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, Black Business Month in August, 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 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.


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Malik Books

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

Curbside kiosk at Reparations Club in Mid-City
Reparations Club

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

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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.


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Bloom & Plume

Look for this vibrant bouquet in Historic Filipinotown.

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Harun Coffee

Leimert Park favorite with a veg-friendly menu.

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Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen

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

Hot and Cool Cafe in Leimert Park
ORA Cafe

Creative space and community hub that feels like a home.

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Obet & Del's Coffee

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

Silverback Coffee of Rwanda in Downtown LA
Silverback Coffee of Rwanda

Sip coffee for a cause in Downtown LA.

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Sip & Sonder

Black women-owned coffee house and creative hub.

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South LA Cafe

Family-owned cafe on a mission to build community.

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Undergrind Cafe

Beverlywood fave offering tasty breakfast and lunch fare.

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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.


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The African American Firefighter Museum

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

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Band of Vices

Contemporary art space in the West Adams Arts District.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, "Untitled" at CAAM
California African American Museum

Discover African American history and cultural heritage.

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Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center

Youth center located at the iconic Watts Towers.

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Leimert Park: Art + Practice

Exhibition space dedicated to celebrating artists of color.

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Leimert Park: KAOS Network

Home of the world-famous Project Blowed collective.

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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.


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45 Three Modern Vintage Home

Vintage Mid-Century Modern collection in Little Ethiopia.

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Almighty

Black-owned skate shop in the DTLA Fashion District.

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The Barbershop Club

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

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Benjamin Salon West Hollywood

Flagship salon of the inclusive hair care brand.

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Golf Wang

Tyler the Creator's flagship streetwear boutique.

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Love Your Hair by Rachel Carter

Inclusive and eco-conscious single chair salon.

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Union LA

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

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.

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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."

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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 select restaurants and plant-based options across LA that are featured in Kat's list.


Wood-Grilled Pork Chop with Southern Chow Chow at Alta Adams
Alta Adams

Soul food with a SoCal vibe in historic West Adams.

The Lunch Tray at Bludso’s Bar & Que
Bludso's Bar and Que

Get "The Lunch Tray" and watch the games with your crew.

Filé Gumbo at Harold & Belle's
Harold & Belle's

Classy restaurant serving New Orleans cuisine since 1969.

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Hawkins House of Burgers

The Whipper Burger is a must for your LA burger bucket list.

Ilé Bistro at Citizen Public Market in Culver City
Ilé Bistro - Citizen Public Market

The first brick-and-mortar from Nigerian chef Tolu Eros.

Doro Wot at Meals by Genet
Meals by Genet

Takeout from a Jonathan Gold fave in Little Ethiopia.

Shrimp N' Grits at Post & Beam in Baldwin Hills
Post & Beam

Elevated soul food in the heart of Baldwin Hills.

"Obama's Special" at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in Inglewood
ROSCOES HOUSE OF CHICKEN & WAFFLES

"Obama's Special" is a popular combo at this LA icon.

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Willie Mae's

Dig into "America's Best Fried Chicken," from NOLA to LA.

Property of Discover Los Angeles
Earles on Crenshaw

Vegan options include hot dogs, burgers and chili fries.

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Happy Ice

Secret recipe from Philadelphia with an artistic LA twist.

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LaRayia's Bodega

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

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.

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Vurger Guyz

Get #Vurgerfied with Beyond Meat burgers and tacos.