Who the hell said the Miami area doesn’t have any good Black-owned restaurants? Just like the Devil, they are a damn liar. Miami is experiencing a Black food renaissance in areas where historically there have been few, if any, options for dining. Black culinary sophistication is at the heart of the eateries on this list. Black Chefs are returning to Miami-Dade and Broward making their marks at these hidden gems. Thankfully, they won’t be hidden for long, because the food, service, and ambiance of each one is simply outstanding.  The restaurants on this list are full-service restaurants featuring bar service, wait staff, and superior customer service. Rankings are based on a series of measurements inclusive of service, food source, taste, ambiance, logistical ease and environment. Our team has eaten at over 130 restaurants throughout the nation in 2017, and in the Miami area, these are our top 10! Find these and other great spots at www.thehungryblackman.com. All Photo credits are by Korey Davis, The Hungry Black Man Media Director. Please reach out to him for your photography needs at Korey.nlpg@gmail.com or @kdavisphotog.

1. Swirl Wine Bistro – 1435 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33063, Phone: (954) 458-5407

Someone needs to deal with Chef Judith Able, because her ass is completely out of control. How the hell am I going to afford that new iPhone if she keeps cooking and carrying on like this? Her newly opened concept, Swirl Wine Bistro has taken fusion to a whole new level!  This place has one of the best sliders in the nation! Goddamitt, I know what I said, the f#cking nation! Yes, Yes, Yes,–the Smoked Brisket or Aged Beef or Crab sliders are the best in the Country ($13.99). Chef has some notable mentions in her Snapper Escoveitch ($18.99) served with Cassava cake, pickled vegetable, mango drizzle $18.99 and for your vegetarian folk please don’t sleep on the Vegetarian Tart – Wild forest mushrooms and goat cheese mouse, that thing is amazing. Finally, the Oxtail Ravioli is legendary. Also, yeah, it’s outside of Miami proper, but still in the vicinity. But a better question is, what are you going to do about it? Exactly. Just keep reading.

2. D’vine by 9701 – 9125 NW 22nd Avenue Miami, FL 33147, Phone: (786) 366-9075

Chef Ingrid Bayoro brings a trio of culinary culture to this West Little River restaurant with African-American, Ivory Coast, and Haitian food pathways creating a deliciously unique fusion. My favorite dish here would be her unique and incomparable Griot Plantain Sandwich ($10.00). You can get the sandwich with seafood or make it completely vegan! (These vegans in 2017 were aggravating as hell, but we love them anyway.) The fired Snapper is another amazing entrée as well. Wash it all down with a glass of their homemade Haitian lemonade! Jesus took the wheel on this one! Well, not all the way, because I requested a shot of Remy Martin VSOP in mine, but hey, keep it virgin if you like! Oh, and Chef Ingrid quite possibly has the best Djon Djon rice outside of Haiti.

3. Southern Spice – 1920 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020, Phone: (954) 674-2919

Chef Malcolm Prude infuses the sophistication of over 300 years of African-American cuisine into this Hollywood eatery. Southern Spice uses the freshest ingredients, free of hormones and other deadly sh@t through sourcing organic and cage free chicken, grass fed beef and wild caught fish.  Owner Natasha Gonzales embraces her African-American and Trinidadian heritage with a menu that takes soul food for a wild ride! My favorite entrée is the Chili Rubbed Pork Chop ($23), severed with smashed baby potatoes, cauliflower, gremolata, and a red wine jus. Don’t forget to try the Fried Bologna Sandwich, Crispy Pig Ears, and of course the collard green and cornbread bowl! Also, yeah, it’s outside of Miami proper, but still in the vicinity. Again, what are you going to do about it?

