Dining Guide

A Guide to Seattle’s Black-Owned Restaurants

Not to mention bars, breweries, coffee shops, and all manner of great local spots.

02/02/2026 By Naomi Tomky and Allecia Vermillion

In Memoriam

Remembering Ms. Helen Coleman, Queen of Seattle Soul Food

The storied Central District chef and restaurateur leaves behind a legacy of oxtails and sweet potato pie.

12/10/2025 By Naomi Tomky

Knives Out

A Butter Place Spreads Creativity to the Dairy Aisle

Adrian Sanders churns up wild flavors designed to make dinner easier.

10/21/2025 By Naomi Tomky

Jubilation

How to Celebrate Juneteenth in Seattle

It may be our newest federal holiday, but the traditions run deep.

06/14/2024 By Seattle Met Staff

Black History Through Food

Seattle's Black Chefs and Restaurateurs Have Endless Stories

So we asked five of them to share in their own words.

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Black History, Black Chefs

Gold Coast Ghal's Tina Fahnbulleh on Popups and Potato Greens

In her own words: the woman behind Seattle's new (and lamentably rare) West African restaurant.

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Black History, Black Chefs

Simply Soulful's Owners on Deferred Dreams and Sweet Potato Pie

In their own words: mother-daughter duo Barbara Collins and Lillian Rambus.

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Black History, Black Chefs

Mojito's Luam Wersom on Rum Drinks and Cooking for Ball Players

In his own words: a dishwasher turned restaurant owner (and Ethiopian refugee turned steward of Latin American flavors).

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Black History, Black Chefs

Island Soul and Arleana's Owner Theo Martin on Crossing the Bridge

In his own words: a restaurateur with deep roots in Seattle and Kirkland.

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Black History, Black Chefs

La Spiga's Sabrina Tinsley on Making Pasta and Holding Space

In her own words: an Alaska-born powerhouse of Italian cooking.

02/12/2024 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Jordan Nicholson

Local History

5 Influential Black Seattleites You Should Know About

From a powerhouse vocalist to a game-changing education advocate.

02/10/2023 By Tanvi Srinivasan and Seattle Met Staff

SHOP LOCAL

Black-Owned Businesses to Support in the Seattle Area

During Black History Month and all year long.

02/07/2023 By Zoe Sayler

Opening Dispatch

Popular Overnight Food Cart Mama Sambusa Goes Brick-and-Mortar

The Rainier Valley favorite spotlights Somali cuisine in a new space.

11/22/2022 By Sophia Struna

Quote Unquote

Avery Barnes Brings African Style to Pioneer Square

"This is not just a gallery or retail space, but more of a creative space."

08/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Sauce Talk

Meet the Central District’s New Hometown Hot Sauce

In the words of founder Joe Norris, Hot Jawn is, “Kind of like a buffalo sauce, but not. Kind of like a Sriracha, but not.”

03/18/2022 By Ann Karneus

GOOD SCENTS

Noir Lux Candle Bar Opens in Belltown

Mix, pour, and name your own candles—while supporting Washington's first Black-owned, woman-owned candle bar.

02/10/2022 By Zoe Sayler

Market Season

These BIPOC-Owned Washington Farms Deliver CSA Boxes to Seattle

With community supported agriculture, we share the challenges and bounty of farming local.

04/22/2021 By Erin Wong

THE CARBS ISSUE

Umami Kushi's Okazu Pan Rises in Rainier Beach

Harold Fields's savory buns didn’t happen overnight.

03/18/2021 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts