31 Essential Black-Owned Restaurants You Should Know in LA

LA’s Black-owned restaurants encompass Brazilian, Tunisian, Caribbean, Ethiopian, soul food, vegan eats, and more.

baba's
Baba's Vegan Cafe | Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist
Baba's Vegan Cafe | Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist

Part of what makes LA’s food scene stand out is a plethora of diverse cuisines at diners’ finger tips. And while Black-owned restaurants are often assumed to serve Southern or soul food, a deeper investigation into the cuisine will reveal that it’s just as wide-ranging as the people who belong to this global diaspora.

LA’s Black-owned food scene in particular reflects the impact of the Great Migration—when millions of Black people left the rural south for city centers in the midwest and east and west coasts—with plenty of Creole and Southern restaurants founded by migrants who wanted to bring a taste of home to an unfamiliar coast. Also making their mark in Black-owned restaurants across the city are immigrant communities hailing everywhere from the Caribbean to Latin America and across the continent of Africa.

And possibly the best part—Black cuisine is constantly evolving, drawing influence from and uniting with Cal-fresh styles of cooking, Mexican and Asian flavors, and making its mark in the rising plant-based food movement.

Despite this cultural capital, Black restaurant owners were by and large passed over for pandemic relief loans, presenting additional challenges as they struggled to remain solvent during lockdowns and dining policies that changed at the drop of a hat. Not only do these restaurants add vibrancy to our city’s culinary scene, but many stepped up to offer grocery boxes, senior meal programs, and other community services like COVID testing and vaccination sites, endeavoring to fill in the gaps leftover by our government.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, new Black restaurateurs continue breaking into our local culinary scene practically by the day, with recent additions that include Ethiopian-inspired vegan, Memphis-style barbecue, and plant-based Jamaican fare. Without further ado, we present this list of essential Black-owned restaurants in LA, boasting the originators of Nashville hot chicken, a Rwandan coffee shop, one-of-a-kind gourmet pizzas, and much, much more.

Berbere Restaurant
Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist

Berbere

Santa Monica

Dedicated carnivores might raise their eyebrows at Berbere’s self-billing as an “unusual vegan restaurant,” but we promise it’s worth venturing out of your comfort zone for. Led by chef/owner Tezeta “Tete” Alemayehu, who opened her first brick-and-mortar in fall 2021 after wowing diners at Smorgasburg LA with an Ethiopian-inspired vegan menu. There’s plenty of space in the two-level restaurant, including a streetside patio, so get comfy as you dig into vibrant dishes like a Black Seed Blueberry Teff Pancake with a tofu scramble and breakfast potato; a hearty Rosemary Root Salad with celery, red onion, potato, beets, carrots, turnips, creamy cilantro sauce, and fresh lemon; and Shiro, a clay pot garbanzo stew.
How to book: Walk in or select from the various pickup and delivery options on their website.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

The Memphis Grill

North Hollywood

As a city full of transplants, LA catches a lot of flack for its supposed “lack” of a “real” barbecue scene, but in actuality, while we may not be famed for LA-style BBQ (it’s only a matter of time, trust us!), we are privy to just about every style of smoked meat you can imagine, spanning Texas to Kansas City to St. Louis and yes, Memphis too. Enter The Memphis Grill, a takeout spot (with plans to introduce in-person dining soon) that opened mid-pandemic and serves up Memphis-style ‘cue by the pound, including brisket, pulled pork, tri-tip, baby back ribs, and hot links. It’s one of the few LA spots that specializes in southwest Tennessee barbecue, which favors pork ribs and pulled pork, and marinates meats in a dry rub that can feature up to 40 spices.
How to order: Walk up, call 818-738-9993, or send a DM via Instagram.

