February is Black History Month, a great time to support the many Black-owned restaurants and eateries in Montgomery County, Maryland. With cuisines ranging from smoky American barbeque to authentic Ethiopian to tropical Caribbean, these restaurants represent some of the great culinary diversity and global flavors that make Montgomery County’s food scene so unique. Here are Black-owned food businesses we recommend patronizing in February—and all year long.
African Cuisine
Beteseb Restaurant
8201 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
Beteseb is a family-owned restaurant that serves authentic Ethiopian food. In addition to their meat-based menu options, they also offer a selection of vegetarian and vegan entrees. Make sure to try their tibs or kitfo.
Black Lion Café
9705 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville
8240 Fenton Street, Unit A&B, Silver Spring
Black Lion Café serves 100% fair trade Ethiopian coffee, as well as tea and pastries. Make sure to try a piping hot cup of their signature blend.
Mansa Kunda
8000 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park
Mansa Kunda honors the diversity and food of West Africa. About 90% of their menu can be made vegetarian upon request. Make sure to try their Afra, a popular street food in Senegal and Gambia.
Platinum Amala
8200 Dixon Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Located at Solaire Social in Silver Spring, Platinum Amala is serving up authentic West African cuisine. Try their fresh, scratch-made dishes that celebrate the rich heritage and culture of West Africa.
Rainbow African Restaurant
312/B1 E Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg
Rainbow African Restaurant’s unique blend of spices and sauces, combined with the authentic ingredients they secure, bring out the flavors of Ghana and West Africa. Make sure to try one of their banku dishes, a staple of Ghanaian cuisine.
Roger Miller Restaurant
939 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring
Get your fill of West African food at Roger Miller’s. The current owner is an immigrant from Togo, and his first employment in the US was at the restaurant back in the late 1980s. Make sure to order the egusi stew, a favorite of many customers.
Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant
5071 Nicholson Lane, Rockville
Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant’s menu encompasses the wide diversity found in Ethiopia, which is home to more than 80 different ethnic groups, many of which have their own languages. Popular dishes, like their tofu dulet, are marked with a star on the menu so first-timers know what to try.
American Cuisine
All Set Restaurant & Bar
8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5, Silver Spring
All Set Restaurant & Bar puts a contemporary Southern-style BBQ twist on traditional New England coastal cuisine. Even though they are known for their delicious seafood dishes, don’t skip the blackened ribeye steak.
Matchbox
1699 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
7278 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD
919 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD
Matchbox is a Black-owned restaurant located in several places throughout the DMV including Rockville, Bethesda, and Silver Spring. Enjoy a warm and lively atmosphere with wood-fired pizzas and American cuisine. Their indoor and outdoor seating is fitted for visitors throughout the season.
My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine
8409 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg
My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine was established in 2010 in Mississippi and relocated to Gaithersburg in 2016 where they offer a food truck, a brick-and-mortar location, and a mobile food truck.
Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen
225 Boardwalk Place, Gaithersburg
Miss Toya’s Southern Cajun Kitchen is a Black, family, and woman-owned restaurant. Founders Toya Miskiri and Chef Jeff use their southern roots, cajun cuisine knowledge, and Miss Toya’s homemade recipes to create their delicious menu.
Miss Toya’s Creole House
923 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring
Another creation of Miss Toya’s Southern Cajun Kitchen. This restaurant is a tribute to the traditional New Orleans gastronomic culture with an avant-garde touch. They offer lunch, dinner, and brunch.
Hardy’s BBQ
7155 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda
Hardy’s BBQ is a food truck with a home at the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market, which is open year-round. They are out to redefine barbeque by perfecting the art of smoked meats. Make sure to try their pulled pork.
Caribbean Cuisine
Negril The Jamaican Eatery
965 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring
Negril is a fast-casual, authentic Jamaican eatery that serves up a taste of the island. Every bite contains bold foods and flavors. Make sure to try their beef, chicken, shrimp, or vegetable patties.
Little Island Kitchen
10003 Stedwick Road, Gaithersburg
Little Island Kitchen is a Caribbean spot in Gaithersburg with dishes like oxtails, rice and peas, and mac and cheese. Another crowd favorite is their fried chicken and jerk chicken alfredo.
