Does Philly know how lucky it is to have a BYOB food and restaurant culture? We sure hope so, as that spirit of bring-your-own spirits certainly hasn’t reached most other regions in the country yet. We at Black Restaurant Week think diners in Philly should make the most of these policies, especially as Summer 2021 heats up and #outside starts to open back up.
You may even want to BYO-Beer and carry a case of Stella Artois – one of this year’s sponsors for our Northeast campaign – to your next boozy brunch and enjoy them responsibly.
For those hitting the scene for Philadelphia’s 2021 Black Restaurant Week – and for those visiting throughout the year – here’s our roundup of the best Black-owned BYOB brunches in Philly. Your table awaits!
Brotherly Grub Café by Jacobs Catering
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 267-320-2675
A Southern café with northern flair, sprinkled with a little Spanish influence. That’s the unique flavor profile of Philly’s Brotherly Grub Café. Their Black Restaurant Week specials capture the full range of those regions, with offerings like the Garlic Parmesan Fried Lobster and Shrimp with Truffle Parm Fries, the Vegan Crab Cakes and Grits, the Huevos Rancheros and the Smoked BBQ Beef Brisket. And, of course, it’s BYOB. But what makes Brotherly Grub even more special is the restaurant’s dedication to brunch, which they serve from 10am to 3pm Wednesday through Sunday. Check out their café in Mt. Airy on the historic Germantown Ave. or stop by their food truck in Center City and The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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48th Street Grille
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 267-244-4764
If you’re looking for an authentic Caribbean experience in Philly, look no farther than 48th Street Grille. Not only have they been recognized by Visit Philly as one of Philadelphia’s Top Cajun & Caribbean Restaurants, their customers rave over how much it reminds them of their Caribbean roots. “I love this place!” one diner wrote on Yelp. “It was amazing and reminds me of the delicious cooking I grew up on.”
For their BYOB brunch, check out the Jamaican Breakfast with Ackee & Saltfish served with collard greens, fried plantains and dumplings, the Pulled Jerk Chicken Hash sautéed with herb roasted potatoes, sweet peppers and onions topped with a fried egg, the Braised Oxtails stewed with butter beans, or the Grass Fed Angus Brunch Burger served with their special sauce.
Sazon Restaurant & Café
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 215-763-2500
Sazon Restaurant & Café is Philly’s first and only traditional Venezuelan Restaurant, located in the city’s Northern Liberties section. Much of their menu is vegetarian friendly with gluten-free options available. You’ll definitley want to check out the Arepas, a corn patty that has the distinction of being the national bread of Venezuela, and the Asado Negro, a slow cooked beef roast considered to be “the King of Caracas.”
But Chef Judith’s family recipes from her home country aren’t the only specialty items on the menu at this BYOB restaurant. Her husband, Robert F. Campbell Jr., who goes by “The Chocolate Alchemist,” prepares “the only gourmet drinking chocolate on the east coast made from cacao beans.”
RELATED: 15 Black-Owned Vegan Businesses to Watch in 2021
Aksum Café
Website | Instagram | 267-275-8195
Proudly Black and locally owned, Aksum Café is very Philly, yet features a distinctly international menu. They use simple and fresh ingredients to create Mediterranean-style dishes with accents from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. They also have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Check out their Moroccan Chicken & Waffles, Spiced Shrimp & Grits, Samosa Platter, Lebanese Chicken or the Sautéed Shrimp with Fried Rice. Their award-winning brunch is also BYOB, but you don’t have to limit the fun to just the weekends. Their Thursday and Friday happy hours feature complimentary wine and comedy/poetry/spoken word shows.
Cray Taste
Website | Instagram | 267-687-7611
Offering their full menu all day, Cray Taste has something for brunch, breakfast and dinner lovers who all have a taste for something different. Their special Black Restaurant Week menu includes their famous Red Velvet Chicken & Waffles, the Salmon Cake Sliders, Pan-Seared Bronze Salmon served with baked macaroni & cheese and grilled asparagus, topped with grilled shrimp and Cajun cream sauce, as well as their Grilled Mixed Vegetable Tacos. While it’s also BYOB, try out their Cray punch, Cray tea or Cray lemonade.
Caribbean Feast Restaurant Cuisine
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 267-606-5119
With smooth reggae and jazz music playing in the background of their Caribbean-themed dining room, this BYOB spot will have you feeling like you’re brunching on a tropical island. They’re cooking up Black Restaurant Week specials like the Teriyaki Stew Chicken platter, the Salmon Platter, Jerk Shrimp and Curry Shrimp. But Caribbean Feast Restaurant isn’t just about the “island vibes,” they’re strongly rooted in their Philadelphia community as well. The restaurant is a proud sponsor of the annual “Children & Family Day Festival,” which feeds more than 250 children each year for free.