Baba's Vegan Cafe
Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist

Baba's Vegan Cafe

Crenshaw District

After a decade of catering and a lifetime growing up in South LA, Baba Wo’si Ko’Fi decided to launch this lifestyle cafe in his hometown neighborhood to provide healthy and vegan options in what’s considered a food desert. But Baba’s Vegan Cafe goes beyond that, offering a vibrant respite with a menu full of delicious vegan bites like curry potato and sweet yam Jamaican patties, Potato Chowder, and Rasta Pasta with lentil beans, plus yoga classes, workshops, and a cooperative marketplace with art, clothing, and wellness products. Stop by for the Soul Plate that’s loaded with colorful seasonal veggies, rice, beans, lentil fritters, vegan mac, and kale salad, and stay for the vibes.
How to order: Walk in or order pickup or delivery via delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Sating our desire for authentic soul food options in the bustling L.A. LIVE complex is Fixins, which opened its first location in Sacramento courtesy of former NBA All-Star and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, alongside his wife Michelle, as a celebration of African American cuisine and culture. With 6,800-square-feet and over 250 seats available, the restaurant represents one of the best dining options before or after a game at Crypto.com arena, with worthwhile dishes like oxtails bathed in a sweet garlic brown gravy, and juicy, 24-hour-brined fried chicken and waffles, plus sides that include collard greens with turkey necks, candied yams, and mac and cheese. There’s also a formidable cocktail menu that features a perfectly sweetened Adult Kool-Aid (!) with Ciroc, Sprite, and Kool-Aid ice cubes, and a New Orleans Sweet Tea that’s spiked with Evan Williams Bourbon.
How to book: Make reservations online or pickup and delivery via delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

This second-generation family-owned spot started off as a roadside stand in the 1940s and though the menu has since expanded, they’re still beloved for hefty burgers made with quality ingredients and other comfort dishes. Hungry and in a rush? The Colossal Burger is true to its name and piled high with pastrami and a fat burger patty, plus lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, and mayo. Charged with feeding an entire family? Dinner platters with hot wings, chicken and waffles, catfish, and salmon croquettes will surely get the job done. They’ve also got tacos, hot dogs, chili dogs, and burritos, plus an endearing breakfast menu with pancakes, French toast, and pork chops served with grits or homestyle potatoes. A survivor of the Watts and Rodney King Riots, Hawkins House of Burgers is open seven days a week and has come to represent a symbol of resilience in the community.
How to order: Walk up or order online for pickup and delivery.

You’ll forget you’re at the most terrifying intersection in the Valley as soon as you step into Black Bottom Kitchen, a restaurant at the corner of Lankershim and Vineland that’s bursting with cottage curb appeal and boasts a menu that serves 400 years worth of recipes. Our advice? Go with a group so you can sample a bit of everything, as the menu runs the gamut from St. Louis-Style Ribs and Smoked Brisket to Charleston-Style Shrimp and Grits, Gumbo, sandwiches, and, of course, the requisite sides like Mac and Cheese, Southern Greens, Not Yo Mama’s Coleslaw (should we be offended?), Baked Beans, and Jalapeno Cornbread. As with some of the other spots on this list, you’ll want to wash down your selections with Front Porch Lemonade, a Sorrel Drink with fresh-picked hibiscus flowers, or California Soul Sweet Tea. Somehow, you’ll want to reserve room for dessert, which leaves you with options like Peach Cobbler, Banana Pudding, Buttermilk Pie, and Sweet Potato Pie.
How to book: Walk in or select from the various pickup and delivery options on their website.

Honey's Kettle

Culver City and DTLA

Honey’s Kettle founder and Compton native Vincent Williams knows his way around fried chicken, first working for Golden Bird, a renowned Black-owned fried chicken spot in LA in the ‘50s and ‘60s. He went on to own a Golden Bird franchise, and in 2000, he opened up his first Honey’s Kettle location on Alondra Blvd in Compton, as a destination for kettle-fresh fried chicken. That location is no longer in operation, but you can still find them slinging perfectly golden, crispy birds in Downtown and Culver City, with sides like sweet potato wedges, blueberry hotcakes, fresh coleslaw, and tangy pickles. It doesn’t get more refreshing than their Blueberry Mint Ice Shaker Lemonade on a hot day, but the aptly named Great Date Shake, is perfect for a light dessert.
How to order: Walk in or select a location and place an order for pickup or delivery online.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Simply Wholesome

