Black-Owned Businesses in St. Pete-Clearwater

Big C's Chopped BBQ, owned by Cassandra Jenkins, is a local staple in South St. Pete with its juicy Southern barbecue that keeps people coming back for more. Known as the “Home of the Famous $5 Chopped Chicken,” Big C's Chopped BBQ has all the fixings you need – from tender ribs and smoky chopped beef to collard greens and creamy mac and cheese. For a sweet ending to an unforgettable meal, treat yourself to dessert with red velvet cake.

Tap into your inner Gatsby at The Catalyst on the Deuces, a speakeasy founded by St. Pete natives Jason Bryant and Jeffrey Copeland, as well as brothers Chris, Sheldon and Andrew Steele. From game night to R&B Sundays, The Catalyst on the Deuces in St. Pete shakes up cocktails, smooth tunes and a coworking hub designed to spark creativity and conversations.

Central Station Barbershop & Grooming is more than just a barbershop on Central Ave. in downtown St. Pete – it's an impact-driven local business that uplifts the community by giving free haircuts to children who read a book aloud while getting their haircut. Owner and Master Barber, Antonio Brown, opened Central Station nearly 10 years ago and launched a book club to get children excited about reading while helping to improve the literacy rate in local Black and brown children.

Nestled in The EDGE District in St. Pete, COPA’s cocktail lounge and tapas bar is an Afro-Latin Caribbean fusion of flavors. Founded in 2019 by brothers Sebastien Thuriere, a former international soccer player and Maxim Thuriere, a local entrepreneur, COPA bursts with fiery flavors in its handcrafted Moroccan mojitos, tapas plates including barbacoa tacos and beats that’ll make you break out in an Afro-Latin salsa dance.

Uplift your young bookworms at Cultured Books, where stories spark imagination and children see themselves represented in the books they read. Cultured Books is a pop-up bookstore created by Lorielle Hollaway to celebrate diversity by showcasing different cultures, countries and faces from across the globe. The beloved bookstore uplifts local readers through events like St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Treat yourself to delectable baked goods and edible works of art made from scratch by baker Latoya McCormick and her team at Cups & Cakes by Latoya. The South St. Pete bakery features centerpiece cakes infused with love, fresh ingredients and rich flavors that are Insta-worthy.

Founded by sisters Matipa and Mercy Nyamangwanda, boutique store EnnYe in downtown St. Pete fuses culture with modern fashion and bold styles to create statement pieces that are New York Fashion Week-ready. A reflection of the sisters’ Zimbabwean roots, EnnYe features 100% cotton garments, eye-catching jewelry and handcrafted wooden accessories that bring a touch of creative elegance to your wardrobe.

Forget fancy napkins and white tablecloths! Dig into finger-licking soulful seafood at Grant's Crabs & Seafood, a casual, family-friendly restaurant that’s been serving Largo for over 8 years. Will Grant, the man behind the cracking good times at Grant’s, is a local legend with over 32 years of experience feeding locals, visitors and celebrities including Angela Bassett and Dick Vitale. Get your claws on the secret "Stuttah Buttah" sauce to drench your mountain of crab legs, chicken wings and shrimp.

Co-founded by Black head brewer, educator and certified pommelier Khris Johnson, Green Bench Brewing Co. is more than just a microbrewery that serves fresh-brewed beers in downtown St. Pete. It’s a staple in the local community that recognizes and honors St. Pete’s history of segregation. In 1916, a city ordinance was set to standardize the size and color of its benches, and green benches by the thousands began to line downtown St. Pete’s sidewalks to create a gathering place for residents and tourists. However, the benches were segregated and considered off limits to African Americans through the 1960s. Today, Green Bench Brewing Co. is redefining the “green bench” narrative as a symbol of unity through its inclusive taproom, where all are welcome to raise a pint of craft beer to a brighter, hoppier future.

Grill-master Jay Bowrey celebrates 10 years of grilling perfectly smoked meats and irresistible sides at Grillin' n Chillin' BBQ in St. Pete Beach. From melt-in-your-mouth ribs and juicy pulled pork to creamy mac-n-cheese and brisket, no matter what you order, you’ll experience beachside BBQ bliss.

Get your grub on at Heavy’s Restaurant and Take Out in St. Pete’s Deuces Live District for lip-smacking soul food that will have you craving more. With over 30 years of combined kitchen experience, owner Kendrick Scott and Executive Chef Rob Lancaster cook up dishes like tender pork chops, juicy barbeque chicken and blackened grouper.

Swap your ordinary cup of joe when you purchase java made by Hogg Batch Coffee, a coffee roastery in St. Pete’s Grand Central District that uses a unique barrel-aging process for the finest batches of single-origin coffee. The brotherly love between twins David and Duane Hogg sparked a coffee alchemy featuring bold flavors like smoky bourbon and sweet rum-infused coffee. The roastery is open to consumers by appointment only, but you can purchase the products anytime at St. Petersburg Distillery. Hogg Batch will also ship free to any Florida address (or nationwide with a fee for shipping).

