Delaware is home to so many incredible Black-owned businesses. These food establishments and operations are proudly Black-owned and offer everything from barbecue and soul food to breakfast staples and plant-based fare. Take a look at our list, then head out to support the talented Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, and catering businesses in the First State.
1861 Southern Kitchen and Bourbon Bar
1861 Southern Kitchen and Bourbon Bar has been serving up elevated comfort food in Middletown for eight years.
The family-owned restaurant recently experienced a devastating fire in the midst of the owner’s battle with pancreatic cancer. A GoFundMe fundraiser will support restaurant staff, cover medical and living expenses, and support the family while the restaurant is rebuilt. Learn more and donate online.
423 North Broad Street, Middletown | 376-7956
A Taste of Jazz
LaTisha D. Dismuke is a private chef, caterer, and culinary arts teacher based in Delaware. At A Taste of Jazz, she offers catering, meal prep, private chef cervices, and live entertainment as a saxophonist.
100 Main Street #685, Millsboro | 563-3456
A Ya So Nice Jamaican Food
Chow down on Jamaican favorites like oxtail, brown stew chicken, jerk shrimp, and Jamaican rum cake. The patty mac sandwich is a hearty option full of flavor made with a beef patty, mac and cheese, and oxtail gravy all inside sweet coco bread.
165 South Dupont Highway, New Castle | 317-3135
African Fusion Restaurant
Enjoy a fusion of West African foods at this family-owned Dover takeout spot. Favorites include jollof rice, fried plantains, egusi stew, and fufu.
4200 North Dupont Highway, Dover | 595-2780
Aunt Berta’s Kitchen
Savor the flavors of classic American comfort food at Aunt Berta’s Kitchen, with locations in Hockessin and New Castle.
198 North Dupont Highway, New Castle | 800-1588
7288 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin | 600-5744
Aunt Mary’s Soul Food Kitchen
With locations in Dover and New Castle, Aunt Mary’s Soul Food Kitchen serves soul food classics for pickup or delivery as well as catering options.
1030 Forrest Avenue, Dover | 422-7685
1401 North Dupont Highway, New Castle | 422-7685
Bean Head Coffee Bar
In Wilmington, Bean Head Coffee Bar is a Black- and Caribbean-owned cafe with a variety of unique specialty coffee and latte options. For iced coffee lovers, Bean Head allows customers to upgrade to “dirty ice,” which is coffee frozen into ice cubes to keep the latte from getting watered down as the ice melts.
714 West 11th Street, Wilmington | 384-7476
Catch 45
On Newark’s Capitol Trail, Catch 45 boasts an extensive West African-inspired menu, plenty of dine-in seating space, and top-notch service.
1020 Capitol Trail, Newark
Desserts by Dana
Dana Herbert is a local celebrity chef with appearances on TLC’s “Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker,” (of which Herbert was the champion in 2010), Hulu’s “Cookie, Cupcake, Cake” and “Cake Toppers,” and Food Network’s “Sweet Empire: Winter Wars.” His Newark dessert shop serves up custom cakes, wedding desserts, and a variety of everyday pastries including cupcakes, tarts, cheesecake, and cake pops.
1212 Capitol Trail, Newark | 721-5798
D & H Jamaican Cuisine
This relaxed pub serves up traditional Jamaican cuisine like oxtail, jerk chicken, and curry goat. Visit on Thursday evenings to enjoy live reggae music by Spokey Speakey.
748 East Chestnut Hill Road, Newark | 369-8826
Double Dipper Ice Cream Parlor
This neighborhood ice cream parlor offers ice cream, water ice, milkshakes, dairy-free options, and specialty items like sundaes and cakes.
3435 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont | 893-4920
Drop Squad Kitchen
Drop Squad Kitchen is a membership-based vegan takeout spot offering vegan alternatives to popular dishes like cheesesteaks, chicken and waffles, and burgers.
