Top 14 Must-Visit Black-Owned Businesses in New Orleans: Jazz and Creole Dining

Beyond the raucous joy of Bourbon Street, New Orleans offers vibrant and distinct culture that travelers come from all over the world to experience. This Gulf Coast port city is the birthplace of jazz and an ethnic melting pot. The city’s motto, “laissez les bons temps rouler,” translates to “let the good times roll.” From rich cuisine to Mardi Gras parades, the city relishes decadence.

Much of what is most beloved about New Orleans derives from the Black, Caribbean, African, and African American roots of the city, from the second line parades with soulful brass bands to the savory gumbo NOLA is known for. Even as gentrification and climate change disproportionately stress Black neighborhoods in New Orleans, Black businesses continue to thrive. On your next trip to the Crescent City, show some love to the communities that keep NOLA funky and flavorful by supporting these Black-owned businesses.

Discover Creole Cuisine

For fine dining in the Warehouse District, visit Vyonne’s for a weeknight dinner or Sunday brunch featuring a seasonal menu inspired by owner Vyonne’s AfroCreole heritage. Stop by for a happy hour cocktail in the courtyard before sitting down to dinner. Morrow’s, located in the Marigny, serves classic New Orleans staples and authentic Korean dishes enjoyed by celebrities like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Dooky Chase has been an institution in the Treme community since 1941, where former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush have savored traditional favorites like red beans and rice or shrimp Creole.

Shop on Bayou Road

A small stretch of Bayou Road, New Orleans’ oldest street, is home to a variety of Black-owned businesses and restaurants. The Community Book Center offers a wide range of books by Black authors and literature about Black culture for readers of all ages. Across the street, the King and Queen Emporium International sells handmade soaps, candles, and body butters that make excellent gifts. After shopping, enjoy a post-shopping snack like jerk chicken at Coco Hut Caribbean, and finish your meal with a dessert of bread pudding from Cupcake Fairies.

This App Makes It Easy to Find Black-owned Businesses in Cities Around the World

Sip Craft Cocktails

Mixology in New Orleans is an art form, and Victory serves impressive cocktails. Try classic New Orleans drinks like the Sazerac, or experiment with Victory’s specialty creations that include house-made syrups and fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the back room, Secreto, featuring gorgeous, Instagrammable Middle Eastern-inspired decor.

Catch Some Live Music

Kermit’s Treme Mother in Law Lounge has been a local musician hangout since the ’90s. The self-proclaimed “shrine to New Orleans music” is owned by Kermit Ruffins, a legendary trumpet player who can also be found grilling barbecue. It’s open seven days a week, showcasing live music daily from some of the city’s best artists.

Learn About the Free People of Color

Le Musée de f.p.c. is the only museum in the United States dedicated to preserving the history of free people of color. This term refers to Black people who were born free or manumitted prior to the Civil War. Explore the past through artwork and artifacts commemorating the thriving communities of free Black artists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and journalists in New Orleans.

Get Caffeinated

Backatown Coffee Parlour is named for its location in the historic Basin Street, once a bustling area during the jazz era. The café is part of a revitalization effort in this historic district where famous musicians like Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong played. Sit outside and enjoy a delicious crawfish quiche or sweet potato scone along with your cafe au lait.

La Vie en Rose, a Creole coffee shop in the Lower Garden District, is described as “a personal love letter” to New Orleans. The baristas craft syrups from ancient family recipes and collaborate exclusively with local bakers and coffee makers. In the Marigny, Baldwin & Co offers delectable coffee and tea concoctions in a café and bookstore setting, named after renowned writer James Baldwin. Specialty drinks utilize names from foundational books by African American authors, such as the “If Beale Street Could Talk,” blending espresso with cinnamon and cayenne, perfect to enjoy while browsing the literary selection.

Find a Unique Keepsake

Apartment 4 Lifestyle is a Black woman-owned boutique specializing in handmade, fair-trade, or vintage goods. Located in the heart of Treme, it offers textiles from female artisans, one-of-a-kind furniture, jewelry, and unique gifts for yourself or loved ones.