June 19th marks the annual Juneteenth celebration which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the triumphs and invaluable contributions of Black Americans. While recognizing the historical and cultural significance of this day, consider patronizing the many local Black-owned restaurants and organizations in New Orleans. To love New Orleans is to cherish, recognize, and support the people that created the city and continue to make it great. 

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. The day of celebration dates back to June 19, 1865, when the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas and learned that the war was over and those enslaved were freed. Upon learning the news, General Granger read General Order Number 3 to the people of Texas, which determined that all slaves are free and that there was “an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between that between employer and hired laborer.” This significant message was met with excitement, jubilation, and utter shock. The thrilling celebrations of June 19, 1865 came to be the first “Juneteenth,” and the holiday continued to grow and be remembered through  generations. 

This year, we celebrate the profound achievements Black people in the United States and locally in New Orleans while recognizing the hardships they have faced in fighting for their freedom and equality. Juneteenth remembers the ways Black Americans have contributed to our country through art, cuisine, culture, music, education, leadership, and more. To celebrate Juneteenth and support local Black business owners, here is a list of some of our favorite Black-owned eating establishments in New Orleans:

Barrow’s Catfish: 8300 Earhart Blvd #103, New Orleans, LA 70118, (504) 265-8995

Boswell’s Jamaican Grill: 3521 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 482-6600

Bywater American Bistro: 2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, (504) 605-3827

Cafe Abyssinia: 3511 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115, (504) 894-6238

Cafe Sbisa: 1011 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, (504) 522-5565

Chicken and Watermelon: 3400 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125, (504) 896-4596

Compère Lapin: 535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130, (504) 599-2119

Dooky Chase Restaurant: 2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 821-0600

Dunbar’s Creole Cuisine: 7834 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70125, (504) 509-6287

Heard Dat Kitchen: 2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113, (504) 510-4248

J’s Creole Wings: 1700 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, (504) 309-9444

Jaidyn’s Wing Stop: 3216 Tulane Ave #A, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 821-2681

Lil Dizzy’s Cafe: 1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, (504) 569-8997

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines: 2101 N Rampart St, (504) 944-7068 

Meals from the Heart Cafe: 1100 N Peters St #13, New Orleans, LA 70116, (504) 525-1953

Morrow’s: 2438 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, (504) 827-1519

Mr. Everything Cafe: 400 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 218-4990

Peewee’s Crabcakes: 2908 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70125, (504) 358-7986

Sweet Soulfood: 1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 821-2669

The Half Shell On the Bayou: 2517 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 558-4403

The Munch Factory: 1901 Sophie Wright Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130, (504) 324-5372

We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp: 1407 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112, (504) 252-4927

Willie Mae’s Scotch House: 2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119, (504) 822-9503

Additionally, please support local Black organizations that are tirelessly working to organize protests for meaningful change in New Orleans. The recent protests against systemic racism, police brutality and militarization were organized through the important work of the New Orleans Workers Group, Southern Solidarity, and Take Em Down Nola. All of these organizations are continually seeking donations and volunteers to assist them in their work. Donations to the New Orleans Workers Group are accepted here, donations to Southern Solidarity are accepted here, and donations to Take Em Down Nola are accepted here.