45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in San Diego to Patron For the Culture

Welcome to sunny San Diego! Arguably one of the best cities in the United States,  SD is famous for its historic Gaslamp District, beautiful beaches, and proximity to Mexico.

Born in Oceanside and often in the city for work and to visit family, I know the one quality that it's not known for is its diversity. Especially for African Americans, who only make up 6.4% of the entire city's population. Here are more than 30 Black-owned eateries for you to hit during your trip to support the warm, Southern comfort, cornbread-fed pockets of familiarity we do have in the area.

Originally published 11/17/19. Last updated 6/29/20. With the stay-at-home orders devastating small businesses, I implore you to share and send this post to your friends and family and support your Black-owned businesses more than ever. I've also shared and tagged them on my travel Instagram account.

Tip: Go to the very bottom for an interactive map to sort them by neighborhood, and a free downloadable checklist when you sign up for the newsletter.

1. Rhythm's Chicken and Waffles

Located only 4 blocks from Pacific Beach, this black-owned beachside restaurant is the hot spot to get your chicken and waffles for brunch, lunch, dinner, or an almost-midnight-snack as they are open from 11AM – 11PM.

Grab your tray and some syrup to-go, and hit the boardwalk!

Website

2. Bowlegged Barbeque

Bowlegged BBQ is a Black family-owned food spot, which makes it extra special. Three siblings co-run it—a sister is one of the head cooks, a brother is the business-savvy behind the scenes, and the last brother… well, he’s Bowlegged. Seriously, that's his name!

And astonishingly, many of their children work there as well. This extended family is almost as sweet as their BBQ sauce, and any review you find will comment on the warm energy in this joint.

Website

4255 Market St. San Diego, CA 92102

3. Street Car Merchants

Can you say African American family-owned and operated? Situated in North Park, come by to find classic southern dishes and Louisiana favorites on their all-day menu of brunch, lunch, and dinner. 

Website

4002 30th St. San Diego, CA 92104

[bctt tweet=”Black people only make up 6.4% of the population of San Diego, and even less of the primarily Italian and American food scene. so Supporting the black-owned businesses that do exist is vital—start by visiting these food spots!” via=”no”]

4. Da South In Ya Mouth

Situated in Chula Vista and the closest in the list to Mexico this Black, woman-owned spot truly puts ‘da south in ya mouth'! Owner Andra Riles was born in rural Georgia where she learned to cook not with quality utilities and measurements, but with her 5 senses and intuition.

Southern soul food is truly her passion, and she says Da South In Ya Mouth is not just a business—it's the culmination of a culture, and her goal is for you to come here and sense the Southern hospitality that values its customers above all.

Website

902 3rd Ave Chula Vista, CA 91911

5. Coops West Texas BBQ

For authentic slow-smoked barbecue in San Diego, you have to stop by Coop's. They take their time smoking their meats, crafting their sauces, and serving their sides, and all with some Southern customer service on the side.

Website

2625 Lemon Grove Ave. Lemon Grove, CA 91945

6. Breakfast Bitch

Established by Owner Derrell Hustona in Hillcrest, and operated by San Diego's baddest bitches. Breakfast Bitch's menu is full of light, yummy bites, and the restaurant's energy is positive, fun, and modern vibes.

Website

3825 Fifth Avenue San Diego, Ca 92103

[bctt tweet=”We're supporting black-owned businesses all 2020. If you're in San Diego, make sure you give your dollars to these black, family-owned, women-owned, and multi-generational restaurants.” username=”packslight”]

7. Sucker Free South Plate and Bar

“Unapologetically southern in their food, drinks, and attitude”

This establishment is owned by the same Black entrepreneur of StreetCar Merchant. If you're in the historic Gaslamp District come by for some of your Southern favorites: shrimp and grits, chicken gizzards, frog legs, fried okra, oxtail, and cream sodas.

Website

751 Fourth Ave San Diego, CA 92101

8. Felix BBQ with Soul

Sampler Platter: Beef Rib, Spare Ribs, Brisket, Catfish, Fried Okra, Collard Greens, Baked Beans & Sweet Potato Fries w/ Sweet Tea (Photo Credit: Shawn Hong.)

Up I-5 in Oceanside, you'll find Felix's BBQ with Soul. A barbeque breakfast menu might be rare but Felix's delivers that and so much more. Owner Felix Berry, originally from Alabama, serves up sweet potato Belgian waffles, chicken fried steak, and apple-cinnamon pancakes for breakfast, along with a whole host of classic barbeque favorites on the lunch/dinner menu.

“Barbeque is what we do. Soul food is who we are, is the motto that Felix claims, and you will see him in the restaurant more often than not chatting with his customers and making sure the southern hospitality is as sweet as their sweet tea!

