17 Essential Black-Owned Restaurants You Should Know in Dallas-Fort Worth

When you hear the name Tiffany Derry, you know—no matter what the cuisine—you’re in for a treat. So when Roots Southern Table opened in Farmers Branch in 2021, a project nearly a decade in the making, she left no stone unturned. The Top Chef alum channels her Southern upbringing and years of culinary-fueled travel into dishes like Black Eyed Pea Hummus, My Mother's Gumbo, Duck Fat-fried Plantains, and sultry Oxtail Ragu. Sweet finishes include German Chocolate Cake and Sweet Potato Creme Brulee. All that set in a breezy, industrial-chic atmosphere with soft touches like calcitic white marble and glossy stoneware plates—what’s not to love?
How to order: Reserve via Tabit.

When Marissa and Jeff Allen opened Cookie Society in April 2020, they were taking a chance in a sea of uncertainty. Despite the couple’s timing, their cookies were a hit. Now their Frisco brick-and-mortar outpost is set to turn two, and a co-sign from the community—not to mention Oprah herself—has driven them to scouting a second location. What’s keeping customers coming back are classic flavors like Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream, and Banana Pudding alongside seasonal curiosities like Apple Pie, Dunkaroo, and Strawberry Lemonade.
How to order: Stop by for counter service.

Tex-mex is a dime a dozen in Dallas, but finding a vegan restaurant that does it right is basically hitting the jackpot. You can count on Casa Del Vegano to bring the heat, and flavor—minus the meat and dairy. Choose from sips like the Frozen Pina Colada or the Hibiscus-Cucumber Margarita, then follow it up with hearty mains like Birria Jackfruit Brisket Nachos, Avochanga, and Vegan Jalapeno Beyond Torta.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Since popping up on the scene in 2019, Avery’s Savory Popcorn has been shaking up the way Dallas enjoys this ever-popular snack. For the Avery family, getting into the gourmet popcorn business was a decision based on passion and a pure love for popcorn. Co-owner Sherry Avery, along with her husband and son, are dishing out an assortment of flavors from classic, to spicy, to sweet. Fan favorites include strawberry, dill pickle, spicy cheddar, and the Dallas Mix—a butter, cheddar, and caramel combo.
How to order: Stop by for counter service, order delivery via Grubhub, and get nationwide shipping online.

Surviving in the restaurant industry is no easy feat. So when you come across a neighborhood spot that’s been serving customers for over 30 years, attention must be paid. Black Jjack Pizza, located on South Dallas’ MLK Boulevard, is an area fixture delivering classic, quality pies and slices at comparable costs. However, Italian specialties aren't the only show-stoppers here—the joint also attracts burger fans longing for meaty handhelds that rival this city’s best, starting at just $5 each. Pro-tip: Leaving without a slice of cake should be considered a capital offense.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating or call 214-565-1025 for takeout.

When you’re looking for a taste of the Caribbean without stamping your passport, venturing inside the Dallas Farmers Market and paying a visit to Caribbean Cabana is your best bet. The owners—husband and wife duo Robert and Yolande Plaza—hail from Trinidad and Tobago, and they’re representing their homeland in honorable fashion with island favorites like Roti, outstanding Jerk Chicken Sandwiches served with traditional rice and peas, Macaroni Pie, and Apple Slaw. To top it off, they offer an assortment of housemade drinks including Soursop and Sorel.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Tracking down catfish that resembles your mother’s can be a tiresome task, but Catfish Floyd’s is more than happy to bring that search to a screeching halt. Located inside the Glendale Shopping Center, the Oak Cliff standby serves hot and crispy fried filets, nuggets, and ‘whole cat’ (AKA the entire fish) while shrimp is also a must if you're in the mood for shellfish. Comfort sides like fries and hush puppies come standard with most meals, and adding an order of fried okra to the mix is never a wrong move.
How to order: Stop by for takeout and drive-through service.

There’s no real way to pinpoint the exact type of cuisine Invasion offers, as their menu truly runs the gamut, but suffice it to say chef Airric Heidelberg is focused on dishing up healthy fare with a crave-worthy twist. Case in point: Gourmet Tender Babies, marinated Buffalo-style halal chicken tenders served with your choice of sauce and seasoning, and the one and only Berry Good Burger, marinated halal beef stuffed with homemade strawberry jam and goat cheese. Yum.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating, call 214-272-7312 for takeout, or get delivery via Uber Eats.

Quality coffee shops are all over Dallas, but Soiree ramps it up a notch with great vibes and an even greater menu. Despite opening during the pandemic, the business has been able to sustain a healthy customer base thanks to regular live music plus jazz-themed creations like the Ella Fitzgerald, a salted brown sugar latte, and the Lena Horne, a honey lavender latte, alongside fruity smoothies and other specialty coffee drinks.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order takeout via Toast.

