This Saturday we’ll celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday to remember the emancipation of those who have been enslaved in the US. This is the perfect day to celebrate the black culture with a special dining experience. Being a multicultural city, Orlando has numerous amazing black-owned restaurants. With many options, it’s difficult to pick one. But no worries… G.O. See The City has selected nine delicious restaurants, including some fine ice cream and vegan options. Check out the restaurants below and pick your favorite for your Juneteenth celebration!
1. Chicken Fire
Chicken fire is a restaurant located on Colonial Drive serving Nashville hot chicken. According to reviews, their chicken is absolutely on fire! The owner Kwame Boakye is a guy from Akron with Gahanian roots. He purchases the chicken from farms in North Carolina, and then brines, batters, and fries it. But what makes his hot chicken unique is the hot oil glaze prepared with a blend of secret spices 😉
2. Chill Pop
Located in downtown Avalon, this fabulous family-owned popsicle shop offers unique frozen treats, such as ice creams, sorbets, and shakes. Try their Cookies ‘n Cream chill pop, or their Belgian chocolate ice cream topped with nuts. Their flavors change very often, so every time you walk in, you’ll always find something new.
3. Dajen Eats
This unique black-owned Cafe & Creamery offers vegan food in a Jamaican style. Some vegan options include non-dairy ice creams, seitan-based “chicken” patties and much more! The restaurant also organizes cooking classes blending vegan recipes with Jamaican flavors. And if you want to explore more vegan recipes, go to their website and watch cooking classes videos or listen to the podcast.
4. Kann Caribbean Kitchen
Located in the I-Drive district, the Kann Caribbean Kitchen Rum Bar and Bakery offers its guests an authentic Haitian-Caribbean cuisine experience. Their menu features chicken, fish, wings, salads, pasta, and even vegan options and mouth-watering desserts. Stop by and immerse yourself in these unique Haitiian flavors!
5. Nikks place
Located only a few minutes away from downtown, Nikki’s Place is the best restaurant in Orlando to experience the flavors of fine southern cuisine. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and it also organizes private events. Additionally, it specializes in catering for weddings, corporate, colleges, and church events. The restaurant was opened in 1999 by the owner Nick Aiken and since then, it has been serving the best classic southern cuisine dishes in Orlando.
6. Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
Although not very popular yet, the Ethiopian cuisine is a mix of flavors that will make your mouth water. The Nile restaurant serves a variety of authentic dishes including beef, lamb, and fish, but also vegetarian and vegan options. Opened in 2006, the restaurant is located on International Drive, the heart of Orlando’s tourism industry. Be ready for a meal full of spices and be ready to get messy fingers! Ethiopians do not use cutlery, but they eat using injera, a spongy pancake-like bread 🙂
7. Seafood Bandit
If you love seafood, then Seafood Bandit is for you! This food truck located on Bruton Boulevard serves delicious food with impeccable customer service and at a very good price. Crab legs, shrimps, lobster, or fish served with their popular Bandit sauce: This truck is a heaven on earth for seafood lovers.
8. Seana’s Restaurant
Seana’s is a local family owned business that serves delicious Caribbean food with outstanding customer service. The semi-self-service restaurant offers a varied menu featuring fish, chichen, pork, pasta and much more! The restaurant is owned by Joshua Johnson, an Orlando native who fell in love with Caribbean soul food during a birthday party. After tasting this delicious cuisine, he decided to open a restaurant to share with his community these authentic flavors.
9. Serengeti at Bronze Kingdom
This restaurant is located inside the Bronze Kingdom Museum, right on International Drive. Chef Fitz Campbell, Sous Chef Linda Kong, and Pastry Chef Dionna Hurt will surprise you with revisited dishes of the African gastronomy twisted with some American flavors. Stop by to enjoy a superb culinary experience!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list! If you visit one of these places, post a picture on Instagram and tag G.O. See The City (@goseethecity). And if you haven’t already click here and subscribe to our newsletter. We send out discount coupons very often 😉
The team of G.O. See The City wishes you an amazing Juneteenth!