Website

3616 Ocean Ranch Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92056

9. Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking

In Spring Valley—only 20 minutes away from the Gaslamp District—this southern spot brings together three generations of Mississippi chefs.

They claim to keep the traditional down-south flavors and comfort feelings, with slight adjustments to make these recipes a lot more healthy.

Website

8300 Paradise Valley Rd Spring Valley, CA 91977

10. Rock Steady

Listen… I'm half-Jamaican. And Jamaican's know that any good Jamaica house doesn't market traditionally with Instagram or Twitter—they are word of mouth.

Well, I had so many local Black San Diegans tell me I had to include Rock Steady in this list, I knew they must be good! At Rock Steady Jamaican Restaurant they serve all of our island favorites like Curried Chicken, Jamaican Patties, Jerk Wings, Soup, and even a fusion Jamaican Southern Fried Chicken, and you can even order online for carryout.

Website

2820 Market Street San Diego, California 92102

11. Cane Patch Kitchen

Hop off your flight and head straight to the Cane Patch Kitchen! Minutes from SAN inside Liberty Station Market, get your cajun and creole fix by ordering a po boy, jambalaya, beignet, fried oysters, or chicken basket, and float away into their soft buns and cajun fries.

The experience is only made better by walking outside, sitting by the water, and watching planes take off!

Website

2820 Historic Decatur Rd San Diego, California 92106

12. The Morning After

The Morning After is a breakfast, brunch, and bar in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. From their stacked Bloody Mary's to the waffles and Oreos, this restaurant's menu is bold, creative, and delicious.

I have to personally recommend their Late Night Happy Hour: Friday and Saturday from 9PM to 1AM they have a late-night menu that's to die for. Kobe beef sliders… $5 shots… What more could you want? 

Website

531 F Street San Diego, California 92101

13. SMACK’N Guamanian Grill

The SMACK in “SMACK’N Guamanian Grill” is an acronym for Sudo-Mesa Authentic Chamorro Kitchen.

The owner's family name is Sudo Mesa and they hail village of Yona, Guam. The matriarch of the family, Rosa Baza Sudo Mesa, was a small business owner back on the island who raised cows, sold milk and beef to the Artero Store in Agana Heights, selling baked goods at her home bakery, and ultimately helping others during funerals, weddings, christenings, and other events.

Her half-Guamanian, half-Black grandson, Christian Graham, is the now-owner of SMACK'N's location in Miramar. Stop in for some traditional, yummy island eats and a cultural explosion.

Website

506 Miramar Rd.​​​​​​​ San Diego, CA 92126

14. Island Spice

Jamaican, on-demand! Order delivery or pick up your Caribbean favorites like Jamaican BBQ, jerk chicken, curry goat, and oxtail.

Website

6109 University Ave San Diego, California 92115

15. Surf & Soul Spot

17. Protein Plate

“Eat Better, Be Better” is The Moss family's motto and the mission for their Protein Plate customers.

This family of talented athletes serves up they themselves eat themselves, from protein-packed chocolate chip pancakes to an assortment of delicious wraps. It's extremely refreshing to see Black eateries embrace and encourage a healthier lifestyle for our community, and with their affordable pricing and vegan options, every person can find 

And as The Moss' say, “Don't settle. Be amazing!”

Website

2322 Proctor Valley Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91914

19. Pete Mayo's Original Waffle Burgers

A hole in the wall. Literally. There are 4 tables here and a paper menu on the wall, that's it! But then ya know it's gonna be about the food, right?! That's what Pete, the owner, and cook, relies upon.

This is where someone goes for home-cooked flavor and some pretty badass food combinations. I bet you've never had a  waffle hamburger before… How about one with blueberry waffles? Well, come try it, for Pete's sake!

Website

5044 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

20. ACKEE Tree Jamaican Cuisine

Owners Lee & Tiffany combine their hometown flavors from Jamaica and Chicago to create a menu of fresh, authentic Jamaican food that will have you feeling a Caribbean breeze with every bite, sip, and slurp.

Website

5712 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92115

21. Tropical Savor Bar & Grill

This Latín-Caribbean Restaurant features Puertorican, Dominican, Cuban & Jamaican cuisine, with its authentic flavors & great cocktails. Be warned: Dancing might occur at all times of day, and you might get a little merengue with your Rabo De Vaca Guisado or sancocho! 

Website

729 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

22. Louisiana Purchase

Lousiana in North Park, San Diego—a dream! They are self-described as ‘a modern interpretation of a classic French Quarter restaurant'.

