Best Black-Owned Restaurants in Tampa That You Need to Visit ASAP

Tampa has a bustling food scene that delights both tourists and locals. Black-owned restaurants, in particular, are a hit when it comes to getting fresh, mouth watering dishes. If you’re looking to support local Black-owned restaurants, we have a full list of the top 10 spots in Tampa you can visit. Check it out now!

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1. Loaded

Locally-owned food truck that is known for its hearty french fry platters and wings

1901 Drew St | Clearwater | loadedpotato727.com

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a fun, low-key catering service for an event, Loaded Food Truck should be at the top of your list. Fully Loaded offers hearty plates of fries topped with everything from steak to pico de gallo. You can also order a side of BBQ or buffalo wings along with your fries. 

Finding yourself obsessed with their creative french fry platters? Consider booking them for your next party! Guests will love Loaded’s hearty fries and wings. Check out their full menu now!

“Wonderful, fun experience. Had the 24 karat wings, delicious! And fantastic loaded potatoes, can't wait to try the seafood one. The chef is the owner, so personable, and such a joy!” - Facebook Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Loaded.

2. Eggs Up Grill

Fun breakfast and lunch spot located in nearby Riverview

3920 US 301 | Riverview | eggsupgrill.com

Eggs Up Grill is the ultimate destination for fresh and delicious breakfast and lunch dishes. Located in nearby Riverview, FL, Eggs Up Grill offers savory plates like the Founder’s Hash & Eggs, Philly Cheese Steak Omelet, Baked Peaches & Cream Pancakes, and Bacon Cheddar Burger. 

Eggs Up Grill also offers Family Bundles for four or six people. These packages include scrambled eggs, homefries, biscuits, pancakes, and your choice of bacon, sausage patty, or sausage links. Thirsty? Soda, tea, water, coffee, and juice are all available to enjoy alongside your meal. 

“We ordered the Texas Farm House Omelet and Shrimp & Grits Bowl and to drink the Cranberry Momosa. Mmmm this breakfast/brunch spot is consistent on pleasing the palette. Food is always full of flavor, comes out hot and well prepared. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. Definitely add Eggs Up Grill to your list of places to try, you won't be disappointed.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Eggs Up Grill.

3. Vegg'd Out Vegan Kitchen

Popular vegan food delivery service that proudly serves the city of Tampa

Tampa | cleanereatin.com

Whether you’ve been a faithful vegan for years or you’re someone who’s just started trying out the lifestyle, you need to order from Vegg’d Out Vegan Kitchen. This Tampa-based vegan food delivery service offers delicious plates at an affordable rate. From delicious sweets like the Cookies-N-Cream Cupkakez to savory dishes like the Veg ChzSteak Alkaline Fries, Vegg’d Out Vegan Kitchen has it all.

In addition to their extensive offerings, Vegg’d Out Vegan Kitchen also offers free vegan food preparation classes, educational seminars, and catering services. Check out their website today! 

“Vegg'd Out Vegan kitchen is not only compassionate about the environment, it's people, and it's spiritual survival. They also make kick @ss, delicious, flavorful vegan food. Try the Ziondilla and you will know the truth. Lucky to have found them at a vegan food truck rally and I have happily followed them ever since.” - Yelp Review

4. M&R Cafe Southern Cuisine With Flavor

Friendly neighborhood cafe that offers all of your favorite Southern dishes

3320 E Osborne Ave | Tampa 

M&R Cafe Southern Cuisine With Flavor is a go-to place among locals for hearty, mouth watering soul food dishes. Jerk shrimp, grits, mac & cheese, collard greens, ox tails, and more classic soul food dishes await you. All of the food is cooked to order and served fresh with plenty of seasoning to offer your tastebuds the ultimate tasting experience. 

Thirsty? Try their famous Homemade Strawberry Lemonade and Mango Iced Tea. Before you leave, you also need to try one of their desserts like the Homemade Banana Pudding or Key Lime Cupcakes. What are you waiting for? Give M&R Cafe a try today! 

“Best soul food cuisine in town! Friendly service with all of your favorites: mac & cheese, collard greens, ox tails, meatloaf, turkey wings...I'll just stop there so you can check them out for yourself. The food is very flavorful, hot, and cooked to order. Whenever I'm in the mood for soul food and don't feel like cooking I head to M&R. Their saying is true, ‘Touching your soul through every bite!’" - Yelp Review

5. Main Course Restaurant and Lounge

Popular Black-owned and woman-owned restaurant located in the Interbay area

4205 S MacDill Ave, Suite H | Interbay | maincourserestaurants.net

Main Course Restaurant and Lounge is the newest upscale brunch spot to hit Tampa. Already, it has garnered numerous fans and loyal customers. Located in Interbay, Main Course Restaurant offers savory soul food dishes and inventive drinks inside a chic and rustic setting. 

The restaurant has several separate menus, including the Wednesday and Thursday menus, Freestyle Friday menu, and soul food brunch menu. Across these menus, you’ll find savory dishes like the Lobster & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, and Under the Sea Pasta. A full drink menu featuring signature mimosas, wine, and beer is also available. 

