Black Owned Restaurants in Las Vegas: Soul Food, Brunch & Strip Picks

Vegas buzzes with slots and celeb chefs, but the real heart? It’s those black-owned spots that hit deep—like grandma’s kitchen on a windy desert night. Imagine collards bubbling earthy, fried chicken cracking crisp, or mimosas slicing through fluffy waffles. Not just on the chaotic Strip—these gems hide in Henderson’s quiet streets, Downtown’s mural madness, and Red Rock’s homey calm. Run by passionate folks tweaking family recipes into soul food Sundays or vegan brunches that linger. Hunting black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas? It’s more than eats—it’s stories, roots, heritage in Sin City’s spin.

Why Support Black-Owned Restaurants

Look, grabbing a meal at one of these black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas isn’t just about scratching an itch for good eats—it’s a quiet act of rebellion in a world that often overlooks these voices. These entrepreneurs aren’t just slinging plates; they’re keeping alive the rhythms of Southern kitchens, African markets, and Caribbean shores, all while carving out space in Vegas’s cutthroat scene. I remember chatting with a chef at one spot who told me how her spot became a hub for neighborhood kids learning to cook— that’s the ripple effect. By choosing these places, you’re pumping life into black-owned businesses in Las Vegas, sparking jobs, events, and a food culture that’s got more layers than a blackjack table. It’s the kind of support that turns a quick lunch into something meaningful, and honestly, the food’s so damn good, you won’t even feel like you’re doing good—you’ll just crave coming back.

Top 12 Black Owned Restaurants in Las Vegas

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve chased down a late-night craving or dragged friends to these gems, and each visit leaves me with a new favorite memory. From the high-rollers’ edge of the Strip to the everyday magic in Henderson, here’s my no-BS list of 12 black-owned restaurants that deserve your attention. I picked these for their variety—soul food that hugs your soul, brunches that kickstart the day right, and those wild-card spots that surprise you. For each, I’ll spill on the neighborhood, a dish I’d fight over, the mood inside, and what keeps the locals hooked.

1. Emmitt’s Vegas – Right there on the Las Vegas Strip, owned by that football icon Emmitt Smith, it’s got this sleek, grown-up charm with low lights flickering like stars and a jazz hum in the background. Go for the wagyu ribeye—melt-in-your-mouth tender, sided with truffle mac that’s cheesy heaven. Folks around here call it their go-to black-owned fine dining spot because it mixes high-end polish with those subtle Caribbean whispers that make every meal feel like a win.
2. Gritz Cafe – Way up in North Las Vegas, it’s like stumbling into a family reunion—cozy booths, soul tunes drifting from the speakers, and that unmistakable scent of gravy bubbling away. The shrimp and grits? Creamy, spicy perfection that sticks to your ribs. It’s my pick for black-owned breakfast in Las Vegas, and locals keep piling in for the portions that say “eat up, you’ve earned it.”
3. Court Cafe – East side, near Flamingo, and it’s alive with color—murals popping off the walls, laughter bouncing around like ping-pong. Dive into the velvet chicken and waffles with those flavored butters (peach cobbler one’s a game-changer)—crispy, sweet, and messy in the best way. Brunch addicts swear by this black-owned brunch in Las Vegas joint for turning ordinary Sundays into something legendary.
4. Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles – Southwest side, with its retro glow of neon and those deep booths that swallow you whole. The fried chicken and waffles combo is pure nostalgia—juicy bird meeting airy batter, syrup tying it all together. As a black-owned chicken restaurant standout, it’s the late-night savior locals lean on when the munchies hit hard.
5. Simply Pure by Chef Stacey Dougan – This food truck bounces around, but downtown’s where it shines most, with that fresh-air vibe of health meets indulgence. Her vegan nachos are loaded with nutty “cheese” and crisp toppings that fool you into thinking you’re cheating on your diet—in a good way. Chef Stacey’s a quiet hero in the black-owned vegan world, and people love how she makes greens feel like a party.
6. EllaEm’s Soul Food – North Las Vegas hideaway, plain on the outside but inside? It’s all heart—smells of smoked meats pulling you to the counter like a magnet. Smothered pork chops in that thick, savory gravy, with sides that round it out just right. This soul food restaurant in Las Vegas feels like eavesdropping on family secrets, and that’s why regulars treat it like their second kitchen.
7. House of Dutch Pot – Spring Valley’s tropical outpost, reggae pulsing softly, walls splashed with island brights that chase away any Vegas dryness. Jerk chicken here is fire—smoky heat that builds slow, paired with peas and rice for balance. For black-owned dinner restaurants near me, it’s unbeatable, and locals chase that escape-in-a-bite feeling every time.
8. Calabash African Kitchen – West side cozy corner, decked with art that tells stories, lights soft enough to lean in close. Jollof rice with grilled fish—aromatic spices blooming on your plate, tomatoes tangy and right. It’s a black-owned business in Las Vegas gem for anyone craving Africa’s bold pulse, and word is, once you try it, you’re hooked for life.
9. Soul Food Cafe – Southwest comfort zone, checkered tables and a menu that doesn’t overthink it—just nails the basics. Oxtails falling apart in their own juices, cornbread so buttery it dissolves. Affordable soul food black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas don’t get more straightforward, and that’s the charm—pure, no-fuss satisfaction.
10. Stuff My Turkey – East valley’s fun twist, counter buzzing with quick energy and a board full of wild ideas. Hennessy peach chicken and waffles? Boozy fruit notes dancing with savory crunch—bold as hell. Black-owned chicken restaurants like this keep things fresh, and locals dig the “why not?” spirit that sparks grins.
11. Fin & Feathers Restaurant – Another southwest player, but seafood steals the show—nets and buoys giving it that breezy dockside feel. Fried catfish basket, golden and flaky, with tartar that cuts the richness just so. It’s the soul-seafood mashup black-owned dinner spots dream of, and people flock for that fresh catch high.
12. Pink Duck Kitchen – Henderson NV’s little eccentric, bright and quirky with plates that play tricks on your expectations. Duck confit tacos—shredded slow, tucked into tortillas with punchy salsas. Black-owned restaurants in Henderson NV like this one win hearts for keeping the suburbs surprising and delicious.

