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Black-Owned Restaurants & Businesses in Chicago (2026 Guide)

Posted by Online African Shop Team on

By Online African Shop Team · Last checked September 2026

Chicago has one of the strongest Black food and business scenes in the country, from South Side soul food institutions to bookstores, bakeries and spas that have served their neighborhoods for years. This guide rounds up Black-owned soul food restaurants, beauty and self-care spots, small businesses and tax preparers across the city, so you know exactly where your money goes.

Every business on this list was named as Black-owned by a trusted local source (listed at the bottom) and was checked as open in September 2026. Hours change, so call ahead before you go.

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Top 10 Black-owned soul food restaurants in Chicago

1. Virtue

Hyde Park · 1462 E 53rd St · (773) 947-8831
Chef Erick Williams' Southern restaurant is one of the most celebrated in the city. Go for dinner and order the fried green tomatoes with shrimp, chicken gizzards with dirty rice, and the braised short rib. Dinner only, closed Mondays.

2. Daisy's Po' Boy and Tavern

Hyde Park · 5215 S Harper Ave · (773) 675-8767
Also from Chef Erick Williams, this casual spot serves New Orleans-style po' boys, fried chicken and seafood gumbo. Order at the counter and grab a table.

3. MacArthur's Restaurant

Austin · 5412 W Madison St · (773) 261-2316
A West Side institution for decades. This cafeteria-style restaurant serves fried chicken, meatloaf, candied sweet potatoes, mac and cheese and peach cobbler. Open daily, and expect a line after church on Sundays.

4. Roy's Soul Food

Greater Grand Crossing · 403 E 71st St · (773) 873-1990
A small breakfast and lunch spot known for fried pork chops and collard greens. It opens at 6 a.m. and is mostly carryout, so call ahead.

5. Soulé

North Lawndale · 3615 W Roosevelt Rd · (773) 696-9485
Chef Bridgette Flagg's restaurant serves shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler in a lively room with a full bar.

6. Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley

River North · 339 N Dearborn St · (312) 847-5543
Upscale Southern food and cocktails downtown. A good pick for birthdays and group dinners. Brunch on weekends.

7. Cleo's Southern Cuisine

Bronzeville · 4248 S Cottage Grove Ave · also in the Loop at 190 N Wells St
Owner Kirsten Harper serves fried catfish, fried chicken and classic sides. The Loop location is a weekday lunch favorite for downtown workers.

8. Luella's Southern Kitchen

Albany Park · 4114 N Kedzie Ave · (773) 961-8196
Chef Darnell Reed's Southern brunch spot serves biscuits, chicken and waffles, French toast and beignets. Open Wednesday through Sunday mornings.

9. Soul Veg City

Chatham · 203 E 75th St · (773) 224-0104
A family-run vegan soul food restaurant. Try the smothered seitan steak, cornbread dressing and vegan mac and cheese from the hot bar.

10. Batter & Berries

Lincoln Park · 2748 N Lincoln Ave · (773) 248-7710
Owned by Craig and Dr. Tanya Richardson, this brunch spot is famous for French toast flights and catfish.

Black-owned hair salons, braiders, nail salons, waxing and spas

Bettye O Day Spa

Hyde Park · 1424 E 53rd St #101 · (773) 752-3600
Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing in a calm, full-service day spa.

Veola's Day Spa & Wellness Center

Beverly · 2150 W 95th St · (773) 233-1304
A mother-daughter owned spa offering facials, waxing, body scrubs, massages, manicures and pedicures.

Wholistic Skincare Specialist

Lakeview / Lincoln Park · 2860 N Broadway, Suite 25 · (773) 715-1339
Facials, waxing, massages and acupuncture.

Color Me Beauty Bar

Beverly · 1810 W 99th St · (773) 941-8349
Manicures and pedicures using vegan, plant-based products. Book ahead, especially for Saturdays.

