My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants in Brooklyn: Little Haiti Edition

Within the Little Caribbean is a smaller enclave known as Little Haiti. Little Haiti exists because when Haitians first moved to the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, they were isolated in part due to speaking French-Creole versus English, which is spoken by other Caribbean countries. Although Haiti is geographically part of the Caribbean, the Haitian community has historically been singled out and excluded as a member of the greater Caribbean community, which is why Haitians have had to build separate communities and organizations in order to survive.

Tracing the history and statistics:

• More than 20 percent of the foreign-born population in Flatbush are from Haiti (the largest population), followed by Trinidad and Tobago.

• According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, 10.8 percent of all Haitians in New York City live in Flatbush

• By the 1980s, most immigrants were arriving from the Caribbean. One-third of those immigrants were Haitian.

• Brooklyn is home to the largest percentage of foreign-born Haitian residents in New York State, with more than 40 percent of the foreign-born population residing in Flatbush, making Flatbush the most concentrated Haitian population in New York City.

• According to 2015 data by the Migration Policy Institute, Brooklyn had the second-highest concentration of Haitians in the United States with an estimated 156,000 Haitian Americans residing in New York City.

Little Haiti is where I feel most at home! It is where I lived for 7 years. It is also where my mother, a native Haitian, first lived when she first arrived to the United States, just a few blocks from where I was living. A full circle moment. You know its authentic when your own mother says it feels like she stepped into Haiti when she is here -- I felt the same way as well.

In this post you will find:

• Where Do Most Haitians Live in NYC? Where is the Haitian neighborhood NYC?

• How many Haitians are in New York?

• Where to find The Best Haitian Restaurants To Try In New York City in Little Haiti?

• What are the best Little Haiti restaurants in Little Haiti Brooklyn?

This post is just a taste of what the Little Haiti has to offer. If you want a full scope, check out my Comprehensive Little Caribbean Guide: a 34 page guide featuring nearly 40 Black-Owned businesses including Take Out & restaurants; desserts; cafes; Vegan/Vegetarian/Plant-Based; Places to Chill; and other Businesses. It also includes major historical landmarks with history; important streets and so much more.

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, NY Comprehensive Black-Owned Guide (34 Pages!)

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Where is the Little Haiti?

Little Haiti, officially designated in 2018, is the area roughly within East 16th Street, Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn Avenue, and along Church Avenue between East 16th Street and Albany Avenue.

Recently, Little Haiti even got a train station named after the area!

Below features in depth information on my 5 Favorite Black-Owned Food Spots to check out when exploring the Little Haiti:

• Food Spot 1: Bebe Fritay

• Food Spot 2: Chez Macoule/Chez Macul West Indian Restaurant

• Food Spot 3: La Baguette Shop

• Food Spot 4: Kreyol Flavor

• Food Spot 5: Yo Yo Fritaille

Food Spot 1: Bebe Fritay

Address:

• 826 Rogers Ave., Brooklyn NY 11226

• 82B East 18th St., Brooklyn NY 11226

• 1464 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11236

• 744 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203

• 112-26 Francis Lewis Blvd Queens, Queens Village, NY 11429

Check for Updates: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Country’s Cuisine Represented: Haitian

Order This: Griot (Fried Pork) with Diri ak Pwa (Rica & Beans); Fritay plate: griot, spicy pork sausage, acra, marinad, patate, fried plantains, and pikliz

History of Restaurant: The first restaurant opened in October 2015 in Brooklyn -- now there are 4 locations in Brooklyn and one in Queens, all of which are family-owned and operated. Their main focus is to keep Haitians around the world in touch with their food and non-Haitians to get to know the Haitian culture. Set up as a fast-food restaurant, they aim to be the world’s #1 fast-food chain restaurant, providing people with the best Haitian fried pork

Personal Experience: I first had their acra and marinad and that was really good! I noticed that their griot is softly fried just how I like it, which makes me want to come back.

INSIDER TIP: Have cash. They do not take credit cards.

