It’s time to celebrate entrepreneurship in Milwaukee while offering support to Black-owned eateries during Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week, which takes place Tuesday, April 25 through Sunday, April 30.
It's the eighth year for the annual event which encourages diners to patronize Black-owned businesses throughout the city. The grassroots initiative was founded by BlankSpaceMKE, an urban art cooperative founded by Bridget Robinson and Symphony Zawadi in an effort to raise awareness about social entrepreneurship and support the sustainability of local, Black-owned businesses.
Over the past eight years, participating restaurants have regularly seen a significant boost in profits during Black Restaurant Week – some nearly doubling their sales – assisting them in keeping their doors open during these challenging times.
How to participate
To kick off the week of deliciousness, families and supporters are invited to celebrate the 8th year of Milwaukee Black Restaurant week by gathering together and support the businesses inside the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, 3536 West Fond du Lac Avenue on Tuesday, April 25 from 3 to 7 p.m.
From there, diners are encouraged to show their support by visiting any Black-owned restaurant and documenting that visit by posting a photo of your receipt on social media using hashtag #MBRW23.
Your visible participation allows BlankSpaceMKE to gather data from the week to demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperative economics and the significance of the local dollar to sustain businesses.
So go out, try a new place you've never been before and show up for our city!
Participating restaurants
This list includes restaurants who explicitly signed up to participate in Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week. For more Black restaurants to support, check out our guide to Black-owned restaurants in the area.
1700 Pull Up
1848 W Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 899-0005
1700pullup.com
Serving: Soul food
Belli's Bistro
2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
bellisbistro.com
Serving: American cuisine, cocktails
Big Daddy’s BBQ and Soul Food
9201 W. Capitol Dr., (414) 455-8059
facebook.com/profile
Serving: barbeque, soul food
Brooks' Balanced Kitchen
731 N. Jackson St.,
facebook.com/BrooksBalance
Serving: Healthful breakfast and lunch offerings
Brownstone Social Lounge
524 N. Water St., (414) 210-4824
facebook.com/brownstonesociallounge
Serving: Pub fare
Confectionately Yours
Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 617-7575
1920 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., (414) 617-7575
cy3gbakery.com
Serving: Desserts (at Sherman Phoenix); breakfast and lunch on MLK Dr.
Crave BBQ
4923 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 509-6278
Serving: BBQ
Delicious Bites
6538 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 909-3372
thedeliciousbites.com
Serving: Grab and go salads, sandwiches, fresh baked sweet treats
Funky Fresh Spring Rolls
Sherman Phoenix
3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 732-1531
funkyfreshspringrolls.com
Serving: Healthful bowls, specials, frozen spring rolls
Grandma’s Hands
2721 N Blaine Pl., (414) 455-3685
grandmahands64.wixsite.com
Serving: Soul food
Happy Days Day Bar
Sherman Phoenix
3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 301-1027
facebook.com/happydaysdaybar
Serving: cocktails
Junior's Smoked BBQ
Sherman Phoenix
3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 215-0052
facebook.com/juniorsmokedLLC
Serving: Smoked meats, sides, sandwiches
Rise & Grind Cafe
2737 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., (414) 249-3846 (temp. closed)
Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W Fond Du Lac Ave.
Eatrisengrind.com
Serving: Breakfast, lunch
Turning Tables Tavern & Eatery
1040 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., (414) 210-3451
turningtablesmke.com
Serving: ever changing menu from multiple chefs
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