Comparison Table

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Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Las Vegas

Brunch in this town can feel like a spectacle, but these black-owned brunch in Las Vegas haunts turn it into a ritual—lazy, loud, and loaded with flavor. Court Cafe’s where I go for chicken and waffles that drip with those butter flights, mimosas flowing endless like the conversation. Gritz Cafe loads up on catfish and grits for something heartier, while Lo-Lo’s sticks to the script with that unbeatable waffle-chicken dance. And hey, if you’re easing into it, Zenaida’s Cafe sneaks in lighter Southern bites that leave room for seconds.

Family-Friendly & Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Rounding up the crew? These black-owned soul food cafes are gold—easygoing spots where spills don’t faze anyone and the menu’s got kid magnets like nuggets disguised as fried chicken. EllaEm’s Soul Food spreads out in big booths, mac and cheese flowing free. Soul Food Cafe keeps it simple with shareable platters, turning meals into those sticky, giggly family tales.

Black-Owned Fine Dining & Date Night Picks

When you want to dress up a bit, black-owned fine dining restaurants like Emmitt’s Vegas whisper romance—candles flickering, steaks arriving like old flames. It’s all smooth edges and deep talks. Pink Duck Kitchen over in Henderson dials it intimate, with fusion plates that nudge you closer, flavors unfolding like secrets.

Late-Night & Takeout Eats

Midnight munchies got you? Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles stays lit, dishing crunch that defies the hour. Black-owned takeout near me shines at House of Dutch Pot—jerk packed tight for home—and Stuff My Turkey’s grabs are the kind you devour on the couch without regret.

Hidden Gems Off the Strip

Ditch the crowds for black-owned restaurants in Henderson NV like Pink Duck Kitchen’s twists or Big Mamas Wings & Things’ saucy showdowns. North Las Vegas guards Gritz Cafe and EllaEm’s like treasures, and Calabash African Kitchen? That’s your ticket to spice routes without leaving town.

Tips for Foodies

Hit brunch doors around 10 a.m. weekends—black-owned brunch in Las Vegas fills quick, but that’s half the fun.

Fancy nights at black-owned fine dining restaurants? Snag a rez a week out; spontaneity’s overrated here.

Tip big, snap a pic for the ‘gram, chat up the staff—these black-owned businesses in Las Vegas bloom on that energy.

Follow with a swing by black-owned lounges in Las Vegas for nightcaps that linger like the aftertaste.

Pro move: Mention allergies upfront; these kitchens adapt like pros, turning “can’t have” into “made just for you.”

See more: Restaurants at Downtown: Discover the Heart of Flavor

FAQs

What are the best black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas right now?

Depends on your mood, but Gritz Cafe’s soul hug, Emmitt’s Vegas polish, House of Dutch Pot’s island kick, and Simply Pure by Chef Stacey Dougan’s green glow top my list. Black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas like these keep evolving, mixing old-school heart with new tricks.

Where can I find black-owned brunch in Las Vegas with bottomless mimosas?

Court Cafe’s your spot—waffles stacked high, bubbles never-ending, whole vibe screaming “stay awhile.” Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles echoes that with Southern soul and the same endless pour.

Are there soul food black-owned restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip?

Slim pickings, but Emmitt’s Vegas weaves soul threads into fancy threads—like mac that remembers its roots amid the steaks.

Which black-owned breakfast spots are open early near the Strip?

Court Cafe cracks doors at 7 a.m. for black-owned breakfast in Las Vegas—grits steaming, eggs sunny. Gritz Cafe’s not far, fueling up the faithful.

What are some black-owned fine dining restaurants in Las Vegas?

Emmitt’s Vegas for steakhouse swagger, Pink Duck Kitchen for Henderson’s fusion finesse—both nights you’ll replay in your head.

Is M&M Soul Food Cafe still open in Las Vegas?

Oh yeah, M&M Soul Food Vegas holds court on the Blvd, cranking classics that pull you back like gravity.

Where can I find black-owned restaurants in Henderson NV or North Las Vegas?

Henderson’s Pink Duck Kitchen and Big Mamas Wings & Things keep it lively; North Las Vegas rolls out Gritz Cafe and EllaEm’s Soul Food for that down-home pull.

Are there black-owned lounges in Las Vegas with nightlife?

You bet—black-owned lounges in Las Vegas like Secret Lounge LV pulse with hookah haze and beats that hook you till dawn, food chasers optional.

What’s the best place for soul food in Las Vegas after midnight?

Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles owns the witching hour—soul food restaurants in Las Vegas don’t get more clutch for those fried fixes.

Which restaurants offer black-owned takeout near me?

Soul Food Cafe’s oxtail packs, House of Dutch Pot’s jerk bundles—black-owned takeout near me that’s couch-worthy and crave-quenching.

Conclusion

Wandering these black-owned restaurants in Las Vegas? It’s less about ticking boxes and more about letting the food pull you in, stir something up inside. Chase that black-owned brunch in Las Vegas glow or sink into a soul food nook—either way, you’re weaving into a tapestry of tastes and tales that Vegas keeps close to its chest. Locals know it, visitors discover it, but everyone leaves fuller. So next time you’re rolling those dice or just rolling through town, follow your nose to one of these spots. Who knows? That bite might just become your new favorite story.