“From the mimosa to the waffles, Main Course has a delicious menu. We went for a late Saturday brunch. The service was great, our server was very attentive and knowledgeable of the food preparation. My favorite mimosa was the honey bear!” - Yelp Review

6. Ray’s Vegan Soul

Plant-based eatery that specializes in hearty soul food staples

St. Petersburg | raysvegansoul.com

Ray’s Vegan Soul is a popular plant-based eatery that uses fresh, high-quality ingredients to deliver mouth watering plates to your dining room table. None of the dishes have common allergens like gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, or peanuts, making it a great spot for those with diet restrictions. 

While some people tend to think vegan food is plain and boring, Ray’s Vegan Soul proves that can’t be further from the truth. From the Vegan Mac & Cheese to the Cauliflower Casserole, every menu item is bursting with flavor. Order your next meal for curbside pickup today!

“Met Ray in front of Plant Love Ice Cream servin up his amazing food. Tried the kale onion bites it's his mango sauce.  Delicious.  He have such a taste of his Tai peanut sauce that was also very good.  I love sauces to experiment with.” - Yelp Review

7. Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que

Top-rated BBQ joint in Tampa that you need to check out ASAP

1609 Angel Oliva Sr St | Ybor City | alsybor.com

Looking for some good BBQ? Head to Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que! As the name implies, you’ll find some of the best BBQ in Tampa at this fun, low-key joint. It also serves hearty soul food that will fill you right up. 

From the Uncle John’s Smoked Sausage Sandwich to the Aunt Beulah’s Special Pork, everything here is cooked to perfection. Whether you dine in or you order delivery, you can rest assured knowing that you’re about to enjoy some of the best food of your life.

“Al's is now my go-to local BBQ joint. If you look at my reviews, I eat ALOT of bbq. First, the people are so kind.  We have always done take out and the portions are quite plentiful. Today we picked up pulled pork, smoked sausage, and cole slaw. This was our first time getting sausage and it was really smoky an delicious. Their sauce is one of my favorites.  It's the perfect balance of sweet and spice.” - Yelp Review

8. Chief’s Creole Cafe

Quaint and rustic cafe that is known for its Louisiana-style Creole dishes

901 22nd St S | Old South East | chiefscreolecafe.com

Chief’s Creole Cafe is a small, charming restaurant located in Old South East. This locally-owned restaurant offers delicious eats like Shrimp and Grits, Spicy Jambalaya, Creole Gumbo, and Etouffee. 

On Sundays, it also offers a special Soulful Sunday Supper featuring baked ham, chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, corn bread, and dessert. Speaking of dessert, you can finish your meal off with some Chief’s Bread Pudding, “Down on Central Jones” Ice Cream or Homemade Cakes & Pies. Yum!

“I can't say enough good things! Today I ordered catfish, mac and cheese, and collard greens. I didn't know catfish could even taste like that. Don't know what they do to it, but do yourself a favor and go try it! As well as the other items I mentioned.” - Yelp Review

9. 7th and Grove

Popular locally-owned restaurant that offers delicious Southern comfort dishes

1930 E 7th Ave | Ybor City | 7thandgrove.com

7th and Grove is known for its elevated Southern cuisine served inside a chic dining space. On the menu, you’ll find classic Southern dishes with an added flair that will both delight and impress you. 

Dishes like the Everyday People, which features shrimp and grits, and the Let’s Stay Together, which offers fried chicken and mac & cheese, are sure to leave you ready to come back for more. A full drink menu featuring craft cocktails and wine is also available. Enjoy!

“Visited here a several months back while on vacation in Tampa. LISTENNNNNN, I can't say enough good things about this place. My takeaway, BEST BRUNCH I'VE EVERRRR HADDD!!  And this it's not something I say lightly, I'm all about a good brunch and I've had my fair share. In my opinion, for a place to have a "good brunch" it should hit all the marks food, drinks and vibe. This place checks all 3 with flying colors.” - Yelp Review

10. Jerk Hut Island Grille and Beach Club

Authentic Jamaican restaurant that hosts live reggae weekends

1241 E Fowler Ave | Busch Gardens | jerkhut.com

Last, but certainly not least, on the list is Jerk Hut. This authentic Jamaican restaurant offers wraps, sandwiches, salads, and BBQ platters that will fill you right up. On the menu, you’ll find savory dishes like the Jerk BBQ Chicken, Oxtail, Plantain Real Meal Wrap, and Grilled Cheese Coco Bread Sandwich. 

In need of a food service for your next private event? Jerk Hut also offers catering! Check out the website for the full menu. 

“My go to spot for over a decade. I miss the old atmosphere but the Friday ans Saturday night vibes are still great. You must have the green sauce any time you order food.” - Yelp Review

Tampa has so many great Black-owned restaurants to check out. Which ones on the list do you want to try first? Let us know in the comment section below! We love hearing all about your restaurant adventures.