928 Justison Street, Wilmington | 984-2773
Evelyn’s
This Black-owned soul food spot in Wilmington serves up catfish, smothered pork chops, chicken quarters, turkey wings, and more.
623 Maryland Avenue, Wilmington | 655-3000
Fletcher’s Kitchen
This food truck and catering company offers a variety of elevated cookout fare along with its signature crab balls, crab fries, and taco bars.
Catering service in Northern Delaware | 521-8551
Fola International Market
In Dover, Fola International Market carries international grocery options including African, Caribbean, Asian, Filipino, and Hispanic foods.
4200 North Dupont Highway #5, Dover | 674-1400
Grapes Real Jamaican Cuisine
Grapes Real Jamaican Cuisine serves up Jamaican staples on Wilmington’s Market Street. Customers love the jerk chicken, oxtail, and curried goat.
2302 North Market Street, Wilmington | 654-6000
Green Box Kitchen
This award-winning fast-casual vegan spot is a favorite for plant-based fare on Market Street. The menu includes smoothies and fruit bowls, toast and waffles, sandwiches and wraps, salads, and cold-pressed juice.
400 North Market Street, Wilmington | 274-2195
Hummingbird Island Cuisine
This Jamaican restaurant is a popular spot for lunch in Wilmington. With its convenient King Street location and flavorful foods, it’s no surprise Hummingbird Island Cuisine has built a loyal following.
723 North King Street, Wilmington | 300-2475
Jamaican Cafe Cuisine
This Jamaican spot in Bear is known for friendly service and well-seasoned Jamaican favorites like Jerk chicken, curried goat, and oxtail.
1643 Pulaski Highway, Bear | 365-8303
The Juice Joint 2.0
Along with an extensive menu of cold-pressed juices, The Juice Joint 2.0 offers smoothies and smoothie bowls at the University of Delaware.
181 South College Avenue, Newark
Just to Serve You Seafood & Soulfood
This Black-owned soul food spot serves up enticing foods like fried fish, chicken wings, jerk chicken, and meatloaf.
1828 West 11th Street, Wilmington | 888-1100
Karibbean Delight 2
This menu boasts a wealth of Caribbean fare, including jerk, stew, and curry chicken, as well as curry goat and oxtail.
1030 South Market Street, Wilmington | 332-2286
Karmic Creations
This cafe and catering business specializes in diabetic-friendly fare—including meal prep and indulgent sweets. The online shop offers diabetic-friendly cookie mix, sugar- and gluten-free muffins, and diabetic-friendly treat boxes.
7 East Market Street, Georgetown | 331-4897
Kee’s Cookies & Cupcakes
Kee’s Cookies & Cupcakes is a bakery offering daily pastries, custom cakes, event catering, and cooking/baking classes.
306 Main Street, Clayton | 223-6784
K’s Kitchen
K’s Kitchen specializes in West African cuisine including jollof rice, stews, and fried plantains.
150 South Dupont Highway, New Castle | 561-9561
L&G Southern Soul Food
Chow down on all your Southern soul food favorites at this New Castle eatery. Menu highlights include fried catfish, sticky wings, and fried pork chops.
317 South Dupont Highway, New Castle | 322-7774
Le Boulevard Bar & Grill
Le Boulevard specializes in Creole fusion with a side of live entertainment. Popular menu items at the Black-owned food business include grilled salmon, plantain cups, fried fish and chips, and jerk chicken wings.
1036 Lafferty Lane, Dover | 450-3183
Mama’s in the Kitchen
This catering business transitioned to selling a variety of goods for your home kitchen including southern fried fish breading, gourmet crabcake seasoning, peach cobbler mix, and seasoning blends.
Online shop • 533-2500
The Mayne Dish
The Mayne Dish is a popular pick for Jamaican food in Wilmington. Popular menu items include curry, stew, and jerk chicken, along with rum cake and oxtail.
2202 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington | 444-6989
Memories by the Bite
A Black-owned business based in Dover, Memories by the Bite specializes in custom birthday cakes with stunning buttercream art.
