3 Black-Owned Restaurants & Cafes to Support in Chicago and Atlanta – February 2026

At lookforbob.com, we make it our business to find the Black-owned spots worth your time and money. We’re not just listing names—we’re celebrating the entrepreneurs reshaping food culture in our cities, one plate and one cup at a time.

This week, we’re spotlighting three businesses doing it differently: a fine dining destination reclaiming Bronzeville’s culinary legacy, a plant-based powerhouse that turned skeptics into believers, and a South Side cafe where community is the main ingredient. Here’s where your dollars make a difference.

Épicé – Chicago, IL (Bronzeville)

Category: Fine Dining Restaurant

Épicé is bringing fine dining excellence to historic Bronzeville with contemporary American cuisine that draws from flavors around the world. This Black-owned hospitality venture is creating elevated dining experiences in a neighborhood that deserves nothing less. They’re proof that world-class cuisine belongs on the South Side.

Address: 1725 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Phone: (312) 733-6445

Hours:

  • Monday – Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Why We Featured Them: Épicé isn’t just serving food—they’re reclaiming the narrative about where fine dining belongs. In a neighborhood rich with Black history and culture, they’re building a culinary destination that honors both heritage and innovation. Weekend-only service means every plate gets the attention it deserves.

How to Support:

  • Make a reservation for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday service
  • Bring out-of-town guests to show them Bronzeville’s culinary renaissance
  • Leave a detailed Google review about your experience
  • Spread the word on social media—tag them and tell your story

Slutty Vegan – Atlanta, GA

Category: Vegan Restaurant

Pinky Cole didn’t just open a restaurant—she sparked a movement. Slutty Vegan proves that plant-based food can be bold, unapologetic, and absolutely craveable. From Atlanta to the nation, she’s rewriting what vegan food looks like and who it’s for. The lines around the block aren’t hype—they’re proof.

Address: 476 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Phone: (404) 968-9900

Website: sluttyveganatl.com

Hours:

  • Monday – Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Why We Featured Them: Pinky Cole built an empire by refusing to make plant-based food boring or preachy. Slutty Vegan meets people where they are—with flavors that satisfy and a brand that’s unapologetically Black. She’s created jobs, inspired entrepreneurs, and proved that our food culture can lead the vegan revolution.

How to Support:

  • Visit the Edgewood location—yes, even if there’s a wait
  • Order online through their website for pickup
  • Follow @sluttyveganatl on social and engage with their posts
  • Buy their merchandise to spread the movement
  • Leave a Google review highlighting your favorite menu item

Builds & Brews – Chicago, IL (Chatham)

Category: Cafe

Builds & Brews is serving up quality coffee with a side of community love right in Chatham. This isn’t just a spot to grab your morning cup—it’s where the South Side connects, builds, and shows up for each other. They’re creating the kind of third space our neighborhoods need.

Address: 201 – 231 W Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (312) 291-1075

Website: brewsnbites.us

Hours:

  • Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Why We Featured Them: Builds & Brews understands that a cafe can be more than caffeine—it can be connection. In Chatham, they’re building community one conversation at a time. The extended evening hours mean they’re there for your midday coffee run and your evening work session. That’s intentional.

How to Support:

  • Make it your regular coffee spot—consistency matters
  • Host your next small meeting or work session there
  • Order from their website for convenient pickup
  • Follow them on social media and share your visits
  • Leave a Google review mentioning the community atmosphere
  • Buy gift cards to introduce friends to the space

This roundup was curated by the lookforbob.com team. We research, verify, and celebrate Black-owned businesses so you don’t have to guess. Every business featured here has been vetted for quality, community impact, and the kind of excellence that deserves your support. When you’re ready to discover more Black-owned businesses in your city, visit lookforbob.com—we’re building the most trusted directory because our communities deserve nothing less.

 

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