Black-Owned Businesses to Shop in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Black-owned businesses are more than just places to eat, shop, and gather — they’re essential parts of the city’s cultural and historical fabric. These restaurants, bookstores, and bakeries carry the weight of generations, preserving traditions while pushing the city’s food and arts scene forward. From soul-warming gumbo to groundbreaking literature, each business tells a story of resilience, creativity, and community. And yet, despite their undeniable impact, many of these businesses continue to face systemic barriers, rising costs, and the ongoing effects of gentrification.
Supporting them isn’t just about spending money — it’s about investing in the people and places that make San Francisco feel like home. Whether you’re craving Southern-style sweets, a perfect fried chicken sandwich, or a book that shifts your perspective, there’s a Black-owned business that has exactly what you need. And in a city that often erases the contributions of its Black residents, choosing to show up and support these businesses is an act of preservation in itself.
RADIO AFRICA KITCHEN (BAYVIEW)
You could drop Radio Africa Kitchen into the trendiest part of SF and it would still feel effortlessly cool. Chef Eskender Aseged’s Ethiopian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes are pure comfort, with slow-cooked meats, spiced lentils, and fresh, locally sourced produce. The Bayview spot is bright and welcoming, offering a casual yet refined dining experience that feels like the best kept secret. The menu changes daily — because why be predictable when you’re this good? If you’re lucky, you’ll land on a day when the salmon tagine is on the menu, its rich, slow-braised flavors melting into perfectly seasoned grains. You’ll leave full, satisfied, and wondering why this place isn’t talked about even more.
LITTLE SKILLET (SoMa)
If you’re anywhere near SoMa, you need to be at Little Skillet, period. This is the kind of place where the fried chicken is so good it should come with a warning label. The waffle-to-chicken ratio is perfect, the biscuits are flaky enough to make your Southern grandma proud, and the mac and cheese is the kind of creamy, cheesy masterpiece that makes you forget SF’s rent prices for a second. Order at the counter, grab a seat outside, and prepare to go into a blissful food coma. The seasoning on the chicken is next-level, with a crispy, golden crust that shatters in the best way possible. And if you’re really doing it right, you’ll order extra honey butter to slather over everything.
MARCUS BOOKS
OK, this one is technically in Oakland, but if you hope on the BART, you’ll find the oldest Black-owned bookstore in the U.S. isn’t just a place to buy books — it’s a cultural landmark. Since 1960, this Fillmore district gem has stocked an unparalleled collection of Black literature, history, and radical thought. Need to brush up on the teachings of James Baldwin? A signed copy of Angela Davis’ latest book? This is where you find it. The best part? The energy inside makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger — because you are. This space has long been a hub for thinkers, activists, and artists, and stepping inside feels like stepping into a living archive of Black excellence.
YVONNE’S SOUTHERN TREATS (BAYVIEW)
For those with even the mildest sweet tooth, Yvonne’s Southern Sweets will ruin your self-control in the best way possible. Yvonne Hines has mastered the art of old-school, Southern-style baking, with pralines so buttery they should be illegal and sweet potato pies that taste like Thanksgiving at your favorite auntie’s house. Located in Bayview, this spot is small but mighty, with locals lining up for cookies, cobblers, and pound cakes that hit all the right nostalgic notes. Everything here is made from scratch, with recipes that have been perfected over generations. One bite of her pecan pralines or her signature buttery pound cake, and you’ll understand why people drive across the city just to get their fix.
GUMBO SOCIAL (BAYVIEW)
SF’s food scene is missing one thing—good gumbo. Luckily, Gumbo Social is here to fix that. At this pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar in the Bayview, chef Dontaye Ball is serving up steaming bowls of Creole-style goodness, loaded with crab, shrimp, and house-made andouille sausage. The roux is dark, the flavors are deep, and if you close your eyes, you’d swear you were in New Orleans. But it’s not just the gumbo that makes this place special — it's the warmth and community that radiates from every dish. Chef Ball’s passion for Southern cooking is evident in every bite, and whether you’re a Louisiana native or just a fan of rich, soulful flavors, you’ll feel right at home here.
The beauty of San Francisco is in the richness of its communities, and Black-owned businesses are a vital part of that landscape. Every meal at a family-owned restaurant, every book purchased from a historic shop, and every dollar spent at these businesses helps ensure that they continue to thrive despite the challenges they face. These spaces aren’t just about commerce—they’re gathering places, cultural archives, and testaments to the strength of Black entrepreneurship. The next time you’re deciding where to eat, where to shop, or where to support, consider choosing a business that not only offers incredible food, books, and experiences but also contributes to the city’s soul.
If you want to go beyond just making a purchase, spread the word, leave a review, or donate to businesses that are working to stay afloat. And this isn’t just a Bay Area issue — just south in Altadena, Black-owned businesses have been devastated by the Eaton Fire, with many forced to shut down permanently. We’ve put together a list of Black-owned businesses in Altadena that are still rebuilding, along with ways to support displaced families — because when Black-owned businesses thrive, entire communities thrive.
