When it comes to finding the best Black-owned cuisine, there’s no better resource than Black Restaurant Week. Every year, the celebration of culinary arts among Black restaurants takes over cities around the world, showcasing the best Black-owned food every spring and summer season.
Black Restaurant Week kicked off its 2024 event series in February in Portland and Seattle. The project is taking over even more cities from Los Angeles to Toronto throughout the spring and summer. In addition to highlighting the best African-American, African, and Caribbean dining establishments, Black Restaurant Week showcases a little bit of everything under the Black culinary business umbrella. From restaurants and bars to caterers, bakers, and candy makers, Black-owned culinary businesses can shine from every angle during the week-long event in their city.
“As the owner of a wine distribution company, I saw a hole in the culinary conversation about my community and I wanted to fill the void,” said Warren Luckett, founder of Black Restaurant Week.
Travelers and locals can dive into Black cuisine from coast to coast this year. No matter where you may be traveling, there’s likely an event happening during the upcoming season. Here’s everything you need to know about Black Restaurant Weeks happening this spring and summer.
Black Restaurant Weeks Happening Around The Nation
Black Restaurant Week has been taking over the spring and summer since 2016. Originally designed as a marketing campaign to amplify the visibility of Black culinary businesses, the brand has grown tremendously over the years. This year, Black Restaurant Week is taking over more than 10 cities, with events and celebrations happening into the fall. Look out for these Black Restaurant Weeks taking over a city near you.
- Houston – March 31 to April 14, 2024
- Carolinas – April 26 to May 5, 2024
- Bay Area – May 17 to May 26, 2024
- Northeast – May 31 to June 9, 2024
- New York – June 16 to June 30, 2024
- Toronto – July 5 to July 14, 2024
- Greater Washington DC & Baltimore – July 14 to July 28, 2024
- Atlanta – August 4 to August 18, 2024
- Los Angeles – August 23 to September 1, 2024
- Midwest – September 8 to September 22, 2024
Currently, Black Restaurant Week is taking over Houston, Texas. Now through April 14, travelers and locals can discover Black culinary gems across Houston, the Beaumont area, and surrounding communities.
The Importance of Black Gastronomy
Without events and activations that promote Black gastronomy, many Black culinary businesses would fly under the radar. Black Restaurant Week ensures no Black-owned culinary brand goes unnoticed. Instead, Luckett and his team provide these businesses with marketing opportunities that position their business in front of more consumers and that keep travelers and locals updated on Black-owned culinary brands nearby.
If you’re traveling to cities during Black Restaurant Weeks this spring and summer, pop into a few businesses to enjoy cuisine inspired by the African Diaspora. The campaign is also headed to the Southeast, Florida, and the Gulf Coast this fall.
