It’s Black History Month! And what better way to celebrate than heading to one of London’s incredible Black-owned restaurants?
Put your money where your mouth is and head to one of these brilliant Black-owned eateries this October. Here are 11 places for you to choose from and they are all currently operating within the social distancing guidelines. This list has it all, from restaurants and diners to dessert parlours and bars, so whether you’re after something sweet, savory or alcoholic, there’ll be something for you to enjoy.
1. Ma Petite Jamaica, Camden
Located in the heart of Camden is Ma Petite Jamaica – London’s first ever Caribbean diner! They claim that you’ll be able to “taste all the flavours of Jamaica” and they aren’t wrong, take it from me. This restaurant serves some of the most authentic Jamaican food in the capital including small plates, sharing platters, filled roti and all the jerk chicken, pork or fish you could ever dream of.
Find tickets to their bottomless brunch here. You’ll have two hours to enjoy one of their mouthwatering main dishes and all the cocktails you can consume.
4 Inverness Street, Camden Town, NW1 7HJ
2. Dark Sugars, Shoreditch
This charming East London dessert shop offers a range of gourmet chocolates, truffles and vegan treats. Expect an overwhelming selection of confectionary with some of the most unique flavour combinations out there. Passionfruit-infused chocolate, gin and lime truffle, and chilli hot chocolate are just a few of their wonderful creations that you can look forward to.
Dark Sugars’ hot chocolate may just be the best in the city and the key ingredient is their brute cocoa powder from West Africa. Each hot chocolate is garnished with milk, white and dark chocolate shavings, creating the most rich, indulgent and Instagrammable beverage. As for their ice cream, it’s a good thing you can buy tubs to take away because with flavours like salty brownie, milk chocolate pecan pralines, and pistachio verde, it’s almost impossible to choose just one.
Read all about Dark Sugars here.
124-126 Brick Lane. Spitalfields, E1 6RU
3. Eat Of Eden, Brixton, Clapham, Lewisham & Shepherds Bush
Eat of Eden have created a whole new dining experience with a Caribbean menu that is 100% plant-based! These trailblazers are providing fresh organic Caribbean food that is completely meat free and all ethically sourced. They are so popular that there are now six London locations and their dishes truly give meat a good run for its money. This is not just an option for vegans or vegetarians, anyone with taste buds will definitely want to eat here.
Both the staff and the servings are extremely generous, so make sure you work up an appetite beforehand. And if you’re spoilt for choice, you can’t go wrong with their ackee and sweet pepper meal or pumpkin and sweet potato curry.
Head to their website for more info.
Various locations.
4. Prince Of Peckham, Peckham
The Prince of Peckham is notorious for being the pub that does it all. They offer brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks menus, as well as hosting pop-up events and live music every week. Plus, they serve delicious bites for you to feast on while you enjoy their entertainment. Caribbean-inspired plates, American-style dishes and perfectly named cocktails such as The Prince, The Burna Boy, and The Bloody Mariah, will all be available. Their owner Clement Ogbonnaya said “Prince of Peckham was about creating a space where old and new Peckham could co-exist, regardless of colour, class and sexual orientation.” And it’s precisely that – a wonderfully eclectic venue, where everyone feels at home.
Click here for more info.
1 Clayton Road, Peckham, SE15 5JA
5. Chuku’s Nigerian Tapas, Tottenham
Since Chuku’s is the first and only Nigerian tapas restaurant to exist in London, there’s no wonder it’s the talk of the town! You can expect the warmest welcome from their staff, a lively atmosphere, and a music playlist that will make anyone want to shake a leg or two. They’ve created an innovative small plates menu that combines traditional West African flavours with their own special twist. And the best part is that you don’t have to choose just one dish, you can order as many small plates as your heart desires – the limit does not exist!
Definitely leave some room for dessert though, as their plantain based waffles and yam brownies are insanely delicious and completely plant-based.
More info here.
