7 Black-Owned Restaurants in Winston-Salem Worth a Visit
Winston-Salem’s culinary scene is rich with diversity and flavor, and its Black-owned restaurants play a big part in shaping the city’s food culture.
From soulful comfort food to mouthwatering desserts, these eateries need to be on your list of must-visit spots when you come to town. Food has the power to unite people, and supporting these Black-owned establishments is a flavorful way to honor the heart and diversity of our community.
Forsyth Seafood Market & Café
A Winston-Salem Classic
Forsyth Seafood Market began in 1984 when the late Charlie Hardesty started selling shrimp from the back of his truck. Forty years later, Charlie’s wife Virginia Hardesty and their daughter Chef Ashley Hardesty Armstrong run the market and 100-seater restaurant together.
The Fresh Seafood Market gets shipments four times per week from the Outer Banks, the Gulf, and Louisiana. Here you’ll find a wide variety of fish, crab meat, shrimp, North Carolina oysters, and more.
At the Cafe next door, you can try some of that fresh seafood cooked by the talented Chef Armstrong. Armstrong is a Certified Nutritional Coach who is passionate about nutritional education, in addition to receiving a degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales University in 2018.
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108 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
District 924
For delicious soul food and inventive cocktails, District 924 is the perfect place.
At District 924, the meals that are served are truly "food for the soul". Saturday Brunch and Soul Food Sundays are when the restaurant often fills to capacity, but you can stop by any time for a delicious meal and stellar drinks. Customer favorites like the salmon and grits or chicken and waffles keep customers coming back for more, but don't be afraid to go off the beaten path and try something new!
Located just south of Old Salem, next to the Happy Hill neighborhood, this is a great stop if you want to learn more about African American history in Winston-Salem. When the weather is nice, they have a beautiful patio that you can enjoy while sipping cocktails.
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924 Marshall St SW
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
BYGood Coffee
Coffee + Community
Sitting on a prime corner location in the charming Brookstown area of downtown Winston-Salem, it's hard to miss the welcoming BYGood Coffee sign as you pass by. Stop in for a cup of morning brew, but grab a seat and stay a while to get a sense of the strong community built by owners Abbey and Darrell Garner. Their customer base is the definition of loyal, with the same crowd returning day after day for their selection of coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, and more!
When visiting, you’ll likely find a mix of locals working on laptops, college students completing assignments, and visitors grabbing a pick-me-up while exploring the city. Work by local artists line the walls of this cozy spot and most are available for purchase.
Fun fact: all of their coffee is roasted on site and is available in take-home bags for purchase, meaning you can brew up a cup from your new favorite Winston-Salem hot spot anytime you want!
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301 Brookstown Ave, Ste 300
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Simply Sonya's Restaurant & Lounge
Connecting People Through Food
Owner and operator Sonya Waddell believes that food connects people, and she embodies that belief with Simply Sonya’s, as she loves getting to know her patrons and their stories. The menu puts a big focus on southern cuisine with dishes like “Simply Sonya’s” Meatloaf, “Simply” Chicken Fried, and “Simply” Oxtails.
It's not just the food and atmosphere that shine at Simply Sonya's: they are also known for their signature cocktails, with customer favorites including "The Deacon", made of Jim Beam Bourbon, Triple Sec, Sour Mix, and Ginger Ale, as well as "My Type of Vibe", which is 1800 Tequila, Peach Schnapps, Sour Mix, and Passionfruit Juice. One thing that sets Simply Sonya’s apart is their fun weekly events like Open Mic Night every Thursday and the Simply Jazz Brunch on Sundays.
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2101 Peters Creek Pkwy
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Taste of the Triad
Home Cooked Meals, Grandma Style
Close your eyes and think of Sunday dinner at your grandma’s house: the smell of the grill or smoker firing up, the taste of the little bites snuck down to you by your auntie, the excitement of seeing the full spread laid out on the counter. That’s what you can expect from Taste of the Triad, a home cooked meal with soul. Beef ribs, chitterlings with rice, and fried catfish are just a few of the entree selections on the menu, but no matter what you order, you'll leave with a full stomach and a full heart.
Owner Sabrina Wingo’s vision is to “create a memorable dining experience through original art, murals, and live music.” You’ll find many works by local artists here and Taste of the Triad is happy to connect you with them if any pieces interest you.
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4320 Old Walkertown Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Goodness Gracious of WS
One of the newest Black-owned restaurants in Winston-Salem is Goodness Gracious, located across the street from the Delta Arts Center. Owned by a husband and wife team, here you’ll find “meat & three plates” where you can choose one meat and three vegetable sides, with entree options like chicken wings and whiting fish. They also have specials like oxtails, turkey wings, and chicken & shrimp plates.
Their motto is “Eat real good and be real happy,” and they deliver on both when you dine here, with locals leaving reviews calling the food "100/10" and "fresh AND flavorful". A true hidden gem, don't pass this spot on your next foodie tour of Winston-Salem!
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2600 New Walkertown Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Natabelle's Desserts
Quite *Literally* World Famous Sweet Potato Brownies
If you’re looking for unique sweets with flavors inspired by southern favorites, then a visit to Natabelles Desserts is a must. Located in the charming Ardmore neighborhood, they are most well-known for the “World Famous Sweet Potato Brownie” but they also serve local favorite items like Red Velvet Pound Cake Bites, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies, and so much more.
Owner Shanata McMillian Shepard is inspired by her grandmother’s recipes, but you never know what flavors you’ll find on the menu each time you visit. Be sure to follow their Facebook and Instagram page to stay up to date on their latest menu offerings before arrival. All you need to know is that you will leave and immediately start counting down the days until you can return for another treat!