Across New York State, Black-owned businesses are shaping culture through craftsmanship, storytelling, and design. From fashion boutiques and vintage curators to bookstores, music-inspired shops, and wellness spaces, each destination reflects creativity, resilience, and pride. Explore these spaces for your holiday and personal shopping this winter. From books and clothing to hats, candles, and thoughtful seasonal finds, purchase one-of-a-kind pieces from Brooklyn to Buffalo that celebrate Black excellence and make the perfect gift this season.

These are just a few of the great Black-owned businesses in New York. Message us on Instagram @iloveny to feature Black-owned businesses you love in New York State! 

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SHOPPING

Zawadi Books: A cornerstone of Buffalo’s literary and cultural scene since 1976, find your next great read at this Black-owned independent bookstore that highlights works by Black authors and thinkers, creating a space for reflection, connection, and inspiration. 

Megabrain Comics: Your friendly neighborhood comic book shop and board game lounge! Stop by Megabrain Comics in Red Hook for all-ages comics, toys, collectibles, graphic novels, and more. 

Darryl’s Boutique: Dress to impress at this women’s fashion boutique selling contemporary clothing and accessories in downtown Rhinebeck.  

Newburgh Mercantile: From gifts to custom framing to local spices and chocolates, make sure you pop into this gift shop on Broadway in Newburgh for an unforgettable souvenir from your trip. 

Down the Rabbit Hole Wine Boutique (pictured): Pop into this small shop in Sayville bursting with flavor and buy artisan wines, small lot vintages, and organic and biodynamic blends from around the world.

The Lit. Bar: Check out the only independent bookstore in the entire borough of the Bronx serving 1.5 million people. Better yet, it doubles as a wine bar and community center.

DA SPOT NYC: Located in City Point in Downtown Brooklyn, this dynamic Black- and woman-owned boutique features apparel, accessories, and home goods from more than 50 independent Black and POC-owned brands — a true hub of creativity and style. 

Blue Byrd’s Haberdashery & Music: Nestled in the Hudson Valley, this distinctive shop pairs timeless fashion and vinyl culture in a setting that celebrates craftsmanship, music, and community in Kingston.

Credit: @walkwithdevwalker on Instagram

Haven Spa (pictured): Known for its expert treatments and calming atmosphere, this Rhinebeck spa provides a peaceful retreat where visitors can recharge both mind and body while enjoying personalized, high-quality service. Buy a gift card for your family and friends this holiday! 

NiLu Gift Shop: NiLu Gift Shop is a Harlem boutique celebrating Black artistry through curated home décor, accessories, art, and handcrafted goods from independent creators. Located on Malcolm X Boulevard, it offers unique pieces that blend intentional style with community-rooted craftsmanship.  

Black Paper Party: Black Paper Party offers culturally inspired holiday décor featuring Black representation, including wrapping paper, ornaments, gift bags, stockings, holiday cards, ceramics, and home fragrance. Items are available at select Family Dollar and Walmart stores, with the full collection offered online through the Black Paper Party website.  

MansaWear: A custom-tailoring boutique in Rochester founded by designer Nita Brown that blends vibrant Ghanaian fabrics with modern fashion. Each handmade piece brings global artistry to the heart of Western New York. 

FOOD & DRINK

Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen: Feast on generational recipes that pay homage to the chef’s Southern roots, from fried chicken to smoky ribs and classic sweet potato fries in Albany.

Hamlet & Ghost: A staple in the Saratoga Springs community, this speakeasy-style restaurant and bar is known for experimental small plates and hand-crafted cocktails. 

See and Be Kitchen: Enjoy the delicious comforts of a home-cooked meal, tasty croissants, superb sourdoughs, and more from this husband and wife-owned bake shop in Cairo.  

The Juice Branch: Try over 100 different cold-pressed juices and smoothies, acai bowls, and join the health wave in Catskill, with a second location also located in Hudson. 

Delightful Bites by Nina: Using local and simple ingredients, Nina offers your favorite pastries, custom cakes, cupcakes, and cookies in Cairo.

The Sugar Beat: Ever tried alcohol-infused pound cakes? What about creamy vanilla and chocolate tres leches cake bowls? Add this Oneonta bakery to your list!

Credit @mushroomspirits on Instagram

Mushroom Spirits Distillery: Straight from New York’s original artisan mushroom farm, try one-of-a-kind mushroom-based spirits in Ithaca!

Capresso Coffee Bar & Cuisine: Create your own unique flavor of smoothie, coffee, tea, or chai, or grab a bite with various Caribbean specials including porridges, jerk chicken, salmon, and oxtail in Oneonta.

Caribbean Patty World: Feast on dishes from Caribbean islands from curry goat to oxtail and jerk chicken patties, and heat things up on wing night in Binghamton!

