Oregon’s culinary scene shines thanks to a wide range of fresh ingredients and a diverse and talented roster of food-focused creatives whose flavors are anchored in heritage and tradition. For Black History Month and year-round, you can find everything from soul food to Ethiopian chicken stew and Caribbean-inspired cocktails. Here are some of the state’s Black-owned restaurants, food carts and other businesses with unforgettable eats.
Global Eats in the Willamette Valley
Chef Michael Landsberg spent years studying at the Culinary Institute of America before working his way up to executive chef at places like King Estate Winery in Eugene. These days he and his wife, Tobi Sovak — an accomplished chef and baker herself — head up one of Eugene’s most delectable bakeries, Noisette Pastry Kitchen. The signature almond-scented bostock pastries fly out the door, while the mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwiches pack in the flavor for lunch patrons.
Black-owned food carts are some of the most popular eateries in Eugene. Try the Ethiopian cuisine of Paolos and Eden Kid, for starters. Makeda’s Cuisine serves all the classics, from doro wat — a spicy chicken stew served with injera, the tangy, spongy fermented bread — to vegetarian-friendly red-lentil bowls. Several mobile barbecue joints feature smoky brisket and creamy mac-and-cheese, like Stewart’s Soul Fusion. If you’re visiting the Eugene Saturday Market or Lane County Farmers Market, you’ll find The Bold Flavor brimming with zesty Cajun and Haitian dishes from chef/owner Johnny Jean-Louis. Be sure to take home one of his spicy seasoning blends.
For some of the best Caribbean Islands-inspired food around, Institute of Culinary Arts-trained Isaiah Martinez of Yardy Rum Bar has you covered. In 2025 the eatery received honors from the New York Times, which rated it as one of the 50 best restaurants in the U.S., and it was recognized by the James Beard Foundation. The fare here blends traditions with skillet-fried chicken and “doubles,” the Trinidadian specialty that includes a turmeric flatbread, curried chickpeas and chutney.
Cook and musician Rafijah Siano hails from the Virgin Islands — St. Thomas, to be exact — and his Siano’s Karibbean CookHouse brought those warm flavors and passion to Salem in 2025 after its success as a food cart in Southern Oregon. His fare tends to be a fusion of Latin and Caribbean cuisines. “It’s a melting pot down there — Spanish food, Caribbean food, a little bit of Asian food, everything,” Siano told filmmakers from BASE, a group that champions the advancement of Black people in Southern Oregon. Here you’ll find traditional jerk chicken as well as creole shrimp, goat fricassee and slow-cooked oxtail. For plant-based dining, try the Vegan Delight with coconut peas and rice.
Soul Food, Coffee and More in Portland
When in Portland, you’ll find plenty of Black-owned restaurants and food carts to support. Breakfast on chicken and waffles at Grits n’ Gravy downtown; owner Brandon is a third-generation diner owner, so he knows his stuff. Kee’s Loaded Kitchen sells out of everything quickly, so get to this food cart early for soul food like the loaded fried pork chops with sides like garlic-butter green beans. Look for specials like oxtail plates at Lola’s Bussdown, another popular soul-food truck.
Akâdi specializes in food from the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, including jollof (a tomato-sauced rice dish with ripe plantains) and peanut stews, in its cozy dining room. For fine dining with a Haitian twist, try James Beard Award-winning Kann and its underground swanky cocktail bar, Sousòl. Savor a martini at Olive or Twist in the Pearl District or house-made pastries, breakfast and lunch at Kiss Coffee.
You’ll soon be able to once again enjoy foam art on your cappuccino at Deadstock Coffee, the sneaker-themed cafe with long-time roots in Old Town that will be relocating to The Hoxton Hotel lobby in 2026. Meanwhile, the shop is continuing to sling espresso drinks and custom-blend coffee beans from its second location in Beaverton. Be sure to check out Deadstock’s Kenyan/Haitian coffee blend collaboration with Kann Coffee. If you’re hankering for fried chicken, you’re in luck: Seattle-based Ezell’s Famous Chicken serves it up alongside a host of sides like fried okra and creamy slaw at its first Oregon location in Tigard.
Comfort Food Elsewhere in Oregon
While you’re in Southern Oregon, bring your appetite to the veteran-owned Heroes American Cafe in Medford, which serves sandwiches, burgers and entrees inspired by owner John Jackson’s travels throughout the United States. Teachers, veterans, military members and first responders receive a discount on each visit. (If you’re in downtown Portland, check out its second location.) In Ashland order specialty pizzas like the Siskiyou Summit with a five-cheese blend at Northwest Pizza and Pasta Company. Owner Morgan George also does burgers, salads and wings with Angry sauce (read: very hot).
In Astoria, on the Oregon Coast, don’t miss the chicken and waffles or shrimp po’ boys at chef/owner Jordan Wilson’s Surf 2 Soul, an award-winning food cart downtown. Afterward, amble over to The Naked Lemon bakery for a treat, like sweet and chewy macaron cookies in a rainbow of colors and flavors changed seasonally by owner Aleesha Nedd.
