Memphis Black Restaurant Week is scheduled to return from March 16 to March 22, providing a platform for Black-owned restaurants across the city. The annual event offers an opportunity to explore a range of cuisines, many rooted in traditions from the African diaspora, while encouraging support for locally owned businesses.
The event was first launched in 2016 by Cynthia Daniels, who created the initiative after assisting Memphis restaurateur Fran Mosley. When Mosley opened her restaurant, she initially saw strong support but soon experienced a drop in customer traffic. Daniels, recognizing the difficulty and cost of traditional advertising, realized there was a gap in visibility for Black-owned restaurants. In response, she created Memphis Black Restaurant Week to give these businesses more consistent exposure.
Since its founding, the event has highlighted both longstanding institutions and newer establishments. This year’s participants include a variety of restaurants that reflect the city’s diverse food culture:
Memphis Jamaican Kitchen
This restaurant serves a variety of dishes from the Caribbean, particularly Jamaican cuisine. The menu focuses on familiar staples like jerk chicken, oxtail, and plantains, presented in a casual, welcoming environment.
The Four Way
A Memphis soul food institution, The Four Way has been in operation since the 1940s. It was originally known as The Four Way Grill and has served guests ranging from local families to national civil rights figures. The restaurant continues to offer Southern comfort food prepared using long-established recipes.
Bala’s Bistro
Located in Whitehaven, Bala’s Bistro focuses on African and global fusion cuisine, including vegetarian and vegan options. The menu features items such as jollof rice, suya, and lentil-based stews. The restaurant emphasizes balanced meals and flavors from across the continent.
Biscuits and Jams
This brunch spot highlights Southern-style biscuits with a range of toppings and sides. The menu also includes classic breakfast options and midday meals, offering a relaxed setting for individuals and families.
Sweet Potato Pie Whiskey Café
Combining a café atmosphere with an expanded beverage selection, this Southaven-based restaurant features Southern dishes along with a curated list of whiskey offerings. The café is designed to serve both meals and drinks in a comfortable space suitable for small groups or casual outings.
Mande Dibi West African BBQ-Grill
This restaurant brings elements of West African grilling traditions to Memphis, with items prepared using spice blends and sauces common in Senegalese and Guinean cuisine. One of its distinctive features is the use of mustard and pili pili sauce, adding a layered heat and tang to grilled meat and vegetables.
Each year, Memphis Black Restaurant Week encourages residents and visitors to try local establishments they may not have previously visited. Beyond food, the event serves as a way to highlight the ongoing contributions of Black entrepreneurs to the city’s restaurant industry.
Participation in the week supports the broader local economy while offering a more complete picture of Memphis’s culinary identity.