For fine plant-based dining, run (don’t walk) to the House of Vegano, a vegan sushi restaurant on Central Ave. in downtown St. Pete dreamed up by athlete and plant-based food lover, Thalia Tatham. Indulge in Japanese-inspired sushi rolls brimming with veggies paired with savory ramen and house-made dumplings that’ll warm your soul.

Get a taste of paradise at Island Flavors and Tings, a Caribbean restaurant founded by Helena Josephs, who pours her Jamaican roots and award-winning culinary skills into every dish. Whether you’re savoring jerk chicken that's tender to the bone or moist rum cake, you’ll leave its locations in Gulfport or the St. Pete Pier District (which is open on weekends serving desserts and Jamaican patties) with a big smile and happy tummy.

Owned by private chef-turned-restaurant owner Chef Eddie Adams, Loaded The Potato Place in Clearwater is redefining comfort food to bring a fusion of mouthwatering dishes inspired by Chef Eddie’s global culinary adventures. After sharpening his craft at the local Pinellas Technical College and The Culinary Institute of America in New York, Chef Eddie opened Loaded The Potato Place in Clearwater to bring hearty potatoes piled high with toppings like marinated chicken, crumbled bacon and vegan-friendly options.

For over 30 years, Lorene Office has been serving flavorful Southern-style seafood at Lorene's Fish House in Deuces Live District. The takeout restaurant has been a go-to favorite for locals and visitors craving fresh seafood like mussel and shrimp boils or fried grouper sandwiches. With sides like her famous garlicky, lightly spiced boiled peanuts, dining at Lorene's Fish & Crab House feels like Sunday dinner at your grandma’s house.

Founded by Chief Baking Officer Pattye L. Sawyer in 2019, PattyeCakes brings generations of baking traditions from her grandmothers and father to your homes with freshly made desserts. Indulge in a sweet experience with Pattye’s signature Kickin’ Key Lime Pound Cake, Crown Royal Caramel Apple Bundt Cake or her specialty treats like cupcakes and dipped cookies. Pattye delivers her desserts to Clearwater, Largo, St. Pete and Tampa.

Dig in to the magic of the menu at Ray’s Vegan Soul, with plant-based dishes for people who love organic, high-quality ingredients. Ray Milton was inspired to provide nourishing, delectable vegan meals free of gluten, soy, dairy, eggs and peanuts. Try the signature quinoa meatloaf or the African almond soup. Head to Ray’s Soul to Go Sundays in South St. Pete to pick up first-come, first-served vegan dishes. Only open on Sundays, there's a different menu each week, which is featured on the restaurant’s website.

Turn up the heat and indulge in global cuisine at Roam Steakhouse, where you'll dine on chargrilled oysters, honey garlic glazed lamb chops and, of course, mouth-watering steak cooked to perfection. Jackson brothers, Joshua and Christian, dreamt up Roam Steakhouse to take your taste buds on a culinary vacation right in St. Pete, one sizzling bite at a time.

Grab your reusable bag and venture to the Saturday Shoppes, the largest Southside marketplace St. Pete, Clearwater, Tampa and even Atlanta. Shop for local hand-made crafts, home goods and food truck bites. Saturday Shoppes was created by Renee Edwards, a visionary who uses her shop to support aspiring entrepreneurs, small businesses and the local community while celebrating diversity.

Craving the bold, authentic Caribbean flavors? Sid's Caribbean Grill is a Deuces Live District gem with classic island favorites like savory stewed chicken over rice and peas, tender curry goat and warm, flaky beef patties. Owners and brothers Chris, Sheldon and Andrew Steele created a laidback atmosphere where you can enjoy a comforting, home-style meal with family and friends.

Body-inclusive clothing boutique Sip Shop Horray celebrates all shapes and sizes through chic fashion that caters to your unique style. Founded by Ragina Mullucey, Sip Shop Horray is a fashion-forward store where you can elevate your wardrobe as you shop for everyday essentials and statement pieces while enjoying canned cocktails and wine on Central Ave. in downtown St. Pete.

Created by David Ellis and Bob Devin Jones, The Studio@620 is a creative gem nurturing the raw talent and authentic expression of local emerging artists. Now owned by Erica Sutherlin, the intimate space in downtown St. Pete offers a platform for artists and performers to share their creativity in all forms through concerts, film screenings, literary readings, dance performances, theatrical productions, art exhibitions and more.

Cocktail bar Urban Drinkery blends the art of mixology with heritage, creativity and the power of community. In honor of her grandmother’s legacy and for being raised with an appreciation for the world of spirits, owner Shundra Allison’s childhood inspired her to start Urban Drinkery in 2020 to serve craft cocktails that are both delicious and health-conscious. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and mocktails created with natural juices by skilled mixologists in the historic Deuces Live District.