One way people across North America are showing their support for the Black community is by switching up where they spend their dollars. Earlier this week, we asked our Instagram followers to tell us about their favourite Black-owned restaurants in Calgary and what they love to order there. Some of these restaurants were also curated from a list of Black-owned restaurants compiled by @gonaduraj on Instagram and from the newly created @blackowned.yyc Instagram account. If your favourite spot isn’t on this list, let us know. We’ll try to keep this story as updated as possible.
Abyssinia
While in-restaurant dining was shut down due to the pandemic, the owner at this Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant gave away free food to healthcare workers at the Sheldom M. Chumir Health Centre as well as free barbecue to people in the neighbourhood. If you want to give back to Abyssinia, now is the time. It’s now open for dine-in, takeout and delivery through DoorDash.
910 12 Ave. S.W., 403-452-3498, abyssiniarestaurant.ca
Bolo Cakery & Café
This bakery and cafe in Varsity Acres is home to something amazing called a cheese wheel. It’s an eight-inch wheel of cheese buns made on bolo bread, which is flat and circular. You’ll also find beautiful cakes made with Swiss meringue frosting (gluten-free and vegan options available) and coffee from local Calgary Heritage Roasting Company. Bolo does not have seating and is takeout only.
107, 5403 Crowchild Tr. N.W., 587-231-9069, bolocakery.ca
Flavours Restaurant
Flavours Restaurant began as a catering company for authentic Nigerian food and now is a popular restaurant in the northwest community of Highwood. Try its African Signature Meal, which comes with egusi (melon) soup, okra and iyan (pounded yam). Flavours Restaurant is open for dine-in, takeout and delivery through DoorDash.
4129 4 St. N.W., 403-719-2770, flavourcuisineandcatering.com
Joycee’s Caribbean Food
Joycee’s has been a longtime favourite for Jamaican food in Bridgeland. Popular dishes include chicken, beef or goat roti, jerk chicken and braised oxtail. Joycee’s is open for takeout and delivery through SkipTheDishes.
630 1 Ave. N.E., 403-234-9940, skipthedishes.com
KFS BBQ Smokehouse
KFS (Kangong Food Services) BBQ Smokehouse offers catering services and it also has a restaurant in the Avenida Food Hall & Fresh Market, which is now open for dine-in, takeout and delivery. The menu is Southern-style barbecue with smoked ribs, wings, burgers and meaty sandwiches.
Avenida Food Hall, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr., 403-719-5644, kfsbbqsmokehouse.com
Krazy Jerk
Everyone who works at Krazy Jerk is family, down to the delivery driver. Owned by five sisters and one brother-in-law, this Jamaican restaurant is best known for its jerk chicken, curry goat and oxtail. It’s currently open for takeout and delivery only through DoorDash and Uber Eats.
1715 52 St. S.E., 403-691-1040, krazyjerk.com
Lloyd’s Patty Plus
If you’re a Jamaican patty lover, then you should already know about Lloyd’s Patty Plus. The spicy beef patties are its most popular, but make sure to get some coco bread, too (made with coconut milk). Lloyd’s also does curry goat on Fridays. It’s open for takeout only.
255 28 St. S.E. 403-207-4455, restaurantji.com
Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant
When we asked about your favourite Black-owned restaurants, many of you answered with Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant in Kensington. Veggie lovers are in luck here — all of the vegetarian options (there are a lot of them) are also vegan. And, starting June 24, Marathon will have Vegan Wednesdays featuring a special vegan menu. It is closed Mondays starting June 15 (previously open seven days a week). It’s now open for dine-in, takeout and delivery through SkipTheDishes, DoorDash and Uber Eats.
130 10 St. N.W., 403-283-6796, marathonrestaurant.ca
Nile Cafe
Located right on Forest Lawn’s International Avenue, Nile Cafe specializes in African samosas. You’ll also find fresh Jamaican patties, Nigerian puff puffs (similar to doughnut holes) and coffee. It’s open for takeout or delivery through SkipTheDishes.
4002 17 Ave. S.E., 403-618-2499, nilecafe.ca
Simply Irie
The Jamaican word irie means “good” or “nice,” which is fitting for this husband-and-wife-owned Caribbean restaurant that always seems to have a lineup. The jerk chicken and roti are some well-loved menu items. It’s currently open for dine-in on the patio only, takeout and delivery through SkipTheDishes and DoorDash. Simply Irie was open late on weekends pre-pandemic but check its website for updates on modified hours.
1510 6 St. S.W., 403-454-7400, simplyirie.ca