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Miami’s Black restaurant scene builds on a foundation of celebrity, nostalgia, explants, and cottage culinarians swirling together to create an incredible renaissance of culinary excellence presented with memorable entrees, sophistication, cultural revival, and tastefully classic interior design. As we approach our seven-year anniversary, The Hungry Black Man Media (www.thehungryblackman.com) eagerly tallied our followers’ votes to select Miami’s Top 10 Black Owned Restaurants of 2022.
A couple of newcomers were added to the list, but most are resilient veterans holding strong. From top notch cocktail programs to chef inspired tastings, Miami’s Black food entrepreneurs showed out in 2022 by creatively providing foodies awesome options. You won’t find fancy dining rooms at all of the honorees, but if great food, high quality and awesome service are your thing, this is your list.
Importantly, these are true Miami spots. No outskirts or altering of locales, but delicious 305 Made in Dade restaurants indicative of our vibrant and exciting hometown food scene. Tourists frequenting Miami Beach should definitely make these spots a priority for a more authentic Miami experience.
Here are Miami’s Top 10 Ranked Black-owned restaurants of 2022.
#1
Smith and Webster Restaurant & Bar
486 NE 167th St, Miami, FL 33162
Phone: 305-333-8272
Instagram: @Smithandwebster
A newcomer to the list, Smith and Webster hit the dining scene with a big splash. Celebrities like R&B legend Ginuwine and hometown Dolphin quarterback Teddy Bridgewater celebrated their birthdays there. Throw in a viral TikTok craze, a hugely successful grand opening that has not let up, and a truly amazing dining experience, it’s no wonder our followers chose this restaurant as Miami’s number one spot. The cuisine is eclectic with appetizers like 12-hour brined chicken wings with yuzu and togarashi butter, signature 12-hour braised oxtail lasagna, Chef Carla Hall inspired buttermilk biscuits, Brown-butter cornbread, black-eyed peas with Andouille sausage and sweet potato casserole with black pepper honey to name a few stars. An elevated casual space, diners come dressed to impress right in their own backyards. The craft cocktail bar with freshly squeezed fruits and house made syrups is a big hit. A quaint yet sleek design, the space is intimate, and time seems to stand still as the ambiance transports guests to evening dining regardless of the time of day. This place gets incredibly busy, so reservations are highly encouraged.
Full disclosure: I am the Smith in Smith and Webster, so it’s extremely gratifying that this list was compiled based on followers’ votes.
#2
Rosie’s Restaurant
7127 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33150
Phone: (305) 631-2496
I met Chef Akino West and his fiancée Ms. Jamila Ross years back, when they created Miami’s only Black-owned Bed & Breakfast, the Copper Door in the historic Overtown neighborhood. The good Lord prophesied through me that they would open a restaurant thanks to Chef Akino’s masterful menu creation and execution; a prediction they initially laughed at. Well, their year-old pop up has deservedly turned into a permanent restaurant location. The food is some of the best in Miami, and the house made mocktails and lemonades are becoming local legends. Brunch is the way at this weekend delight, where you can treat yourself to elevated southern favorites and Chef Akino’s stylistic culinary creations. Some of my favorites include the pastrami hash served with sweet potato sformato, charred green onion gremolata, feta, parmesan and the classic Chicken & Waffle. The smoked salmon benedict is another favorite, as well as classics like the lemon ricotta pancakes served with macerated berries, ricotta, and pistachio. This space is very popular, so reservations are strongly suggested. I am so proud of this duo and look forward to seeing them expand, as I continue to enjoy my twice monthly brunch visits.
