Black-owned Restaurants in Tennessee

Owned by the same family for seven decades, Swett's has been serving up some of the best soul food in Nashville since 1954. Today, Swett's is more than just a restaurant; it's a cherished gathering place and has been since its founding amidst the Civil Rights Movement. Diners can enjoy Southern comfort food favorites and traditional "meat n' three" picks at this culinary cornerstone in the heart of North Nashville. To learn more about Nashville's history in the Civil Rights Movement, travel a short mile to Historic Jefferson Street, the home of over 80 Black-owned businesses in Nashville. Here, you can tour the newest Tennessee stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail: Jefferson Street Sound Museum. 

• Menu Highlights: Enjoy soul food favorites like the crispy fried chicken, crumbly cornbread, and collard greens.
   
• Parking Information: There is a free parking lot for guests of Swett's.
   
• Accessibility Information: Swett's has a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom and parking lot.
   
• Hours of Operation: Swett's is open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Slim and Husky's Pizza and Beeria made Nashville history as the first Black-owned business to open their doors on the well-traveled Broadway. Known for more than their mouth-watering pies, Slim and Husky's is a celebratory culmination of art, music, and pizza. Although they have since moved away from the Broadway location, they now have brick and mortars spanning Nashville, Memphis, Franklin and Antioch. Slim and Husky's is HOT, and people cannot get enough of their inventive takes on satisfying classics. 

• Menu Highlights: Try the Hot Chicken Pizza, the vegan pizza: Nothing But a "V" thang or their distinguished cinnamon rolls.
   
• Locations: Nashville- Buchanan Street, BNA Airport, and Belmont University. Antioch - Hickory Hollow Parkway. Franklin - Franklin Road. Memphis - University of Memphis, and Union Avenue.

Known as the original catalyst of Nashville Hot Chicken, Thornton Prince III is a man of legend. Prince loved the vengeful hot chicken his lady served him so much that he perfected the recipe and opened the original hot chicken restaurant in 1945 — putting the dish on the map. There are six heat levels ranging from Plain to XXXHot (which is not for the faint of heart). In addition to the chicken, Prince’s has a variety of delicious traditional sides like potato salad, coleslaw and pickles. This Nashville staple now has two locations, making it even easier to stop in and give it a try.

• Locations: Nolensville Pike, Assembly Food Hall, Tanger Outlets, Nashville International Airport 
   
• Menu highlights: The original Nashville hot chicken spot serving its iconic spice levels, classic plates and chicken-and-bread traditions

Radical Rabbit is a black-owned, woman-owned, vegan pop-up restaurant concept selling delicious soul food in Nashville. Created by a vegan Nashvillian, "Rad Rab" has proven that plant-based food can be soulful, taste delicious, and remain all-natural. Explore their pop-up calendar to see where you can sample their amazing offerings. Looking for more vegan restaurants? Use this guide to plan your vegan stops across Tennessee.

• Menu Highlights: Indulge in grilled vegan BBQ ribs, buffalo hot fried jackfruit or a vegan chicken n' biscuit with sweet potato butter.
   
• Hours of Operation: Currently, you can find Radical Rabbit at the Richland Park Farmer's Market every Saturday until 12 PM.

Serving up "love and care" since 2010, Jojo's Fish House in Murfreesboro is proud to be an 85% scratch kitchen. They are known for their fried fish dishes with tilapia, whiting, and locally famous catfish. Soul sides are also a fan favorite with classics like mac and cheese, fried okra, and banana pudding. Dine at this black-owned restaurant in Murfreesboro and enjoy the lively atmosphere with mural-lined walls in this diner-style fish house.

• Menu Highlights: Explore made-in-house teas and kool-aids. You can't go wrong with a Catfish plate that includes freshly battered and fried hushpuppies and any two sides.
   
• Hours of Operation: Jojo's Fish House is open daily starting at 11 AM.
   
• Parking Information: There is a free parking lot available on-site.
   
• Accessibility Options: Jojo's Fish House is fully wheelchair accessible.

History buffs with an empty stomach listen in: The Four Way in Memphis has got you covered. Getting its start in 1946, the Four Way is one of the longest running soul-food restaurants in Tennessee. As one of the only 1960's establishments where Black and White diners regularly sat together in Memphis, this special spot served many famous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Rosa Parks and Aretha Franklin are just a scratch on the surface of the powerful individuals who ate the beloved food. The current owner, Patrice Bates Thompson, continues the 80-year-old legacy of "serving love on a plate to people from all walks of life."

• Menu Highlights: Fried green tomatoes, candied yams, or turkey and dressing are phenomenal choices to accompany your delectable plate of baked catfish. 
   
• Hours of Operation: The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. 
   
• Parking Information: Diners have access to the free on-site parking lot
   
• Accessibility Information: The Four Way is fully wheelchair accessible.

Southern Living named The Bar-B-Q Shop restaurant one of the top 50 barbecue places in the South. One taste of the smoked meat drizzled with the Dancing Pigs BBQ sauce and seasoning and you’ll agree it’s one of the best. Opening in the 80's, this Memphis midtown eatery has gained so much notoriety over the years that they are featured in numerous culinary shows, newspapers, and magazines. See what all the buzz is about. 

• Menu Highlights: Don't leave without trying these world-famous ribs. To really go for it, try the barbeque spaghetti.

Find heaven in a plate of ribs. Sop up extra barbecue sauce with the last bite of your pork sandwich. Take a bite of melt-in-your-mouth barbecue beef. Welcome to Cozy Corner, where they pride themselves in giving you a memorable Memphis ‘que experience. Not only is this a black-owned restaurant in Tennessee, it's also woman-owned. Owner Desiree Robinson was the first black woman to be inducted into the American Royal’s BBQ Hall of Fame, and the proof is certainly in the pudding.

