3 Must Try Black-Owned Restaurants In NYC
August is National Black Businesses month, so now more than ever is the time to support black businesses. Nothing shows your solidarity with the black community more than putting your money directly into Black-owned businesses. It is important to acknowledge that Black cuisine has brought incredible flavors and ideas into the world of food. Black cuisine brings the same level of diversity as black culture. The Caribbean, Africa, American South, and more have heavily influenced black cuisine. Furthermore, it is critical to acknowledge how black cuisine is multifaceted. There isn’t just Caribbean or African cuisine; there are many regions within these places that have their own unique cuisines. NYC offers a wide array of restaurants that highlight all of the different areas of black cuisine. Here are 3 must try Black-owned restaurants to check out in NYC during Black Businesses month.
Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar
Located on the Upper West Side, Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar was founded in 1996 by Nicholas Ashford. Furthermore, Nicholas Ashford is half of the songwriting and performing duo Ashford & Simpson. In addition, Ashford co-owns this restaurant with his wife Valerie Simpson. Not only does this restaurant serve food, but it offers live performances of R&B/Soul, Jazz, Caribbean, African rhythms, and more. As for the food, their most popular dishes include their New Zealand Lamb Chops and the Crispy Fried Chicken. In addition, they serve comforting sides such as collard greens, mac and cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes Furthermore, there are meat alternatives to burgers or tacos and dishes such as tofu scramble or vegetarian Chili for any vegan or plant-based eaters. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth here with their key lime pie, bread pudding, or chocolate cake.
Paint N’ Pour
Tinesha Sharpe, CEO of Paint N’ Pour, created a fun experience of eating, drinking and painting for adults to indulge in. No matter your painting experience, you can release your inner artist at Paint N’ Pour while enjoying delicious food and cocktails. There are two locations in NYC: one in Harlem and the other on the Lower East Side. All customers are provided professional art supplies and a wide selection of original cocktails like the Picasso Punch, Sistine Apple, and the Mona Lisa Margarita. Furthermore, customers can choose some tasty bites from their food menu such as chicken n’ waffle sliders, loaded nachos, parmesan truffle fries, and more. Overall, Paint N’ Pour serves incredible food and drinks and allows customers to destress with some relaxing painting.
Urban Vegan Kitchen
Urban Vegan Kitchen is located in the West Village and focusses on Southern-inspired vegan and vegetarian cuisine. It was founded in 2016 by Pamela Elizabeth who also founded the restaurant Blossom. Their plant based food has been blowing away vegans and even non vegans, which is tough to do. They take Southern classics and reinvent them with a vegan twist. For example, they serve Chick-Un Waffles, vegan chorizo empanadas, a classic BLT with tempeh bacon, a roasted mushroom barley burger patty, and more. Not only will you be directly benefiting the Black community here, but you will also be helping the environment by eating vegan. In addition to these places, go show your support by giving your money to any Black-owned business.