#3
Dub N Grub @ Treelion Restaurant
18400 NW 2nd Ave Miami Gardens, FL 33169
Phone: (305) 690-7777
Miami’s best vegan cuisine is being created by the incomparable Chef Kris Kofi and his lovely wife Chef Macka. This husband wife duo embraces chef inspired innovation with the simplistic touch of family style cuisine while exploring Asian, Mexican, and Afro-Caribbean. There’s also a nod to soul food classics via Chef Macka’s outstanding vegan mac and cheese. Chef Kofi’s cuisine is soy free, dairy free, with gluten free using locally sourced fresh vegetables with each sauce, cream, and even condiments made in house. Chef is known for his vegan oxtails, tacos, and hibachi items. The food truck is perfect for outdoor dining or those preferring social distancing. Oh, and I have no idea how Chef Kofi created an indistinguishable vegan Thai red curry that is even more delicious than many non-vegan versions. Vegans or vegan curious will not go wrong with this delicious and sophisticated eatery because just about everything on the menu is perfect. I am so proud that his guilt free deliciousness is a part of the Miami food and drink landscape.
#4
Drinking Pig BBQ
845 NE 151st St, Miami, FL 33162,
Phone: (954) 589-3759
I met Chef Raheem Sealey a little over a year ago in his capacity as head chef at one of Miami’s swankiest, high-end restaurants. Since then, the classically trained chef has created one of the country’s most amazing BBQ experiences. His dynamic team includes his surrogate brother, Chef Mark Wint (BEST SMOKING SKILL IN ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY), and his lovely wife, Chef Yohanir Sandoval. The trio has worked tirelessly to raise Miami’s BBQ scene to a level garnering national respect. While space, fire ordinances, and outdated county policies may mean the early pits of Liberty City, Overtown, Hialeah, and even Miami Gardens are impossible to duplicate in Miami-Dade County today, Raheem has not only brought back the nostalgia of the long-gone roadside pits, but surpasses expectations of those of us old enough to remember their amazing offerings. The space is in a residential neighborhood with cool outdoor seating and complimentary beer and water. The offerings are life changing. I can’t rave enough about the smoked chicken, brisket, and homemade sausages. Yes, you heard correctly. These kinfolks are making sausages and castings from scratch. The chicken does something to your soul in a good way, while his uniquely refreshing take on low country sides invites you to dive deeper into their one of a kind flavor profile. A newcomer to the list, Drinking Pig BBQ is one of the nation’s best BBQ joints and I can’t wait to see them make a huge splash on the national BBQ scene. This deliciousness is only available on Saturdays from 12pm – 6pm, and Sundays from 12pm – 8pm.
#5
Yardie Spice
225 S Krome Ave, Homestead, FL 33030
Phone: (786) 349-5138
Southern Miami Dade County can be challenging when searching for stand-out cuisine. Our team searched high and low, and found a local favorite, which soon turned into a popular destination for true Caribbean cuisine lovers. Yardie Spice offers authentic Haitian cuisine with some Jamaican influences, but the real star is the Haitian cuisine. The first thing you notice after taking a bite of just about anything on their menu is the incredible freshness. The vegan options are the best in the entire southern Miami-Dade County area. Arguably, Yardie Spice is quite possibly Miami’s Best Haitian Restaurant in that the cooks and chef here create all their seasonings from scratch with absolutely no MAGGI or MSG packed premade seasoning. They provide natural crafted seasonings and sauces, NO microwaves, and fresh produce. If you’ve never had Haitian cuisine before, make this your first stop. The steamed fish is a real standout with the legumes. You won’t be disappointed by taking the drive to this hidden gem.
#6
Blvd Baes Restaurant
7244 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138
(786) 615-9661
You’d expect to find an eatery like Blvd Baes, with its open kitchen, tiny indoor seating and intimate outdoor dining in a small French countryside bed and breakfast. Thankfully, it’s located in Miami at 7244 Biscayne Boulevard. Kitchen samurai, restaurateur, and chef extraordinaire Barclay Graebner and her celebrity partner Richie Effs—one of the geniuses behind the 2002 cult classic Jamaican film Shottas— are a former husband and wife duo with three awesome children (14-year-old ballerina, 12 and 6-year-old skateboarding sensations) responsible for the deliciousness known as Blvd Baes. After experiencing this eatery several times, I feel more like an evangelist than a diner. Those of you who have followed us for a while know that when I go in like this, the spot is the TRUTH. From a culinary perspective, this space is incredibly special. My favorites are anything from the grill, especially the veggies and proteins, along with their nostalgic brunch menu served all day. Weekly visits for the Salmon Cobb salad made Blvd Baes my personal favorite restaurant of 2021.