274 High Road, Tottenham, N15 4AJ
6. Saint Aymes, Marylebone and Tyburnia
Saint Aymes Cafe offers a wide variety of sweet and savoury treats, as well as signature beverages that are each crowned with 24ct of edible gold! Inside this pink paradise you’ll also find a wonderful selection of afternoon tea, brunch and birthday packages that taste just as good as they look. And if you’re after something a little stronger, they have a Happy Hour that runs from 4pm until close on weekdays. So for £12 you can choose any two cocktails and even garnish them with cotton candle or edible gold. When happy hour meets golden hour, everybody wins!
Find out more about Saint Aymes here.
59 Connaught Street, St George’s Fields, W2 2BB
7. Hacha Bar, Dalston
If you love tequila, mezcal or tacos, you’ll feel right at home at Dalston’s Hacha Bar. This vibrant venue has a collection of nearly 30 different agave spirits for you to work your way through and plenty of wine, beer and cocktail options as well. While you’re here, you must try their famous Mirror Margarita. For those that haven’t come across the fascinating beverage, it’s essentially a crystal clear twist on the classic cocktail. What looks like an innocent glass of water will actually be your margarita, and it will pack the full punch of the traditional drink. They say you should drink eight glasses of water a day and I think this is the closest I’m going to get…
Check out their website for more info.
378 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
8. The Treats Club, Hackney
I don’t think it’s possible to pay a visit to The Treats Club and not leave with a huge smile on your face. They undoubtedly serve some of the best donuts, ice cream and sweet treats in London. Nutella and Oreo smore’s, apple crumble, and Biscoff caramel are some of their popular donut flavours and they are even more incredible warmed up. Their ice cream is equally as indulgent and is definitely worth a trip to Hackney to experience.
“Female owned, female led and run by black girl magic, our dessert bar aims to bring joy with every bite and wonder with every flavour”. Joy, wonder, excitement and satisfaction are just a few things you’ll feel after eating here. They open on weekends from 11am and close when they sell out, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Click here for more info.
35 Corbridge Cresent, E2 9EZ
9. Ikoyi, Piccadilly Circus
Ikoyi is an incredibly chic, Michelin starred restaurant located in Central London. It was founded by Ire Hassan-Odukale and chef Jeremy Chan and has been dazzling its guests since it opened. Their menu is a modern twist on traditional sub-Saharan West African cuisine and their extensive collection of spices and unique flavourings has really elevated their menu.
Their dishes are both delectable and so perfectly presented that you’ll be left questioning whether your meal is actually food or a piece of art. Either way it’s a yes from me.
More info on their website.
1 St James’ Market, St. James’, SQ1Y 4AH
10. Grounds And Grapes, Lewisham
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and fortunately, Grounds and Grapes have given us a wonderful selection of options to kick-start our mornings. Whether you fancy avocado, salmon or scrambled eggs on toast, granola or even banana bread, they do it all and with plenty of coffee and tea options too. Lord knows the majority of us need a boost from our good friend caffeine to start the day.
Don’t be fooled by their extensive breakfast menu, they also serve lots and lots of alcohol, making it the perfect hangout spot for any time of day. Their cocktails are wonderfully creative and a real treat any day of the week. The salted caramel espresso margarita and blueberry mojito are great choices if you fancy something sweet and moreish. They also have a beautiful outdoor flower display for if (or when) you need to take a pic for the ‘gram.
Find out more here.
41 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DZ
11. Second Shot Coffee, Bethnal Green & Marylebone
Second Shot Coffee is a remarkable company “tackling homelessness one espresso at a time”. They are masters of latte art but are more importantly using their service to help people with their ‘pay it forward’ ethos. You can pre-pay for a coffee, cake, hot meal or hot water bottle which will then be delivered to a rough sleeper free of charge.
While giving away thousands of hot meals and drinks so far, Second Shot have also created a safe space that is open every day for those most in need. It’s such a simple but effective way to help homeless people and there are now two venues you can visit to take part in this heartwarming exchange.
Find out more info here.
475 Bethnal Green Road, E2 9QH / 49 Church Street, NW5 8ES