View Park & Windsor Hills

For almost 40 years, Simply Wholesome has not just provided healthy grocery options in a neglected food desert, but has served as a welcoming hub where the local community can gather and celebrate. A restaurant is attached to the market, offering everything from Jamaican patties to salmon croquettes to an array of plant-based offerings, including freshly made juices and smoothies. An appearance on Issa Rae’s HBOMax hit show Insecure has led to a boost in popularity, but keep in mind that this is still a small, family-owned business and be forgiving of long waits, especially as they endeavor to respect COVID protocols.
How to order: Walk in or call 323-294-2144 to place pickup orders.

Barsha

Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach

Okay first things first: Barsha’s Manhattan Beach location is a casual bottle shop where you can order a wine tasting flight and nibble on Tunisian apps, while Barsha’s Hermosa Beach location is a full-service restaurant with a similarly abundant wine list and a menu that gives special attention to Tunisian and Mediterranean flavors, like Lamb Meatballs nestled in a M’hamsa stew and Tabil Branzino perched over a couscous risotto with chimichurri sauce. The HB location offers a selection of draft and off-tap beers, white and red wines by the glass, plus a craft cocktail list. The Manhattan Beach shop also carries Tunisian knit sweaters and handcrafted dishware, in addition to an international wine and spirits selection.
How to book: Make reservations for Barsha MB on Resy or order pickup via Toast; the bar and a portion of dining are held for walk-ins. Walk in or shop online for Barsha HB.

Available for Reservations

Souley Vegan

Melrose Hill

Souley Vegan chef/owner Tamearra Dyson has been vegan since she was 18 and is on a mission to prove that you can have plant-based soul food without sacrificing the soul—one that we’d say she’s pretty much succeeded in given that she recently became the first plant-based chef to beat Bobby Flay in a blind taste competition. The menu features an extensive selection of authentic Louisiana Creole dishes that are prepared in-house, from scratch. The Ain’t Gator Po’ Boy that subs alligator with house-made seitan and battered mushrooms, plus all of the fixins then tops it off with their savory “swamp sauce'' is a favorite, but make sure you add a couple of sides to your order, like the Creole Mac with glazed semolina noodles and house-made cheeze that’s garnished with a zesty gremolata mixture.
How to order: Pickup via Toast and delivery via delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

The VTree

Silver Lake

After a successful pop-up series at Yamashiro, VTree moved into a brick-and-mortar location along the busy Sunset Blvd thoroughfare in spring 2021. Helmed by celebrity chef Velvet, VTree is a plant-based soul food restaurant with a rotating menu that features plenty of gluten-free and soy-free options, plus unexpected entrees like a Meatless Loaf with sweet potato mash and gravy for dinner, and Chic’n with Red Velvet Waffles for brunch. If you’re sick of manufactured plant-based meats, try building a burger with their house-made black bean patty or try the Fried Chic’n sandwich. The Crab Cakes that are hand-formed with zucchini and chickpeas are also a solid choice.
How to order: Walk-ins only. Pickup and delivery via UberEats and delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

In The Kitchen

Long Beach

Chef/owner Nora Tatum pivoted from dental consultant to restaurateur in the middle of the pandemic, opening a Texas-style soul food restaurant with recipes passed down from her Dallas-born mother and aunt. Tatum’s entry into the local restaurant industry has been well-received, with frequents lines of diners out the door waiting for popular entrees like Fried and Smothered Pork Chops, Stewed Oxtails, and a perfectly battered Fried Catfish, plus sides like Collard Greens, Candied Yams, and Mac and Cheese, and rotating desserts that often include Peach Cobbler and Banana Pudding. The cafe has casual indoor and outdoor seating and recently began hosting live musical acts on Sunday afternoons, making it an ideal brunch stop. It also stands out for being one of the few full-service restaurants that accepts EBT.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine in. Call 562-676-4106 to place pickup orders.