Porcher Street, Dover | 359-4651 | memoriesbythebite@gmail.com
Merengue House
Merengue House is a local favorite for Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Along with great flavors, Merengue House is often praised for its top-notch service and vibrant dining room.
837 North Union Street, Wilmington
Mitch’s Mo’ Better Chicken
This food trailer is a favorite for fried chicken and chicken wings around Wilmington. You can find the trailer at events throughout the week and outside Naamans Wine & Spirits on weekends.
109 Naamans Road, Claymont | 358-0229
Milan’s Real Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies
After opening in 2023, Milan’s Real Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies quickly made a name for itself for serving up some of the most authentic cheesesteaks in the First State. Owner Milan Reid grew up in Philadelphia, and brings his favorite Philly flavors to Delaware diners seven days a week.
813 Governors Place, Bear | 746-6300
Milk + Honey Cafe-Gallery
Milk + Honey is a Black-owned hotspot for both cafe food and local arts. Enjoy events like poetry open mic nights and stand-up comedy nights, or visit during the morning to sip espresso and grab a breakfast sandwich.
239 North Market Street, Wilmington
Moon Child Sweets
At Moon Child Sweets, Cherita Braiser whips up indulgent sweets for special events and pop-ups.
2 Fluvanna Court, New Castle | 252-1529
Out of the Ordinary Catering
This food truck and catering company specializes in weddings and events, serving up menu items like brown sugar bourbon salmon and grilled chicken breast with pesto cream sauce.
Food truck and catering business | 464-0353
Paula’s Place for Cakes
Paula’s Place for Cakes offers custom cakes for events from birthdays to bridal showers to weddings.
103 Broad Street, Greenwood | 349-5602
Pop In Artisan Pops
This Black woman-owned business specializes in artisan ice cream pops in a wide range of flavors. For the 21-plus crowd, Pop In even offers boozy pops in flavors like Strawberry Margarita, Mudslide, and Rum Punch.
17 Wood Street, Unit 31, Middletown | 696-2596
Rooted AF
Located within The Chancery Market, Rooted AF serves tempting vegan fare—including the signature vegan empanadas that keep diners coming back for more.
1313 North Market Street, Wilmington
Russell’s Quality Food
This Wilmington BBQ stand is known for barbecue staples like pulled pork, pork ribs, and barbecue chicken.
1204 Centerville Road, Wilmington | 299-3127
Serena’s Soulfood
Serena’s Soulfood serves up all the soul food classics on Market Street. The menu includes fried fish, mac and cheese, and apple yams, to name a few highlights.
209 North Market Street, Wilmington | 762-1608
Southern Grille of Ellendale
Popular menu items at Southern Grille of Ellendale include fried catfish, fried chicken, crab cakes, and chicken and dumplings.
711 Main Street (Route 16), Ellendale | 422-9090
Sunday’s Cafe 64
Just like the name implies, this cafe opens one day a week on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday’s Cafe 64 dishes up breakfast and lunch fare including chicken and waffles, fried fish, and gumbo.
900 5th Street, Delaware City | 220-1214
TenderBones Rib Shack
TenderBones Rib Shack crafts barbecue staples like pork spare ribs, beef rib bones, pulled pork, brisket, and pulled chicken.
2504 Red Lion Road, Bear | 832-7427
Tomeka’s HomeStyle Eatery
Enjoy a rotating soul food menu that includes options like fried fish, jumbo lump crab cakes, chicken and turkey wings, and smothered chicken at this Black-owned food spot.
1466 East Lebanon Road, Dover
Walt’s Flavor Crisp Chicken
Walt’s is a Wilmington favorite for mouthwatering fried chicken with great flavor and the perfect crunch.
3612 Miller Road, Wilmington | 658-1803
We recognize that this list is not comprehensive, and we ask anyone to send an email to our digital editor Sydney Livingston, slivingston@delawaretoday.com, so we can continue to update it.
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Dining and Cooking