Freestyle Confections: Get your mouth watering in Oneonta with a raspberry lemonade crumble bar with raspberry drizzle, try a sweet cinnamon toast crunch cookie, and so much more.  

Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine: Located on South Cayuga Street in Ithaca, experience Ethiopian dishes from mild and spicy stews to spongy teff flatbread.  

Fort Baptist Farm: Established in 2017, shop fresh organically produced food and community supported agriculture shares (CSA) at this farm and Ithaca Farmers Market.

Credit @ohsnapreviews on Instagram

Brothers BBQ (pictured): Get messy with either the St. Louis or classic baby back Brothers ribs and finish them off with a side of collard greens or candied yams. 

Asempe Kitchen: This restaurant and catering service offers vegan and vegetarian options of traditional West African cuisine from their new downtown Ithaca location Cooking classes and private lessons with Chef Kuukua are also available!

Golden Cup Coffee: Get your caffeine fix with a fresh and flavorful cup of coffee made from the best coffee beans around the world in Buffalo. The 5-star ratings prove it!

Sunshine Vegan Eats: Expand your palate and taste a huge selection of freshly made vegan dishes featuring sustainable local produce in Buffalo.

Forever Jerk: Follow your sense of smell and the massive lines to find smoked chicken and pork Jamaican-style at food carts in Queens and Brooklyn. 

Kokomo: Enjoy an authentic Caribbean experience in Brooklyn. Sip discounted drinks during Koko Hour or indulge in Friday Bottomless Brunch.

Credit: @beatstronyc on Instagram

Beatstro: This restaurant and lounge in the South Bronx pays homage to the birth of Hip-Hop.  

Brown Butter Craft Bar & Kitchen: “House-made brown-butter biscuits” is all you need to hear to pop into this cafe, with menu items like the breakfast egg sandwich and biscuits with hot honey. 

Melba’s: Make your way to Harlem for premier comfort food like Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles with Strawberry Butter and Maple Syrup, the winner on “THROWDOWN!” with Bobby Flay!

Shaw-naé’s House: Home of the Sugar Daddy Wings, this Staten Island favorite, rated as one of the top 100 restaurants for 2024 in NYC by the NY Times, is sure to satisfy your cravings with soul-stirring dishes. 

Next Stop Vegan: With locations in Brooklyn and Washington Heights, find fun vegan options from stuffed plantain baskets to the BBQ pull “pork” sandwich made with jackfruit, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw.

Sylvia’s: Serving authentic soul food for 60 years and counting to celebrities, presidents, and locals alike, Sylvia’s is a Harlem favorite for home-style cooking, with Gospel Brunch on Sundays!

Tatiana (pictured): Named New York City’s best restaurant by the New York Times, Tatiana is James Beard Award-winning chef and author Kwame Onwuachi’s love letter to New York with a menu that takes you on a culinary journey through the flavors of the city.

Harlem Hops: Grab some beer, booze, and bites from Manhattan’s first 100% African American owned NYC local craft beer bar.

Saga NYC: Indulge in an evening of elegance at this two-star Michelin restaurant, ran by Executive Chef Charlie Mitchells, New York City’s first and the United States’ second Black chef to achieve the esteemed Michelin star rating

Cloudy Donuts Co.: Indulge in a sweet treat at the first-ever Black-owned business in Brooklyn Heights serving up gourmet vegan donuts. 

PLACES TO STAY

Boheme Retreats (pictured): Spend the night under the stars in a vibrant, retro-style camper at its new Catskills location to be announced in 2026.

The Lorca: Plan a beautiful wilderness retreat in one of the cozy Catskill mountain houses in Shandaken or the Adirondack nature lodge in Sabael.

Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast: Plan a romantic getaway with luxury rooms, spa services, and a gourmet breakfast in East Marion. While in town, discover the North Fork Long Island Wine Country.

Akwaaba Mansion: Enjoy a luxury getaway at this inn housed in an 1860s Italianate villa and nestled in a quiet tree-lined community in historic Stuyvesant Heights in Brooklyn. 

ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES

Colored Musicians Club (pictured): The only African American club of its kind in the United States, currently promoting historical research and preservation of jazz in Buffalo. 

Black Surfing Association-Rockaway: Get your kids to the Rockaways to learn how to surf, alongside other young New York locals, or check out skateboarding lessons if land is more their style. Plus, they’ve been featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show.

Hush Hip-Hop Tours: Explore the history of Hip Hop from the state that started it, from the Boogie Down Bronx, the original birthplace of Hip Hop, to Harlem, and Brooklyn. 

Black Gotham Experience: Take a captivating walking tour through African American history, highlighting the pivotal contributions and narratives of Black New Yorkers spanning from 1623 and across three centuries. 

Don’t stop your adventure there! Discover more about The Black Experience in NYC and shop from various Black-owned businesses in neighborhoods including  Flatbush, Jamaica, Bed-Stuy, and Harlem.

Originally published: 7/28/2021