Not only is Poppy & Rose conveniently located across the street from LA’s Original Flower Market to help fuel your flower picking (which makes it a quintessential LA dining experience, in our eyes), it also happens to be one of the best breakfast and brunch spots in town, with a from-scratch menu that favors comforting dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. During the pandemic, husband-and-wife owners Michael and Kwini Reed launched a shaded and astroturfed rooftop patio where you can enjoy house cocktails like a lavender limeade with two-day cold-infused lavender limeade and wine-based vodka. The couple has been busy throughout the pandemic, not just supporting unhoused neighbors in need and contributing to the Black Lives Matter movement—last spring they opened Poppy & Seed, a hyper-seasonal restaurant with an in-house garden located at the Anaheim Packing District.
How to book: Make reservations online. The ground-level, indoor dining area is reserved for walk-ins.

Available for Reservations
Alta West Adams
Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist

Alta Adams

West Adams

Led by chefs Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson, this West Adams neighborhood spot is a popular weekday dinner and weekend brunch spot, favored for its vibrant, plant-filled patio and streetside seating, as well as a bright interior with wood accents. The menu blends soul food flavors with West African and California cuisine, resulting in seasonal dishes like a California Gumbo with fresh market veggies, and Black-Eyed Pea Fritters complemented by a spicy herb sauce. Pro-tip: You’ll want to request a side of their famous Fresno hot sauce no matter what you decide to order. The bar program takes a similar approach, with refreshing craft cocktails like the Golden Gate with Benedictine, Campari, Grand Marnier, Grapefruit, and Lime. The attached Adams Wine Shop was founded by sommelier Ruben Morancy and is now run by Jaela Salala, who trained under Morancy. The shop puts a focus on women and BIPOC wine producers and also features a selection of hard-to-find spirits, like Haitian rum.
How to order: Make dine-in reservations online, walk into the wine shop, or order pickup and delivery via Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash, or ChowNow.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations
Hotville Chicken
Hotville Chicken | Photo by Dee Williams for Thrillist

Hotville Chicken

Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw

Nashville hot chicken has swept LA’s food scene in recent years, but if you want to try the bird that started it all, head to Hotville Chicken—owner Kim Prince’s family invented this spicy take on fried chicken almost a century ago and no one does it quite like the originators, thanks to a super secret spice blend. The Shaw, which sandwiches a juicy boneless chicken breast coated with your preferred level of spice, between a toasted brioche bun, then topped with crunchy dill pickles and served alongside kale slaw and seasoned french fries, is a great option for first timers, though you’d be wise to tack on a side of Mac and Smokin’ Cheese, Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake, and a Southern Fruit Tea to get the full Nashville experience. While chicken is in the name and an obvious choice, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the flaky Swai fish that can also be ordered in sandwich form or as a plate with white bread.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine-in. Call 323-792-4835 for pickup, or order via delivery apps for pickup and delivery.

This cozy Downtown eatery earned a spot on California’s 2021 Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide for Brazilian fare that draws influence from the state of Minas Gerais, where chef/owner Natalia Pereira hails. Popular dishes include a Brazilian pot pie that’s stuffed with chicken, hearts of palm, olives, and corn, and sealed with a flaky crust; Potato Croquettes filled with basil and cheese; Portuguese dumplings bursting with shrimp and coconut; and Coxinhas, chicken croquettes that are a popular street food in Brazil. You’ll also want to add an order of yucca fries, a denser cousin of traditional potato fries, and finish your meal with house-made passionfruit mousse.
How to order: Make dine-in reservations via Tock. Order pickup and delivery via Caviar and Chownow.

Available for Reservations
Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen
Photo by Bethany Mollenkof for Thrillist

Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen

Inglewood and Crenshaw

Helmed by “King of Soul Food,” Adolf Dulan, a social worker-turned-chef whose LA restaurant history dates back 40 years and includes the famous Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch that was known for serving the best Southern food on the West Coast during its 15-year run. In 1999, Dulan debuted his cafeteria-style Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, which quickly became a favorite for its filling, family-style Sunday dinners, eventually opening a second location with Dulan’s on Crenshaw. Soul food is best enjoyed with company, so order Dulan’s steal of a Family Meal with one whole chicken, three large sides, and four cornbread muffins for just $33.95, but you’ll want to smother your chicken for an additional $3, and while you’re at it, add a large peach cobbler pie to your order for under eight bucks.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine-in. Select a location and call for pickup or delivery via Chownow.