Glo On Braids & Natural Hairstyling

Hyde Park · 5036 S Blackstone Ave (lower level) · (773) 910-3035
Braids, twists, cornrows, loc maintenance and protective styles.

Curl Kitchen Salon

Bronzeville · 3428 S King Dr #1N · (312) 326-4549
A salon built for curly hair: steam treatments, curly cuts, silk presses and knotless braids. Call first so they can match you with the right stylist.

Polished Crown Studio

Lincoln Park · 2551 N Clark St · (312) 218-3024
Owner Celeste offers silk presses, cuts, color and extensions in a private studio.

Salon Sevhn

Motor Row / South Loop · 42 E 26th St · (312) 265-1383
Cuts, color, sew-ins and chemical treatments, with early morning appointments.

Black-owned bookstores, bakeries, coffee shops and small businesses

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery

West Town · 1355 W Chicago Ave · (312) 324-4464
Danielle Mullen's nonprofit bookstore and gallery focuses on writers of color.

Honey & Hue Bookstore

Beverly · 1804 W 103rd St
Raven White's bookstore features books by Black authors for adults, teens and kids.

Justice of the Pies

Avalon Park area · 8655 S Blackstone Ave · (773) 530-7604
Maya-Camille Broussard's bakery makes sweet and savory pies, quiches and cinnamon rolls. Open Friday through Sunday.

Brown Sugar Bakery

Chatham · 328 E 75th St · (773) 570-7676
Stephanie Hart's bakery is known for caramel cake, red velvet and cupcakes. Mostly carryout.

Silverroom

Hyde Park · 1506 E 53rd St · (773) 947-0024
Eric Williams' shop sells jewelry, clothing, gifts and art, and hosts community events.

Afro Joe's Coffee & Tea

Beverly · 1818 W 99th St
A neighborhood coffee shop with breakfast sandwiches and seasonal drinks.

Sip & Savor

Bronzeville · 78 E 47th St · (773) 633-2667
Trez Pugh III's coffee shop is a favorite for meetings and study sessions, with several locations on the South Side.

Monday Coffee Co.

North Lawndale · 3243 W 16th St
A community coffee shop that roasts in-house and hosts free food and art events.

Forty Acres Fresh Market

Austin · 5713 W Chicago Ave · (312) 994-2920
Liz Abunaw's full grocery store brings fresh produce, a butcher and hot meals to the West Side.

Boxville

Bronzeville · 330 E 51st St
A marketplace of small Black-owned vendors in converted shipping containers, with food, clothing, tea and more. Open Wednesday through Saturday afternoons.

Black-owned tax preparers and bookkeepers (Chicago area)

Call ahead to book, since most work by appointment, especially during tax season.

  • VirtuCount LLC · Chicago, 1440 W Taylor St #1 · individual and business taxes, virtual bookkeeping, payroll
  • Integrity 1st Accounting & Tax Services · Olympia Fields · individual and business taxes, bookkeeping, payroll
  • Go Big Accounting · Maywood, 840 S 17th Ave · business taxes, payroll, bookkeeping
  • LRB Bookkeeping Solutions · Dolton, 1220 E 151st St · bookkeeping, QuickBooks training, small business tax support

FAQ

Where can I find the best soul food in Chicago?

For a sit-down dinner, Virtue in Hyde Park and Kitchen + Kocktails downtown are top picks. For classic cafeteria-style plates, MacArthur's on the West Side and Roy's on the South Side are local favorites.

Which Chicago neighborhoods have the most Black-owned businesses?

Hyde Park, Bronzeville, Chatham, Beverly and Austin all have strong clusters of Black-owned restaurants, shops and salons.

How was this list made?

We only included businesses named as Black-owned by trusted local sources, then checked that each one was open at the listed address in September 2026.

Can I suggest a business?

Yes. Email youronlineafricanshop@gmail.com with the business name, address and a link. We update this guide regularly.

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