Alafia West African Cuisine (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

15+ Black-Owned Restaurants, Bars, & Makers in Tucson
Variety platter at Cafe Desta (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Cafe Desta
758 South Stone AvenueDowntown
“There’s something empowering about dining at Cafe Desta. I don’t know if it’s the encouragement to eat with my hands or the nourishing qualities of the food, but I just can’t get enough.”
Golden Fried Chicken Pieces & Veggie Combo at Chef Brian's Comfort Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Chef Brian's Comfort Kitchen
Hot Chocolate (Photo courtesy of Chez Peachy)
Chez Peachy
"Chez Peachy’s cakes are consistently whimsical and beautifully crafted. I appreciate her readiness to make vegan cakes upon request!"
— Hannah Hernandez’s favoriteEmpanadas El Dominicano (Photo courtesy of Tucson Meet Yourself 2023)
Empanadas El Dominicano
5030 East Broadway BoulevardMidtown
(Photo courtesy of Janet & Ray's)
Janet & Ray's
"My favorite Jerk Chicken in Tucson!"
— Matt Sterner’s favoriteRay Kendrick at Mr. K’s Original BBQ (Photo by Brielle Farmer)
Mr. K's Original BBQ
6302 South Park AvenueSouth Side
Goat roast plate (Photo courtesy of Nur Market & Restaurant)
Nur Market & Restaurant
3565 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown
Somali brothers Ismail, Mohamed, and Abdul Osman opened Nur Market & Restaurant in 2008 to support the local refugee community. The market specializes in East African, Middle Eastern, and East European foods. The restaurant specialize in Somali food with dishes such as goat curry and rice pilaf.
Off The Hook Seafood (Photo courtesy of Tucson Meet Yourself 2023)
Off The Hook Seafood
Photo courtesy of On The Fly Kitchen & Prep & Pastry on Instagram
On The Fly Kitchen
If you are planning a party and Southern food is on the menu, look no further, this is the spot for you. You can also find them doing pop-up dinner events all over Tucson like at Prep & Pastry. So, they don’t have a phsyical address in Tucson but to keep up with where they’re popping up, follow them on Instagram.
(Photo courtesy of Pacaw's Wings & Things)
Pacaw's Wings & Things
Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe
8963 East Tanque Verde RoadTanque Verde
Local baker, Sydney Adams’ inspiration and love for baking derives from her grandmother and the recipes nestled inside of a cookbook, which carries recipes dating back to the 1940s. Seeing the joy that her grandmother received from baking is something she shares, too.
Oxtail Stew at D's Island Grill JA (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)
Taste of Jamaica
2018 South Craycroft RoadMidtown
Formerly known as D’s Island Grill JA, this Jamaican food truck features a hodgepodge of traditional jerk chicken, oxtail, curries, and more.
Although they originally opened as a food truck and then switched over to a brick-and-mortar, they now are back to only operating out of the food truck at 2620 E. 22nd St., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Photo Courtesy of Toast 101
Toast 101
4699 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown
Toast 101 offers a modern breakfast and lunch concept with toast and French toast starring in various takes.
For a variety, order the French Toast Flight.
Urban Fresh (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)
Urban Fresh
73 East Pennington StreetDowntown
North facade of Zeke's Pizza & Coffee (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Zeke’s Pizza & Coffee
Zeke’s Pizza & Coffee opens its doors July 19 at 161 N. Sixth Ave., blending three Italian-American favorites in one venue. Founder Ezekiel “Zeke” Gebrekidane brings the concept to the city center with hand-tossed pizza, Italian-style coffee, and locally sourced gelato.
Zeke’s menu keeps it traditional but inclusive. Diners can choose between hand-tossed thin-crust slices. Gluten-free cauliflower crust is also available. Pizzas range from classics like Hawaiian and veggie to the “Hitch,” a spicy Southwestern pie with a New Mexico kick. Other options include calzones, salads, and wings.
Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine
2725 East Broadway BoulevardUniversity













