The Guide to Black Owned Businesses in LA

Interior of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood | Photo: Ed Rudolph
Overview

There are Black-owned businesses across Los Angeles that you can support during Black History Month in February, and any time of year. Many of them are more than just a place to pick up a latte or get your hair done - they're cultural hubs and vital parts of the communities they serve.

From veg-friendly restaurants and coffee shops, to cultural institutions and bookstores, to fashion, beauty, and health & wellness, these Black-owned businesses will take care of your mind, body and soul.


Part 1
Bookstores

Black-owned independent bookstores offer a wide range of authors and literary genres, as well as provide an essential gathering spot for the local Black community. With the closure of Eso Won Books, Malik Books is perhaps the most well-known Black-owned bookstore in LA. Along with Malik and the online-only Miss Read Books, DoLA features Black-owned bookstores in their guide.


Malik Books
Malik Books

New/used books, gifts & more at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw.

Malik Books
Malik Books 2

Second store located at Westfield Culver City.

Curbside kiosk at Reparations Club in Mid-City
Reparations Club

Woman-owned bookstore and creative space in Mid-CIty.

Shades of Afrika
Shades of Afrika

One-stop shop for culture and wellness in Long Beach.

Part 2
Coffee Shops

These vital Black-owned coffee shops serve up much more than your daily caffeine fix - each one is an integral part of the community they serve.


Bloom & Plume
Bloom & Plume

Look for this vibrant bouquet in Historic Filipinotown.

Harun Coffee
Harun Coffee

Leimert Park favorite with a veg-friendly menu.

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen

Hilltop's 3,500 square-foot flagship location in Inglewood.

Hot and Cool Cafe in Leimert Park
Hot and Cool Cafe

Creative space and community hub that feels like a home.

Prince as Snape at Nimbus Coffee in Downtown LA
Nimbus Coffee

Magical Harry Potter themed coffee shop in Downtown LA.

Obet & Del's Coffee
Obet & Del's Coffee

Retro '70s-themed coffee shop in the heart of Thai Town.

Silverback Coffee of Rwanda - Echo Park
Silverback Coffee of Rwanda

Sip coffee for a cause in Echo Park.

Sip & Sonder
Sip & Sonder

Black women-owned coffee house and creative hub.

South LA Cafe
South LA Cafe

Family-owned cafe on a mission to build community.

Undergrind Cafe
Undergrind Cafe

Beverlywood fave offering tasty breakfast and lunch fare.

Watts Coffee House
Watts Coffee House

South LA institution serving up soul food since 1997.

Part 3
Cultural Institutions

From history to art and music, explore the full spectrum of the African American experience at these LA cultural institutions. Take a deeper dive with this fantastic list compiled by @curate.la.


The African American Firefighter Museum
The African American Firefighter Museum

Housed in the historic Fire Station #30 on Central Avenue.

Band of Vices
Band of Vices

Contemporary art space in the West Adams Arts District.

"Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth." at CAAM
California African American Museum

Discover African American history and cultural heritage.

Watts Towers
Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center

Youth center located at the iconic Watts Towers.

Art + Practice
Leimert Park: Art + Practice

Exhibition space dedicated to celebrating artists of color.

KAOS Network
Leimert Park: KAOS Network

Home of the world-famous Project Blowed collective.

The World Stage
Leimert Park: The World Stage

Performance and education space founded in 1989.

Museum of African American Art
Museum of African American Art

Hidden gem located on the 3rd floor of a historic building.

Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum helicopter
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum

Dreams take flight at this "living classroom" in Compton.

Part 4
Fashion & Lifestyle

It's a win-win when you support Black-owned businesses that offer some of LA's best fashion and lifestyle collections. For more Black-owned fashion and lifestyle businesses, visit the Los Angeles Times guide.


45 Three Modern Vintage Home
45 Three Modern Vintage Home

Vintage Mid-Century Modern collection in Little Ethiopia.

Almighty
Almighty

Black-owned skate shop in the DTLA Fashion District.

The Barbershop Club at the LINE LA
The Barbershop Club

One-stop shop for men's lifestyle at the LINE Hotel.

Benjamin Salon West Hollywood
Benjamin Salon West Hollywood

Flagship salon of the inclusive hair care brand.

Golf Wang
Golf Wang

Tyler the Creator's flagship streetwear boutique.

Love Your Hair by Rachel Carter
Love Your Hair by Rachel Carter

Inclusive and eco-conscious single chair salon.

Union LA
Union LA

Shop for off-the-beaten-path, high-end global brands.

Vector90
Vector90

Co-working space, cultural hub and incubator in South LA.

Part 5
Health & Wellness

From organic groceries and edible plants to natural beauty products, a bicycle collective and a holistic-based fitness lab, these Black-owned businesses will take care of your mind, body and soul.


"Catgrass" is the most popular item sold by Logan's Gardens
Logan's Gardens

Find them at Santa Monica & Hollywood Farmer's Markets.

Herbs and teas at Nappily Naturals in Leimert Park
Nappily Naturals & Apothecary

Full service beauty and wellness center in Leimert Park.

Kathy's Kitchen
Kathy's Kitchen

Juicing with Kathy's Kitchen is actual rocket science

SÜPRMARKT organic grocery pop-up
SÜPRMARKT

Providing low cost organic groceries to LA "food deserts."

Thrive Health Lab
Thrive Health Lab

Health and wellness facility in View-Park Windsor Hills.

Part 6
Restaurants

The incredible list of Black-owned restaurants launched by Kat Hong (@prosciuttogirl69) has grown to more than 370 restaurants! Following are some of the plant-based restaurants across LA that are featured in Kat's list.


Original Jackfruit Ribz Plate at Compton Vegan
Compton Vegan

Plant-based spin on traditional comfort foods at Colony.

Property of Discover Los Angeles
Earles on Crenshaw

Vegan options include hot dogs, burgers and chili fries.

Happy Ice
Happy Ice

Secret recipe from Philadelphia with an artistic LA twist.

LaRayia's Bodega
LaRayia's Bodega

Fresh juices, plant-based meals and more in Westlake.

Non-dairy cheese spreads by Misha's Kind Foods at Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park
Misha's Kind Foods

Find Misha's dairy-free cheeses at Besties and more.

Greens & Grains at Simply Wholesome in View Park-Windsor Hills
Simply Wholesome Health Food Restaurant & Store

Serving up a healthy lifestyle to the community since 1984.

Stuff I Eat
Stuff I Eat

Chef Babette's vegan cuisine in the heart of Inglewood.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip by Uncle Eddie’s Vegan Cookies
Uncle Eddie's Vegan Cookies

Another fantastic local product carried by Besties.

Vurger Guyz
Vurger Guyz

Get #Vurgerfied with Beyond Meat burgers and tacos.