Earning a Michelin star is an illustrious achievement in the restaurant world. For many years, the Michelin Guide has seldom shone a spotlight on Black-owned establishments. However, a handful of restaurants in major U.S. cities have broken through this barrier. Here are some of the top Black-owned Michelin restaurants across the United States.
Clover Hill
Located on a quiet block in Brooklyn Heights, Clover Hill offers an intimate culinary experience curated by Executive Chef Charlie Mitchell. As the first and only Black Michelin-starred chef in New York City, Mitchell’s journey from his Detroit roots to gaining the recognition he is now receiving is truly inspiring. Cloaked in French-inspired flair, Clover Hill delights diners with a seafood-focused menu that embodies Mitchell’s passion and finesse. Despite a rocky period due to the pandemic, the restaurant has found much success and acclaim, further solidifying its place among the culinary elite.
Ina Mae
Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood is where you’ll find Ina Mae, a Michelin Guide tavern that pays homage to New Orleans’ unique culinary heritage. Executive chef and co-owner Brian Jupiter named the restaurant after his great-grandmother and the menu brims with the NOLA classics he grew up with. Each dish is a testament to the enduring legacy of Chef Jupiter’s family recipes and the vibrant food culture of the Big Easy.
Cane
Step into Cane, a cozy Washington, D.C. eatery that transports you to the vibrant streets of Trinidad. With its name serving a nod to the island’s history of sugar cane production, Cane further pays homage to Trinidad through its tropical ambiance and menu of flavorful Trini street food-inspired dishes. The restaurant offers favorites like spicy and flavorful stews, roti, curry and channa. As you savor each bite, you might find yourself feeling as if you hopped on a flight and landed in the West Indies.
Demera
Catering to a diverse palate, the menu includes a concise glossary, easing the culinary journey for newcomers. Among this Chicago standout’s dishes is the yesiga wot. It is a pleasantly spicy concoction that blends tender beef chunks, fragrant onions, and ginger. To savor every drop of the rich sauce, diners should embrace tradition and replace silverware with soft injera bread. This timeless presentation elevates the dining experience, making it truly immersive.
Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Step into this dedicated Chicago-based kitchen, where patience is the price you pay for culinary perfection. It’s not just the food that captivates the guests. The surrounding artwork also adds a delightful charm. The buttermilk fried chicken arrives tender and crispy, accompanied by the warmth of collard greens braised to perfection with ham hock. The menu’s crown jewel is the Mississippi hot tamale stuffed with Slagel Farms beef and oozing melted cheddar cheese.
Beatstro
This Michelin restaurant is a true gem in The Bronx, proudly paying homage to the vibrant Puerto Rican and African-American heritage. The menu is a delicious testament to this rich cultural tapestry, offering a fusion of culinary traditions that harmoniously coexist. Start your journey with the delight of pork rinds, delicately seasoned with barbecue spices and a zesty hint of lemon. Leave some room for the mojo chicken, accompanied by roasted potatoes, flavorful collard greens, and a vibrant salsa verde. Each dish celebrates the Bronx’s diverse and flavorful identity, inviting diners to savor the local culture with every savory bite.
Kokomo
Ria Graham and her husband, alongside Chef Mitchel Bonhomme, created an exquisite culinary journey that pulsates with the essence of the Caribbean. Their pan-Caribbean cuisine is a vibrant celebration of flavors that transcend boundaries. The rasta pasta is a standout favorite among patrons. For those with a penchant for seafood, the fish tacos beckon with their freshness and flavor, while the braised oxtail has a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that lingers in your memory.
Family Ethiopian
At this inviting restaurant in Washington D.C., the family platter takes center stage, offering a medley of vegetarian and meaty delights, making it the ultimate choice for those looking to savor a bit of everything. The cherished sour and spongy injera bread serves as the perfect canvas for sopping up the rich flavors of dishes.
Some travelers will find Tikil Gomen’s mix of cabbage and potatoes to be an absolute dream. Other travelers are drawn in by the quanta firfir, where tender beef is seasoned with berbere spice and clarified butter. It is a dish that has diners flocking in droves to savor its goodness.
Barcote
Embarking on a culinary journey at this establishment offers an array of choices that will captivate your palate. Select from options like the savory kitfo or sample vegetarian stews, where lentils are simmered in a berbere sauce. For those seeking hearty comfort, this Oakland, California eatery also has atakilt wot, which is a delightful medley of cabbage, potato and carrot stew infused with the golden essence of turmeric. This is one of the Michelin restaurants offering a rich and satisfying experience that will leave you enamored with its intricate layers of flavor.
