Take BART to these Black-owned eateries
The interior of Sobre Mesa in Downtown Oakland. Photo courtesy of Sobre Mesa.
This year marks the 100th year of Black History Month and the theme this year is, "A Century of Black History Commemorations." This theme marks 100 years of national, organized recognition of African American achievements, tracing back to the first "Negro History Week" in 1926. In addition to cultural events and museums, the Bay Area has incredible restaurants serving Black American cuisine as well as food from across the diaspora. And while Black History Month is the perfect time to try a new one, we’ve compiled a list of fantastic Black-owned restaurants near BART to enjoy all year long.
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.
Anthony’s Cookies | 24th St. Mission
Anthony Lucas started baking on a whim while attending San Francisco State to study accounting and engineering. His tasty cookies inevitably grew in popularity, and the self-taught baker quickly evolved from a home oven to large industrial convection ovens. He currently sells thousands of cookies every week! Popular flavors include Classic Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream and Toffee Chip. Take BART to 24th St. Mission and find sweet treats 0.2 miles away at 1417 Valencia Street.
Photo courtesy of Burdell Soul Food.
Burdell Soul Food | MacArthur
Chef and owner Geoff Davis lovingly named Burdell after his grandmother. The soul food restaurant is centered on nostalgia, including family recipes and the forgotten impact of Black farmers, artisans and culture on cuisine and hospitality in the U.S. Expect local produce, a fun, family-style option with Braised Oxtail, and an extensive wine list. Take BART to MacArthur to find this delicious soul food 0.7 miles away at 4640 Telegraph Ave.
Photo courtesy of RÊVE Bistro.
RÊVE Bistro | Lafayette Station
A cozy and classic French Bistro owned and operated by chef Paul Magu-Lecugy, RÊVE Bistro is an award-winning Black-owned restaurant near BART featuring comfort food, like steak frites, cassoulet, French onion soup and much more. There’s a beautifully landscaped heated garden patio in addition to indoor dining. Take BART to the Lafayette Station and stroll 0.5 miles to 960 Moraga Road F.
Photo courtesy of Catherin Varnell on Google Images.
Sobre Mesa |12th St. Oakland City Center
Readers might recognize Sobre Mesa’s chef Nelson German. A Top Chef (Season 18) contestant, his Afro-Latino kitchen provides delicious seasonal cuisine, creative cocktails, up-tempo music and a lush and vibrant atmosphere. The tapas menu includes fresh ingredients and pairs well with signature cocktails. Stop by at happy hour for a taste of both. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and his delicious concoctions can be found 0.2 miles away at 1618 Franklin Street.
A variety of cheesecakes from Gregory's Gourmet Desserts. Photo courtesy of Stan S on Yelp.
Gregory's Gourmet Desserts | 19th St. Oakland
You might miss this gem if you walked past it at 285 23rd St (0.4 miles from 19th St. Oakland BART). Gregory's Gourmet Dessert is described as "a hole in the wall, cultural institution." But it's so much more! Gregory Williams, the founder and executive Chef, found his inspiration after a bakery stopped making his favorite pastry, and he decided to make it on his own. Since then, he's come up with creative spins on classic desserts that pay homage to Black culture and the Bay Area, like the Lake Merritt Cheesecake or savory jerk chicken breakfast croissant.
How are you celebrating Black History Month?
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