#7
Taste Rite Bakery
18400 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169
Phone: (305) 249-7483
Miami is blessed to have a large Caribbean population where, by driving from one community to the next, any foodie can be transported across the globe thanks to the smells, sights, and flavors of mom-and-pop eateries nestled within Miami’s fly over neighborhoods. One of the absolute treasures of our city is Taste Rite Bakery! The house made patties are baked on site and filled with an array of delicious piping hot proteins and veggies. The nine delectable options include variations with seafood, beef, chicken, and veggies. You may want to order one of their delicious coco breads with your patty. Yes, more carbs! You take the patty and simply place it inside the coco bread for a truly memorable experience. Oh, and don’t you dare forget to get a loaf of Jamaican hard dough bread and their super processed cheese. Thank me later. Also, there are assorted varieties of pound cakes, cinnamon rolls with raisins, puddings, and an interesting, totally scrumptious dessert called Rock Cake with hints of coconut throughout. If you’re visiting Miami, this is a must.
#8
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
19934 NW Second Ave., Miami Gardens, FL
(305) 770-5100
Chef Eka Wassel and her husband Fouad opened Miami’s only Ethiopian eatery and they’ve been consistent and delicious. 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. Beautifully designed with authentic Ethiopian furniture, art, and décor, this space in the heart of Miami Gardens has garnered international acclaim. My favorite entrée is Ethiopian fried fish along with beef or lentil sambusa. If you’re visiting for the first time, I highly recommend the Taste of Awash, which gives you a sample of almost everything on the menu. Oh, and don’t miss out on their honey wine, a beverage with a rich 2,000-year-old African history.
#9
Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar
1233 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 308-6200
I have eaten, I’m sure hundreds, if not thousands of animals from the land and sea in my lifetime. I’m thankful for their sacrifice in providing nutrition to my body and spirit, however, visiting Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar helped me see I’m more of an herbivore than I realized. The original Fat Ronnie’s is on Martha’s Vineyard. Miami was blessed with the second location in March 2020, during the onset of the pandemic. With over five generations of Black butchers and burger makers, this spot serves a fresh Maine Lobster Roll that was so meaty I honestly don’t understand how that item is remotely profitable to the company. Their Portobello mushroom burger has a texture that almost fooled me into thinking I was eating beef. And their cheeseburger is one of the best I’ve had in FLORIDA! The super soft buns are the perfect companion for the high quality, grass fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef. Fat Ronnie’s was highly impressive for vegans as well, given the plethora of vegan burger options. The diverse menu also includes fried fish, chicken, wings and don’t forget about A FULL BAR that makes amazing mojitos.
#10
Red Rooster Overtown
920 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33136,
Phone: (305) 640-9880
Derek Fleming, partner with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and Michael Simkins teamed up to open one of the country’s most dynamic restaurants. This space is not only chef inspired cuisine, but culturally important to the Overtown community. The design is breathtaking to say the least. If you are familiar with the HBO show Boardwalk Empire, think of its most opulent scene and make it Black excellence. That’s the interior of Red Rooster Overtown. Pure luxury. With vast bars and dining rooms, both inside and outdoors, the restaurant is inviting to every type of patron imaginable. From the political elite, young children, families, romantic partners, business people, the place is a space for ALL people. The cuisine is African-American inspired with a touch of international flare. Each entrée invokes an incredible amount of emotion, assertiveness, and intrigue. They recently added an upstairs lounge that serves as a dance floor on weekends and a separate menu from the main dining room downstairs.
