Austin's Black community has quite the legacy in the Austin food scene. Find award-winning restaurants, authentic Ethiopian, Jamaican and Haitian flavors, savory smoked meats and flavorful southern comfort food all around town. Enjoy Austin's food truck scene with creative takes on baked potatoes, pancakes and more. Consider supporting these Black-owned restaurants during your visit—there's a menu for every craving.
Barbecue
Back to Top of ListBigg Belly BBQ Co.
Food Truck
You won't be disappointed by the options at this northwest Austin food truck. All of the meats are delightful and the dirty rice is a special side full of more meat and smoky flavor.
Brown’s BBQ.
Food Truck
You won't need sauce to eat Brown's BBQ, but it's not to be missed. Brown's does sauce right with a perfect blend of spice and sweetness, without being too sugary. Be sure to load up on the sides, like their mustard-based potato salad.
Crimson Creek Smokehouse
Food Truck
Head to Deep Eddy Distillery for a taste of lip smackin' barbecue. Try traditional Texas favorites like moist brisket and jalapeño sausage or less traditional options like pork belly burnt ends and bacon wrapped filet mignon.
Dirty Glove Midwest BBQ
Food Truck
Known for tender brisket, meaty ribs, fried chicken and coney dogs. You heard that right — delightful crispy chicken and chili cheese dogs aren't the first thing you'd expect on a barbecue menu, but Dirty Glove does them right. Grab a little bit of everything!
Distant Relatives
Food Truck
This African-inspired barbecue truck pulls techniques, flavors and textures from the narrative of the African diaspora in the United States. Taste classic Texas flavors with a twist, like their barbecue brisket with mustard butter sauce and pulled pork sandwich with kholrabi slaw.
Down South Texas BBQ
Food Truck
Turkey legs aren't just for Thanksgiving at this food truck. Get your hands on slow smoked meats, southern sides, and savory soul foods like oxtails and chitlins (on select Saturdays).
Sam’s BBQ
Around since 1957, this Austin staple has been serving up delightful barbecue for over 65 years. Their slogan "you don't need no teeth to eat my beef" is a promise with how tender and delicious their offerings are.
SLAB BBQ & Beer
SLAB was founded on the basis of bringing new flavors that may be a break from your traditional Texas barbecue. Come hungry because the portions are huge and the sandwiches are stacked. We recommend the Texas Trill with brisket, sausage and rib meat, served with onions, pickles, and jalapenos & backyard red sauce.
Bars & Nightlife
Back to Top of ListParadise On Ice
DIY your cocktail at Paradise on Ice. Choose between over seven different cocktail bases (like strawberry, white Russian or pina colada) and mix in your choice of flavors, alcoholic floaters and toppings!
Sans Bar
For those who prefer sober options, Sans Bar is the first all n/a alcohol bar in town. Only open on Fridays, this bar has become a place of community, gathering and good times. Who says you need alcohol to have a fun night out?
Caribbean & Jamaican
Back to Top of ListCanje
Traditional meets modern in this new age Caribbean cuisine restaurant. Inspiration for this cuisines is pulled from many of the islands in the region, from Jamaica to Puerto Rico.
Shirley’s Trini Cuisine
Food Truck
This food truck brings an authentic taste of Trinidad and Tobago to Austin. Try flavors like jerk chicken, curry and oxtails — all savory and delicious!
Tony’s Jamaican Food
Tony's is the real deal when looking for great Jamaican food. Order entrees like curry goat or jerk pork, all served with rice and peas, steamed veggies and fried plantains.
Winston’s Kitchen
Food Truck
Winston's has been serving top-notch Jamaican food in Austin for over 40 years. The jerk chicken is slow grilled with Winston's special jerk seasoning, and Winston always serves a variety of award winning hot sauces to compliment his dishes, for those who like it spicy.
Dessert
Back to Top of ListJP’s Pancake Company
Food Truck
While most would consider pancakes for breakfast, JP's loads up the pancakes with sweet flavors and toppings. For the chocolate lovers, you have to order the Chocolate Mountain — milk chocolate pancakes topped with chocolate syrup, brownie bits, and more chocolate chips!