This mid-priced restaurant will put a Mardi Gras in your mouth with its flavor-packed, eclectic, but delicious menu containing items like Alligator Andouille Cheesecake, Sriracha lime buttered Crab Fingers, and crispy Parmesan Chicken Skins. When enjoyed on their patio seating, you'll feel inclined to sip lemonade and imagine the peaceful sounds of the bayou, on the West Coast!

Website

2305 University AveSan Diego, CA 92104

23. Gihon Ethiopian Restaurant

Owner and chef Mesk G has been a restauranteur since 1998. Now he is serving authentic Ethiopian food in GIHON Ethiopian Restaurant strives to “act as the Gihon river did”, sweeping through the country of Ethiopia and taking up the essence of every region… into it's food!

Website

2432 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92104

24. ThunderHawk Alements

Thunderhawk Alements is an independent microbrewery founded by natives of San Diego; Bill Lindsay and Jonathan Barbarin.Inspired by adventure and diversity in culture, Thunderhawk hopes to reflect experiences and tastes found throughout our travels in a worldly offering of beer styles and flavor profiles. 

Website

8675 Miralani Dr Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92126

25. Extraordinary Banana Pudding

 In La Mesa and owned by Toran Grays. This dessert spot opened just weeks before COVID-19 hit the United States. Hop in here for your banana pudding fix!

Website

8257 El Paso Street, La Mesa, California 91942, United States

26. World Beat Cafe

 An Everything-Black cafe! You'll find Jamaican food, African, Louisiana, and more types of food on their menu. And of course you can just pop in for some Bob Marley Mellow Mood coffee.

Website

2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92101

27. Muzita Bistro

This food spot is Winner of San Diego's Best Restaurants 2019! Amazing Eritrean/Ethiopian food, where Chef Able uses locally grown produce to make dishes that are reminiscent of the old country.

Website

2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92101

28. Shotcaller Street Soul Food

A Black, family-owned and operated street & soul food restaurant in Southeast, San Diego. Their menu is the bomb, and there are many dishes you'll only find here. Like this spaghetti sandwich!

Website

220 Euclid Ave Suite 180, San Diego, CA 92114, USA

29. Nomad Donuts

Nomad are a gourmet shop in the heart of North Park, serving artisanal donuts, bagels coffee, and more. The bagel meal in the image above is called “The Fadi”! They have unique combinations like Charred Blueberry Cream Cheese and Ube Taro Coconut.

Nomad Donuts’ menu changes monthly, seasonally and by popular demand and all of their donuts are and bagels made from scratch, every day!

Website

3102 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92104

30. Irie Cream

Homemade regular and Cannabis-Infused ice cream! Yum!

Website

Lemon Grove, San Diego, CA

31. Cardellino

Website

4033 Goldfinch Street, San Diego, CA 92103

32. Fort Oak

Website

1011 Fort Stockton Drive, San Diego, CA 92103

33. Rare Society

Website

4130 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92103

34. Blendees

Website

1297 East Main Street, El Cajon, California 92021, United States

35. TRUST Restaurant

Website

3752 Park Blvd. Suite 105C, San Diego, CA 92103

36. One Love Island Cuisine

Website

4225 Oceanside Blvd Ste K Oceanside, CA 92056

The Dojo Café is both a cafe and a social enterprise dedicated to creating sustainable localized change in marginalized communities. It was created when co-founder Carlos noticed a lack of safe spaces for millennial minorities to come together as a community and have access to resources.

The café partners with local schools and organizations to provide job opportunities, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities for the community.

The café's menu aims to be as diverse as the communities they serve and uses authentic ingredients from various parts of the world.

41.Tastee Temptations 

46. Brilliant Treats 

Have you ever had a graduation lei with treats like Gumballs or Jolly Ranchers? The owner and founder specialize in custom treats for any occasion or events and can incorporate your business branding too.

There are delightful treats ranging from cupcakes, cake pops, and lollipops for your occasion to enjoy. Take your event to the next level with creative designs tailored to your vision!

Website 

San Diego, California 

47. Royal Food Mart

Royal Food Mart serves not only what many consider to be the best sandwiches in town, but also a variety of soups, salads, wine and beer. All of their dishes feature Boar's Head meat and cheeses.

Romi, the owner, is extremely personable and provides amazing customer service!

Website 

3403 1st Ave, San Diego, California 92103

48. Fruit of Africa Arrangements and Catering 

The owner, Sun Gahd has a variety of edible fruit arrangements, mason jar treats, fruit and vegetable trays. Options for vegan catering or a vegan pie are available too. Just in time for summer, chill out with fresh fruit popsicles or take a bite of some frozen fruit. 

Website

San Diego, California