When it comes to food in Los Angeles, you have to do a bit of digging and searching to find the good. In truth, LA is not at all my first thought when I think of places that have excellent food in general but especially Black food. I’ve been to LA enough now (more than anywhere else) to have tried a few different restaurants, and these five are the best I've come across over several trips, whether you want soul food, a down-home feel or a good taste of West African cooking. Each one is in a different part of the city, and each has its own personality.
Updated September 2026: I ate at these restaurants between 2022 and 2023. I've confirmed they're all still open, but menus change, so I've noted anything that's different now.
Quick Picks
Special dinner: Alta Adams
Casual and very Black: Earle's on Crenshaw
First time trying West African food: Two Hommés
Brunch: Poppy + Rose
Soul food downtown: Fixins
1. Alta Adams
5359 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Let me start by saying there is no soul food like Southern soul food, but if you’re in LA and looking for something comparable, visit Alta Adams, a restaurant in historic West Adams Los Angeles. The outdoor patio is a nice area to dine in and the service is excellent.
Don't be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two, and I get why. If I were constantly surrounded by hoopla and fanfare, I'd want to escape somewhere with a down-home feel like this too.
The menu at Alta Adams has a selection of soul food classics with a contemporary twist. I most loved the cornbread with honey butter and the deviled eggs were to die for; both of these are starters. For my meal, I had the Fried Chicken with mac and cheese, collard greens and candied yams.
2026 update: Alta Adams closed for a few months at the start of 2026 and reopened in June with a reworked, seasonal menu under Chef Keith Corbin, who's now the sole owner. It's now dinner only, and the dishes I ordered may not be on the new menu. It's on my list to try the new version next time I'm in LA.
2. Fixins Soul Kitchen
800 W Olympic Blvd A150, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Fixins Soul Kitchen is a Black-owned restaurant located in downtown LA that has decent soul food. Of everywhere on this list, it’s probably my least favorite, but still worth mentioning. The menu has classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, mac and cheese, yams, peach cobbler and the like. On top of the food being just okay, the host service was lacking. Even with a reservation and open tables, my party was made to wait with no explanation. Still, I’d recommend it as a downtown, black-owned option for soul food; it’ll get the job done.
3. Earle’s on Crenshaw
3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Earle's is a Crenshaw institution that reminds me of somewhere I’d visit at home, mostly because it’s very Black. Brothers Cary and Duane Earle started with a hot dog cart in Venice Beach in 1986 and opened their first Crenshaw restaurant in 1992, and they've been feeding the community ever since, starting with hot dogs.
While known for their hot dogs, it’s worth noting they also have burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and even a bunch of vegan options. I also cannot forget to mention the standout of Earle's: the Kool-Aid. I hadn’t had Kool-Aid in years, but I was so glad my first cup in a long time was from Earle’s. It instantly reminded me of my childhood gulping down cups of red kool-aid in the summertime.
Beyond the good food and drink options, Earle's on Crenshaw represents a celebration of Black culture and community. The staff reminded me of an aunt or an uncle I’d see at a cookout, which is the kind of vibe I like when I go somewhere to eat. Earle's is casual and walk-in, so no reservation needed.
4. Two Hommés
902 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
Pronounced home-ays. The first time I tried any sort of African food was at Two Hommés. It's run by Chef Mando and Chef AB, lifelong friends and LA natives who started it as a pop-up in 2020 and moved into their permanent Inglewood space in September 2022. The jollof platter has Ghanaian jollof rice with “bomb azz” black beans and plantains. You can also add a protein to your bowl; my selection was the chili garlic chicken. Let me tell you, I could have eaten two of these bowls. Having said that, I would love to go back and try so many of the other menu options like the honey berbere chicken bites, garlic fries, and the passionfruit ceviche.
5. Poppy + Rose
765 Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Poppy + Rose is known for its chicken and waffles, and it sits in LA's Flower District, which I loved. The name makes perfect sense once you're there. It’s located in the flower district, which I loved and is very befitting of the name. While I saw many things on the menu I would try, I felt like for my first visit, I absolutely had to try the chicken and waffles, and it did not disappoint. As much as I enjoyed the meal, I also thoroughly enjoyed the strawberry limeade, so much so that I ordered one to go and even tried a bit of the mint limeade as well. It's a daytime-only spot, open for breakfast and brunch until early afternoon. There was plenty of seating when I went, but it gets busier when the flower market across the street is open, so go early.
Planning Your LA Food Trip
LA is spread out, so plan by area. Alta Adams, Earle's and Two Hommés are all on the city's south and west sides, around West Adams, Crenshaw and Inglewood, so they pair well on the same day. Poppy + Rose and Fixins are both downtown. Rideshares add up quickly between neighborhoods, so if you're planning to eat your way through this list, renting a car makes it much easier.
My Hotel Rec
The Hoxton, Downtown LA, which has a chic, bohemian feel. It's in a restored 1922 building on Broadway with a rooftop pool, and staying downtown puts you close to Poppy + Rose and Fixins. Check rates at The Hoxton →
Photo Credit: Conde Nast Traveler
Car Rental
These restaurants are in four different neighborhoods. Compare rental rates before you land →
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