The Hungry Black Man celebrates almost four years of covering the national Black and minority culinary ecosystem with an emphasis on South Florida. We have come across some amazing and delicious spaces that were both memorable and palate pleasing, however, my hometown of Miami has experienced a true renaissance in both culinary sophistication and cultural revival, even in architectural design.  From top notch cocktail programs to chef inspired menus, Miami’s Black food entrepreneurs showed out in 2019, providing us awesome options for date nights with your significant other, celebrating milestone family events, everyday dining, business meetings, group gatherings and more. It was a difficult task, but through various surveys of our followers and localized foodies, we present to you, the top 10 Black Owned eateries of 2019:

No. 1 – Cote Gourmet

9999 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138, Phone: (305) 754-9012

Chef Amina Ly is a chef’s chef. I recently took the incomparable Chef Carla Hall to dine at this Parisian style eatery with a nod to both Senegalese and Italian cooking. With white table cloths and a wine selection out of this world, Chef Amina takes you on a fine dining experience with casual dining pricing. My favorite entree would be the Sardegna ($29.00)—marinated lamb chops with fresh mint goat cheese sauce and potatoes purée. These lamb chops are some of the best you will have in Miami. This chef makes everything by hand including the pasta. I could not ask for more from a restaurant. Great service, knowledgeable staff, incredible food, wine selection out of this world, and a purposed menu for every palate has landed this quaint eatery the number one spot. From escargot to fresh baked croissants, Chef Amina has worked diligently in preserving the true essence of what it means to be a chef not just by title, but through action. Make sure you catch their weekend brunch, featuring her famed fruit topped French toast made with in-house baked French baguettes and of course her mouthwatering French style omelets.

No. 2 – Bar One

520 West Avenue, Commercial unit 1, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Phone: (305) 763-8323

 

Peter Thomas has successfully fused the sophistication and glamour of Miami Beach with the home-style cooking of the deep south and the Caribbean. He has created an outstanding menu with a strong nod to the world-renowned bar scene of South Beach with a creative and bold cocktail program. On any given day, you are likely to see celebrities, superstar athletes and movers and shakers of South Florida dining at this beautiful waterfront establishment. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, Bar One has accomplished the need for a high-end BLACK OWNED restaurant on Miami Beach with breathtaking waterfront views and food that will have you ordering an entrée to go after finishing up your dine-in plate. Combining over 300 years of African-American and Afro-Caribbean food pathways into his menu, diners can expect a culinary journey through the American low country, coastal and gulf regions with Caribbean flavor throughout. It is almost impossible for me to select an absolute favorite entrée, but among my favorites were the flavor packed Fried Salmon Bites ($18)—Alaskan salmon portions, fried in their signature breading w/ house honey mustard sauce, pickled veggie garnish, Whole Fried Branzino Escoviche ($28) served with a side of fried yucca and of course the Slow Braised Collard/Cabbage medley with smoked turkey and finally the Macaroni and Cheese Pie! Lord have mercy. Oh, don’t forget the Oxtails! Only spot on the Beach where you can get them. Service can be spotty at times, but for the most part, the staff is friendly and attentive.

No. 3 – Ortanique On the Mile

278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Phone: (305) 446-7710

Quite possibly the only full-service Black-owned restaurant in Coral Gables, owner Delius Shirley brings out Caribbean flavors with the help of chef and partner Cindy Hudson through the usage of local ingredients and creative cocktails amid colorful tropical-themed decor. The mojitos are legendary along with my favorite spread which includes: The Jerk Chicken Pasta, Corvina, Game Hen, Truffle Fries, Toffee Bread Pudding and Rum Cake! You will thank me later.

4 – 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, you will want to wash it all down with a glass of their Ethiopian Honey Wine, which has a 2,000-year-old history that included it being a favorite of King David himself!

No. 5 – 800° Woodfired Kitchen

2956 NE 199th St, Aventura, FL 33180, Phone: (305) 446-7710

Eureka! I now have a Black-owned spot to walk to after visiting my favorite movie theater at Aventura Mall! 800° Woodfired Kitchen is a beautifully decorated classy space with the best drinks in all northern Miami-Dade County period, thanks to my gin brother, Mr. Joey Sabato! Former Miami Heat superstars Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem joined forces and tapped Chef Eddie Donoso to create an internationally themed menu featuring some of my favorites: the Half Rotisserie Chicken ($24) and potatoes served with a Peruvian Green sauce; and the incomparable Wade Burger ($19)—a dry aged aromatic beef burger grilled to order and topped with aged white cheddar, roasted garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and a unique bacon jam. Oh, and don’t forget to try Udonis’s wings. They are a crowd favorite for sure. Honorable mention goes to the Baby Back Ribs, Prime Rib French Dip Sliders, and Grass Fed Meatballs. Stick to these recommendations and you won’t regret it.

