Black-Owned Restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Even before Timon Balloo opened the doors to his cozy restaurant on Broward Boulevard, he had experience and awards under his belt. In 2019, The New York Times named him one of 16 Black chefs changing food in America, and the chef has also been recognized as a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: South category. Together with wife Marissa Katherine, his partner in life and taste, their travels and shared heritage became the driving force behind The Katherine. Named one of the top new restaurants by Eater in 2022, this Fort Lauderdale Gem serves a vibrant menu of global flavors, shareable plates, and exquisite wines.

From globally inspired flavors to plant-based vegan options, you’ll find a scoop to satisfy your sweetest cravings at Black-owned Localicious Caribbean Ice Cream, a family-owned ice creamery with locations in Fort Lauderdale and Miramar. 

With more than 10 locations across Greater Fort Lauderdale, Donna's Caribbean serves up authentic Jamaican cuisine — like barbecue jerk chicken and curry goat — with daily lunch specials, happy hours, and weekend brunch.

The next time you visit the Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood, stop by The Trap 954 to feast your eyes on local art while treating your taste buds to savory lobster rolls that come with complimentary Rap Snacks (chips bags with your favorite musicians on the packaging).

At Clevland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream in Miramar, indulge in old-fashioned ice cream scoops in more than 50 different flavors, including a handful of vegan options served in a cup, sundae, or ice cream float. The shop’s founder, Cleveland Smith, has been making ice cream for nearly 40 years!

The Krazy Vegan is reinventing fast-casual burger joints with a menu of totally plant-based, gourmet burgers, chic’n sandwiches, wings, and cheesesteaks that come with a signature sauce and a side of fries. To wash it all down, order a refreshing house-made vegan lemonade or smoothie. 

Dwight Bernard Witherspoon Jr., chef and owner of Just Spoons in Plantation, loves experimenting with comfort foods, adding his own twist to dishes — take for example the red velvet french toast and fried chicken served with a cream cheese glaze, pralines pecans, and two eggs on the side.

At The Rabbit Hole in Pompano Beach, you can Indulge in comfort cuisines guilt-free. Entirely plant-based dishes include vegan meatloaf, Southern barbecue platter, loaded quesadilla, and classic sides like cornbread and macaroni and cheese. Chef and owner Samuel Woods and his business partner, Emmanuel George, also pair their meatless menu with an atmosphere dedicated to showcasing Black history and artists.

Chef Rose Jamaican Cuisine in Sunrise is known for non-traditional, organic Jamaican fare that can only be ordered to go. Helmed by chef Anthony Rose, the kitchen cooks up vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and traditional options in a cuisine category that doesn’t typically offer health-conscious options.

What started out as a food truck has grown into two locations in both Coral Springs and Deerfield Beach. Fat Boyz Barbecue is a destination for smoked meats and Southern sides, crafted using recipes that’ve been passed down through generations. The pulled pork, beef brisket, and smoked pastrami are prepped to perfection by pitmaster Jarael Holston-Jones, a U.S. Army veteran who hails from Pompano and serves as a church pastor.

With floor-to-ceiling pink flowers covering the interior of this Plantation ice cream shop it certainly can’t be missed. It is also a must-visit for its sweet selections of traditional and vegan ice cream flavors sandwiched between macaroons for a delectable dessert.

It’s all about mixing tradition with new age cooking, according to this Margate eatery. Looking at the menu by Chef Judith Able, that couldn't be more true as she infuses her Jamaican heritage into dishes like oxtail ravioli, pan-seared duck breast, smoked brisket sliders, and pumpkin risotto. 

This Coral Springs modern diner owned by Bernard Dorvilus is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with traditional American breakfast dishes, come for lunch to nosh on burgers and wings, or end the day with a dinner platter of baby back ribs, shrimp dishes, fried rice bowls, and more.

What happens when you mix Asian and urban-style cuisine? TrapBachi in Sunrise, with hibachi-style Japanese food as well as sweet chili salmon, orange cauliflower, wings, a kids menu, and even trap juice to go with your meal.

When you have a craving for seafood, Sister Sara’s has got your back. The restaurant is known for its fried crabs and also specializes in fried lobster tail, snow crabs, blue crabs, and other crustaceans. Owners Terry and Laquonda Griffin first started the eatery as a food truck and now serve their delicious cuisine in their brick-and-mortar restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

If you’re in the mood for authentic Jamaican pastries, then head to Charlie’s. This bakery has become a popular hotspot  for its patties and cocobread with locations in Tamarac, Lauderhill, and Sunrise. With freshly made patties rolling out every day, choose from beef, chicken, vegetable, callaloo, meatloaf and more, and pair it with bulla, hard dough, and cocobread (and maybe a Jamaican soda, too).

For traditional Haitian pastries, there’s Sunrise Bakery in Fort Lauderdale. From baked patties (poisson sale, spinach, chicken, turkey, herring, and beef) to fried patties (herring with egg, hotdog and others) to iced cakes, sweet treats, breads and beverages, it’s the perfect place to grab a snack on the go.

When former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch stepped off the field, he set his sights on opening the doors to Circle House Coffee. Located in Flagler Village, the coffee shop serves as a gathering space for the community with delicious handcrafted coffee, tea, beer, wine, and pastries to boot. If you’re in a hurry, stop by the shop’s drive-through for grab-and-go or enjoy your drink in the collaborative indoor/outdoor spaces.