4. Zest Miami – Southeast Financial Center, 200 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131, Phone: (305) 374-9378

Owner Delius Shirley know good and well that this food should be illegal and categorized as a controlled substance. He has truly outdone himself with this beautiful downtown Miami gem. The legendary Chef Cindy Hutson has created a menu that captures Miami’s diversity with a Caribbean inspired menu boasting flavors that will have you weak in the knees! My favorite was the Jerk Chicken Pappardelle ($21), served with a house made jerk marinade, vine ripe tomatoes, scallion creamy corn polenta, sautéed baby arugula and tossed in an aromatic spiced piquant brown stew gravy.  Notable mention goes to the Curry Jerk Chicken Wings. All I can say about the wings is LORD HAVE MERCY!

5. Uber Wings – 9570 SW 160th St, Miami, FL 33157, Phone: (786) 701-3377

Husband and wife duo, Kristy and Chef Rashid Ibrahim have given South Dade a long overdue sit down black owned eatery with healthy and delicious options topped with impeccable customer service and speediness. Chef Rashid is serious about providing fine dining style cuisine with his secret menu. My favorite entrée was their Rosemary Marinated Lamb Chops with a balsamic and olive oil drizzle and the nostalgic Grilled Cheese Waffle Croissant ($9.79), comprised of Havarti cheese, caramelized onions, fresh tomato and a turkey bacon with just the right amount of salt. It is served with a bowl of tomato basil soup made in-house. So, if you find yourself trekking to South Dade or passing through for whatever reason, you have an amazing eatery that is worth the drive.

6. KC Healthy Cooking – 11900 Biscayne Blvd #103, North Miami, FL 33181, Phone: (786) 502-4193

So, the chef here is literally a wizard off Harry Potter, because there is no other way to explain how he got healthy and vegan food to taste this damn good. Located across the street from North Miami’s Whole Foods, Chef Jerry Dominque is not afraid to compete with their hot bar, and he is winning! With over 25 years of culinary experience, it’s no wonder I went into a 30-minute food coma after dining at this astonishing hidden gem.  Everything on the menu is healthy, but you wouldn’t know it by the naughty tasting entrees, including my favorite dish, the Double Portobello Black Beans Burger ($16.95), served with lettuce, tomato, avocado and a house made basil pesto. Why the hell did Jerry do this? I have been addicted to this burger going on 4 months now. The deliciousness didn’t stop there, he takes Haitian staples and turns them into super healthy entrees including his Djon Djon rice, Seda Cupcake, and Vegan Legume.

7. House of Mac – 56 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127, Phone: (305) 903-2534 

Renaissance man Derrick Turton (Chef Teach) went from music mogul to amazing chef after a stint in culinary school which assisted him in bringing us the deliciousness that is World Famous House of Mac. Located in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, Chef Teach opened his food truck serving up delicious comfort food to it’s maximum level. My favorite here would be the succulent jerk salmon pasta, Chicken Parmesan Mac and Cheese ($14), and the Seafood Mac. This is truly a spot to come eat, drink and have an amazing time right in the heart of Wynwood.

8. Little Greenhouse Grill – 1300 NW 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33136, Phone: (786) 277-3582

Chef Karim Bryant and his business partner Nicole Gates, created the best restaurant in Overtown this year with my favorite dish, the Half BBQ Chicken ($14) with a side of turkey flavored collard greens, grandmamma approved mac and cheese, and cabbage that goes so quickly you need to get there when it opens if you want any. Honorable mention goes to the Dream Fire Shrimp and the Smoked BBQ Chicken Wings. Make sure you ask for Nicole! She’s the best. Look for big things from Lil Greenhouse in the coming year. Oh, and try their wine cocktails. Incredible.

9. Awash Ethiopian Restaurant – 19934 NW Second Ave., Miami Gardens, FL Phone: (305) 770-5100

Chef Eka Wassel and her husband Fouad, opened this beautifully decorated eatery for the perfect date night! Armed with an exciting coffee ceremony experience and a cuisine packed with exotic and unique flavors from the horn of Africa, there is little not to like about this place. My favorite entrée is the Ethiopian fried fish along with the beef or lentil sambusa ($5). If you’re visiting for the first time, you would want to order the Taste of Awash ($24.99), which gives you a sample of almost everything on the menu. Oh, and don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of their Ethiopian Honey Wine, which has a 2,000-year-old history including being a favorite of King David himself!

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