No. 6 – KC Healthy Cooking

11900 Biscayne Blvd #103, North Miami, FL 33181, Phone: (786) 502-4193

So, the chef here is literally a Harry Potter franchise type wizard 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 Bean Burger ($16.95), served with lettuce, tomato, avocado and a house made basil pesto. Why the hell did Jerry do this? My addiction to this burger is showing no signs of letting up. The deliciousness didn’t stop there because he takes Haitian staples and turns them into super healthy entrees, like his Djon Djon rice, Seda Cupcake and Vegan Legume.

 

No. 7 – Little Greenhouse Grill

1300 NW 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33136, Phone: (786) 277-3582

Coming off a recent visit from none other than billionaire media mogul, Ms. Oprah Winfrey, Chef Karim Bryant and his partner Nicole Gates, have created one of Miami’s most noteworthy soul food eateries. The Half BBQ Chicken ($14) with a side of their turkey flavored collard greens, grandmamma approved mac and cheese, and cabbage is my go-to dish! The banana pudding is so delicious I bit my tongue recently trying to wolf it down before a meeting. Honorable mention goes to the Dream Fire Shrimp and the Smoked BBQ Chicken Wings. Be sure to try their wine cocktails. Look for big things from Lil Greenhouse in the coming year.

No. 8 – The Licking 

17647 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, Phone: (786) 520-4675

The Seven Wonders of the World have mystified humankind for eons. Well, we may need to amend that list with the eighth wonder—The Licking’s Mystery Drink ($3.25).  Yes, this colorful kaleidoscope of liquid goodness will have you checking your blood sugar after a couple of sips, but it’s well worth it. My favorite entrée would be the Lemon Pepper Turkey Wing Dinner with EXTRA LEMON BUTTER SAUCE ($13.99) along with pretty much any of their pastas. Founded by Tasha Colvin and reimagined by business partner Eric “E-Class” Prince, The Licking embodies everything Miami! Most locations offer beer and wine, with the Miami Beach location offering a full bar and lounge! Honorable mention goes to the collard greens, fried lobster, steak and shrimp pasta, and the Meatloaf served on Mondays!

9 – Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill

19752 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, Phone: (305) 623-9760

When Matari Bodie and Lorna Westmoreland, a mother son duo, had to relocate their restaurant from one section of Miami Gardens to another, they transformed their small take-out spot into one of the most beautifully designed restaurants in all Miami-Dade County. Known for its AMAZING OXTAILS, Lorna’s offer a unique menu that fuses the soulfulness of African-American cooking with the spice and flavor of the islands of Jamaica and Bahamas! They are the only Black-owned full-service restaurant that carries ultra-premium cognacs, gins, and vodkas served by incredible bartenders. You can’t go wrong with almost anything off the menu, but my favorites are the Grilled Salmon, Curry Goat, Jerk Chicken, and of course the OXTAILS! Tuesday nights are crowd favorites because the restaurant offers live music and drink specials. Ask for Chef Charles to make you either a Blackened or Cajun Salmon. This man makes one of the meanest Salmon’s in all the land!

10 – Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen

316 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127, Phone: (786) 334-5162

This eatery opened late in 2019 and made a huge splash by being the only Black-owned full -service restaurant in the heart of the Wynwood community, known for its vibrant street art and murals. The space is massive with an outside patio area that can literally host a full fledge concert. The menu is island themed and has some tasty entrees. They are still working through a few kinks with the menu, so my go to for this spot would be the bar! The drink and bartenders are amazing! Every cocktail includes fresh fruits and ingredients, so you can’t go wrong with any of their creations. I find myself at this bar at least once a week because it reminds me of Beaker and Grey in its sophistication and attention to detail with the construction of each cocktail. The food menu is a work in progress, but my favorite entrée would be the Fever Grass Shrimp skewers ($28) served on top of a spicy tomato coconut stew stabbed with a sugarcane skewer and dusted with toasted coconut and the Jerk Corn ($9), served with a jerk mayo, sweet coconut and lime. Honorable mention rests in the delicious Jerk Pork plate.

We hope you take the time to visit these incredible establishments and let us know what you thought!  You can read more on amazing eateries in your hometown and the nation by following us @thehungryblackman on Facebook and Instagram or subscribe to our blog at www.thehungryblackman.com

Our amazing photography is from none other than our Media Director, Mr. Korey Davis. Check him out at Korey Davis Photography @kdavisphotog for booking who was assisted by CHEF KRIS KOFI who can be contacted at kofikreations@gmail.com