Gone are the days where we had to wait for the county fair to touch down to get our funnel cake fix. From classic to over-the-top and everything in between, Funnel Cake Paradise is keeping folks in a state of fried dough-induced bliss all year round. Choose from toppings like strawberry-banana, cinnamon-apple, and blueberry, or explore specialty funnel cakes like Red Velvet, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Brownie Surprise.
How to order: Stop by for counter service or call 972-298-2384 for takeout.

Kessler Baking Studio has been servicing Bishop Arts since 2014, and just as its customer base has grown, so has the menu. Owner and 2020 James Beard Award-winner Clyde Greenhouse—AKA #TheBowtieBaker—uses quality ingredients to ensure the utmost satisfaction. Fan favorites include decadent round brownies and blondies, so shaped to allow patrons a bit of crispy-edged crust in every bite, alongside almond-cherry, lemon-berry, oatmeal-chocolate-toffee, and orange-thyme shortbread. Weekend breakfast treats like cinnamon rolls and the recently added Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit make it hard to stay away.
How to order: Stop by for counter service or order nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.

This celebrated West Jefferson bakery has elements of family sprinkled all throughout the business, from the ownership team—sisters Darla, Shinita, and Kim—to the name Kookie, which pays tribute to their late mother. Despite the moniker, Kookie Haven is most known for their square bites, specifically a large, endlessly moist, square-cut cupcake. Mouth-watering flavors like Wedding Cake, Strawberry, and Carrot Cake bring the charm, while vegan options like Banana-Nut and Chocolate keep things interesting. The house brownie is also a solid—not to mention sweet—choice.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Opening a plant-based restaurant in a food desert may seem risky, but for Recipe Oak Cliff owner Tisha Crear, it was absolutely necessary. A hub for fresh-pressed juices and an assortment of inventive meals—including a stellar Jackfruit Barbecue Sandwich Plate—this friendly joint has attracted a following from all walks of life. Crear also allows other plant-based chefs to utilize the space for dinners and pop-ups, so there’s always something new waiting right around the bend.
How to order: Stop by for counter service or call 469-930-8284 for takeout.

When asked who has the best fried chicken in Dallas, a handful of names inevitably come to the fore—and one you’ll hear more often than not is Rudy’s Chicken. This no-frills outpost’s crispy, beautifully seasoned fried bird spurs lines wrapping around the drive-through window on any given day. And if you don’t mind hopping out of the driver's seat, the walk-up counter gets you in and out a little quicker. Either way, it’s well worth the wait.
How to order: Stop by for takeout and drive-through service.

Shoal’s Sound and Service is fusing top-notch cocktails with Latin American-influenced plant-based cuisine in the heart of Deep Ellum. Owner Omar Yeefoon pulled meat and dairy from his menu back in 2020, and hasn’t looked back, ultimately garnering a slew of new, extremely devoted customers. Expect thoughtful creations like Shitake Ceviche, Arepas filled with applewood-smoked jackfruit and pineapple, and sandwiches like the Chop Cheez, a juicy Beyond Burger patty layered with vegan provolone, kale, tomato-onion jam, and a dollop of tangy Peruvian aji crema.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order takeout and delivery via Toast and UberEats.

In business for 45 years, Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que and Home Cooking owes its steadfast staying power to its deep and impenetrable family roots. Despite several setbacks—including a fire that temporarily shut down service—owners Brent and Juan Reaves continue to proudly honor their late father’s founding legacy with every tasty dish. Alongside stellar ribs, brisket, and sausage, daily specials like Fried Chicken, Turkey and Dressing, and Fried Catfish top the bill, complemented by superior sides like Greens and Mac and Cheese. Craving something sweet? Try the Butter Bomb Cake or Peach Cobbler.
How to order: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order takeout and delivery via ChowNow.

Valery Jean Bart started Val's Cheesecakes in homage to his late mother, Marie Jose Labossiere. Throughout the four years he took care of Ms. Labossiere after her cancer diagnosis, the pair would bake cheesecakes together every Sunday until her passing—and now, he’s sharing those same cheesecakes with the community. Try classics like Strawberry and Blueberry or mix it up with more intricate flavors like the Lemmon Ave, a lemon cheesecake decked out with lemon curd and lemon poppy seed crumble.
How to order: Stop by for counter service.

Think you’ve seen a big burger? Well, think again. If size matters to you, turn your attention to Wingfield’s, home to one of—if not THE—largest burgers in all of Dallas. And they must be doing something right, seeing as they’ve been slinging the meaty wonders for over 30 years now. No matter how hungry you think you are, starting off small is a wise choice—single patty burgers start at $7 while the triple comes in at $15 (toss in a couple more bucks for bacon and thank us later).
How to order: Stop by for counter service or get delivery via Uber Eats.