• Menu Highlights: Have a side of barbecue beans or Cole slaw and finish off the meal with the delicious banana pudding or sweet potato pie.
   
• Parking: Diners can enjoy a free on-site parking lot
   
• Hours of Operation: Cozy Corner is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM,

Located within a historic home in downtown Jackson, Skillet Junction offers a unique all-day brunch experience. Take in the cozy ambience while you sit-back, relax, and get your brunch on all day long. Owned and operated by Jacob and Regina Richmond, their daughter has followed in their footsteps and opened an entrepreneurial venture of her own: Peppermint Addie's & Co. - an old-fashioned ice cream shop. Both businesses are located within the Neely House and can't wait to show you the best of where breakfast meets lunch. 

• Menu Highlights: Start your brunch off right with a mimosa flight. Choose between the savory crawfish omelet or sweet cream banana pancakes. Add beignets or lobster deviled eggs to fully round out the meal.
   
• Parking:  There is a free parking lot on-site
   
• Hours of Operation: Skillet Junction is open Thursday through Sunday, 8 AM to 3 PM. Stop by this Black-owned brunch spot in Jackson and try it for yourself!

Dulcie’s Cafe is a family-run Jamaican kitchen in Knoxville whose roots stretch from Kingston, Jamaica, to Queens, New York, and now downtown on Gay Street. Founded by mother-daughter duo Sandra Allen and Jeneve Blake-Johnson, the business grew from a small food truck into two brick-and-mortar locations, all built to honor Sandra’s mother, Dulcie Sherriah, whose Kingston kitchen fed neighbors and embodied love through food. 

• Special Highlights: Savor authentic Jamaican classics like slow-grilled jerk chicken, beef patties on cocoa bread, stewed curry chicken or the delectable, braised beef oxtail at this Black-owned and woman-owned restaurant in the heart of downtown Knoxville.
   
• Hours of Operation: Dulcie's is open from 11 AM to 8 PM, Tuesday through Thursday and until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday.
   
• Parking: Dulcie's offers a free parking lot for their guests.
   
• Accessibility Options: Dulcie's offers a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom for guests

Famed as one of the best 'hole-in-the-wall' restaurants in Tennessee, Lil Black Bear Cafe is a beloved hidden gem in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Opened in 2015 by retired chef Lynn Sherrod, this made-to-order breakfast and lunch spot has been recognized with many local culinary awards, such as the "Number One Cafe in Pigeon Forge in 2025" by RestaurantGuru.com. Extra fluffy pancakes, out-of-this world hospitality, and affordable prices make this cheerful cafe a must-visit on any Smoky Mountain culinary adventure.

• Menu Highlights: Diners love the Reese's peanut butter cup pancakes, the Rocky Top smoked bologna sandwich and the breakfast burritos. 
   
• Parking: There is a free-parking lot on site for cafe guests.
   
• Accessibility Options: There is a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and parking lot for guests.
   
• Hours of Operation: Lil Black Bear Cafe is open from 8 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.

Chef Kenyatta Ashford is part of the expanding food scene in Chattanooga. He is the proud owner of Neutral Ground, a modern New Orleans style Po-Boy and Yakamein restaurant featuring "afro-creole" cuisine. Ashford was recently awarded the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant by the James Beard Foundation where he studied cuisines of the African American diaspora and West Africa. He has been featured in Travel Noire and The New York Times. Explore other James Beard recognized chefs and restaurants throughout Tennessee.

• Special Highlights: Chef-driven specials change seasonally, but you can always get a po-boy or smoked brisket meatball yakamein, all made in-house.
   
• Hours of Operation:  While temporarily closed, Neutral Ground will re-open at 801 Dodds Avenue in Chattanooga in early 2026. Explore their social page for updates and pop-ups from this Black-owned restaurant in Chattanooga.

Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant serves up second and third-generation Cajun family recipes that will make your mouth water. Moving to Chattanooga in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chef Mike Adams opened Blue Orleans in 2006 after losing his Creole-style food distribution company in New Orleans. Today, this Black-owned restaurant in Chattanooga's Southside continues to deliver a vibrant Cajun flare through the freshest ingredients and lively spices.

• Menu Highlights: Savor Chef Mike's Crab Cakes topped in Creole aioli with veggie paella or the Spicy Crawfish Etouffee with a Creole tomato rue base.
   
• Parking Information: Blue Orleans offers a free parking lot for their guests.
   
• Hours of Operation: Blue Orleans is open 4 PM to 10 PM, Tuesday through Thursday and open late, until 11 PM, Friday and Saturday.
   
• Accessibility Options: There is a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom on-site.

Mother Bar in Knoxville is everything you want in a girly little cocktail and wine bar-- pink walls, fun floral drinks, and greenhouse vibes. Full of plants and Instagram-worthy botanical libations, bring your friends and stay all night for trivia, workshops, or just a classic night out. To further support Black-owned businesses in Knoxville: consider visiting Mother Bar owner, Jade Adams's, original flagship endeavor: Oglewood Avenue. Oglewood Avenue in Knoxville is a wonderfully popular plant shop whose mission is to "make all people, plant people."

• Menu Highlights: Try small bites and tapas to pair with your "silk chiffon" cocktail, espresso martini or any selection of curated wines.
   
• Parking Information: There is a free parking lot available on-site. 
   
• Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday through Sunday, check their Instagram for the most up-to-date information on openings.