7 of the Best Black-Owned Restaurants in Seattle

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By Christine Howard (@_eatwithstine)

ย 

The recent resurrection of Black food culture in Seattle has breathed new life into breakfast runs, lunch hours, date nights, and dinner time across the Pacific Northwest.

The return of the legendaryย Catfish Cornerย has diners throughout the region flocking to the cityโ€™s Central District for a taste of their homemade tartar sauce and flaky catfish strips. Media darlings likeย Communion Restaurant & Barย have become the standard bearer for authentic, yet innovative Soul cuisine. And newcomers likeย Metier Brewing, Seattleโ€™s first Black-owned brewery, and mainstays likeย Osteria la Spigaย are redefining what is typically considered a โ€œBlack foodโ€ experience.

As the number of Black-owned restaurants in Seattle expands, so does the regional palette. Food bloggers, like myself, are salivating. Actually โ€“ anyone with tastebuds is.

Thoughย Black Restaurant Week 2022, sponsored by theย Urban League of Metropolitan Seattleย andย Byrd Barr Place, is taking place from February 25 โ€“ March 6 in the Northwest U.S. โ€“ showcasing Black-owned restaurants in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver โ€“ these Black-owned restaurants are contributing to the regionโ€™s food scene 365 days a year. And they deserve our support for โ€œMore than Just a Week.โ€

Read on for my top picks of Black-owned restaurants in Seattle that you can support this week and every week! ย 

Chef Daisley Gordon smiles wide in a red chef's apron in front of Cafe Campagne in Seattle. This Black-owned breakfast restaurant is serving up some of the best French-inspired omlettes and French Toast in Seattle.

Cafรฉ Campagne

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Facebookย | 206.728.2233

Cafรฉ Campagne is a delightful Parisian restaurant nestled in the heart of Pike Place Market. Chef Daisley Gordon began as a line cook in the restaurantโ€™s first year of opening, and has since rose to the ranks of owner and executive chef. With nearly three decades of restaurant experience under his belt, Chef Daisley continues to impress locals and visitors alike with classically prepared French dishes.

Try this:ย My favorites are the Omelette Choisy, a rolled omelette with herbs, escarole & chรจvre cheese, and the Brioche French Toast topped with fruit and maple syrup.ย 

An outstretched arm in a blue jean jacket holds an orange and black coffee cup from Boon Boona Cafe in Seattle. This Black owned breakfast restaurant in Seattle is a great place to grab coffee or light morning fare.

Boon Boona Coffee

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Facebookย | 206.328.5829

Boon Boona Coffee brings traditional East African coffee to modern Seattle. They source all of their beans from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and more, with a focus on supporting woman-owned growers. Efrem Fesaha, founder and CEO, is a born and raised Seattleite from an Eritrean family with vast ties to the Eastย Africanย community and itsย rich history with coffee.

Go for:ย The harmonious atmosphere for a study session or remote work.

RELATED:ย The Best Black-Owned Coffee Shops to Work & Study in LA, Houston, New York, Portland, and More

Wide shot of the elegant, upscale dining room at Osteria la Spiga. This Black owned restaurant in Seattle offers Italian cuisine and amazing ambiance.

Osteria la Spiga

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Facebookย | 206.323.8881

Osteria la Spiga is a modern Italian restaurant serving excellent dinner and decadent desserts five nights a week. Chef Sabrina Tinsley and her husband, Pietro Borghesi, opened this alluring neighborhood spot in 1998 with quality, seasonal dishes that will please even the most sophisticated palette. The newer location in Capitol Hill has the perfect atmosphere to impress an out-of-town guest. They host a superbย wine collectionย alongside their handmade pastas that use fresh organic local eggs and sustainably produced Shepherdโ€™s Grain flour.

Try this:ย My favorite pasta preparation is the Tagliatelle Al Burro Di Tartufo, which features tender noodles with white alba truffle butter.

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Facebook| 206.860.1724

Meskel has been a mainstay forย Ethiopian foodย in Seattle for nearly three decades. Tucked away in a converted home along a row of Ethiopian restaurants in the Central District, you will findย authentic injera, tender tibbs, and a variety of vegetable options on the menu. All of the main dishes are generous in portion size and the fragrant sauces can be spiced to your liking.

Try this:ย If you are a fan of succulent meats, I recommend starting your experience with the Yebere (beef) Tibbs.

RELATED:ย 5 of the Best Ethiopian Restaurants in the U.S.

Plum Bistro

Websiteย |ย Instagram|ย Facebook| 206.838.5333

Plum Bistro is my go-to spot for theย best vegan foodย in Seattle. Settled in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for over a decade, Plum Bistro has an industrial-chic atmosphere with artfully plated dishes. Chef Makini Howell is a lifelong vegan who curates plant-based meals that include organically grownย seasonal produceย fromย family-owned farms. The Plum Restaurants family also includes Plum Chopped, Plum Truck, Sugar Plum, and the former Pantry by Plum Bistro.

Try this:ย You wonโ€™t think of dairy the same after trying their Mac & Yeast!

RELATED:ย Vegan Blackberry Donut Recipe

Communion Restaurant & Bar

Website|ย Instagram|ย Facebook| 206.391.8140

Communion on Union has quickly become a world-renowned fixture in the Black culinary community. Chef Kristi Brown and her son Damon Bomar co-own this elevated Soul Food restaurant and bar serving up dishes with a nod to Seattle greats likeย Ms. Thompson and Miss Hellen. Their menu includes divine gluten-free and vegetarian options like the Fried Oyster Mushroom Poโ€™Mi, alongsideย lively libationsย โ€“ my favorite being the Nearest Green Apple made with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.

Try this:ย Donโ€™t leave without trying the Hood Sushi and PTL Wings.

Simply Soulful

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Facebookย | 206.474.9841

Simply Soulful is a neighborhoodย Soul Foodย joint currently available for take-out only. What started as a farmersโ€™ market stand selling their notorious sweet potato pie, has expanded into a cafรฉ serving fried chicken, fried catfish, red beans, oxtails, cornbread, mac & cheese, greens, ย yams, and more.

Try this:ย I highly recommend starting with the combo meal to try a little bit of everything for under $20.

Black Restaurant Week
Author: Black Restaurant Week

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