NOW MagazineLifeBlack-owned businesses in Toronto you can support right now
Black-owned businesses in Toronto you can support right now
92 restaurants, bookstores, clothing lines and more Black-owned Toronto businesses you can check out in person or online
By Natalia Manzocco
Jun 5, 2020
Natalia Manzocco
Chef Ikelia Wright stirs a bowl of corn soup at One Love Vegetarian.
Calls to support Black-owned business in Toronto have risen in recent days, as a wave of anti-racism and anti-police brutality protests have spurred efforts – in Toronto and elsewhere – to uplift Black organizations and community members.
If you’re looking to support a business in your neighbourhood, we’ve put together a (by no means exhaustive) list of Black-owned restaurants and stores located all over the GTA, as well as a number of Toronto businesses that focus their operations primarily online.
Lalibela: A favourite spot (along with its Bloordale counterpart) for bountiful, delicious Ethiopian eats. 1202 Danforth, 869 Bloor West, lalibelaethiopianrestaurant.com
Mary’s Brigadeiro: Handcrafted Brazilian-style chocolates and sweets. 1912 Danforth, marysbsweets.com
Old’s Cool General Store: East York source for art, books and all manner of other finds. Say it out loud. 250 Westlake, oldscoolgeneralstore.com
Tanja-Tiziana
Lily Pottinger, co-owner/chef of The Real Jerk.
Real Jerk: Drake and Rihanna-approved east-end jerk spot with two locations. 842 Gerrard East, 1004 Kingston, therealjerk.com
Simone’s: This Caribbean spot is an east-end sleeper hit. 596 Danforth, facebook.com
SugarKane: Cajun and Caribbean-style eats and cocktails in a chill, loungey space. 699 Danforth, sugarkanerestaurant.ca
Tata’s Hot Sauce Emporium: Sure, they have awesome hot sauce – but the sandwiches at this East York spot also deserve a mention. 219 Rexleigh, tatahotse.com
Tropical Joe’s: Normally in Gerrard Square, this jerk spot is currently delivery-only. 1000 Gerrard East, facebook.com
Steven Davey
Pam’s Roti has been a west-side Toronto favourite for years.
Black-owned businesses in west Toronto
Ali’s Roti: Ali Algour has operated this roti counter in Parkdale since 1976. 1446 Queen West, alisroti.ca
Roux: Creole and Southern food in the Junction. 2790 Dundas West, rouxstir.ca
Selam: The newly-merged Pero and Selam Vegan do some of the best Ethiopian in an area filled with competition. 812 Bloor West, selamtoronto.com
T Dot Jerk: Simple spot at the foot of Roncesvalles specializing in jerk. 26 Roncesvalles, tdotjerk.com
The Palms Jerk & Grill: Family-style Jamaican and Caribbean spot offering takeout and catering. 2419 St. Clair West, thepalmsjerkandgrill.ca
Vena’s: Since 1991, this roti spot has been building up a loyal clientele. 1263 Bloor West, venas.ca
Young Animal: Chef Adisa Glasgow serves Trinidadian fare out of Laylow Brewery. 1133 College, facebook.com
Art of BBQ
Art of BBQ does stellar smoked meats in Scarborough.
Black-owned businesses in the GTA
All Star Beauty: Black-owned beauty supply store (online sales available). 2406 Eglinton East, Scarborough. allstarbeauty.ca
Art of BBQ: Pitmaster Trevor David does BBQ and Southern fare at this Scarborough smokehouse. 2328 Kingston, Scarborough, artofbbq.ca
Aunt Elsie’s Caribbean Kitchen: Caribbean grocery store with a popular takeout counter. 2689 Scarborough.
Bilal: Somali restaurant in Etobicoke offering takeout and delivery. 321 Rexdale, Etobicoke.
Chris Jerk Caribbean Bistro: Jerk chicken and shawarma are a match made in heaven at Chris Taylor’s quick service spot. 2570 Birchmount, Scarborough.
Drupati’s: A classic fave for roti and doubles in Scarborough. 35 Woodbine Downs,drupatis.com
Ital Vital: This mom and pop joint offers juices, vegan eats and desserts. 741 Pharmacy, Scarborough. italvitaltoronto.ca
Istar: 24-hour Somali cuisine in Etobicoke. 235 Dixon, Etobicoke. istarrestaurant.com
Jamaica Stamp: Low-key takeout spot with classic Jamaican specialties.1053 Midland
Xawaash: Traditional and fusion Somali cuisine with locations in Mississauga and Etobicoke. 130 Queen’s Plate, Etobicoke 80 Courtneypark East, Mississauga, xawaashrestaurant.com
Enarmoured
Bold brass earrings by Enarmoured.
Toronto Black-owned businesses you can shop online
Afrodelik: Funky pop culture tees featuring Black icons (plus a newly-launched graphic novel). afrodelik.com
Bellurelle: Natural, vegan and cruelty-free skincare. @bellurelle
Broke&Living: Streetwear line making edgy unisex staples.@brokeandliving
Cherry Gardens: Athleisure-inspired women’s loungewear and basics. shopcherrygardens.com
Dr. Liza Shoes: Practical-yet-cute boots and pumps designed with ergonomics in mind. drlizashoes.com
Natalia came to NOW as the food writer in 2015 before taking over the lifestyle desk in 2019. She has written about food, style, technology, life and travel for the National Post, Sun Media, blogTO and Metro. She enjoys thrift stores and bad puns.
Fadeaway Hair Studio http://www.fadeawayhairstudio.com
Local barbers available by appointment only, offering services for men women.
Rosé Blakk Dynasty http://www.instagram.com/mitsyboo1
Rosé Blakk Dynasty is a specialty beauty salon that offers nail care services such as manicures, medi-pedicures, and nail enhancements.
Hello, thanks for the list. However, you have listed shops and businesses in Scarborough and Etobicoke as “…in the GTA”. Why not list them in East Toronto and West Toronto respectively? Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York are part of Toronto, period. NOW has always had a downtown bias and that’s fine, but when you take the time to compile a list of businesses you need to not stigmatize people living in the farther reaches of Toronto, especially given than there is a greater degree of diversity the farther you get from downtown. Thanks!
Hello there,
Here are three additional black owned businesses that may fit well on your list…
Verb Strategy & Creative
http://www.verbsc.com
Boutique marketing agency offering branding, digital marketing & marketing strategies.
Fadeaway Hair Studio
http://www.fadeawayhairstudio.com
Local barbers available by appointment only, offering services for men women.
Rosé Blakk Dynasty
http://www.instagram.com/mitsyboo1
Rosé Blakk Dynasty is a specialty beauty salon that offers nail care services such as manicures, medi-pedicures, and nail enhancements.
Hello, thanks for the list. However, you have listed shops and businesses in Scarborough and Etobicoke as “…in the GTA”. Why not list them in East Toronto and West Toronto respectively? Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York are part of Toronto, period. NOW has always had a downtown bias and that’s fine, but when you take the time to compile a list of businesses you need to not stigmatize people living in the farther reaches of Toronto, especially given than there is a greater degree of diversity the farther you get from downtown. Thanks!