Little Belize

Inglewood

Nestled between Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Caribbean, Belizean food takes inspiration from these regions and more, resulting in a savory cuisine that leans heavily on rice, beans, seafood, and tropical fruits. The result is dishes like panades, Belize’s take on an empanada that’s filled with smoked fish, cheese, or beans before it’s thrown in a deep fryer and crisped to perfection, and ducunus, a Belizean-style sweet corn tamale. You can order both as starters at Little Belize, but you’ll want to save room for the restaurant’s most popular dish as your main: a succulent Oxtail Stew that’s slow-cooked in a secret brown sauce gravy and served with a starchy side of rice and beans, ducunu, or stewed beans; your choice of potato salad, cole slaw, or green salad; and plantains.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine-in. Call 310-674-0696 for carryout, place pickup and delivery orders on their Square site, and delivery via UberEats and other delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Silverback Coffee Of Rwanda

DTLA and Echo Park

Owned by Rwandan genocide survivor Jack Karuletwa, Silverback Coffee of Rwanda aims to help coffee farmers in the East African country gain resources for empowerment and partners with the Rwandan government to improve the quality of care of the endangered Silverback gorilla by serving high-quality coffee. Their beans are grown exclusively on small farms, but privy to some of the best coffee-growing conditions in the world, with volcanic soils, abundant rainfall, and high-altitude mountains that create a more concentrated flavor. Not only that, but Karuletwa guides coffee drinkers in making the most of their cup with advice that ranges from proper storage to the right type of grind to suggested water to coffee proportions. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and fresh pastries can be ordered to enjoy with your coffee.
How to order: Order online or in person.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Owner/pitmaster Kevin Bludso—better known as Big Kev—hails from Compton, but you’re unlikely to find authentic Texas BBQ of this caliber west of the Lone Star State. That’s because as a child, Bludso spent his summers in Corsicana, Texas, where his aunt Willie May Fields introduced him to Texas-style ‘cue. By the time he reached double digits, Bludso was cooking alongside his aunt, and in 2008 he opened Bludso’s first location—a small takeout BBQ stand in his hometown of Compton. The empire has since grown to include a flagship in Hollywood, a concession stand in the LAFC Soccer Stadium, a location in the Proud Bird Food Bazaar by LAX, and a sprawling restaurant and bar called San Antone by Bludso’s in Melbourne, Australia. Cousin to soul food, BBQ is also best shared with friends who won’t judge you for slurping sauce off your fingertips: order Bludso’s Tray, which serves six to seven people, and includes a half-pound of brisket, half-pound of pulled pork, half-chicken, full rack of pork ribs, half-pound of rib tips, two Texas red hot beef links, half-pint of all sides, pickles, cornbread, and BBQ sauce for just $130—or less than $20 per person.
How to order: Make reservations for dine-in online. Pickup and delivery via Toast, Caviar, Chownow, and most third-party delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

In 1969, newly arrived in LA from New Orleans, Harold Legaux Sr. and his wife Mary Belle opened Harold & Belle’s with the intention of creating a place where family and friends could gather and enjoy the food that reminded them of home. Since opening as a small kitchen, their menu has expanded to encompass all of your Southern favorites like Filé Gumbo (and a vegetarian version with sauteed okra), Louisiana-style Catfish Dinners, Jambalaya, and even a Country Cajun Meatloaf, in addition to the po’boys that put them on the map. After Harold Legaux Sr. passed away in 2011, third-generation husband and wife team Ryan and Jessica LeGaux took the baton. The pair recently finished redesigning the indoor dining room, as well as a 60-seat banquet room called The Peacock Lounge.
How to order: Walk in or call 323-735-9918 to make reservations or to place a pickup order. Pickup also via Chownow.