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Food Spot 2: Chez Macoule/Chez Macul West Indian Restaurant

Address: 1115 Rogers Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Country’s Cuisine Represented: Haitian

Order This: Griot (Fried Pork) w/ Diri ak Pwa (Rice & Beans)

Personal Experience: This is definitely a hole in the wall, which means you are going to get authentic, tasty Haitian food. It is located on a residential block, and the spot itself looks more like a house from the outside. The inside may look suspicious, but trust me, the food is really good -- I love the taste of their rice and pork!

INSIDER TIP: Have cash. They do not take credit cards.

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Food Spot 3: La Baguette Shop

Address -- Locations in Little Caribbean

• 1855 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226

• 2705 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Check for Updates: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Country’s Cuisine Represented: Haitian

Order This: Soupe Joumou; Hot Chocolate!!!!! Beef Paté (patties); Créole Bread(White/Wheat) -- Pan Blanc; Lemonade

History of Restaurant: La Baguette Shop is a family-owned French Caribbean bakery that has been open for over 25 years. They serve fresh-baked breads, pastries, and homemade using family recipes passed down for generations.

Personal Experience: This is legitly my new favorite spot! I have been here twice in less than a week. Hands down the best hot chocolate I have had! There is nothing like Haitian hot chocolate, and they make it here. The hot chocolate, coupled with their homemade warm white bread is divine! A true indulgence! Their beef patties are really good too -- super flaky and best to eat on the spot while it's warm. No wonder there is always a line. You better know what you are getting as the line just grows, and so customers don’t have much patience as a result.

INSIDER TIP: They only take credit cards if you spend at least $10.

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Food Spot 4: Kreyol Flavor

Address:

• 2816 Church Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11226

• 1738 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210

• 8221 Flatlands Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11236

Check for Updates: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Country’s Cuisine Represented: Haitian

Order This: Macaroni; Bouillon; Griot (Fried Pork) with Diri ak Pwa (Rica & Beans); Soup Joumou

History of Restaurant: The first Kreyol Flavor opened in 2007 at 1738 Flatbush Avenue by Cursy St. Surin and his mother, Marie Flore Bastien. The idea came about because Cursy’s friends loved his mother’s cooking! Back in Haiti, his family ran borlettes, small Haitian lotteries, not eateries. They learned about the restaurant business and hospitality along the way. In 2014, Cursy opened the restaurant’s next location at 2816 Church Avenue -- keeping the menu and appearance consistent. In August 2018, Kreyol Flavor opened its third location at 8221 Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie. Their overall mission is “to serve authentic Haitian food, with no mixing or fusion,”

Personal Experience: Their food is seasoned well. However, their prices are higher than other Haitian spots. Also, their griot is not as soft as I like -- it is fried harder than I preferred, but that is a personal preference. I love the artwork they have hanging in their place. Know what you want as they do not have much patience to answer questions.

INSIDER TIP: Have cash. They do not take credit cards.

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Food Spot 5: Yo Yo Fritaille

Address: 2811 Glenwood Road; 826 Rogers Avenue; 1758 Nostrand Avenue

Check for Updates: Facebook

Country’s Cuisine Represented: Haitian

Order This: Fritay plate: griot, spicy pork sausage, acra, marinad, patate, fried plantains, & pikliz

History of Restaurant: This place specializes in the fried portion of the Haitian menu. It’s been since 1980!

Personal Experience: The Glenwood location is my go-to spot for authentic, tasty, well-seasoned Haitian food. It is one of those hole-in-the-walls that many Haitians go to, so you know it's legit. They do not speak that much English, so know what you plan to order. I love them for their juicy pork and spicy pork sausage!

INSIDER TIP: Have cash.They do not take credit cards.

YOU READY FOR THE FULL COMPREHENSIVE BLACK-OWNED LITTLE CARIBBEAN GUIDE? Check it out below!

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, NY Comprehensive Black-Owned Guide (34 Pages!)

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Which food spot will you try first? Comment below!