Les Bobos Crepes
Les Bobos Crepes is a family-owned crepe and coffee establishment, bringing genuine Parisian crepes and Lavazza Italian coffee to the West Campus area of Austin. Grab a sugar-dusted, fruit-filled crepe as a sweet treat during your time in Austin. Vegan options available as well!
Luv Fats Ice Cream
Luv Fats Ice Cream creates decadently, delicious coconut milk and avocado-based ice cream. Flavors change regularly, but you can expect special ingredients like lavender and blackberry jam, caramel rosemary and even soy sauce!
New American
Back to Top of ListEmmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye is a restaurant designed around seasonally inspired and local cuisine, with a menu that changes daily. Dining here is an experience and special treat, as each ingredient is used to it's fullest potential in inventive and sometimes experimental ways.
Hestia
Dishes find inspiration from a custom 20-ft hearth which anchors the kitchen and dining room. Taste a variety of different flavors on the menu, all allowing an opportunity to explore and showcase techniques that highlight the role of fire in food.
Seafood
Back to Top of ListMr. Catfish
Catfish is the name of the game at this restaurant, with flavorful and crispy breaded catfish, southern sides and frozen margaritas!
Krab Kingz Seafood
Food Truck
This food truck menu features crab and shrimp platters, lobster tails, sausages and more. Order extra cajun butter, if you know what's good for you!
Southern, Comfort & Soul Food
Back to Top of ListAnything’s Baked Potato
Food Truck
Anything goes at Anything's. Grab a good ol' loaded baked potato, or spice things up with fried chicken and steak, cajun shrimp, stir fried veggies or even a sunny side up egg.
Big Easy Bar and Grill
The folks at Big Easy know authentic cajun cuisine. Nosh on gumbo, crawfish etoufee, red beans and rice with sausage, seafood platters, po-boy sandwiches, boudin links and more.
Bird Bird Biscuit
Indulge in decadent biscuit sandwiches for breakfast & lunch at Bird Bird Biscuit. Try spicy breaded chicken with black pepper honey and bacon-infused chipotle mayo, or chicken sausage, egg and cheddar on a huge homestyle biscuit.
Galloway Sandwich Shop
Don't be fooled by the name, Galloway's does more than sandwiches. Grab southern favorites that will make your heart happy and taste buds dance, like fried pork chops, catfish, and chicken and dressing.
Gossip Shack
With over 50 different flavors, Gossip Shack has wings that will keep you coming back. Try one of their wing and waffle combos that comes with a mix of drums and flats, served alongside two waffles.
Hoover’s Cooking
Native East Austinite and a fifth-generation Texan Hoover Alexander has been serving up southern cooking in Austin for over 20 years. You have to try the meatloaf, and the sweet potato praline bread pudding is to die for.
Rolling Rooster
Rolling Rooster might be known for their delicious chicken and waffles, but you'll also find other Southern and soul food classics like fried fish accompanied by collared greens and rice topped with warm gravy.
Vegetarian & Vegan
Back to Top of ListAster’s Ethiopian Restaurant
Ethiopian
Aster's Ethiopian Restaurant is a traditional Ethiopian kitchen located in Central Austin. If you're looking for something different, Aster's is the place to try.
Community Vegan
Food Truck
Vegans and carnivores alike will want to check out this spot with funky menu items like the "Beer Battered Cauli Chik'n Sandwich", "The Too-Nah Salad Melt", "'I used to eat wings' Filet Sandwich" and so much more.
Habesha
Ethiopian
At Habesha, you're encouraged to eat with your hands. Food is often served family style with a variety of dishes arranged on injera (a yeast-risen flat bread) for the table to share together.
Taste of Ethiopia
Ethiopian
This downtown Ethiopian spot isn't just known for large portions and amazing flavors. Grab a cup of Ethiopian coffee for the road!
This is just a selection of the many Black-owned businesses in Austin. For more restaurants, bars, shopping, catering companies, arts and entertainment, check out our guide to Black-Owned Austin and find more ways to support local businesses during your visit.