cafe: Catering and private parties, Antioch-based, www.solidrockcafe.us
Souley Vegan: New location to open mid-March, https://souleyvegan.com/
Teni East Kitchen: 4015 Broadway, Oakland, www.tenieastkitchen.com
Willows & Pine: 3525 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, www.willowsandpine-restaurant.com