You’re pretty much guaranteed to encounter a line of customers at Undergrind Cafe, eagerly waiting on coffee and tea drinks like the Tiger Island Latte with chocolate, coconut, and chai, and all-day breakfast items like the Break of Day Burrito, with your choice of bacon, sausage, or soyrizo, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fresh jalapenos, sharp cheddar, and green onions (salsa on the side). For those who prefer a pressed juice to begin their days, Undergrind Cafe has 12 varieties, ranging from the sweet smoothie-like #1 with almond milk, sea salt, vanilla, dates, and cinnamon, to the energy-boosting #4 with spinach, kale, kiwi, broccoli, green apple, cucumber, and celery. Plus, their sidewalk patio is perfect for when you need to switch up your work-from-home routine.
How to order: Walk-ins accepted. Pickup and delivery via UberEats and other delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos

Mid-City and Marina Del Rey

For those Taco Tuesdays that overlap with Treat Yo’self Tuesday, look no further than Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, which bills their cuisine as “Mexican with a splash of soul.” Founded by chef Barbara Burrell in 1992, Sky’s has since grown to two locations in LA County, including a grocery store marketplace in Marina Del Rey with grab-and-go options. Their tacos come on large, six-inch corn tortillas, and can be topped with meat options like filet mignon and lobster, and veggie options like shiitake mushrooms and potatoes and cheese. Most dishes are dashed with their famous Sky’s Sassy Sauce, a savory, tangy, spicy concoction that is also sold on their website in a variety of flavors. And don’t let the name fool you—Sky’s gourmet burritos, tostadas, tortas, nachos, and quesadillas are also worthy of your attention.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine-in. Pickup and delivery via UberEats, Postmates, Grubhub, Allset, and Caviar.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Bloom and Plume

Historic Filipinotown

It’s hard to resist the Bloom & Plume ethos of “building a beloved community where everyone belongs and becomes a better version of themselves.” Owned by floral artist Maurice Harris, who runs a high-end floral boutique by the same name, Bloom & Plume is the perfect way to describe how this cafe effortlessly adds luxury to every menu item while simultaneously keeping everything simple and affordable. Though their food menu has been downsized to pastries in recent months, it’s only so they can give more care and attention to their “Drank Ministry,'' with delectable options like the Chaggacino, with Chaga mushroom, cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, espresso, steamed milk, and monk fruit; and a draft, nitro passion fruit drink with orange pekoe tea and calendula and rose flowers.
How to order: Walk in or order pickup via their square site.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Not only is gumbo a time-consuming endeavor, but many who enjoy this dish grew up eating versions prepared by their own family members and thus have a high bar when it comes to restaurant expectations. Stevie’s famous seafood gumbo (voted best gumbo on this side of New Orleans by the late Jonathan Gold) passes the test, with a thick seafood stock, plus a generous helping of crab, shrimp, chicken, and sausage, served over steamed rice with French bread. No wonder celebs like Magic Johnson, Stevie Wonder, Shaq, and Eddie Murphy make it a point to stop by Stevie’s whenever they’re in town. For a lighter meal, opt for one of the po’boy sandwiches with fries.
How to order: Walk-ins only for dine-in. Call 323-413-2494 for pickup or pickup and delivery via Chownow.

This family-owned pie and cobbler factory has been a staple in Northeast LA for over 20 years, with cousins Gene and Cliff churning out old-fashioned, honey-baked peach, apple, blackberry, and mixed cobblers in addition to sweet potato and pecan pies, and monkey bread on holidays. Homemade and baked in small batches, their cobblers start at just $7.50 and their pies at $4, prices that are easy to justify when an unexpected sweet tooth craving strikes. Although it might seem random, you should absolutely order the gluten-free Louisiana Seafood Gumbo, with spicy sausage, chicken, shrimp, and crab leg in a vegetable roux, if it’s available—even if you’re not hungry, just throw it in the freezer and thank us later.
How to order: Call 626-795-1005 to place your order. The Gourmet Cobbler Factory is open Thursday through Sunday.

