Black-Owned Restaurants in Tallahassee

Black-owned restaurants are an essential part of Tallahassee cuisine and culture. Whether you’re craving Southern style cooking, fresh seafood, or something sweet, Tallahassee has a wide selection of restaurants to satisfy your appetite.  Here are just a few black-owned businesses to consider the next time you’re hungry in Florida’s Capital City! There is no better way to support local than to fill your belly and your soul while doing it.

Decadent Delights

From the tiniest of cupcakes to full sized cakes made from scratch, Decadent Delights beautifully crafted desserts are almost too pretty to eat.

Ma’s Diner

Ma’s Diner is a family-style, traditional diner serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Sunday.

Earley’s Kitchen

For over 30 years, Earley’s Kitchen has been dishing up good ol’ Southern country cooking for breakfast and lunch including fried chicken, pork chops, made-from-scratch vegetables, desserts and more, as well as a few extra Savannah-style dishes like shrimp and grits.

Big Easy Snowballs

Big Easy Snowballs is a staple of Lake Ella, providing families the perfect treat for a hot summer day. Their signature snowballs come in 75 delicious flavors, offering something sweet for everyone. Add to the fun and have your snowball “stuffed” with frozen vanilla soft serve. With their large menu of unique flavors, you’ll be sure to find the Big Easy Snowball just for you.

Olean’s Café

For over 20 years, Olean’s Café has proudly served Southern cooking from the soul. Located directly across from FAMU’s campus, Olean’s Cafe and has been a staple for Rattlers and southern food lovers alike. Olean McCaskill owns and operates the café, and on most days can be seen working behind the counter. The walls are adorned with photos of her family, the community, and FAMU legends. If you’re looking for soul food with heart, Olean’s is the place to go!

Leon Brunson, Master Chef

Leon C. Brunson, Master Chef stays in touch with his southern roots, while approaching cooking influenced by the international techniques and flavors of the world. Chef Leon hosts regular cooking classes and is available for private events. Leon’s at Lake Ella offers lunch & brunch pop ups starting in Jan. 2024 and is expected to open full time in spring. Check Chef’s social media for updates.

Smoothie Time

Smoothie Time is a family-owned café providing healthy smoothies made fresh just for you. Their smoothies are made with all-natural ingredients, providing the perfectly balanced and delicious treat that is good for your health. The menu also features all-day breakfast and lunch options.

Pineappetit

Located on Pensacola Street, Pineappetit serves over 20 pineapple bowl combinations using any variation of chicken, shrimp, black beans, salmon, steak or lobster tail.

HempLade Vegan Café

HempLade Vegan Cafe offers true quality plant-based foods from herbal remedies to amazing pizzas, sea-moss drinks, hemp smoothies, all-natural green juices, ginger shots, the world-famous HempLade Tea and CBD Products.

JMO’s Sneauxball Catering Co.

JMO’s serves some of the best gourmet icy treats in Tallahassee with handcrafted syrup made from scratch using real cane sugar. Don’t miss the cheesecake stuffed sneauxball at this local, family and proudly black owned business.

Gurlies Lemonade and Sweets

Gurlies Lemonade & Sweets, has made a name for themselves serving their grandma’s secret recipe for homemade drinks and desserts including their famous fried Oreo’s recently featured on NBC’s Today Show.