Post & Beam
Photo courtesy of Post & Beam

Post & Beam

Baldwin Hills

In 2019, celebrated chef Govind Armstrong passed the reins of his Cal-fresh comfort food spot to mentee John Cleveland and his wife Roni Cleveland, who have remained committed to providing high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients in dishes like Jerk Catfish, and hand-stretched pizzas, as well as in their bar program, which features fresh takes on classic cocktails like the ginger mojito with ginger jam, rum, garden mint, and lime, plus an old fashioned menu with five different options. Post & Beam recently revealed a new chef de cuisine with Martin Draluck (Hatchet Hall), as well as a new, eight-course dinner series called Black Pot Supper Club, that was originally featured on Netflix’s High on the Hog series and celebrates historic Black cuisines.
How to order: Make reservations for indoor or outdoor dining online. Pickup and delivery via their square site.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Chef Brandon Gray had been working in LA’s favorite kitchens (Providence, Trois Mec, Cape Seafood & Provisions) for years and was considering a career change when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Like so many in the industry, Gray pulled off a BMX-style pivot with the launch of Brandoni Pepperoni, a one-man pizza joint that he operates out of his Mid-City apartment, even earning the approval of KCRW’s Good Food radio host, Evan Kleiman. Gray’s pies change with the season and his current special is Cheddar 23, with Nueske’s Bacon, mozzarella, smoked mascarpone, a Gomez Munak Farm egg, pecorino cheese, and cracked black pepper. Don’t sleep on his “Bonus Tracks,” or sides like wings with housemade ranch or blue cheese dressing and a Next Episode tiramisu with Italian meringue, Valrhona chocolate, and Italian liqueurs.
How to order: Order online.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

One of the restaurants that helped establish the Little Ethiopia subsection on Fairfax Ave, Rosalind’s has been serving up some of the city’s best Ethiopian food since 1985. Known for being veggie-friendly with spicy meats, and traditionally eaten with spongy Injera bread as opposed to utensils, Rosalind’s Vegan Goodness combines all six of their vegetarian dishes into a nourishing platter that’s meant to be shared. And if you’re curious to try one of the meat dishes, you can’t go wrong with Yebeg Siga Alicha, a mild lamb stew that’s subtly spiced with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and simmered in a mild herb butter. We’re happy to announce that the restaurant is once again open for dine-in, so you can enjoy Ethiopian food as it’s intended to be eaten: as a platter shared with loved ones.
How to order: Reservations for dine-in can be made online. Call 323-936-2486 for pickup; or delivery via UberEats and other delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Pro-tip: When combing through reviews of a well-rated Jamaican restaurant, ignore any that complain about long waits, menu items selling out, and even laissez-faire attitudes from the people taking your orders, as real Jamaican cuisine lovers know that such comments serve as a badge of authenticity. That said, we recommend ordering from WiJammin before hunger hits and outside of peak dining hours to avoid super long wait times. The Ackee and Saltfish (Jamaica’s national dish), Oxtails, and Jerk Chicken are the stars of the show here, but you’ll also want to add side orders of Beef Patties and Ground Food (boiled plantains, sweet potatoes, yams, and a dumpling) to gain the full culinary experience.
How to order: Call 323-965-9809 for pickup or pickup and delivery via Caviar and other delivery apps.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Comfort LA
Photo courtesy of Comfort LA

Comfort LA

DTLA and Inglewood

Soul food often gets an unfair rap as being unhealthy or prepared with less-than-quality ingredients, a stereotype that Comfort LA is happy to dispel by offering a clean approach to the cuisine that utilizes healthier cooking techniques and fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients. But more than that, Comfort LA brings a warm Southern hospitality to their service, treating everyone who walks through their doors like family. And with party packs that include 75-piece wings, a half-tray of cornbread, and a half-tray of mac and cheese or collard greens for just $125, they’re providing some of the most affordable family meals you’ll find.
How to order: Dine-in is not offered at either location at this time. Order pickup and delivery via Chownow.

Danielle Dorsey is the Los Angeles Editor at Thrillist.